Howard County

Irma Bigalk

 

 

WAVE Recruit

Miss Irma Bigalk has received word tat she has been accepted by the WAVES and is awaiting her call to begin training in that branch of the navy.

Miss Bigalk was sworn in as a new recruit in Des Moines and has been recommended tor the University of Indiana in Bloomington.

For the past seven years, Miss Bigalk has been employed at the Merkel store.

She is a graduate of the Cresco high school and attended the University of Iowa.

Source: Globe-Gazette, Mason City IA - October 21, 1942 (photo included)

Women Go to War, Too

With more than 3,000 members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in training at Fort Des Moines and one thousand members of the Women's Naval Reserve expected to take training in December at Iowa States Teachers college in Cedar Falls, Iowa is a hub of activity for women in the service of their country.

[excerpt]

Awaiting a call to go into training is Miss Irma Bigalk who has enlisted in the WAVES.

Source: Globe-Gazette, Mason City IA - October 30, 1942 (photo included)

TO CALIFORNIA -- Miss Irma Bigalk, formerly of Mason City, who entered the WAVES in February, taking her indoctrination at Iowa State Teachers college, Cedar Falls, has just completed 5 months training at Memphis, Tenn., and has been stationed at Alameda, Calif., with the rating of aviation machinist's mate 3/c. Miss Bigalk was employed at the Merkel store before going into the navy.

Source: Globe-Gazette, Mason City IA - September 15, 1943 (photo included)