Oral history interview with Doris Kacmarynski [sound recording], 2007.

ArchivalResource

Kacmarynski, Doris, 1931-. Oral history interview with Doris Kacmarynski [sound recording], 2007.

Oral history interview with Doris Kacmarynski [sound recording], 2007.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/428437335

Doris Kacmarynski, a Green Bay, Wisconsin resident, discusses her experiences as a Mess Sergeant in the Women's Army Corps during the Korean War. Kacmarynski describes her family and early life in Wabeno (Wisconsin). Her father was an electrician and the family moved often, living in Green Bay, Tomahawk, and Greenwood. Kacmarynski reveals her father died in an industrial accident in the late 1940s, and her mother moved them back to Wabeno. In 1949, she graduated from Wabeno High School and moved to Green Bay where she worked at Red Owl lunch counter. Kacmarynski comments that because her brothers were both 4-F, she "always felt that somebody had to go fight for our family." Kacmarynski explains she joined the Army to escape the unwanted attentions of a suitor. She relates her mother supported her decision to enlist and gave Kacmarynski her father's World War I uniform. She briefly outlines her basic training at Fort Lee (Virginia), describing bivouac camping and sharpshooting. When her suitor enlisted in the Army and followed her to Fort Lee, Kacmarynski transferred to Fort Meade (Maryland). A musician in high school, Kacmarynski turned down an offer to join the 32nd Army Band because "being a little old country girl, that high-class stuff wasn't for me." Kacmarynski mentions her first detail was with the Military Police, but at that time, women were not allowed to carry weapons and had to have a male MP with them for protection. She jokes that her "protector" was smaller than her, and she needed to protect him. Frustrated with the MPs, Kacmarynski transferred to the Mess Hall. She states she was the youngest Mess Sergeant, and her cooking was voted the best in the company for six months running. Kacmarynski touches upon fraternizing between officers and enlisted soldiers; it was forbidden, but she and a friend often went on dates with captains and sergeants. Kacmarynski describes meeting and marrying her first husband, Sergeant Thompson. Kacmarynski relates that she had orders to go to Japan at the end of the Korean War, but because she thought she was pregnant, the Army made her pass a physical. She was not assigned to Japan and decided not to reenlist. She speaks about Army life, living in Germany for three years, and raising five children. She mentions she divorced Thompson after twenty-four years of marriage because he never adjusted to civilian life. She implies her ex-husband's gambling and drinking problems were exacerbated by the Army. Kacmarynski describes her recent stroke and the medical problems of her current husband. She states she used a G.I. housing loan to buy her first house and that she uses her medical benefits at the VA Hospital in Appleton (Wisconsin). She is very active in veterans organizations, especially the Women's Legion Post in Green Bay and the AMVETS (American Veterans) of Pulaski (Wisconsin). Kacmarynski states with pride that she served as a District Commander for the AMVETS for two years and was voted District Commander of the Year. Finally, she comments on her granddaughter's interest in the Army and how the Army has changed over time.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassettes (ca. 17 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassettes (ca. 17 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 9 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center