World War II Honoree

Phyllis L. Flynn

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Washington

Honored By

Patty Flynn Erickson

Relationship

Cousin

SHE ENLISTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR AND WANTED TO GO TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL. SHE TOOK THE TEST AND SCORED AN 858. BUT FOUND OUT ON THE TRAIN, ON THE WAY THERE, THAT THE SCHOOL IN DES MOINES, IOWA HAD CLOSED. SO SHE HAD THE CHOICE OF STAYING WITH THE SAME GROUP OF LADIES WITH WHOM SHE HAD SERVED AT RUSTON, LOUISIANA PRISON CAMP AND MONTICELLO, ARIZONA PRISON CAMP EQUIPPING THE MEDICAL AREA. SHE DECIDED TO GO ON TO FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY WITH HER FRIENDS. ONCE THERE SHE WORKED IN ALL DEPARTMENTS DOING EVERYTHING, UNTIL SHE FINALLY STARTED DOING AUTOPSIES. SHE STAYED THERE AT THE REQUEST OF THE COLONEL. SHE BECAME AN EXCELLENT AUTOPSY TECHNICIAN. SHE WAS WORKING IN THESE LABS WHEN PENICILLIN WAS DISCOVERED. WHAT A BOON TO TREATING THESE MEN. FROM THERE SHE WAS MOVED TO TILTON GENERAL AT THE SAME FORT WHERE SHE CONTINUED IN THE SAME SITUATION BUT WITH SOME OF THE MOST ESTEEMED DOCTORS IN THE U.S. SHE SERVED IN THE WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS FOR FOUR YEARS, UNTIL WAR'S END.