 dedicated to the strength of the nation proudly we hail yes proudly we hail starring Mary Aster in a special program honoring the seventh anniversary of the women's Army Corps United States Army and United States Air Force presentation and now here is our producer the well-known Hollywood showman CP McGregor thank you thank you greetings from Hollywood ladies and gentlemen welcome to your theater of stars for all the great names of the motion picture world and your own favorites come to join us in plays we know you'll enjoy our star is lovely Mary Aster and the title of our play is a special program honoring the seventh anniversary of the women's Army Corps we'll have our curtain for act one in a moment but first here is our announcer Wendell Niles with this message of importance only the best can be aviation cadets and all because your United States Air Force is planning for the future and wants the best young men special consideration is being given to this year's college graduates who want careers as leaders in aviation as officers in your United States Air Force if you're graduating this June apply now for aviation cadet training as a college graduate your application will be rushed so that you can begin training as soon as you graduate visit your US Army and US Air Force recruiting station today to make certain you're accepted for one of this summer's aviation cadet classes remember only the best can be aviation cadets and I'll once again our producer the curtain rises on the first act of our special program commemorating the seventh anniversary of the women's Army Corps and starring as narrator Miss Mary Aster seven years ago on May the 14th 1942 the women's Army Corps came into being it was called the women's Army Exil record then became a part of the United States Army on July 1 1943 when public law 1 1 0 received the presidential signature proudly we hail the women's Army Corps on its seventh birthday to you the distinguished and illustrious alumni of the Corps to you who now wear a whack uniform and to you who desire to take an active part in the traditions of the women's Army Corps this program is dedicated this is the story of GI Joe Joe and I guess that's as good a name as any during the war she was defined in any of several ways GI Jane whack yes and his time wore on they even labeled her what a godsend but I'm getting ahead of my story a story that begins at Fort O'ville Thorpe Georgia one of the five whack training centers in 1943 this woman who arrived on the Chattanooga choo choo and started bathing in that Georgia sunshine well she wasn't exactly one in a million but almost approximately one out of every 300 women who could have actually volunteered for duty with the armed services pretty courageous wouldn't you say this slip of a girl who answered the call of her country in its most critical hour was met at the station by the motor transport taken to the camp to begin training well you got everything oh here you shoot thank you two and a half feet at the right size just right say your foot is tiny when you get through drill and you'll wish you had clawed hoppers like mine oh your feet aren't so big you're looking at them from a distance well maybe so don't you dare agree with me here you're stuck and well weevils we call them thank you I was only joking about the drilling it's really great for the figure now don't you say what figure she drilled this woman we're talking about under the huge pines there at Oglethorpe she had her uniform fitted by a civilian dressmaker she ate army child she met a friend and went sightseeing so this is where they fought the battle of Chikamaga that's right honey say what you're quite a tourist at heart aren't you I guess I am I had a hunch you were from the day I first issued you clothing yes yeah where you from Rocky Ford Colorado is there actually such a place surely you've heard of Rocky Ford on highway 50 population 1940 census 3494 produces the finest in cantaloupes and Valencia onions honey I'm from New York and I just never did get around much well that explains it that's where this woman came from everywhere USA and those training days at Fort Des Moines Iowa at Fort Oglethorpe and the others they prepared her for the test to come but there were some who refused to believe this woman we speak of was 24 carat that she belonged the reports had come through in the States wax okay doing a great job but what about overseas algae is 1943 excuse me sir oh yes you're a new whack yes sir so we have women in the army now even in algae sir that seems to be quite evident where we'll have to find a place for you do you take your hand yes sir and I speak French quite you'll do well we've been in quite a spot on our telephone switchboards maybe you can help us out the difficult job of translating the languages while simultaneously running a telephone switchboard was only one of the jobs accomplished by the women's Army Corps in North Africa secretaries postal clerks code clerks photo lab assistants whatever had to be done you could usually depend on them to volunteer yes that same officer who gave our girlfriend a pretty cool reception changed his tune a little later on in a report there is one serious difficulty concerning the women's Army Corps in North Africa not enough of them things weren't going too badly where this woman were speaking of this somebody's kid sister or sweetheart in the States they had said okay North Africa said send us more like her so she began moving out to all the theaters of war to Bermuda Hawaii Alaska Egypt and to England hey yeah I know you the kid from Colorado herself now what was the name of that I'm a trouble Rocky Ford and don't you forget it what are you doing in London I just got here you just got here from where algae how you rocky Ford kids get around I had to work slave cross my fingers grab a rabbit's foot and kiss a horseshoe to all that sure where you station boy I don't know let me see your orders yeah uh-huh honey you stationed with me that makes you the luckiest woman was that you heard of the robot bomb yes that will possibly be part of your routine here plotting the courses of robot bombs you call it routine that's what they put her to doing in England that and deciphering codes and making maps and interpreting combat film and plotting the missions of allied and hostile aircraft there were many other jobs she did this somebody's kid sister or sweetheart and she sweated out the long arduous hours complaining often or little as any human being will do she brightened up a dull billet with flowers a bit of ribbon picture she ate or refused her Brussels sprouts in silence and when she was moved outside of London she perhaps had an opportunity to see Canterbury or Oxford or Stratford on even kind of spooky isn't that spooky standing here the room where Shakespeare was born look over here what on the wall all these signatures look here's Charles Dickens signature and Walter Scott's well I must say you know your way around here oh I've been here before well come on you kids from the country you're awed by all these things we know you all just take them as a matter of fact oh is that so sure come on now I let you talk me into coming down here you don't suppose I'm gonna stay all week the Sun's bright today it's a lovely day where it's going to be let's walk down by that old gentleman there must be the caretaker you think he buried Shakespeare I don't know afternoon to you good afternoon hello grandpa enjoying yourselves here getting a look around I hope oh yes indeed we are sir huh you'd be Americans where from New York ah yes her to the place and you mom I'm from Rocky Ford oh no not Rocky Ford Colorado don't tell me you heard of that milk stop so help me no less a person is in the prime minister himself open told me he never valued nothing more than a case of Rocky Ford melons you see well I'll be darned he also says with convictions as he in all the states and cities he visited over there to this tiny place it is the emerald all the west of Blumen spotter heaven on earth well Mabel you see my hometown is internationally famous beats me well miss did I play me role to your satisfaction perfectly perfectly I'll tell her in a day or so and have another laugh and this woman we speak of continued to play her role a role of increasing importance as members of the women's Army Corps began to be heard from more distant horizons and far-flung APOs China India British Columbia Yukon territory Scotland and France Leite Luzon New Guinea Japan and Korea nearly one out of every five wax served overseas and the other four complained because they were not chosen to go but rather had to endure the luxuries of the home front she had done all right this kid sister of somebody as victory turned from something hoped for to a tangible reality and they praised her starting with the generals but perhaps the highest praise came like this here's your report sir oh thanks thanks how do you get this out tonight since VJ day nothing but excitement I know you tired little you have to be sorry to make you work like this but I'll tell you something it's any solace to you what's that sir it's people like you who are contributing so much in our efforts to secure the peace in the spring of 1946 with demobilization nearly completed you could have heard this sound the sound of the woman we speak of today made when she walked out of Fort Des Moines Iowa the last of the 72,141 wax train there past the empty barracks she walked her footsteps made a hollow sound and in that hollow sound echoed and re-echoed the splendid record of the 6,800 officers and 93,000 enlisted women of the women's army corps who served in 400 installations in this country and in every theater of operations overseas as a sad low sound for as she walked out of Fort Des Moines that spring day in 1946 the women's army corps to all intents and purpose walked with her for all enlistment had been suspended but it couldn't stop there and Esprit had been established a magnificent record had been compiled the story of this woman in uniform couldn't end there it couldn't stop the women's army corps starring Mary Astor is narrator to bring you an important message from our government ladies and gentlemen our army and our Air Force are critically short of physicians and dentists over 2,000 volunteers from these two professions are urgently needed today to safeguard and care for the health of the men and women whereas members of the United States Army and United States Air Force are serving you and me at home and overseas young physicians and dentists particularly those who did not serve in the armed services during World War two have been asked by their government to act now to volunteer for a duty at once if you are one of these young physicians or dentists please write or wire either the surgeon general of the United States Army or the air surgeon of the United States Air Force at once and volunteer your services if you know one of these young physicians or dentists please call his attention to this urgent message thank you and now the curtain rises on act 2 of our special commemorative program honoring the 7th anniversary of the women's Army Corps and starring in the role of narrator Miss Mary Astor a memorable moment in the annals of the women's Army Corps was that moment on June 12th 1948 when President Truman signed public law 625 thus establishing the Corps as a permanent part of the regular Army and the organized Reserve Corps this law provides the during the period until July 1 1950 the number of women in the regular Army may be 500 officers 75 warrant officers and 7,500 enlisted women thereafter it will be 2% of the authorized strength of the regular Army this law demanded action the call went out rejoin yes action was the key word the women's Army Corps training Center at Camp Lee Virginia was inaugurated as the central point for the training of wax in the regular Army this was opened on October 4th 1948 and charged with the overall mission to conduct basic military training for women recruits to process re-investees to conduct specialist training leaders training for non-commissioned officers and an officer candidate school to camp Lee one autumn afternoon came an old friend of ours a re-enlisted she was interviewed upon entering the camp pardon me this is the right place to report isn't it it certainly is here are my records getting back in the saddle again general idea well you're in a very selective club now so they tell me the requirements run awfully high now according to your record you had quite a tour of duty overseas during the war I got around a little certainly did Al Gears England France no Germany I'm still hoping me I got overseas to the Pacific oh where to clear to the end of the San Diego pier well I'm glad you didn't go any further that is without a boat underneath a good boat can be handy on occasion well now we'll see that you're built it nicely thank you realize this is a genuine thing now regular I think it's wonderful but the core is a part of the regular army now say you must meet a lot of re-enlistees I meet all of them who come through did you have a woman come in yes I've had a woman come in no I can't remember her name isn't that terrible I think it was maybe a lot I used to be billeted with her in London mm-hmm what she looked like well she was kind of big not too big she had rather large feet she used to think so I didn't think so you're shedding no light on this whatsoever oh she's a real good egg lots of fun where was she from maybe that would help New York we have only millions to choose from no I'll tell you look around camp here maybe you'll run into I hope so I hope so too I want to see this girl who has rather large feet that you don't think she has say what am I going to do here have you any idea well I just this moment decided you can help me of course I'll have to talk the captain into it what will I be doing you can help me scan some of these enlistment records you'll have to learn the rules and regulations again camp Lee hums with activity as the new training program goes into effect with the personnel selection set at the highest level the training must adhere to the same exactness eight weeks of basic training are required for the recruit during which time the trainee will receive her indoctrination into military life by the time the recruit has assimilated the basic elements of military knowledge she will be ready to enter the first phase of specialist training to take her first step toward a military career part of the busy helmet camp Lee is our old friend Joanne who reports as previously instructed to her sergeant sit down how are you getting along by now fine thank you any sign of your friend yet no well don't give up hope she may come in one of these days now then let's check these records but first let's get into these eligibility requirements you know that our keynote is quality not quantity I say that every morning when I look at myself in the mirror seriously though you know that women may enlist for three four five or six years of active duty right good now tell me what are the five cardinal points of eligibility for enlistment one women between the ages of 18 and 35 years are eligible to apply for enlistment right to applicants who have not reached their 21st birthday will be required to furnish written consent of parents a guardian very good three women with prior military service are eligible to apply provided their age does not exceed 35 plus the number of years of completed honorable active wax service since July 1st 1943 excellent for women without prior military service must be high school graduates and must be unmarried at the time of enlistment say you're good five in addition to age and educational qualifications each woman must meet the standards of health and character terrific you got them all my what a memory all just a minute there you were reading though I didn't say I wasn't now listen you'd better learn those for your own good all right I will but say I understand there's an opportunity for enlisted personnel to be trained for a commission there certainly is are you thinking of applying that I am well good luck and if you make it I'll be the first one to salute you great stress in the new WAC program at camp Lee is placed on the training of non-commissioned officers and to all enlisted women who meet the eligibility requirements there is opportunity to achieve commission status having met the requirements Joanne undergoes six months of the most intensive training possible before she is ready to assume her responsibilities as an army officer well well well a lieutenant do I look you certainly do allow me to be the first one to salute you thanks do you know you're not the first no no after all that training those classes all day and then studying half the night after all that when I got those two gold bars I stood up in front of a mirror and saluted myself why not say I have more good news for you yes what I think you're going places me where Berlin Berlin you're not joking I hear it's in the cards after training today women of the core in addition to serving at various posts camps and stations throughout the United States served with the military governments in the Caribbean command the Far East command and in Europe they're doing important work in administrative fields medical fields and in the fields of communications in addition to their regular duties many WACs have been engaged in German youth activities their off-duty time is given voluntarily to a comprehensive program of guiding the German youth back into the basic principles of democracy and so we end our story of GI Joe Joanne but not before telling you that when she arrived in the Temple Hofe air-drome in Berlin I should say I do imagine meeting you in Berlin we met once in London remember but look at you you're back in the car that's right and the lieutenant I sure worked for it too oh you sure look smart thanks what about yourself whatever happened to me I came on into Berlin after the and then I got married you got married oh maybe that's wonderful well it's pretty exciting well tell me what's he don't look now but he's in the army and he has a darling sense of humor there he is right over there nice where right there I want you to meet him oh I see the sergeant sergeant nothing oh Colonel the people of America share the pride of the women's Army Corps in its wartime record and their pride in taking a place in the peacetime army the training and experience women will obtain as a part of the women's Army Corps will be such as to enable them to obtain an understanding and appreciation of both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy this with specialized training will increase their value to their communities whether they return to civilian life or continue their careers in the military service the curtain falls in the final act of our special program commemorating the 7th anniversary of the women's Army Corps our star Mary asked her will return for a curtain call after this timely message from Wendell Niles this is important this is urgent over 2,000 young physicians and dentists are needed as volunteers at once for a service in the United States Army or United States Air Force these positions and dentists are required to safeguard the health of the men and women who are serving our country in the armed services if you are a physician or a dentist you are needed now right or wire the surgeon general of the United States Army or the air surgeon of the United States Air Force at once volunteering for active duty let me repeat that right or wire the surgeon general of the United States Army or the air surgeon of the United States Air Force today or see your local U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force recruiting station now once again our star Mary asked her and our producer Mary I'm especially proud to have you here with us as the star of this show our special program honoring the 7th anniversary of the women's Army Corps I'm so glad you asked me CP the women's Army Corps is a wonderful service for a young woman what a grand opportunity and experience this office for them well it's not only experience training and travel the women's Army Corps provides but also these women serve individually as our ambassadors yes indeed and they are wonderful examples of a democracy people over the entire world can see American womanhood as a product of freedom and thinking and living you know I am reminded of a conversation I had with Ambassador Macon from Australia I asked him how our wax were getting along in his country and he said if our young women under similar circumstances would do as well we would be very proud indeed that was a grand thing for him to say I know too that it makes us realize the whack of the present peacetime Army is carrying on with the good work her wartime sister whack started those in the first women's Army Corps did set a mark in the performance of their duties it has already become a tradition I know that our women now are doing their work with customary whack thoroughness well the Army says we want quality not quantity and that's what they're getting the highest caliber of young American womanhood well in that same thought CP every young woman who wears the uniform of the whack can point to her enlistment and say I was selected how true that is and now Mary is there anything else that you would like to add indeed there is CP from all of us here in Hollywood we wish every one of you in the women's Army Corps a happy anniversary thanks Mary I know all those fine young women here in abroad will hear your message over both the domestic and the Armed Forces Radio Service broadcast and now CP before I leave who is to be your star for next week next week Mary and ladies and gentlemen Jean Raymond joins us as star of a bright and gay comedy titled the Mighty Milligan this is the story of a prize fighting young law student who is working his way through college by means of knockdowns in the squared circle and takes the full count when romance gets in the ring oh that should be excellent I'll be listening now goodbye CP goodbye Mary asked me when we bring you Jean Raymond in the Mighty Milligan until then thanks for listening and cheerio from Hollywood Mary asked me appeared to the courtesy of the Hollywood Coordinated Committee which arranges for the appearance of all stars on this program grip was by Rich Hall with music under the direction of Eddie Dunstetter this program is transcribed in Hollywood for release at this time Wendell now speaking