Page 130 - Historical Study of Yerba Buena Island, Treasure Island and Their Buildings

2.3.1.2 Women's Appointed Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)

The war in Europe and Japan could not have been fought nearly as effectively if it had not been
for the active, willing participation of women. As was true in much of the country, at Treasure
Island these women took the title of Women's Appointed Volunteer Emergency Service
(WAVES). The first eighteen WAVES came aboard Treasure Island on November 30, 1942. At
first they were not particularly welcome in "this man's navy"; but as the operations overseas
called for more and more Navy men, the WAVES took over an ever increasing number of jobs to
keep the large naval station in running order which resulted a greater acceptance of their
presence. Eventually, over eight hundred officers and enlisted women were attached to fifteen
different activities at the island, including some traditionally held by men.

The largest number of WAVES stationed at T ADCEN were to the supply and disbursing offices,
the commissary, the fire fighting school, and the dispensary. The dispensary's Physical Therapy
Department personnel/staff positions were mostly held by WAVES, including a WA VE "officer
in charge". Other commands on the island also had large numbers of WAVES on duty. In most
places, the WAVES worked in administrative, secretarial, and bookkeeping fields; however,
there were always exceptions. The Communication Division was manned almost entirely by
WAVES. See Figure 51. At the Operational Training School, WAVES taught signalling,
damage control, lookout recognition, and navigation. The Gunnery School had ten WAVES on
the instructor's roster. The Radio Materiel School boasted of having the only WAVE printer on
the station who was one of a few throughout the country. She printed textbooks for instructional
use, working with photography, developing, and printing materials.

The WAVES were originally housed in one barracks. They ate their meals in the Chief Petty
Officers (CPO) Mess at Galley K. Gym time was allotted them for an exercise period. And they
shared one of the theaters with the men. However, the number of WAVES increased quickly
and, as expected, their needs expanded until they required six barracks, a separate mess hall,
three theaters, and a beauty parlor. Also available to them were specialized courses in bridge,
knitting, Spanish, and art, along with a womens sports program. As part of their training, the
WAVES went through the "gas mask" drill, which included the gas chamber. The first group of
WAVES that went through the drill did so without casualties. Their comment was -
"We ... consequently felt we were pretty well initiated into the service."

The number of WAVES stationed at Treasure Island peaked in February, 1945 to over eight
hundred. Then, by way of attrition, promotion, and transfer, the numbers swiftly decreased. By
December 1945, only one of the original eighteen WAVES was still stationed on the Island. By
the end of the war, the WAVES had genuinely earned the tribute bestowed them by Admiral
King - "An inspiration to all hands in the Naval service."

2-26 Historical Study ofYerba Buena Island, September I, 1995
Treasure Island, and their Buildings