World War II Honoree

Violet 'Pat' Pendleton Goss

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Little Rock, Arkansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

BEGAN WORK AT fORD, BACON AND DAVIS ORDNANCE PLANT IN 1942. SHE HELPED MAKE DETONATORS FOR THE M57 ARTILLERY SHELL, AND BOMB NOSE CONES. ENLISTED IN THE MARINE CORPS WOMEN'S RESERVES ON MAY 1, 1943. AT THE TIME, SHE WAS THE YOUNGEST WOMAN IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS TO ENLIST. SHE WAS IN ONE OF THE FIRST GROUPS OF WOMEN MARINES TO ATTEND BOOT CAMP AT CAMP LEJUENE, NORTH CAROLINA, BEGINNING IN JULY, 1943. ATTENDED SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND COURSES BEFORE BEING ASSIGNED TO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION SANTA BARBARA IN CALIFORNIA. THERE, SHE WORKED IN A MACHINE SHOP ENGAGED IN AIRCRAFT REPAIR. SHE LATER WAS TRANSFERRED TO BASE TRANSPORTATION WHERE SHE WORKED ON VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1945 AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.