This photograph depicts Sergeant Tess Hall of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Hall served at the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation, contributing her time to the United Service Organizations (USO) by playing accordion and serving on the joint military and industrial council. She was also rumored to have served in the intelligence division, having spent three years in the WAC.
The Women’s Army Corps was established in 1942 “for the purpose of making available to the national defense the knowledge, skill, and special training of women of the nation.” Their assignments included office duties and operating listening posts in the Aircraft and Warning Service.
At the height of the Women’s Army Corps in 1945, over 32,000 women held specialty positions in enlisted and officer capacities. It was the dedicated women like Tess Hall that helped deploy American troops to the Pacific Theater during World War II.
