Blanche D. Wall (nee Wallbom)

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Navy

Blanche D. Wall (nee Wallbom) entered the Navy on August 10, 1944, at Villa Park, Illinois. Home at entry: Sault St. Marie, Michigan.

Mrs. Wall served as a Mailman 1st Class and postal money order clerk with the W.A.V.E.S. in Great Lakes, Illinois. Went through basic training at Hunters College in New York City, N.Y. Returned to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, assigned to the postal division and became postal money clerk.

She was locked in a secure room for her shift with a window to which young sailors would come with wages to send back home to family. Was the only woman assigned to the postal division of dozens of men. The men were gentlemen and very protective of her. Was "Little Sister" to a family of a hundred or so men. Always a trendsetter.

She was awarded the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

Mrs. Wall was honorably discharged on August 17, 1946, at Great Lakes, Illinois.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 366.

Blanche Wall died on September 16, 2002.