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Sgt Barbara J. Pickering Oral History
Publication date: 13 August 2024
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title:
Sgt Barbara J. Pickering Oral History
creator:
Pickering, Barbara (Wallace) (1949 May 31 - )
subject:
Marine Corps
description:
Barbara J. Pickering (formerly Wallace) was born on May 31, 1949 in Ganado, Arizona. She grew up with 6 sisters and 1 brother, and her parents were both full-blooded Navajo. Her parents did not teach her the Navajo language and culture so that she could assimilate into white culture. She went to school in Chinle, Arizona and upon graduation she applied to nursing school, but was rejected because she had a D in Chemistry. She attempted to instead become a licensed nurse practitioner (LPN), but was sent home for too much partying. She was living in a house with 7 other women when she decided to join the service, enlisting in the Marine Corps in February 1970. She was sent to Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for advanced training (AIT). She became a clerk with the Fleet Marine Force in Norfolk, Virginia for 2 years, living at Camp Elmore. She wanted to go to Vietnam, but she was told she did not have enough rank and stayed in Norfolk for the entirety of her service. She was discharged in March 1973 and went to work for the Air Force as a civilian. When she left the service Pickering ad reached the rank of sergeant, and for her service she was awarded a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. No transcript of this interview is currently available.
publisher:
Military Women's Memorial Foundation
contributor:
Scott, Kate M.
date:
2003-11-10
type:
Audio
format:
CD
identifier:
741; 2003.741
source:
CLIR - Recordings at Risk
language:
English
relation:
205582
coverage:
Vietnam War (1964-1975) | 1970-73
rights:
Unrestricted