Karen L. Chin (b. 1945), of Warren, Ohio, served as a Transportation Corps Officer in the United States Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and the U.S. Army from 1976-1983. Karin L. Chin was born on 30 September 1945. She grew up in Ohio as the oldest of three children. Her mother worked off and on, while her father worked as an electrical engineer. She graduated high school in 1963 and went to Kent State University from 1963-1967. After college, Chin taught middle school art for 10 years and then joined the U.S. Army WAC in June 1976. Karen L. Chin joined the army as a First Lieutenant Student in the Direct Commission officer program for basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama from July to October in 1976. After graduation, she was permanently detailed to Transportation Corps/Highway Rail Operations. Chin’s next assignment was to Fort Eustis, Virginia as a 1st Lieutenant Student for Transportation Corps Officer Basic training from late 1976 to February 1977. After Transportation Corps Officer Basic, she was put on temporary duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1977 for a Motor Officer Maintenance Course. In 1978, Chin was stationed at Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she served as 1st Lieutenant Platoon Officer in the 89th Transportation Co, 53rd Transportation Battalion, and the 4th Transportation Brigade. While in Germany, she also served Commander Headquarters and Headquarters Company and returned as commander for the 89th Transportation Co. After Germany, she was temporarily stationed at Fort Eustace, Virginia for a Transportation Officer Advanced course in 1981. After the advanced course, Chin was stationed at the Military Personnel Center in 1982, where she was in the Combat SVS Support Division where she sat on selection boards and processed compassionate re-assignments.
