ANDERSON-LUCY

Excerpts from article published in “STAR NEWS,” National City, California, on 6/18/2016:

It has been more than 60-years since Lucy “Josey” Anderson of National City retired as a Navy WAVE following World War II, but she is still getting accolades.  Anderson was presented a proclamation by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors honoring her military service.  “Lucy was part of The Greatest Generation that defended our nation and I was proud to recognize her,” said County Supervisor Greg Cox.  Presenting the proclamation, Cox said, “Besides the proclamation, Anderson, who has lived in the same home in National City for 60-years, was rewarded with a trip to Washington, D.C., courtesy of Honor Flight San Diego, a branch of the non-profit nationwide Honor Flight Network that escorts veterans to the nation’s capital to recognize their contributions to our country.” 

Anderson was one of the many women who participated during World War II and shortly thereafter in the WAVES.  Anderson was a cook during and after the war.  Reminiscing about her military experiences as a WAVE, she recalled her toughest assignment.  “The night before Thanksgiving, I had to roast 104 turkeys by myself, stuffed them too,” she said, adding that she cooked the birds 18 at a time in three pans on three oven shelves.  “I started early the night before and didn’t finish until 7:30 or 8:00 the next morning.

She also recalled being cited for courageous conduct during an unusual incident that transpired in her all-female barracks.  “One night I was sleeping on the top of a double-decker metal bunk and I heard this noise, and someone woke up and it was a man,” she said.  “So, I got out of bed, grabbed him by the arm, and proceeded to get on top of him and restrain him until the Shore Patrol came.”  Anderson was equally surprised when she got called into the captain’s office the next day.  “The captain told me, ‘I heard you got yourself a man last night.’  They gave me a meritorious citation for being brave.”

Asked what is the biggest difference in the way things are in society today than back in World War II, Anderson answered, “Responsibility, and patriotism.  We had love of the country then more than they do today.  We were in there to do the job.”  “I’ve had a good life,” said Anderson, who married a sailor and settled down and had three children after leaving the Navy in 1952.  “I’m just appreciative of all the honors that I have received.  I met some nice girls, had some good bosses, served under some good leaders  -- that was a plus.”

                           

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)