June Phipps

World War II Memories – June Phipps (never in the Navy)


Even though I was only 14 when our country entered the war, I was greatly influenced by the number of boys in my extended family that suddenly left to go to war.

I did not have brothers but cousins who had serious adventures. My oldest cousin, and my favorite, was captured by the Germans. He escaped, was in the thick of things, captured again and remained there until liberated. For so long we thought he was a casualty. We were so glad when he came home.
Before the war he was a graduate of A&M, highest ranking in the Corps, and remained in the Army as his career after the war.

At 16, (1943) my voice teacher arranged for one of her soprano students and I to go to the USO to entertain, sing that is. We went every time available to us. I became so involved with the war effort I wanted to join the Navy. The gals had such wonderful Blue uniforms AND I could type!! What else mattered?
Unfortunately, or fortunately, for me, they thought 16 a little too young.

By the time the war ended at the tender age of 18, I was engaged to a boy who came home a different person than the one who left, so I decided to wait until we were mature enough to take this important step. Again, unfortunately, or fortunately neither of us made maturity either!

End of story; 4 months later, he was married! I was very furtunate!

June Phipps (never in the Navy)