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Therese M. Lambert Collection

Therese Lambert served in the United Women Army Corps from 1950 until 1953 in Germany and the United States. She later enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve.

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2114th Army Service Unit, WAC detachment
A group photograph of the WAC detachment of the 2114th Army Service Unit, stationed at Camp Pickett, Virginia, in 1951. The women are dressed in WAC winter service dress uniforms and barracks caps. The names of the women are listed at the bottom of the photograph.
Basic Training graduation Fort Lee, Virginia
One company of WACs, four platoons, stands at parade rest during basic training graduation ceremonies at Fort Lee, Virginia, in 1950. Four barracks buildings can be seen in the background. All of the WACs are wearing service dress uniforms.
Four WACs on bivouac
A candid photograph of four WACs at a bivouac encampment. Open ration boxes, food wrappers, mess kits, helmets, and equipment bags are strewn about the encampment. The WACs are in various states of dress.
Gloria Carlson during a bivouac in Germany
WAC Gloria Carlson stands next to a tent at an army encampment outside of Heidelberg, Germany, while on a bivouac exercise. Carlson is wearing an army field jacket, trousers, and a M-1 steel helmet. A pile of rations can be seen at her feet, additional military personnel can be observed behind her, and several tents can be seen in the background.
Janet Beckey at work in Heidelberg, Germany
A photograph of WAC Janet Beckey at work at her desk at the U.S. Army Europe headquarters in 1952. Beckey worked under the supervision of Therese M. Lambert in Heidelberg, Germany. Beckey is dressed in a WAC service uniform worn with out a jacket.
Jo Plumb in Patton Barracks
WAC Jo Plump sits on a cot listening to a Zenith Model 8G005Y Trans-Oceanic Radio at Patton Barracks in Heidelberg, Germany. A pack of cigarettes, a lighter, a Pepsi drinking glass, and several other items can be see on the cabinet supporting the Zenith.
Oral history interview with Therese Lambert
Documents Therese Lambert's childhood in Muskegon and on Lake Harbor, Michigan during the Depression and her service in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) from 1950-1953. Lambert begins by describing her childhood in Muskegon, Michigan during the Depression era. Included is her reaction to Pearl Harbor; that she was thwarted in her attempt to join the military at that time by a nun from her high school; the forged documents for her 16-year-old brother to join and the discovery that she tried lying about her age and was not allowed to join. " Lambert discusses what prompted her to join the Army and her family's reaction; pre-active duty training in Detroit; basic training at Fort Lee, Virginia; being stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland where she classified and assigned the enlisted men to their Army posts. She reveals that when she wrote the orders for the 43rd infantry division to go to Germany [October 1951] she cut her own orders to go with them. She recounts her 18 months in Heidelberg, Germany and living in Patton Barracks; mentions the German people that she befriended; and her travels to Italy, Austria and Netherlands. She discusses Berlin and Munich during the beginning of the Cold War era; her return to the U.S. aboard the Hershey; and leaving the Army due to her mother's poor health. She describes how women were treated in the Army, and opinions of women in the current military. Her later time in the U.S. Naval Reserve (WAVES)is mentioned but not discussed in detail.
Pair of WACs on staircase
Billy Lancaster, a WAC from Mississippi, and Eleanor Kurowski, a WAC from Pennsylvania, pose for a photograph on the elevated porch of a building at Fort Lee, Virgina, during basic training. They are both dressed in WAC summer work uniforms. A collection of mops and brooms can be seen beneath the porch.
Terry Lambert and Gloria Carlson during a bivouac
WACs Terry Lambert (left) and Gloria Carlson pose for a photograph while bivouaced outside of Heidelberg, Germany. They are dressed in army field jackets and M-1 steel helmets. Several canvas A-frame tents can be seen in the background.
Therese Lambert and Gene Brunni
Therese M. Lambert (left) and Gene Brunni (right) pose for a photograph at Fort Lee, Virgina, during basic training. Both are wearing WAC Class-B service uniforms and barracks caps." Writing at the bottom of the photograph reads "Love, Gene 1950"
Therese Lambert in WAC Uniform
Therese Lambert stands at "parade rest" in front of a barracks building at the Women's Army Corps Training Center at Fort Lee, Virginia. Lambert belonged to WAC Company C, First Battalion while training at Fort Lee. She is wearing a WAC Class-B service uniform and barracks cap.
Therese Lambert portrait
Photograph of Therese M. Lambert in WAC winter winter service uniform. The rank of corporal and the United States Army Europe patch can be seen on her sleeve.
Therese M. Lambert at Army European Headquarters in Heidelberg
Therese M. Lambert poses along in front of the United States Army's European command headquarters along the path from Patton Barracks in March 1951. Lambert is dressed in a AC winter service uniform with corporal sleeve rank and a barracks cap.
Therese M. Lambert at bivouac
A WAC, probably Therese M. Lambert, stands outside "Tent No. 8" during a bivouac exercise near Heidelberg, Germany. She is dressed in a WAC shirtwaist with an unidentified armband and khaki slacks.
Therese M. Lambert at work at Army Headquarters-Europe
A photograph of WAC corporal Therese M. Lambert seated at her desk at U.S. Army Headquarters-Europe in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1952. Lambert is dressed in a WAC service uniform. A second desk and a woman in civilian clothing can be seen in the background.
Therese M. Lambert on snowy day in Heildelberg, Germany
Therese M. Lambert is photographed along a pathway running from the Patton Barracks to the United States Army's European command headquarters, which can be seen behind her. Lambert is dressed in a WAC wool overcoat and there is snow on the ground in Heidelberg on this day in February 1952.
Therese M. Lambert polishes shoes
Therese M. Lambert polishes shoes on a cot in the Patton Barracks located in Heidelberg, Germany. Two pairs of oxford-style leather service shoes and a pair of women's field shoes can be see on the cot.
Therese M. Lambert poses by tent
Therese M. Lambert poses by a canvas A-frame tent during a bivouac exercise with the 2114th Army Service Unit at Camp Pickett, Virginia, in 1951. She is wearing a female field jacket, outer cover trousers, and M-1 steel helmet.
Three WACs aboard the USNS General Alexander M. Patch
WACs (left to right) Betts Gun, Therese M. Lambert, and Lynn Dyer pose for a photograph on board the U.S.N.S. General Alexander M. Patch transport ship in November or December 1951. The three women are dressed in WAC service uniforms.
Three WACs at Ft. Lee
Pictured in front of a tree at Fort Lee, Virginia, are (left to right) Lieutenant Freeman, Sergeant Smeller, and Private Merwin. All three are wearing WAC service dress uniforms and barracks caps. A chevron denoting the rank of private first class is visible on Merwin's left sleeve.

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