]> Finding Aid for the Marcelle Fischer Papers, 1935-1961, 1990 Processed by: UA staff; 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 Marcelle Fischer Papers, 1935-1961, 1990 University Libraries, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro &hdrnguscua; Descriptive Summary The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. University Archives & Manuscripts. Fischer, Marcelle K. Marcelle Fischer Papers, 1935-1961, 1990 WV0253 Material in English. 5 boxes For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives & Manuscripts. Marcelle K. Fischer served in the WAC from 1942-1945. The Marcelle Fischer Papers (bulk 1942-1946) contains artifacts, correspondence, instructional materials, military papers, newspaper clippings, and photographs which primarily document Fischer's military service. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

 Copyright Notice

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], Marcelle Fischer Papers (WV0253), Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.

 Acquisitions Information

Gift of Fischer's neice in April 2002.

 Processing Information

Processed by UA staff, 2002

Encoded by Cat S. McDowell, November 2008

 Biographical or Historical Note

Marcelle K. Fischer of Skokie, Illinois, had already held several jobs, one with the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., when she decided to enlist in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942. She attended basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and then had advanced training in army administration at Drake University, also in Des Moines, where she prepared for duties in handling technical manuals and teaching office work to male soldiers. In spring of 1943 she was sent to Fort Custer, Michigan, then by fall of 1943 had moved to Rapid City Army Air Base in South Dakota. She was finally stationed at Ft. McPherson, Georgia, where she was discharged from the WAC in November 1945.

After the war, Fischer went to work for the Railroad Retirement Board until she decided to resume her college studies and enrolled in the Sorbonne in Paris, France, in 1951. While in Europe, she began visiting flea markets, a hobby which eventually launched her into a career of dealing in antiques.

 Collection Overview

The Marcelle Fischer Papers primarily consists of correspondence, printed materials, photographs and artifacts, most of which date from or pertain to Fischer's service in the WAAC and WAAC during World War II. Correspondence from Fischer includes discussion her duties teaching office work to male soldiers and general WAC life, such as barracks life, dating, social outings, her feelings regarding her contribution to the war effort, and her desire for advancement in the WAC. The correspondence also includes letters from male soldiers, both stateside and overseas, and correspondence from WAC friends such as Mildred Estabrook, who was stationed in Europe in 1945, and Ruth Tamayo, who primarily wrote about religious topics and mysteries while posted in Germany and Japan from 1950 to 1953.

Printed Materials in this collection take many forms, primarily booklets, souvenirs, newspapers and newspaper clippings, event programs, certificates, and training manuals. Most of these are related to Fischer's duties in the WAC or collected by her during her time of service, and some can be found in the Oversize Series. Also included in this collection are a few artifacts, primarily uniform accessories, and a significant number of photographs of Fischer and her WAC friends.

Collection Arrangement

The Fischer papers are organized into the following series: Correspondence, Paper and Printed Materials, Photographs, Artifacts, and Oversize.

Detailed Description of the Collection 1. Correspondence, 1935-1959 1 Letters, 1935, 1939-1944 Letters, 1945-1948, 1950-1953, 1959, n.d. 2 Greeting Cards, 1939-1945 2. Papers and Printed Materials, 1942-1961 (bulk 1942-1945) 3 13th Army Training Class notebook, 1942 American Legion papers, 1947-48, 1952 Art work from magazines, ca. 1942-1945 Graduation, Eighth Specialist Classes of the WAAC programs, 18 December 1942 Identification cards and passes, 1942-1948, 1960-1961 Instructional manuals (from binder), 1943-1944 Instructional material, miscellaneous, 1942-1945 Military papers, 1942-1945 Newspaper clippings, 1942-1944, 1951 Notes, miscellaneous, ca. 1942 Printed Material, souvenir and military, ca. 1942-1945 Printed Material and Poems, non-military and miscellaneous, ca. 1942-1945 Railroad Retirement Board papers and printed material, 1942, 1947-1948 Soldier’s Data Book, 1942 4 To My Heirs by Marcelle Fischer, 1942 Tool and Safety booklets, ca. 1943 United States Civil Service Commission, Report of Ratings, 1940 WAAC 2nd Training Regiment, Fiscal Accounting and Procurement Procedure Text Book, 1942 WAAC calendar, 1943 WAAC Drill Regulations, ca. 1942-1943 WAAC Historical Background, 1943 WAAC/WAC programs and miscellaneous printed material, 1942-1945 See also Oversize WAAC Rules and Regulations, 1943 WAAC/WAC songs, poems, ca. 1942-1945 3. Photographs, ca. 1942-1945 Photographs, WAAC/WAC, ca. 1942-1945 Photographs, nonmilitary, ca. 1940s 4. Oversize Printed Materials, 1942-1945, 1990 Oversize 2 Newspapers/newsletters Chanute Field Wings (3502nd Army Air Base), 30 June 1945 Fort Custer News (Fort Custer, Michigan), 15 January 1943, 29 January 1943, 2 April 1943 The News (Skokie, Illinois), 8 January 1943 The Service News (Battle Creek, Michigan), 26 March 1943 Thunderbird (Rapid City, South Dakota, Army Air Base), ca. 24 issues, January 1943 - May 1945 WAAC News: The Armygal’s Publication (Fort Des Moines, Iowa), 15-22 May 1943 Oversize Clippings House of Two Lions a Store and Museum, 5 September 1990 The Lady’s a Soldier, Collier’s, 10 October 1942 WAC Recalls Her Part to Support War Effort, Walworth County (Wis.) Week, 11 November 1990 5. Artifacts, ca. 1942-1945 First Sergeant’s chevron patches Second Lieutenant insignia pin 2nd Air Force patches Eighty-seventh Infantry Division (golden acorn) patch Wallet, black Wallet, Olive Drab Rapid City Army Air Base letter opener Name plate – Stf. Sgt. Fischer Cotton with stenciled Marcelle K. Fischer Miniature American flag Silhouettes in frame, n.d. Online Catalog Headings

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

United States. Army. Women's Army Corps. United States. Army. Women's Army Corps--Photographs. Women veterans--United States. World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Female. World War, 1939-1945--Women--United States.