CDR Ruth Lillian, Erno, USNR Ret. Oral History Part 1

title:

CDR Ruth Lillian, Erno, USNR Ret. Oral History Part 1

creator:

Erno, Ruth Lillian (Rothberg) (1921 August 29 - )

subject:

Navy | Navy Reserve

description:

Part 1 of 2. Ruth Lillian Erno (formerly Rothberg) was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 29, 1921. Ruth graduated in 1938 from the Jerimiah E. Burke High School for Girls. Her family was exposed to the first seeds of World War II as her mother maintained constant communication with her family in England and so felt more personally invested in staying informed. After graduating from high school, Erno went to Framingham State Teacher’s College with the plan of graduating then going to training for occupational therapy, but instead she enlisted in the WAVES right after graduating, in July 1942. She was sworn in by November of that year and was sent to be a part of the first WAVE class at Hunter College, New York. After the trial-and-error logistics of the 3-week Navy training, from 8 double bunks in each 1-bedroom apartment to a weeks-long delay in getting uniforms, she was transferred to Norman, Oklahoma to train for aviation metallurgy. She then moved to the First Naval District’s Naval Air Station in Squantum, Massachusetts where she replaced radiomen being shipped out. By early 1944, she had been recommended for Officer Candidate School, then to Communication Officer's School after commission. Instead of being released from duty in 1946, she stayed in active duty to cover for those who had served through the start of the Korean War. From 1946 until 1951, she was stationed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as a Naval Base Communications Officer, which included public affairs and special services as part of her responsibilities. Her last active-duty assignment was at the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) from 1951 until 1955. While she left active duty in 1955, she remained apart of the Navy Reserves until 1977. When she left the Navy, Erno had reached the rank of commander, and for her service she was awarded an American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Naval Reserve Medal. A transcript for this interview is available.

publisher:

Military Women's Memorial Foundation

contributor:

Scott, Kate M.

date:

2004-03-25

type:

Moving Image

format:

Hi-8

identifier:

280.01; 2004.280

source:

VHP | CLIR - Recordings at Risk

language:

English

relation:

113806

coverage:

World War II (1939-1945) | Korean War (1950-53) | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1942-77

rights:

Unrestricted