Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Helen Minor Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: WAC (Women's Army Corps)
- Unit of Service: O'Reilly General Hospital; Beaumont Hospital; Halloran General Hospital
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/4746
For Helen Minor, military service meant extensive travel--not abroad, but to posts all around the United States, from Georgia to Missouri to Texas. When she dropped out of college in 1944 to enlist in the WACs, Minor was promised training in occupational therapy. She taught wounded soldiers how to regain the use of their limbs through simple handicrafts; she also observed the fortitude of men who remained amazingly upbeat in spite of their injuries.
Helen Minor Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayTerms of her enlistment; training as good discipline. 00:00:58.0 - 00:04:42.0
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PlayArmy chow. 00:07:02.0 - 00:08:25.0
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PlayWelcoming new recruits; Spartan conditions. 00:13:15.0 - 00:15:04.0
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PlayMoving to a new camp; KP duty. 00:16:58.0 - 00:20:38.0
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PlayWorking with patients at Staten Island hospital. 00:27:04.0 - 00:30:39.0
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PlayLife at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. 00:30:51.0 - 00:35:14.0
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PlayDescription of occupational therapy. 00:35:58.0 - 00:40:11.0
More Resources
Helen Minor Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayNon-fraternization rules. 00:01:10.0 - 00:04:09.0
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PlayFlying cross-country on leave. 00:05:10.0 - 00:07:56.0
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PlayWorking with psychiatric patients. 00:10:08.0 - 00:16:15.0
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PlayAdapting a craft to a specific injury. 00:19:40.0 - 00:22:29.0
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PlayAdvantages of military service for young people. 00:23:53.0 - 00:26:04.0
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PlayWhy she joined the service. 00:30:03.0 - 00:35:20.0
About this Item
Title
- Helen Minor Collection
Names
- Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame
- Cavanaugh, Katie
- Minor, Helen
Home State
- Michigan
Headings
- - Minor, Helen
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army. Women's Army Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: WAC (Women's Army Corps)
- Unit of Service: O'Reilly General Hospital; Beaumont Hospital; Halloran General Hospital
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1944-1947
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2002-02-12)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-02-12)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/4746
Cite as
- Helen Minor Collection (AFC/2001/001/4746), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- El Paso, Texas
- Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
- Springfield, Missouri
- Staten Island, New York