Constance Cline Phillips Collection

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Constance Cline Phillips
Portrait of Constance Cline Phillips in WAC uniform taken in Des Moines, Iowa, during basic training in Spring 1945.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips describes her train trip from North Carolina to basic training in Des Moines. She writes of the schedule of her first two days, various tests they are taking including IQ and mechanical aptitude tests, and the DPT shots they were required to take. She describes her life as hectic and is finding she is tougher than she thought.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips discusses receiving her uniform, cleaning duty and a surprise first inspection, moving to "Boom town" barracks soon, and working very hard but looking forward to free time on Sunday.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips writes home after her first week of basic. She likes her platoon but not the weather or work, and indicates she is a "soul satisfying" Army "spirit."
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips describes a typical day at boot camp, the good food at Fort Des Moines, and receiving her first pay.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips discusses receiving a commendation at inspection, going a week without a gig, having a parade this morning, and plans to go to Des Moines.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips recalls a trip to Des Moines where they danced at the USO, mentions seeing a play starring Helen Hayes, and going to a party at the USO. She includes lyrics to a Des Moines WAC song.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips responds to letters from home, enjoys her classes, especially map reading and supply, and is learning much about the war through films. She promises not to smoke too much, requests that her parents put her money in the bank, and mentions that she received her gas mask.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips discusses a basketball game, attending her first USO show, which included acrobats and tightrope walkers, and a trip to Ames, Iowa. She mentions letters from friends she has received and having KP.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips describes a first aid film on battle casualties, gas mask drills, and an inspection from the Colonel.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips has moved to Camp Atterbury for x-ray school. She notes getting new uniforms, the improved KP duty, her classes, and requests money from her furlough fund to purchase textbooks.
Letter from Constance Phillips to parents
Phillips enjoys her x-ray classes, and describes topics covered in her physics and anatomy classes. She also notes a day trip to Indianapolis, and a group date with the Notre Dame Baseball team.
Letter from Constance Phillips to sister
Phillips relays to her sister the story of her travels fro Asheville to Des Moines. She is part of a work company until she begins Basic Training next week. She describes her days since arrival, which include a lot of cleaning.
Nichols General Hospital x-ray staff
X-Ray Department Staff of Nicolas General Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, Fall 1945. According to the identification on the back of the photo, "This is an example of the hard life we lead." Constance Cline Phillips is kneeling beside Bobby, while Phyl and Carl stand to their left.
Nichols General Hospital x-ray staff
X-Ray staff sit around a desk in the radiology department of Nichols General Hospital, Louisville,Kentucky, Fall 1945.
Nurses posed in front of dorm
Four veterans pose in front of building at Woman's College in 1947. Three were nurses, including Agnes Knall (left) and the woman beside her, identified as being from Pennsylvania. Former X-Ray technician Constance Cline Phillips is third from left, flanked by another nurse on the right. According to the back of the photo, "They tried to segregate us on top floor of a freshman dorm."
Oral history interview with Constance Cline Phillips
Interview discusses Constance Phillips's early life; education at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina; work as an X-ray technician in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II; and her life after her military service. Phillips describes her childhood and family, including her mother's career as a nurse in World War I and with U.S. Public Health Service; being unaffected by the Depression; and developing an interest in crafts such as weaving and pottery. " Topics related to Phillip's education include choosing the Woman's College because of the art program; taking summer courses at Appalachian State Teachers College; and being informed that she had been taking too many art classes, spurring her to join the army. " Phillips recalls her basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, including the cold weather, uniforms, cramped train rides, open dorms, and female instructors. She mentions the students at X-ray school using each other as patients without realizing the danger of radiation exposure. She remembers the WAC scandal, fending off men's advances, and becoming a sergeant by default. Phillips also discusses each of the hospitals she was stationed at. She recalls meeting her husband at Nichols General Hospital, a nerve center, and working with two German prisoners of war. She describes treating army brass at Ashford General Hospital and the Valley Forge General Hospital, which operated as a burn unit and plastic surgery center. " Postwar topics include Phillips's courtship and marriage with her husband and his professional football carrer; finishing her schooling; and working briefly as a teacher.
The army gals publication [October 1944]
A United States Women's Army Corps [WAC] newsletter includes articles about WAC Company 21, WAC service in the repair of damaged ships and Eastern Europeans serving in the WAC, military cartoons, and movie news. " Pages three through six are missing.
Two WAC medical technicians in fatigues
Two WAC medical technicians in fatigues stand next to an ambulance in 1945.
WAC barracks
WAC barracks at Nichols General Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, 1945.

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