Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps World War II Veteran Mildred Lawson Partlow.

In 1943, the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was officially formed, giving women the opportunity to serve during World War II. One of those women was Mildred. Her patriotism and notion of duty motivated her to enlist later that year. Profiled in her hometown newspaper, Light and Champion, in 1944, she stated that she wanted to “help serve the nation because I think I can do better work here than in a defense plant.”

Mildred was assigned to Camp Lejeune and served as an airplane mechanic; a job she believed would help support the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve branch to “free a Marine to fight.” She also met her husband, Darrell Partlow, a Marine returning from war in the Pacific, while at Camp Lejeune.

For her service, Mildred was awarded the American Campaign and World War II Victory Medal.

In 2013, the VFW Post 8904 nominated her for Recognition of Women in Service.

Mildred passed away on September 8, 2002.

We honor her service.

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.


Graphic By Kierra Willis: Kierra Willis is a Graphic Communication Major at the University of Maryland University College. She currently has an AAS in Graphic Design and Visual Communications.

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