WAC Recruiting Office, Des Moines—Pvt. Betty J. Schilling, 20, Jefferson, became Iowa’s first medical assistant to be sworn into the Women’s Army Corps under the new Purple Heart recruiting program, to serve at Schick General Hospital, Clinton.
Just one day before taking her oath of enlistment, Pvt. Schilling received the news that her husband, Pfc. Alvin L. Schilling, who had been reported missing in action for 4 months, was a German prisoner. Pvt. Schilling disclosed that her own experience was added incentive to help those who are suffering personal physical and mental effects of the war.
Pvt. Schilling, daughter of Mrs. Elsie Stoll, Jefferson, is anxious to get started in her new medical career. For approximately a years she was a nurse’s aide in Green County Hospital at Jefferson. Before her enlistment, she worked at the OPA office in her hometown.
Basic training will commence at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., for Pvt. Schilling, with the first platoon of medical assistants from Iowa. Following this, she will complete a technical course at one of 4 general hospitals in the country. Pvt. Schilling will then report for duty at Schick.
Source: Jefferson Bee, February 8, 1945 (photo included)
