#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran Lorrain Vogelsang

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Forces Veteran Lorrain Vogelsang, a 100 year old who served as a clerk during World War II.

Lorrain Mulvaney Vogelsang endured the hardships of the Great Depression before enlisting in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. The third oldest of eight siblings, she lived in Fairfax, Ohio, with her parents. As the nation’s economy declined, her father lost his job, and her mother came down with an illness. Stepping up to the challenge, Vogelsang dropped out of high school to help her parents care for her siblings. When her mother’s health improved, Vogelsang took up a job as a hand-presser at a local laundry, where she worked until joining the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in February, 1943.

The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was created in 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was modeled after similar British units, such as the Auxiliary Territorial Service. WAAC trained volunteers in several roles, such as mechanics, switchboard operators, clerks, bakers, stenographers, typists and drivers. WAAC later remained in the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and continued to operate until integrating male army units in 1978.

Vogelsang began basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Following basic training, Vogelsang served as a baker for several months and later transitioned to a clerk position. As a clerk in the Fort Oglethorpe Club, Vogelsang planned and organized base events. She had the opportunity to see President Roosevelt during his visit to Oglethorpe on April 17, 1943. Later, Vogelsang was transferred to Lubbock Army Airfield, Texas, where she stayed for the remainder of her enlistment. She seperated from  the Women’s Army Corps with the rank of sergeant in August 1945.

Following the end of the war, Vogelsang returned to her old job at the laundry facility in Fairfax. She eventually married and had three children of her own. Vogelsang celebrated her 100th birthday in August 2021. She stated, “The key to reaching 100 is staying busy and keeping your body moving.”

Thank you for your service.

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Contributors

Writer: Milosh Mihajlovic-Klaric

Editors: Alexander Reza, Annabelle Colton

Fact checker: Carl Wesseln

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley