Olga L. Lathrop Collection
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Large army office
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Men and women sit at desks in a large office, probably at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, circa 1945. The women wear civilian clothing.
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Olga L. Lathrop
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Olga Lewandowski Lathrop sits in a patch of grass, circa 1945, wearing the WAC two-piece herringbone twill work suit and fatigue cap.
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Oral history interview with Olga Lewandowski Lathrop
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Primarily documents Olga "Dusty" Lewandowski Lathrop's service in the Women's Army Corps from 1944 to 1946. Lathrop discusses her Polish heritage, her grandmother's death during the Nazi invasion of Poland, her desire to join the navy, and her reasons for enlisting in the Women's Army Corps [WAC]. She also describes the train ride to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia; and shares ancdotes about heating the barracks and getting her nickname,"Dusty." Conversation of her time stationed in Wisconsin includes: delivering a baby at Truax Field; hearing about the death Frankling D. Roosevelt; V-E Day celebrations; social life; and working with Japanese and German prisoners of war. Other WWII topics include: Harry Truman's policies towards the Air WAC; poorly sized uniforms; and her mother's pride about her service. " Personal topics include: the story of her parents' immigration from Poland and their occupations; meeting and marrying her husband, Donley Lathrop; and her children's military service. The interview concludes with a discussion of Lathrop's personal photos from her WWII service.
