#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Florence Phyllis Hepfner

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Florence Phyllis Hepfner. Phyllis served from 1944 to 1982.

Phyllis was born in Philadelphia, PA on July 14, 1922. She attended Hunter College in New York City and Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia. She enjoyed math and pursued jobs in cost accounting. After three of her uncles served in the Navy and Army, she decided to continue her accounting career with the military. Her father also served in the Army during World War I, and her brother later served in the Marines during the Korean War.

Phyllis enlisted in the Women’s Navy Reserves, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program, in 1944. During her initial training at Camp Wallace, Texas, Phyllis served as a group leader. She also served in New York, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. Phyllis credits her time in the Navy for allowing her to see many areas of the country, meeting different types of people and opening her mind to new experiences.

After the end of World War II, Phyllis worked in a discharge center and helped returning service members transition back to civilian life. She continued to serve in the Navy until her retirement in 1982.

Phyllis passed away on Dec. 24, 2013 at the age of 91.

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 information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn 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 By Joanna Specht: Joanna Specht is a student at Black Hawk College with a Major in Visual Communication.