Julia Hill Gunn Collection
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Julia Hill Gunn at Naval Training School gate
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Julia Hill Gunn (right) and a fellow WAVE pose beside the sign indicating the "U.S. Naval Training School (W-R) Main Gate" at Hunter College in 1945. Both women wear short-sleeved uniforms with navy blue ties and "S" armbands.
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Julia Hill Gunn saluting
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Julia Hill Gunn poses outside a brick building at Hunter College in 1945. She salutes for the photo and wears a navy blue uniform with garrison cap and white gloves.
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Julia Hill Gunn with flag
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Julia Hill Gunn poses as guidon bearer, holding the flag pole at an angle and her other arm behind her back, outside a brick building at Hunter College in 1945.
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Julia Hill Gunn with friends
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Julia Hill Gunn (on right) and friends Bette and Fran at the Navy Weather School in Lakehurst, New Jersey, in fall of 1945. All wear WAVES navy blue uniform with garrison caps and purses.
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Oral history interview with Julia Hill Gunn
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Documents Julia H. Gunn's life during the Depression; her time at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in the early 1940s; her service in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) from 1945 to 1947; and her post-war employment. Gunn recalls family life during the Depression, including her father's frequent unemployment and subsequent relocations for new jobs. She shares the story of traveling to visit her family in Washington State while she was in high school. " Most discussion focuses on Gunn's time at Woman's College during World War II. She recalls living in Gray dorm; the science department and Florence Schaefer; political science instructor Louise Alexander; her coursework and class registration; knitting for the soldiers; restrictions on dating; having ORD (Overseas Replacement Depot) servicemen living on campus; and her extensive efforts as stage manager for the Playlikers drama troupe. Gunn also recalls her experiences on campus following the attack on Pearl Harbor; on V-E Day; and on hearing about President Roosevelt's death. " Gunn discusses her time serving in the WAVES from 1945 to 1947. She remembers her parents' reaction to her desire to enlist and subsequent basic training at Hunter College, including her drill instructor, V-J Day celebration, and getting a tour of a German submarine. She talks about being an aerographer's mate at Lakehurst, New Jersey; working at the Navy Weather Central; the monotonous process of doing weather observations; bonding with her bunkmate; sightseeing and social activities in New York City and Washington, D.C.; and attempting to transfer to another base. Service discussion ends with Gunn recalling missing the window to sign on for another two years while waiting for a transfer to Banana River, Florida. " Post-service topics include a trip across the country with her bunkmate to a Colorado dude ranch during her final leave; working at North Carolina State in the chemistry department; meeting and marrying her husband; and working odd jobs before retiring.
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Portrait of Julia Hill Gunn
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Formal portrait of Julia Hill Gunn, wearing navy blue uniform and garrison cap, taken in Washington, D.C., on Christmas Day, 1945.
