World War II Honoree

Ruth E. Barnard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wahoo, Nebraska

Honored By

Col. Rocky Barnard

Relationship

Son

BASIC TRAINING AT DES MOINES, IOWA. STATIONED AT DOUR AIR FORCE BASE IN BANGOR, MAINE SERVING AS COMMUNICATIONS SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR, PREPARING AND SENDING OUT BLACKOUT CONDITIONS. BRIEFLY STATIONED AT CAMP POLK, LOUISIANA. ARMY AIR FORCE TACTICAL CENTER, ORLANDO, FLORIDA WAS LAST ASSIGNMENT. THERE SHE SERVED WITH THE 902ND ARMY AIR BASE UNIT SQUADRON G. GUARD. THIS WAS THE FIRST WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS GROUP TRAINED FOR MILITARY POLICE DUTY. SHE ALSO SERVED AS A SECRETARY IN THE PROVOST MARSHAL'S OFFICE. SHE TELLS STORY OF HER PICTURE BEING IN THE STARS AND STRIPES THROWING HER JUDO/KARATE/COMBAT ARMS COACH. IT WAS NOT THAT IMPORTANT, EXCEPT THAT THIS REALLY EMBARRASSED HER BROTHERS WHO WERE SERVING IN EUROPE, PICKING UP THE STARS AND STRIPES TO SEE LITTLE SISTER 'MANHANDLING' HER MALE INSTRUCTOR. SERVED SEPTEMBER 17, 1942 TO AUGUST 24, 1944.