| Women mechanics march to their work area, Naval Air Station (NAS), Norfolk, Virginia, circa 1944-45. This group appears to include both Navy WAVES and Women Marines. Planes present include PBM-3D flying boats, OS2U floatplanes (right distance) and a TBM torpedo plane (right foreground). Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) were authorized by Congress and signed by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945), on July 30, 1942. The 1st WAVE reported to NAS Norfolk 4 months later. 539 WAVES were assigned to NAS Norfolk during 1943. Seaman 2nd Class Elizabeth Korensky (January 20, 1923 – September 17, 1943) died on base when an ammunition train exploded, killing 24 people in total. By 1945, WAVES comprised 18 percent of the total naval personnel, or 86,000 women. 50,000 men were released for overseas duty. 3,200 WAVES served in the Hampton Roads area by July 1945. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1930.jpg |
| Image Size | 2.34 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5713 x 4341 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | January 1, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | New York |
| State or Province | New York |
| Country | United States |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-2920 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database