World War II Honoree

Jean Ruth Hay

Hometown

Fortuna, California

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

DURING WWII SHE WOKE MILLIONS OF TROOPS EACH MORNING WITH HER UPBEAT RADIO PROGRAM, REVEILLE WITH BEVERLY, WHICH WAS BROADCAST INTO FOXHOLES, COCKPITS AND MILITARY OUTPOSTS FROM ALASKA TO NEW ZEALAND, BETWEEN 1941 AND 1944. HER DAWN BROADCAST REACHED AN ESTIMATED 11 MILLION PEOPLE AND HER SELECTIONS WERE A WELCOME ALTERNATIVE TO THE 5:30 AM BUGLER'S BLAST. HER DAY AT THE STATION BEGAN WITH HER SIGNATURE OPENING, 'HI THERE, BOYS OF THE USA.' 'WE'RE READY WITH THE STUFF THAT MAKES YOU SWING AND SWAY,' SHE WOULD CROON. SHE WAS CALLED THE WORLD'S 1ST GLOBAL DISC JOCKEY WITH HER PROGRAMS REACHING SERVICEMEN IN 54 COUNTRIES. SHE ALSO POSED FOR A PIN-UP AND WAS VOTED BY THE TROOPS THE GIRL WE'D MOST LIKE TO BE TRAPPED IN THE TURRET OF A B-17 WITH.'