New WAC Program Purple Heart Unit Enlists 4 Women
Four women were recruited last week under the Women's Army corps Purple Heart program, and probably will leave for basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. late this week.
Entering the service from Cedar Rapids are Lois Hannusch, 1256 Second avenue SE; Mrs. Marieta Quick, 1200 Third avenue SE, and Donna Krumm, 125 Twelfth street NW. Mrs. Lisbeth Atkinson of Anamosa also enlisted.
After basic training at Ft. Oglethorpe, the women will go to one of four army general hospitals for six weeks training in the medical corps. A one-month on-the-job- training course at Schick hospital will complete their training and then they will be assigned to Schick General hospital, Clinton.
Members of the first Iowa platoon recruited under the the Purple Heart plan, they will open the army's drive for one medical corpswoman for every 10 beds in a general hospital. Four platoons eventually will be recruited in Iowa.
Source: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA - February 18, 1945
Iowa Volunteers to Serve at Schick Hospital
Pictures with Governor Robert D. Blue in front of the statehouse Wednesday are Iowans who have enlisted as medical technicians in the WAC's Purple Heart platoon to serve at Schick General hospital, Clinton, Ia.
Front row (from left) are: Blue, Pvts. Lisbeth E. Atkinson, Marengo; Juanita Murphy, Scranton; Catherine M. McIntire, Rolfe; Grace Margaret Friel, Des Moines; Loretta T. Jensen. Fort Dodge; Barbara C. Russell, Nora Springs.
Second Row: Mae J. Qual, Cedar Rapids; Mary Grossman, Clinton; Margaret R. Rodriquez, Des Moines; Marjorie Dunlap, Fairfield; Frances N. Keeton, Davenport.
Top row: G. Dexter Curttright, Harlan; Marieta Quick, Donna Louise Krumm and Lois M. Hannusch, all of Cedar Rapids.
Source: The DesMoines Register, March 1, 1945 (photo included)
Lois Mae Johnson Hannusch was born Dec. 16, 1923 to Leo Gaston and Celia Margaret Cole Johnson. She died May 11, 2010 and is buried in Hillside Cemetery, State Center, IA. She was married to Walter Edward Hannusch. He was born June 17, 1922 to Henry and Anna Wischnack Hannusch. Walter served with the U.S. Navy in World War II.
Source: ancestry.com
