Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Gladyce A. Nypan Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 3rd Battalion of Storekeepers, 7th Regiment
- Location of Service: Hunters College, New York; Bloomington, Indiana; Cherry Point, North Carolina
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/10236
Growing up on a Minnesota farm as the oldest of eight children, Gladyce A. Pederson Nypan, known as Pepper, was more than accustomed to hard work. This served her well during her time in the Marine Corps, particularly during the endless marching and drilling she endured during basic training. In her oral history interview, she emphasizes the immediate and intense bonding that took place between the women Marines, and how devastated she was to leave her comrades at the end of the war. Returning to her hometown, she initially felt disconnected from friends and family, but eventually found solace through relationships formed with other former military members. Her time with the Marines gave her the confidence to pursue flying lessons through the GI Bill, apply for jobs, and travel the world.
Gladyce A. Nypan Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayWorking at a department store; going to dances with servicemen; realizing that women might be needed for war effort; deciding to join the Marines because she felt they were the sharpest unit. 00:01:31.0 - 00:06:47.0
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PlayRigors of farm life; appreciated her upbringing but also wanted to leave farm and do something different; aspirations for her time with the Marines. 00:06:48.0 - 00:12:06.0
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PlayArriving in New York City at Hunter College for basic training; instant camaraderie; tough instructors; learning discipline. 00:16:51.0 - 00:21:14.0
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PlayMustering out; shock of no longer being in the service; going home; feeling alienated from her friends and coworkers. 01:02:45.0 - 01:06:29.0
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PlayReturning to the farm to help her family; deciding to use GI Bill for flying lessons; meeting like-minded people; meeting her husband. 01:06:32.0 - 01:09:32.0
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About this Item
Title
- Gladyce A. Nypan Collection
Names
- Nypan, Gladyce A.
- Recollections-A Portrait of a Life
- Kuentz, Patricia A.
Home State
- Minnesota
Headings
- - Nypan, Gladyce A.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 3rd Battalion of Storekeepers, 7th Regiment
- Location of Service: Hunters College, New York; Bloomington, Indiana; Cherry Point, North Carolina
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1943-1945
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected unknown)
- Computer File: Floppy Disk [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2004; 2004-12-15)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of photograph (collected 2003-09-12)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Photograph: Other Photographic Material [9 items] -- (collected unknown)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-09-11)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/10236
Cite as
- Gladyce A. Nypan Collection (AFC/2001/001/10236), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text