World War II Honoree

Clara Marie Dryden Gumz

Hometown

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SHE RECEIVED A JOB OFFER FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AFTER PASSING THE CLERK-TYPIST GOVERNMENT CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION. SHE WENT TO WASHINGTON JUST AFTER HER 20TH BIRTHDAY AND BEGAN WORKING. IN THE LATTER PART OF 1944, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO THE POSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE NAVY POST-GRADUATE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM. SHE CONTINUED HER CIVILIAN CAREER WITH THE NAVY UNTIL HER RETIREMENT.