She's a WAVE
Iowa Falls, Ia. -- Miss Blanche M. Speers, who recently enlisted in the Waves, is leaving this week to report to Smith college in Northampton, Mass., to begin her training as an apprentice seaman, V-9, U.S.N. R., in officer candidate school.
Miss Speers is a graduate of Ellsworth Junior college in Iowa Falls and the University of Iowa. For the past two years she has been an instructor of English in the Anamosa high school.
She spent the summer in San Diego, Cal., where she worked for Consolidated Vultce Aircraft on Liberator bombers.
Source: The Courier, Waterloo IA - Sept. 21, 1943 (photo included)
Iowa Falls Girl Gets Commission in WAVES
Iowa Falls -- The 1st Iowa Falls girl to receive a commission in the WAVES is Ensign Blanche M. Speers. Ensign Speers recently completed her training at the naval reserve midshipman's school at Smith college in Northampton, Mass. She has been assigned to the naval air navigation school in Hollywood, Fla. for special training.
Miss Speers is a graduate of Iowa Falls high school and the University of Iowa, where she became a member of the Pi Tau honorary literary fraternity.
Before enlisting, she taught English at Anamosa and in the Readlyn schools. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hale Speers of this city, now deceased.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 27, 1943
