Helen VanGuilder WWII WAAC
Shared by Sandy Chamberlain

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was a group of women who served in the United States Army during World War II. The WAAC was created to free up men for combat by taking on administrative duties.

Formation

The WAAC was established in 1942 in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor

The WAAC was created as an auxiliary unit, but was later converted to an active duty branch of the Army in 1943

The WAAC's first training center was located at Fort Des Moines, Iowa

Roles

WAACs performed a variety of roles, including aircraft spotting, mail sorting, and printing V-mail cards

WAACs were deployed all over the world

Challenges

The WAAC faced opposition from some quarters, including the defense industry and those who thought women shouldn't serve in uniform

Black WACs faced additional challenges, including being given menial jobs and court-martialed

Legacy

The WAAC's contributions were recognized with the passage of legislation that established a lasting presence of women in the Armed Services

The Women's Army Corps (WAC) was the women's branch of the United States Army before 1978. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), on 15 May 1942, and converted to an active duty status in the Army of the United States as the WAC on 1 July 1943. Its first director was Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby. The WAC was disbanded on 20 October 1978, and all WAC units were integrated with male units.

Tioga Point Museum has been gifted some letters written by Sgt. Helen Van Guilder while she served in the WAAC during WWII. Helen was from Sayre, Pennsylvania. She shared interesting thoughts and feelings as she served her country. From her excitement of entering training to her excitement about being able to come home to the U.S. again is palpable to the reader of her letters.

On March 23rd in 1943 she was “on her way”, leaving from Penn Station, NY. On March 24th her father received word that she had arrived safely at Fort Oglethorp, Georgia and would be undergoing processing for the next 2 days. After that she would be assigned to basic training and able to send her address for those 4 weeks.

In May of 1943, she wrote of having a large piece of chocolate cake but assured her mother that it was only “almost as good” as hers. She talked about celebrating her birthday and lamenting that her grades weren’t as good as she’d hoped. She said the WAAC’s couldn’t complain about food, that they ate well. She mentioned how much they enjoyed potatoes as they often had “substitutes” like rice or macaroni. She said they sure couldn’t complain because they were all putting on weight!

One letter of interest from June, 1944 shared that her boss was “in a peck of trouble.” She couldn’t elaborate but expressed her utmost sympathy for him! She also added a p.s. to this letter requesting some things from home, including Arrid, a garter belt, starch , soap and gum. She commented more than once about soap being hard to get.

By August of 1945 Helen was anxious to get home and mentioned the “red tape” of the military. A letter from September 29th, 1945 from England mentions not being sure when she would actually get to the U. S. but “will see you again. Loads of love to all. Helen”

More can be learned about Helen’s time in the WAAC by visiting Tioga Point Museum website. To view the letters on website scroll down to Virtual Collection then choose Archives and enter Helen Van Guilder.

The Tioga Point Museum is open Tuesday and Thursday all year but hours are seasonal so please check our web page or Facebook page for current hours or call at 570 888 7225.

From our Archives - Valley Bands

tpointmuseum
Nov 30, 2021
3 min read

Do you know anyone who doesn’t like music? I think it would be rare. I have to say I was very surprised to find out how many bands were around in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Apparently many people enjoyed music then as now! There were so many, I had a hard time choosing which ones to feature! I’m starting with the Cayuta Hose Company Band from Waverly, NY. Information on the band came from Robert Drugan of Sayre and the picture was presented by Joseph Peckally of Waverly, according to the piece in our archives. This was the first boys’ band in this section of the country. Rehearsals were held in the ground floor of the original two story Cayuta Hose Company building on the southeast corner of Cayuta Ave. and Ithaca St. The man in the back row, second from left is James Smith, father of Ray Smith, one of the band members and secretary of Cayuta Hose Co. in 1902. He was also band secretary. Mr. Smith was the D.L.&W. Railroad Co. freight agent in Waverly. The name of the band was later changed to Waverly Boys Band and remained in existence until about 1909. Most of the boys then continued their music careers in adult bands. The Athens Boys Band was organized in 1925. This picture was taken in front of the Bonney Hotel on S. Main St. in Athens. In 1925, Frank Terry was manager, Mrs. E.O. Franks was secretary and Mr. Stolz was first instructor and leader. He was succeeded by Mr. W. L. Taylor of Sayre. The band was in existence about four years and took part in local parades and celebrations. Most of the instruments were owned by the boys in the band. Equipment owned by the band was given to Athens schools when the organization was disbanded. The picture was presented to the Tioga Point Museum by Julia Lunger in 1971. The Ralph Bartlett Accordian Band was organized in 1937 by Ralph Bartlett, who was the instructor and director. In 1945, E.M. Alliger became a partner in their music business and directed the band for several years until he retired. This picture was presented to Tioga Point Museum in 1972 by Ralph H. Bartlett. Front Row L to R: Eleanor Latini, Jolley, Anna Frances Payne, Elaine VanHorn Forkan, Erma Merrill Horton and Norma Graham Sickler Back Row L to R: Ralph Bartlett, Roy Bowen, Grace Lent, Raymond Moses and Ralph Catlin The picture of the Bartlett-Alliger band on the float was in the Waverly Centennial Celebration Parade in 1954 and was awarded second prize. On a farm located a few miles north of Waverly, NY off NYS Route 34, was where the Col. Jim Eskew’s Rodeo Band was headquartered,from 1939 to 1956. That is where this picture was taken. The band for that season consisted mostly of local musicians. The Rodeo gave performances in New York and Pennsylvania cities, from Buffalo, NY to Danville, Pa. From L to R standing: Dante Cossagnia, clarinet- Richard Swetland, trumpet-E.M. Alliger, trumpet-Nick Fiora, trumpet-Leon Hawthorn, bass-Ralph Bartlett, tenor saxophone-Fred Ennis, trombone-and S. Larson, trombone Kneeling: Edward Ashworth-drums and Alton Lay, baritone and leader of the band. You may have noticed some of the names appear in more than one band, obviously music lovers! To learn more about the bands of the valley, see our archives! The Tioga Point Museum is opened. Tuesday and Thursday noon till 8pm. Looking forward to reopening and having you come and explore.