Jane Heins Escher Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Most of this collection has been digitized. Some items have not beed digitized due to copyright or other logistical issues.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/886
What's in the full collection?: 20 May 1999 oral history transcript; photograph of Jane with recruits in Great Lakes, Illinois at training center 1951, and portrait photograph of Jane in WAVES uniform in San Diego CA 1952 or 53; photocopy from Naval Training Center Publication "Anchor and Blades" ,1941.
Full biography: Jane Heins Kowell Escher of Sanford, North Carolina, was a cryptographer in the United States Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) from 1951 to 1953. Jane Heins Escher was born in Sanford, North Carolina, and graduated from Sanford High School in 1949. She then worked for a year at a telephone company until she was old enough to join the United States Navy. Escher enlisted in the United States Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) in 1951 and went through four months of basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois. She was then transferred to San Diego, California, for a year and a half of service school training with the security group at the Naval Training Center. In 1953 she reported for cryptographer duties in Washington, D.C. The same year she met her husband, Don Kowell, in her department and they were wed in October. Escher was discharged from the navy due to pregnancy in late 1953. After discharge, Escher traveled with her husband as he continued his military career. She left his station in Puerto Rico in 1955 and returned to the United States to care for her father. While her husband was in the navy Escher lived in San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Scotland; and Chesapeake, Virginia. She raised two daughters. Don Kowell retired from the navy in 1969 and passed away in 1980. In 1987 Jane Escher married John Escher, a former Marine.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Navy
Conflict: Post World War II, Korea (1947-1963)
Subject headings: Korean War, 1950-1953
United States. Navy--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Oral history interview with Jane Heins Escher; Interview primarily includes discussion of Jane Escher's childhood in North Carolina and her service as a cryptographer in the U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during the Korean War. Escher recalls moments from her childhood including the start of World War II; V-J Day; Roosevelt visiting her hometown of Sanford, North Carolina; and older men heading to surrounding camps to help the war effort. She also mentions turning down a college acceptance in order to join the navy. " Escher discusses the influence of her father's World War service in her decision to join the navy. She also describes basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois; the importance of making the grade in training school; working with newer decoding machines than the ones used in World War II; and the secrecy involved in being a cryptographer. Escher also discusses the rotation of shifts; the entertainment of the time; working with and building friendships with servicemen; and meeting her husband, Don Kowell, in her department. " Post-service discussion centers on Escher's travels due to her husband's military career. She also mentions raising two daughters, one of whom she influenced to join the military, and current political and military events.

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Women Veterans Historical Project

Jane Heins Escher Collection

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