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Sgt. Ruby Chase photograph collection, 1943-circa 1944, 1960
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Chase, Ruby, Sgt
- Title
- Sgt. Ruby Chase photograph collection
- Dates
- 1943-circa 1944, 1960 (inclusive)19431960
1943- circa 1944 (bulk) - Quantity
-
70 photographs (1 box)
2 patches
1 document - Collection Number
- PH1300
- Summary
- Photographs of Sgt. Ruby Chase, a WWII WAC showing recruiting activities and social activities
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to the public.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
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, 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.
About 150,000 American women eventually served in the WAAC and WAC during World War II. They were the first women other than nurses to serve with the Army. While conservative opinion in the leadership of the Army and public opinion generally was initially opposed to women serving in uniform, the shortage of men necessitated a new policy. It was determined that women could best support the war effort by performing noncombatant military jobs for which they were already trained. This allowed the Army to make the most efficient use of available labor and free men to perform essential combat duties. While most women served stateside, some went to various places around the world, including Europe, North Africa, and New Guinea. For example, WACs landed on Normandy Beach just a few weeks after the initial invasion. Despite the initial opposition, American women persisted in their service and significantly contributed to the war effort.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs relating to activities of Sgt Ruby Chase, a WWII WAC recruiter. The photographs include her work as a recruiter, some of the WAC recruits, and War Bond work. There are also two photographs showing a retirement in 1960.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Rights unknown. Some items fall under U.S. Government and therefore are not under copyright.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Portraits of Sgt. Ruby Chase in UniformReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
1 | 1 | Portrait of Sgt. Ruby Chase |
circa 1943-1944 |
1 | 2 | circa 1943-1944 | |
1 | 3 | circa 1943-1944 | |
1 | 4 | circa 1943-1944 | |
1 | 5 | Sgt. Ruby Chase standing on street with book and bag |
circa 1943-1944 |
1 | 6 | Sgt. Ruby Chase on tree-lined sidewalk |
circa 1943-1944 |
1 | 7 | circa 1943-1944 | |
1 | 8 | circa 1943-1944 | |
1 | 9 | Sgt. Ruby Chase standing on walkway in front of house |
circa 1943-1944 |
1 | 10 | Sgt. Ruby Chase standing against exterior wall |
circa 1943-1944 |
1 | 11 | Portion of photograph showing Sgt. Ruby Chase standing in front of vehicle |
circa 1943-1944 |
1 | 12 | circa 1943-1944 | |
2 | 13 | circa 1943-1944 | |
Sgt. Ruby Chase in courtyard |
|||
Folder | item | ||
2 | 14 | circa 1943-1944 | |
2 | 15 | Sgt. Ruby Chase in rocking chair |
circa 1943-1944 |
2 | 16 | circa 1943-1944 | |
2 | 17 | Sgt. Ruby Chase seated on fountain |
circa 1943-1944 |
Folder | item | ||
2 | 18a-18b | Patches for rank of U.S. Army staff sergeant and for three years of service |
circa 1943-1944 |
Social Settings with civiliansReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
3 | 19-22 | circa 1943-1944 | |
3 | 23 | Sgt. Ruby Chase with men and women (possibly family group)
Sam Seavey
(Photographer)
|
circa 1943-1944 |
3 | 24 |
Portrait of large multi-generational group including Sgt. Ruby Chase
Sam Seavey
(Photographer)
|
circa 1943-1944 |
3 | 25-26 | circa 1943-1944 | |
3 | 27 | Sgt. Ruby Chase with another woman in sportswear against exterior wall |
circa 1943-1944 |
3 | 28 | Sgt. Ruby Chase in bathing suit on bench outdoors |
circa 1943-1944 |
3 | 29 | Sgt. Ruby Chase in fur-trimmed coat leaning against car |
circa 1943-1944 |
3 | 30 | circa 1943-1944 |
Military ActivitiesReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
WAC Duties |
|||
Folder | item | ||
4 | 31 | circa 1943-1944 | |
4 | 32 |
Sgt. Ruby Chase in WAC information booth in front of storefront, Lodi, California
Written on verso: With Best Wishes, Beryl Roberts, J.C. Penney Co., Lodi, Calif. (This was in J.C. Penney Mag.).
|
circa 1943-1944 |
4 | 33 | circa 1943-1944 | |
4 | 34 |
Sgt. Ruby Chase and Miss Margaret Watts in office looking at application, probably Stockton, California
Army Air Forces, Stockton Field, California
(photographer)
|
circa 1943-1944 |
4 | 35 | circa 1943-1944 | |
4 | 36 | Sgt. Ruby Chase addressing large group of young women in matching costumes, probably Stockton, California
Logan Camera Shop, Stockton, California
(photographer)
|
circa 1943-1944 |
4 | 37 | August 6, 1943 | |
4 | 38 | circa 1943-1944 | |
Sgt. Ruby Chase possibly recruiting two young Hispanic women |
|||
Folder | item | ||
5 | 39 | Sgt. Ruby Chase in Jeep markedStockton Ordnance Depot, Buy Bondsparked in front of trees |
circa 1943-1944 |
5 | 40 | circa 1943-1944 | |
5 | 41 | circa 1943-1944 | |
5 | 42 | circa 1943-1944 | |
Sgt. Ruby Chase possibly recuiting group of young Hispanic women |
|||
Folder | item | ||
5 | 43 | June 23, 1944 | |
5 | 44 |
Sgt. Ruby Chase parking Jeep with four young Hispanic women in front of brick building, Merced, California
U.S. AAF Training Command
(photographer)
|
June 23, 1944 |
5 | 45 |
Jeep with Sgt. Chase and young women approached by group of military personnel while parked in front of brick building, Merced, California
U.S. AAF Training Command
(photographer)
|
June 23, 1944 |
Military Life |
|||
Folder | item | ||
6 | 46 | Seven women standing on lawn outside of building, possibly Hinkley, California
Written on verso: Hinkley.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
6 | 47 | circa 1943-1944 | |
Military base in cold climate |
|||
Folder | item | ||
6 | 48 | Woman standing in cap and uniform overcoat in snowy field |
circa 1943-1944 |
6 | 49 | circa 1943-1944 | |
6 | 50 | Three WACs in overcoats playing in the snow |
circa 1943-1944 |
Socializing |
|||
Folder | item | ||
7 | 51 | Man in uniform with woman sitting on bridge railing |
circa 1943-1944 |
7 | 52 | Sgt. Ruby Chase with two men at scenic overlook in front of a mountain |
circa 1943-1944 |
7 | 53 | Two men and two women in uniform standing in front of ornate building |
circa 1943-1944 |
7 | 54 | circa 1943-1944 | |
7 | 55 | circa 1943-1944 | |
7 | 56 | circa 1943-1944 | |
7 | 57-58 | circa 1943-1944 | |
7 | 59 | Sgt. Ruby Chase with Anna Atkines and three men in different uniforms |
circa 1943-1944 |
Portraits |
|||
Folder | item | ||
8 | 60 |
Sgt. Hilletto D. Antonio in uniform and helmet, Watsonville, California
Written on verso: Taken passing review at Camp McQuaide, California.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
8 | 61 | Older man in uniform standing in front of vehicle |
circa 1943-1944 |
8 | 62 | Man in uniform bending down to drinking fountain |
circa 1943-1944 |
8 | 63 | Seated portrait of woman in uniform
Written on photo: To Rube, my troop who helped me fight the Battle of Stockton.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
8 | 64 |
Portrait of Alice Cottin in uniform
Written on verso: To my best "Wac" friend Ruby, from Alice Cottin.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
8 | 65 | Man in uniform standing next to palm tree |
circa 1943-1944 |
8 | 66 | Portrait of a captain in Army Service Forces in uniform
Written on photo: To Ruby, with memories and anticipation, George.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
Mementos from civiliansReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
9 | 67 | Portait of young asian woman in Chinese-style dress
Written on verso: To my dear Ruby, Love Leilani.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
9 | 68 | Man on beach with foot resting on rock
Written on photo: Happiness and then some.
|
circa 1943-1944 |
9 | 69 |
Portrait of Moroni Olsen
Written on photo: To Sgt. Ruby Chase: With every good wish in the world, Sincerely, Moroni Olsen.
|
circa 1943 |
9 | 70 | Letter from actor Moroni Olsen thanking Sgt. Ruby Chase for photograph |
August 21, 1943 |
Retirement Event June 1960Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
10 | 71 | June 30, 1960 | |
10 | 72 | June 30, 1960 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)