Eleanor Steinhebel Gurney Collection
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Oral history interview with Eleanor Steinhebel Gurney
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Primarily documents Eleanor Steinhebel Gurney's memories of growing up during World War II; her experiences in boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina; and her married life, particularly after her husband, also a Marine, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Gurney talks about a 1943 race riot in Detroit; recycling and rations during World War II; patriotism; the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; and her fear of an atomic bomb being dropped on the United States. " She also discusses her military service at length. Topics include her family's reaction when she joined the Marines; living conditions at Parris Island; negative treatment from male Marines; watching weapons demonstrations; classification tests; barracks inspections; losing her sea bag and uniforms while on leave; cultural differences she experienced in the South; desperate measures some Women Marines took to get out of the military; social activities; singing the Lord's Prayer at night; clothing regulations; courting and secretly marrying her husband; and driving to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., during Hurricane Hazel in 1954. " Personal topics include her relationship with Joe Gurney; living in the Jacksonville community; favorite books and movies from the 1950s; her husband being diagnosed with schizophrenia; dealing with her husband's illness and visiting him in Veterans Administration hospitals; and new opportunities for women in the military.
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Women Marines at Parris Island
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Eleanor Steinhebel Gurney and a fellow Woman Marine, probably in summer service uniform, are seated outside a building at Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1953.
