DACS

]> Finding Aid for the Gretchen C. Davis Collection, 1973-1993, 1999 Processed by: Linda Jacobson; machine-readable finding aid created by: Cat S. McDowell University Archives & ManuscriptsThe University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC, USA

2008 Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: November 2008. Description is in English. Finding aid was prepared using DACS. Finding Aid for the Gretchen C. Davis Collection, 1973-1993, 1999 University Libraries, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro &hdrnguscua; Descriptive Summary The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. University Archives & Manuscripts. Davis, Gretchen C. Gretchen C. Davis Collection, 1973-1993, 1999 WV0098 Material in English. 7 boxes For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives & Manuscripts. Gretchen Charlene Davis (b. 1943) of Pollocksville, North Carolina, served in logistics in the Women’s Army Corps from 1973 to 1978 and in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1993. The Gretchen C. Davis Collection (bulk 1970s-1990s) contains printed material, photographs, uniforms, and an oral history interview which document Davis' service in the army. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Gretchen C. Davis Collection (WV0098), Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Gift of Gretchen Davis May 1999 and May 2000.

Processing Information

Processed by Linda Jacobson, May 2000

Encoded by Cat S. McDowell, November 2008

Biographical Note

Gretchen Charlene Davis was born in Conway, South Carolina, in 1943, and grew up in Pollocksville, North Carolina. She graduated from Jones Central High School in 1961 and then studied home economics at Woman’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro), graduating in 1965. Her first job was with the North Carolina Extension Service in Elizabeth City and then Plymouth, North Carolina. In 1968, Davis entered East Carolina University to get her master’s degree in education, guidance and counseling. While at ECU, she also taught home economics at Southern Nash Senior High School in Bailey, North Carolina, where she continued to teach after completing her degree in 1970.

In 1972, while working for the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, Davis applied for the Women’s Army Corps. She joined as a first lieutenant and went to basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, in 1973. She then went to Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia, where she was executive officer of her company. Davis was then assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, where she worked in Food Service for the Directorate of Industrial Operations. In 1975, she began working for the 1st Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) Brigade. She was promoted to captain and in January 1977, attended advanced class at Fort Lee. Davis then did a one-year tour at Camp Red Cloud in Korea.

After returning from Korea in 1978, Davis went to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and worked in logistics. She stayed there until 1981, when she went to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, for Adjutant General School. She then served at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and from 1985 to 1993 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, doing logistics support for the 18th Airborne. During that time, Davis spent six months in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, six months on temporary duty at Little Creek Naval Base, Virginia, for Exercise Solid Shield, and a few weeks in the Mojave Desert for Exercise Gallant Eagle in 1986. Davis retired from the army in 1993 and moved to New Bern, North Carolina.

Collection Overview

The Gretchen C. Davis Collection (bulk 1970s-1990s) is comprised primarily of army uniforms and uniform accessories worn by Gretchen Davis during her two decade career in the Women's Army Corps and U.S. Army. Included in the Papers Series are three newspaper clippings and several photos of Davis in uniform, in addition to miscellaneous materials. The collection also contains an oral history interview conducted with Davis in 1999. Digital versions of the interview transcript and photographs are available online at the Women Veterans Historical Project website.

Collection Arrangement

Collection is organized into the following series: Papers; Textiles; and Oral History.

Detailed Description of the Collection Series I. Papers, 1973-1993 Nation Salutes Women's Army Corps, McClellan News, 15 May 1992 [See Oversize Box 2] No Long Good-byes at WAC's Ft. McClellan, Army, May 1992 Why Do They Join the Army? The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), 3 April 1973 Miscellaneous, 1990s, n.d. Photographs, 1974, n.d. Series 2. Textiles, 1970s-1990s 1 Camouflage Fatigues, battle dress uniform - unisex, early 1990s 2 Field Uniform, ca. 1977-1990s 2 Tee shirts Green Canvas Duffel Bag Baseball Cap Chin Strap for Helmet 3 Maternity Uniform (tunic, pants, skirt), ca. 1976-1993 Raincoat with Removable Havelock, ca. 1973-1976 4 Green Cord Short Sleeve Jacket with Overseas Cap, ca. 1973-1975/76 Mint Green Summer Uniform, ca. 1976-1980 White Shirt with Black Necktab, ca. 1973-1993 Tan Shirt with Black Necktab, ca. 1970s Green Shirt, short sleeve, ca. 1973-1993 Green Shirt, long sleeve, ca. 1973-1993 5 Service Uniform Jackets, ca. 1970s-1990s(3 jackets) Shoulder Braid 6 Service Uniform Slacks, ca. 1970s-1990s(2 pairs) Service Uniform Skirts, ca. 1970s-1990s(2 skirts) Blue Uniform Skirt (part of Dress Blues), ca. 1973-1993 Black Socks 7 Field Gear Camouflage Cap, ca. 1990s Wool Hat with Field and Company Grade Insignia, ca. 1970s-1990s Garrison Hat, ca. 1970s-1990s Pistol Belt worn with Fatigues, 1980s- 1990s Duffel Bag, 1990s (Desert Storm) Towel and Washcloth, 1990s Green Wool Socks Green Canvas/Black Leather Jungle Boots 8 Informal Purse, ca. 1970s-1990s Black and White and Gold-Striped Polyester PT Warm-Up Suit, ca. 1990s Green Cotton Laundry Bag, ca. 1990s Gray Hooded Army Sweatshirt, ca. 1990s Brown Cold Weather Thermal undershirt and drawers, ca. 1990s Black Raincoat ca. 1990s Black Cotton/Polyester/Poplin Raincoat Liner , ca. 1990s Green Acrylic Cardigan Sweater, ca. 1990s 9 Informal Purse, ca. 1970s-1990s Black Leather Combat Boots, ca. 1990s Low Quarters Marching Shoes, ca. 1970s-1990s Steel Pot with Liner, 1990s Series 3. Oral History, 15 June 1999

Primarily documents Gretchen Davis’s experiences at the Woman’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) and in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and U.S. Army from 1973 to 1993.

Davis details her parents’ education and careers; her high school activities; her reaction when the Woman’s College (WC) went co-ed in 1964; WC rules and traditions, including house mothers and Rat Day; President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963; the influence of her trips to Germany to visit a friend whose husband was in the military; and concern about the Vietnam War, especially after her brother joined the military.

Much of the interview details Davis' twenty year career in the Army. Topics include her parents’ reactions when she joined the WAC; her original plan to only stay for one tour of duty; quotas for women recruits in the army; classes, discipline, and regulations during basic training; meeting Vietnam veterans at Fort Benning; her opinion of the integration of the WAC into the U.S. Army; her experiences in Korea, as they relate to the TV show M.A.S.H.; duties, recreation, danger, and weather in Korea; and attitudes of Koreans toward military women.

Topics related to her last 15 years in the Army include harassment and discrimination toward women; specialties and career advancement in the army; being on medical hold and deciding to stay in the army despite having cancer; her experience in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, including her logistics work, wearing chemical protective suits, sightseeing, civilian knowledge of military operations, and medical problems resulting from Desert Storm, including Gulf War Syndrome; her opinion of women in the military and in combat positions; and ways in which the military changed her attitude and personality.

Oral History Interview Transcript Oral History Interview Sound Recording Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

United States. Army. Women's Army Corps--Uniforms. United States. Army--Uniforms. United States. Army--Military life. United States. Army. Women's Army Corps--History. Women veterans--United States--Interviews.