Davetter Shepard Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: This collection has been digitized in its entirety.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/945
What's in the full collection?: 9 December 2000 oral history transcript; official military portrait photograph of Davetter in her WAC uniform, 1943.
Full biography: Davetter Butler Shepard (1921-2002) of Sampson County, North Carolina, served in the United States Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and the Women's Army Corps (WAC) from 1943 to 1945. After completing her service, she had a long career as a civil servant. Davetter Butler Shepard was born on October 20, 1921, in Sampson County, North Carolina. She graduated from Roseboro Colored High School and began work on her family's farm. Shepard enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in February 1943 and began basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, in April. She was then assigned to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, where she served in the motor pool and performed odd jobs for about 18 months. Shepard was then transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she performed the same duties. In March of 1945, she was discharged from the military as a private. After completing her service, Shepard worked as a clerk for the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. In 1952, she moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and worked for the Department of the Army at Fort Bragg. She retired in 1976, after thirty-three years in civil service. She went on to attend Fayetteville State University, earning a bachelors degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. She did volunteer work for the Social Service Department and her church. Shepard passed away on 17 January 2002.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Army -- WAAC
Conflict: World War II era (1940-1946)
Subject headings: World War, 1939-1945
United States. Army--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Oral history interview with Davetter Butler Shepard; Interview primarily documents Davetter Butler Shepard's service in the WAAC [Women's Auxiliary Army Corps] and the WAC [Women's Army Corps], during WWII, as well as her life after her service. Shepard briefly describes her childhood and education in rural North Carolina, her family's farm, and their poverty. She then recalls hearing about the WAAC from her older brothers; joining the service for the salary; her community's negative reaction to her enlistment; and the train ride to basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Of her basic training, she discusses her instructors, marching, losing weight, kitchen patrol, the food, and the difficult adjustment from rural life to military life. She shares her reasons for staying in the WAC, even though she disliked the service. Other topics include her job responsibilities and leisure activities at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky; discrimination in the army; never receiving promotions; and gaining discipline and independence. " Post-service topics include segregation in Washington, D.C.; working in civil service; attending Fayetteville State University after retirement; her family life; volunteer work with her church; and her admiration of Maya Angelou.

: Portrait of Davetter Shepard; Portrait of WAC Davetter Shepard, circa 1943.

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Women Veterans Historical Project

Davetter Shepard Collection

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