Carol Goddard Correspondence

Carol M. Case Goddard served in the WAC from 1944-1945. Carol Goddard, a civilian military recruiter from Hot Springs, South Dakota, joined the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in late October 1944. Private Goddard's situation was a little unusual for a member of the WAC. Not only was she 41 years old when she enlisted, but she also left an attorney husband at home in Hot Springs. The letters from Carol are written from three different locations: basic training at Ft. Des Moines, Iowa; Rapid City Army Air Force Base in South Dakota; and Ft. Sheridan, Illinois

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: This collection has been digitized in its entirety.
What's in the full collection?: Personal correspondence with husband Bertin , circa 1944-1945.
Full biography: Carol M. Case Goddard served in the WAC from 1944-1945. Carol Goddard, a civilian military recruiter from Hot Springs, South Dakota, joined the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in late October 1944. Private Goddard's situation was a little unusual for a member of the WAC. Not only was she 41 years old when she enlisted, but she also left an attorney husband at home in Hot Springs. The letters from Carol are written from three different locations: basic training at Ft. Des Moines, Iowa; Rapid City Army Air Force Base in South Dakota; and Ft. Sheridan, Illinois
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Army -- WAC
Conflict: World War II era (1940-1946)
Subject headings: World War, 1939-1945
United States. Army--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her Husband; Goddard decided to complete a year's service before getting out in order to receive veterans benefits, even though she has the option of leaving now. She describes the discharge policies in detail in addition to planning a hunting trip with her husband.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her Husband; Goddard expresses the love and appreciation she has for her husband and is looking forward to being discharged soon. She also mentions her recent social activities and her duties the following day.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard writes of her weekend with her husband and how much she misses him. She tells of a gardening project, a visit to friends in the hospital, and practical jokes the women play on each other. She hopes that Germany will fall in the spring as predicted.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard discusses a potential job opportunity and provides details of the office and some of her duties in Rapid City. She also mentions the cold weather, the need for warmer clothing, her New Years dinner, and her new address.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard writes of her visit to the dentist, a letter from her parents, and new rules with strict repercussions at Rapid City AAB. She plans to go home to her husband for the weekend and discusses the menu for her visit.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard mentions her wedding anniversary and speaking to her husband on the phone. She discusses a visit from her parents, her father's health, and packages she received.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard is still not sure of her next assignment and where she'll be for Christmas. She describes KP, writes of her classes and instructors, and notes the bad war news of late.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard has completed her exams and is in her last period at Fort Des Moines. She recounts the details of her Sunday routine, including the care packages received by many.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard writes of the details of her days, including KP, laundry, classes, and inspections. She is mailing some of her belongings home along with gifts, in case she's not home for Christmas. Her last week of basic training is busy and she is preparing to leave Fort Des Moines.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard tells of personally arranging for WACs and male soldiers to get furloughs and plane rides home. She also describes her recent activities, including watching a P-61 or Black Widow pilot perform, cleaning, ironing, and dining in the mess hall.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Carol writes that the medical WACs are leaving on Friday for Sioux Falls, and hopes that she will get down there to visit her husband for the weekend. She's making plans for shipping her belongings home, and mentions doing laundry.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard assures her husband she doesn't plan on applying for Officer's Candidate School, mentions a brighter war picture, and has heard no word of the base closing.

: Letter from Carol Goddard to her husband; Goddard writes to her husband about his accident and his recovery. She has two weeks of WAC basic training at Fort Des Moines left, and will see the Company Commander about where she will be relocated and if she will be sent home to Rapid City.