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PhM2 Helen J. Darling Oral History
Publication date: 18 July 2024
File metadata
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title:
PhM2 Helen J. Darling Oral History
creator:
Darling, Helen Jean (Couch) (1921 October 22 - )
subject:
Navy WAVES
description:
Helen J. Darling (formerly Couch) was born on Octoboer 22, 1921 in Ithaca, New York. She graduated from Odessa High School in 1941 and enrolled at Cornell University, studying microbiology. She enlisted in the Navy WAVES in 1944 because she felt like she should do more to support the war effort. She went to basic training at Hunter College and was still there when President Roosevelt toured the WAVES in an open-air car. From there, she was stationed at St. Alban’s Hospital in New York, where she was assigned to the plastic surgery ward and worked mostly with Marines. Although she’d never shaved anyone before, the men were so worried about it that she always told them she had plenty of experience. She’d also take patients to the beach at the former Atlantic Beach Club, where they’d bring wounded men on stretchers to enjoy the sun. In 1946, she was discharged and lived with her sister, who was on bed rest for her pregnancy while taking care of a young baby, for a few months. In 1947, she married Army Air Force mechanic Stanley Darling, and they had four children together. Her military service gave her the chance to see the world outside Odessa, which she is grateful for. When she was discharged, Darling had reached the rank of pharmacist’s mate 2nd class, and for her service she was awarded an American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
publisher:
Military Women's Memorial Foundation
contributor:
Scott, Kate M.
date:
2005-04-11
type:
Audio
format:
Cassette
identifier:
214; 2005.214
source:
American Legion Post 404 | CLIR - Recordings at Risk
language:
English
relation:
363366
coverage:
World War II (1939-1945) | 1944-46
rights:
Unrestricted