Fred & Doris Neuren WWII STORY, Thankful Generations™ Project

My mother-in-law, Doris Jacobson Neuren, was born in 1922 in Hudson County, New Jersey. According to her daughter, Janet, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she enlisted in the WAVES, and did her basic training in Stillwater, Oklahoma. From there she was assigned to the Fire Control School in Anacostia, and then served as a Yeoman in the Chaplain’s office in Washington, D.C. She was proud of her wartime service, and following her time in the military, she was recognized by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Jackson Heights Post No. 209 on March 18th, 1944.

Background: As a bit of historical fact, women first entered the U.S. military in World War I in auxiliary positions that freed up men to serve in combat. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Navy Women's Reserve Act into law on 30 July 1942, creating the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES) organization. According to The National World War II Museum in New Orleans:

“With the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps having already paved the way for women’s service in the military, the Navy soon followed suit with the formation of their female reserve unit, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) ... The Navy had long considered allowing women to serve, but hesitated until the attack on Pearl Harbor necessitated more manpower. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt also served as an advocate for the creation of a women’s branch in the Navy. Unlike the WAACS which were an auxiliary unit to the Army, at least initially, the WAVES began as a fully incorporated reserve unit with equal ratings and pay to men serving in the Navy. Women serving in the Navy was not a completely new phenomenon. During the First World War, women known as “Yeomanettes” served their country in the Navy.” (http://www.nww2m.com/2012/07/waves-created/)

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1919, my father-in-law, Frederick Alfred Neuren, attended St. Louis University where he received his Bachelors degree and DDS. Upon completing dental school he was called to active duty with the US Army, and was sent to the European Theater of Operations where he served as a Dental Officer with the 82nd Airborne. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

My Thankful Generations™ WWII beaded tapestry project was started in 2013 to pay honor and respect to those who have or are serving in the military, and the families that support them.