Does anyone recognize these relatively rare branch insignia?

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:18:57 -0500

I always thought the WAC was a WWII organization . . . but I recently met a Vietnam ERA WAC on RP!!! :)

The WAC had its own branch insignia (the Bust of Pallas Athena) . . . worn by "Branch Immaterial" personnel (those unassigned to a Branch of Service). US Army policy decreed that technical and professional WAC personnel should wear their assigned Branch of Service insignia to reduce confusion.

The first WAC officer assigned to Vietnam in March 1962 was Major Anne Marie Doering. Two WAC advisors to the Vietnam Women's Army Forces Corps were next to arrive in January 1965 - Lt. Col. Kathleen I. Wilkes and master Sergeant Betty L. Adams. They were replaced annually. A WAC detachment with an average strength of 90 enlisted women was located at HQ, US Army, Vietnam, Long Binh, approximately 20 miles from Saigon. The detachment remained there from January 1967 until October 1972 when all US troops began to withdraw form Vietnam. Many enlisted women and WAC officers also served at General Westmoreland's headquarters in Saigon throughout this same period.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

o http://www.armywomen.org/award.shtml
o http://www.armywomen.org/wacHistory.shtml
o http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_Army_Corps

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-NI8JQW8bQ

Women's Army Corps - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Women's Army Corps (WAC) was the women's branch of the United States Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554,[1] and converted to full status as the WAC on 1 July 1943. Its first director was Oveta Culp Hobby, a prominent society woman in Texas.[2][3] The WAC was disbanded in 1978, and all units were integrated with male units.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 28 at 2015 9:23 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:23:23 -0500

Ok, I'll confess up front that I had to Google it. I knew about "WAC" (Woman Army Corps) but I never knew it actually had a branch designation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 9:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:23:36 -0500

WAC insignia

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 28 at 2015 9:25 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:25:15 -0500

1LT Sandy Annala I can only speculate its from the Roman Empire (Insignia).

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 28 at 2015 9:27 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:27:37 -0500

1LT Sandy Annala, they are Pallas Athene, official insignia of the U.S. Women's Army Corps.

Photos:

South facing view (from Marshall Parade Ground) of the Women's Army Corps Memorial Chapel completed and dedicated in 1956. It has just been renovated by the ALARNG and is spectacular.

Inside the WAC Chapel, you'll find this flag (WAC branch colors of old gold and mosstone green) which is of Pallas Athene, the Greek goddess of war and was the insignia of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) until 1978 when its existence as a separate corps was abolished and women were fully assimilated into all but the combat branches of the Army. Sgt Deborah Cornatzer

Response by LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) made Jan 28 at 2015 9:55 PM

LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:55:00 -0500

WAC--Women's Army Corps, I believe.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 28 at 2015 10:17 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:17:13 -0500

By the way, 1LT Sandy Annala, those two girls in your photo need a little Brasso!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jan 28 at 2015 10:26 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:26:24 -0500

Absolutely ... Women's Amy Corps (WAC).

I have a good friend, COL (Ret) Mary Maier, a former WAC, who was assimilated into the Military Police Corps and retired as a Colonel, after being the first female to command the only Airborne Military Police Brigade in the Army (16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Ft Bragg, NC). A superb officer and good friend.

Because of my name (Jean -- French for John -- my mom is French), I have been mistaken for a female my entire life (kind-of like the "boy named Sue). We moved a lot, due to my being an Army brat, and, every time I started in a new school, I was always put in girls' PE classes, etc. (I always volunteered to stay and hand out towels in the showers). I was always scheduled to be housed with a girl's family on church trips, etc. (if the receiving folks assigned by names on a list). I got a pink box of toiletries from Procter and Gamble, instead of a blue box, as a freshman in college and, as a pledge, had to explain to the actives how I was going to use each item in the box, and I could go on and on.

The reason I mention all of this is that my friend, my compatriot, my sister-in-arms, COL Mary Maier submitted my name to the WAC Association and subscribed to the WAC Newsletter in my name. As such, every time I was on a promotion list, on a command list, or anything else, I was prominently heralded in the WAC Newsletter. Therefore, I am very familiar with that insignia, as many assumed that I used to wear them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 10:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:48:46 -0500

Ah, the Women's Army Corps.

I actually served with a former WAC on my first tour in Afghanistan. I thought they were long extinct, but there she was. Last I heard, she became a librarian in Fort Sam Houston.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 6:09 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 06:09:57 -0500

Wow! Way cool. I've never seen anything like that. Since you are in DC, have you thought of contacting someone at the Women In Military Service Memorial at Arlington Cemetary? Maybe someone there will know. That is amazing! How did they come into your possession?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 6:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 06:26:32 -0500

Oh my gosh, 1LT Sandy Annala! I had no idea that the WAC had its own insignia. I love the wikipedia pic showing the Air Traffic Controller. I guess even back then, authorities realized that females make good controllers due to their multi-tasking skills. I'm thankful for the WAC and the doors they opened for us.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 7:35 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 07:35:10 -0500

WACs; not to be confused with WAVES, SPARS, the WAF, WAFS, WASPs, the WFTD, or BAMs. Coincidently, Athena/Minerva's also on the cap badge of the British Army Reserve's "Artists Rifles" now 21 Special Air Service (Reserve)

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 29 at 2015 9:05 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 09:05:26 -0500

While others have firmly answered the question, I just have to say that Athena is the symbol is brilliant.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 29 at 2015 4:20 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:20:05 -0500

1LT Sandy Annala, I put this narrative and these photos on another discussion thread, but as they pertain particularly to the Women's Army Corps, I thought this would be another good discussion thread in which to include them.
At Fort McClellan, AL (home of the Women's Army Corps) is Clarke Park, named for MG Mary E. Clarke, who was last director of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and was the first woman to attain the rank of major general in the United States Army. Photos taken on 21AUG11 (but for MG Clarke's official photo).

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Feb 2 at 2015 3:20 AM

PV2 Violet Case — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 03:20:06 -0500

They changed that insignia to a different one in 1978 when I was trained at fort McClellan. The one they gave me looked like this one it was called the pallas of athena. If you look at the far left you will see the Pallas of Athena went threw a round flat piece of brass like the other ones.( Guess I need to buy some brasso) Our group was told we would be the last ones given those when I first got there. And then we were informed that we would be doing basic training to be integrated with men and we were pushed very hard to be sure women could do it. We did the M16 & M60's grenades the law and all. To carry packs that weighed up to 60lbs into the Ft McClellan, Alabama mountains. I was asked to give my cress to the library museum but my children want them and what my family has dealt with they deserve them.

Response by SSG Sandra Sutherland made Sep 14 at 2015 6:44 AM

SSG Sandra Sutherland — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 06:44:54 -0400

The Pallas Athena was the emblem for the Women's Army Corps 1942-1978. I was a WAC in 1974 until after the emblem was defunct

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Aug 2 at 2016 12:40 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 00:40:17 -0400

There were WACs at Ft Jackson when I was there in the sixties but not very many. Mostly they worked in administrative jobs. There was also a WAC training unit on base.

Response by MSG James Hughs made Apr 26 at 2017 5:49 PM

MSG James Hughs — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 17:49:58 -0400

At Fort Bragg in the 60's WACs were billeted in old WW II wooden barracks meant for men.....how do I know they were meant for men??? The latrine had wall urinals.... So what is the significance worth mentioning it here.....During an inspection by the post commander.... he walked into that latrine.....and found the WAC's had re-purposed the urinals as flower pots.....self watering flower pots.... Never underestimate the resourcefulness of a woman

Response by Sgt Deborah Cornatzer made Jul 24 at 2017 11:55 AM

Sgt Deborah Cornatzer — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:55:04 -0400

Great share 1LT Sandy Annala! There is a rich history of women in the military and each day it seems another piece of our/their contribution becomes known.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Sep 4 at 2017 8:38 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 08:38:06 -0400

And the Women's Army Corps were the original wearers of the black beret.

Response by SPC Fran Pearson made Jul 27 at 2022 6:37 PM

SPC Fran Pearson — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 18:37:54 -0400

Yep Palas Athena brass. I got issued them in Basic training.

Response by SrA Darwin Nichols made Jul 27 at 2022 8:21 PM

SrA Darwin Nichols — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 20:21:17 -0400

aren't they roman centurns

Response by SPC Ray Castilleja made Jul 28 at 2022 12:39 AM

SPC Ray Castilleja — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 00:39:26 -0400

No, I do not recognize. Looks like something from the Roman years.

Response by SSgt Don Loveland made Jul 28 at 2022 9:36 AM

SSgt Don Loveland — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:36:23 -0400

I would guess something Roman Empire?

Response by Ryan Callahan made Jul 31 at 2022 8:09 PM

Ryan Callahan — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 20:09:32 -0400

6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion - Theres a great documentary about this here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9814836/

The SixTripleEight (2019) - IMDb

The SixTripleEight: Directed by James Theres. In February 1945, the U.S. Army sent 855 black women from the Women's Army Corps "WACs" to England and France to clear the backlog of mail in the European Theater of Operations. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the SixTripleEight, was the only all-black female battalion to serve in Europe during WWII. Confronted with racism and sexism from their own leadership and troops,...