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PhM2 Mary Jane Bigham Oral History
Publication date: 17 July 2024
File metadata
Dublin Core Metadata
title:
PhM2 Mary Jane Bigham Oral History
creator:
Bigham, Mary Jane (1923 February 2 - )
subject:
Navy WAVES
description:
Mary Jane Bigham was born on February 2, 1923 in Waukegan, Illinois and grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her mother (divorced) raised her and her brother in the Protestant faith. Mary Jane's mother was a secretary. At the age of 19, Mary Jane wanted to enlist in the Navy WAVES but had to wait until 1943 when she turned 20 years old. Basic training was in New York at Hunter College. Upon completion, Mary Jane was given the opportunity to train as a Mechanic or a Pharmacist Mate. She chose Pharmacists Mate and was transferred to San Diego, California. While in San Diego, she worked at the hospital located in Balboa Park. From San Diego, Mary Jane was transferred to Farragut Naval Training Station in northern Idaho, now with the rank of 2nd Class Pharmacists Mate. Mary Jane was stationed at Farragut from June 1943 through August 1945, working in the X-ray department. She got married in 1944 while serving at Farragut. At some point (date uncertain), Mary Jane contracted Rheumatic Fever due to a meningitis epidemic, so she was relocated to the hospital in Corona, California where she was a patient. In August of 1945, Mary Jane completed her service in the Navy and was discharged, having reached the rank Pharmacists Mate 2nd Class. Mary Jane returned to school after her service in the US Navy, graduating in 1962 with a master’s degree in counseling. She attributes her motivation to continue in school to both having some nursing training but mostly from her military experience in the US Navy. This interview was conducted over the phone. No transcript of this interview is currently available.
publisher:
Military Women's Memorial Foundation
contributor:
Scott, Kate M.
date:
2003-11-05
type:
Audio
format:
CD
identifier:
078; 2003.078
source:
CLIR - Recordings at Risk
language:
English
relation:
403421
coverage:
World War II (1939-1945) | 1943-45
rights:
Restricted