Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is World War II WAVES Veteran Edith May Crisman Yantis.

Edith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in June 1921. Before the war, Edith first studied at the University of Chattanooga and then transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in home economics in August 1943.

Edith is one of the four children. She has one sister and two brothers that were in the service: Army and Navy. Aside from her brothers, Edith’s father also was in the Navy. With the encouragement of her father, she decided to submit an application for the Navy. Once she was admitted, she attended South College in Northampton, New York, for two months for officer training school. After concluding officer training school, Edith went to Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, for communication school. For two months, she learned typing and radio coding.

After completing training, Edith was sent to Washington, D.C. She worked in the Navy Department in May 1944. As Edith shared in an interview with Veterans History Project, her job included relaying and receiving information

A year following V-E Day, Edith was relieved form active duty in May 1946 and returned to Chattanooga. She continued to serve in the Navy Reserves until 1951.

Thank you for your service, Edith!


Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much of the information as you can put together with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating for how to create the best submission.


Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.


Graphic created by Carl J. Valentino: Carl J. Valentino is a student at the University of Delaware with a Major in International Business and a Minor in Graphic Design.

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2 Comments

  1. Linda Little January 2, 2017 at 06:48

    Thank you and your family for service

  2. James Tobleck December 30, 2016 at 19:38

    Your blocking of my letter by use of bogus capta code Repeatedly is proof enough you font want the truth. I see other vets can’t get through also .Director M.B.C. need to be brought up on malfeasance charges. It’s obvious tring to talk to piss ant bureaucrats like you will get no where. Us vet’s need to make national news to get the change needed.

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