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Last August, two amazing women became the first female graduates from the U.S. Army’s elite Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Not only have they earned full Ranger status, but they have opened doors for future classes of tough, determined women, to join their brothers with full status in the ranks of Army Rangers.

As most of my work focuses on World War II active-duty casualties, I rarely have the opportunity to research women in the service. But this week, I want to share the nearly-forgotten story of a woman who volunteered for service in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1944. 

The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was formed and signed into public law in May, 1942, and converted to full status as the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) July 1, 1943. The WAC remained in force until 1978, when all units were integrated with male Army units.

At the age of 43, Byrl Lillian Babcock of Biggs, California, volunteered for service and attended training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. A high school graduate, she was a secretary in civilian life, having graduated from a secretarial school in 1929. She was also the part owner of a jewelry store in Oroville, California, as well as a buyer for a stationery store in the same town. At Fort Des Moines, it is possible that she was assigned to switchboard training, where some of the brightest of the WACs participated.

A few days before graduation in early April 1944, Byrl’s husband, Roy M. Babcock, 53, came to Des Moines. PVT Babcock’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Katherine Ecke, gave Byrl a weekend pass so she could spend time with her husband. Byrl told Lieutenant Ecke that her husband was going “out of the country” for several years, and that there were a number of legal matters that needed to be addressed immediately.

Private Byrl Babcock never made it to graduation. The photo above shows the next graduating class from Byrl’s unit, 19^th Company, 3^rd Regiment, and her commanding officer, Lieutenant Katherine Ecke.

On a recent research trip, I visited Byrl’s grave (which was very hard to find), where I learned some surprising information that wasn't in her military file. You can see the photo I took of her headstone, along with other photos, and read her chilling story here.

These articles are dedicated to the memory of Byrl L. (Mitchell) Babcock, to her accomplishments, her bravery in life, and her willingness to serve. This newsletter is also dedicated to Lieutenant Katherine Ecke of the Women’s Army Corps, and to all of the ways that women change the world for the better.

To honor their sacrifice,
--Bill

"There are not enough words to describe how much I appreciate the email I just got from you a few minutes ago about my uncles final mission in the Pacific.  When we were kids every time I would ask dad about Uncle Lou he would just say well he was shot down probably because he just didn't want to talk about it.  Even with the little bit of information you sent me I feel like I have so much more closer than I ever did before and I will be contacting you to find out even more.  Thanks sooooo much."  --From the nephew of 1^st LT Louis J. Winiecki 

A highly advanced recovery dive team searching for missing World War II flyers contacted me recently about locating certain naval deck logs.

The team is searching for the remains of nearly a dozen U.S. Air Force crew members who crashed in a remote area of the Pacific called the Kwajalein Atoll, which is part of the Marshall Islands and an important U.S. military base. The team has come to me several times for additional information to assist them in this active search.

With a few exceptions, my research usually concerns events that happened fully in the past. The information that I convey is new and needed by the families who are searching for answers. But I have to tell you, it feels exciting to assist a team engaged in the difficult and dangerous work of underwater recovery missions, giving families hope of finally bringing their lost heroes home.

Look for stories about this dive team and their recovery missions in an upcoming newsletter.