Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Fannie Griffin McClendon Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975; World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Air Force; WAC (Women's Army Corps)
- Service Unit/Ship: 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
- Location of Service: Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; England; France; Fort Lee, New Jersey
- Highest Rank: Major; Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/119440
Fannie Griffin McClendon spent more than two decades in the military and can cite multiple impressive accomplishments, including serving as a squadron commander in the Air Force. Her proudest memory, however, is of her time with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. In her oral history interview she provides fascinating details concerning how the 6888th operated. She also provides the invaluable perspective on the contours of life as a career military officer in an era when African American women faced down bigotry and barriers.
Interview / Recording
Share
-
PlayVolunteering for the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942; facing discrimination during the entrance process. 00:04:25.0 - 00:06:01.0
-
PlayMotivations for joining the military; basic training at Fort Des Moines; being selected for officer training and completing officer candidates school. 00:08:01.0 - 00:10:30.0
-
PlayFormation of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion; deploying to Birmingham, England; 6888th's duties, accomplishments, and historical significance; serving in France with the 6888th and traveling around Europe after the war. 00:10:48.0 - 00:17:05.0
-
PlayDiscrimination and segregation she faced while in the WAC; being barred from the base exchange; segregated training; confusion caused by segregation policies; training as a supply officer at Camp Lee, Virginia. 00:17:08.0 - 00:23:46.0
-
PlayProudest memory of time in military was her time with the 6888th; memories of traveling while in the military; meeting Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt while in training. 00:37:46.0 - 00:40:54.0
About this Item
Title
- Fannie Griffin McClendon Collection
Names
- Stanton, Greg
- McClendon, Fannie Griffin
- U.S. House of Representatives/Larry Sandigo
Home State
- Arizona
Headings
- - McClendon, Fannie Griffin
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army. Women's Army Corps.
- - Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
Form
- Flash Drive
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: WAC (Women's Army Corps)
- Service Unit/Ship: 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
- Location of Service: Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; England; France; Fort Lee, New Jersey
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1942-1945
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
-
Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Location of Service: Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska
- Highest Rank: Major
- Dates of Service: 1950-1971
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
-
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Highest Rank: Major
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Flash Drive [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2019-11-09; 2019)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/119440
Online Format
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
Service Unit/Ship
Highest Rank
Service Entrance
Discharge Status
Gender
Race
Home State
Interviewee
Interviewer
Organization/Affiliation
Featured in
- Determined to Serve: African American Women in World War II | Diverse Experiences in Service | Serving: Our Voices | Veterans History Project Collection | Digital Collections
- Determined to Serve: African American Women in World War II | World War II (1941 to 1945) | Serving: Our Voices | Veterans History Project Collection | Digital Collections