LAWS-VIRGINIA

The WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was established in July 1942 to release men for sea duty and replace them with women in shore establishments.  WAVES served at 900 stations in the U.S. and territory of Hawaii and the peak WAVES strength grew to 86,291 women during World War II. 

In October 1943 a summer uniform consisting of a gray and white pin-striped seersucker shirtwaist dress and jacket uniform featuring black shoes, tie and gloves was authorized and became the Uniform of the Day in Washington, DC, on May 15, 1944.  Files of the National Archives contain a 1944 photograph of Yeoman Third Class Virginia Laws (on right) on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial modeling the new uniform.  Search of readily available historical records revealed no additional information concerning her.

                            

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