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Reva Ingram Fortune Collection

Reva Pauline Ingram Fortune (1917-2018), of Greensboro, North Carolina, served with the Army Air Force while in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) from 1944 to 1948 and with the Women in the Air Force (WAF) from 1948 to 1952.

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Control tower operator at Ft. Myers
An unidentified control tower operator at Buckingham Army Air Field at Fort Myers, Florida, poses with a microphone to her mouth in office overlooking the tarmac, circa 1944.
Customs and manners flyer, August
Produced by J.Hill, this cartoon consists of an African tribesman holding a spear and large cooking spoon. Across from the tribesman a United States Army Air Force serviceman sits in a large black tub. The text on the front reads "Respect The Local Customs and Manners Even if They Seem Queer To You."
First Sergeant Reva P. Ingram, 344th WAC Post headquarters Squadron
Portrait of first sergeant Reva Ingram. Ingram is attired in a WAC Tropical-Worsted Summer Uniform and garrison cap. The Three stripes on the left and right of her upper sleeve indicate her rank. On her upper lapel she wears traditional WAC insignia." On her lower lapel she wears the authorized unit insignia of the 334th Post Headquarters squadron. Back page credits U.S. Army Air Forces Flying Training Command.
Group of WASPs and B-17 Bomber, Buckingham Air Field
Photograph of a group of Women Airforce Service Pilots [WASP] all wearing work attire. Three of the women wear battle jackets with slacks, while the second one from the left is attired in the work coveralls with extended pockets for holding tools. The woman on the far right has on WASP air wing insignia above her right shirt pocket. On her lapel is the WAC [Women's Army Corps] insignia for the United States Air Forces. Behind them is what appears to be the underside of a Boeing B-17 bomber.
Oral history interview with Reva Ingram Fortune
Documents Reva Ingram Fortune's early life in rural North Carolina; her military service in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and later the Women in the Air Force (WAF) from 1943 to 1952; and her experience as a student at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) from 1954 to 1958. Fortune discusses growing up on a farm outside Greensboro, North Carolina, during the Depression. She speaks about her parents' backgrounds, high school secretarial classes, her father's Model T Ford, playing the violin, and life on the farm. Fortune talks at length about her military service from May 1943 to 1952 in the WAAC, the WAC, and with the Women in the Air Force (WAF). She describes basic training at Daytona Beach, especially the clothing, physicals, drilling, officers, food, and barracks. She also notes the WACs' social life, pranks, and opportunities for fun, including her trips to Cuba and Sanibel Island. Fortune also describes her duties as a first sergeant; the types of work deemed appropriate for women; friends who did overseas duty; gunnery training over the Gulf of Mexico; her impression of public attitude towards women in the military; train travel, dealing with WAC deaths; deactivating squadrons after the war; V-E Day and V-J Day celebrations; and President Franklin Roosevelt's death. Topics related to Fortune's service in with the WAF include training pilots in peacetime and Air Force Blue uniforms designed by Madame Schiaparelli. Fortune also recounts her memories of the Woman's College from 1954 to 1958, including working to pay tuition; assignments; field trips; and the McIver Building. She describes her impressions of many faculty members, especially Dr. Archie Shaftesbury and Dr. Richard Bardolph; the daisy chain tradition; and the school's decision to become coeducational. Other topics include Fortune's husband's experiences in the military; working for Social Security; and her opinion of women in combat. Fortune also discusses her impressions of many famous people, including President Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, Jacques Cousteau, Mother Theresa, Winston Churchill, and Chuck Yeager. She also mentions some of her military friends, including Lee Allmon, Alice Faye, and Eloise Husmann. Fortune also describes being a special guest at Randolph Field for the celebration of the U.S. Air Force's fiftieth anniversary.
Portrait of Reva Ingram Fortune
Portrait of Reva Ingram Fortune.
Recruiting parade in Ft. Myers, Florida
WACs march in a recruiting parade down US 41 in Ft. Myers, Florida, past the Bradford Hotel, Arcade Theatre, and Sears Roebuck and Co. on November 13, 1943. People line the street and watch from windows.
Reva Ingram Fortune sitting at typewriter
Reva Ingram Fortune, in uniform, sits at a typewriter, surrounded by mounted clipboards holding documents.
Reva and Laura Ingram
Sisters Reva and Laura Ingram pose back to back in their respective Army and Coast Guard uniforms.
Three WACs exit Douglass C-54 Skymaster
Photograph of three women close together disembarking from a C-54 Douglass Skymaster. " Pictured with her arm extended and with boots on the ground is Major Frances S. Comick. Comick was a WAC deputy Staff director during the war. Comick wears the M-1943 standard issue field jacket, and given the positioning of the trousers it is probable that she has on the the pre-1944 pattern. She also wears the standard M-1 steel helmet, and standard combat boots with M-1938 leggings. " As indicated by her rank insignia, the woman standing on the plane platform is Lieutenant Colonel Anna M. Wilson. She is attired in an ETO WAC jacket , pre-1944 standard trousers, garrison cap, and standard army shoe with attached leggings. " Located inside of the plane leaning outward is Major Mary A. Hallaren, who is attired similarly to Colonel Wilson.
WAC Mail Orderly, Fort Myers, Flordia
Photograph of a Women's Army Corps [WAC] mail orderly. The insignia on the left and right on her upper shoulder indicate the rank of technician fifth grade. She wears a standard WAC enlisted summer service uniform with WAC necktie. She wears a wedding ring." Text on front of photograph reads:"BPL3G50-31 WAC Mail Orderly AAFGS BAAF Ft. Myers FLA."
WAC Squadron
Reva Ingram Fortune, third from left in the first row, poses with Squadron D at Randolph Field, Texas, for a formal shot on October 11, 1947.
WAC and male soldiers around radio
Photograph of four service members surrounding a radio. The woman on the left wears what appears to be a combination of various Women's Army Corps [WAC] approved uniform types. She has on a summer dress uniform jacket, and a WAC officers winter dress. The two stripes on the upper arm of her shoulder indicate that she is a corporal. Like the men, she has on no service insignia on her collar, which indicates that this photo was likely taken during off duty hours. " Text on back of photograph reads:"In the War Room, getting latest news. Ft. Myers, Florida. Credit-U.S. Army Air Forces Flight Training Command"
WAC at desk at Fort Myers, Florida
Photograph of Rebecca Jo Congdom filling out paper work at the payroll office of Fort Myers, Florida. She is attired in a Women's Army Corps uniform. An Army Air Force patch and the rank insignia of corporal are visible on her left uniform sleeve. She wears standard leather dress shoes.
WAC clothing and personal items in barracks
Photo of the proper arrangement of clothing and personal items in the barracks taken April 18, 1945. Uniforms are hung from a bar, with shirts, dresses, and coats hanging left to right. Above the clothing rack is an open cabinet with two shelves housing various items, including an iron, detergent, and toothbrushes. Photo by US Army Air Forces Flying Training Command
WAC foot locker arrangement at Ft. Myers, Florida
Photo shows the proper arrangement of a foot locker, taken April 18, 1945. Socks and other items are rolled tightly in the bottom left, while the bottom right compartment contains gloves, ties, and hats are stacked separately. In the top compartment, towels, washcloths, and other items are rolled and lined up.
WAC in Motor Pool Office, Fort Myers, Florida
Photograph of Women's Army Corps [WAC] motor pool clerk "Curtia" operating a logistical system at Fort Myers, Florida. An United States Army Air Forces' insignia is visible on Curtia's sleeve. She is attired in a summer WAC uniform. " Text on back of photograph reads:"PVT. Curtia&8212;Motor Pool Clerk" Credit line on rear of photograph reads:"U.S. Army Air Forces Flying Training Command"
WAC quarters at Ft. Myers
Photo shows bunk beds at Buckingham Army Air Field at Fort Myers, Florida, as arranged for inspection on April 18, 1945. The bed is made with a dark sheet, a white pillow, and an army-issue blanket rolled at the foot of the bed. Shoes are lined up underneath the bed and towels and washcloths hang from the head. A foot locker, laundry bag, and knapsack can also be seen.
WAC with Christmas tree, Fort Myers, Florida
Photograph of a WAC [Women's Army Corps] solider attired in winter service uniform. The insignia on her arm sleeve indicates the rank of private and membership in the Army Air Force.
WACS stand at attention, Fort Myers Fl., AAF Flexible Gunnery School, August 1943
WAAC unit of Reva Ingram Fortune in retreat formation at Buckingham Army Air Field at Fort Myers, Florida, in the summer of 1943.

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