MADELINE USMC

HAROLD'S TRIBUTE TO 448thBGp CREW 48 | home

Oct 1918

3 Feb 05

SGT MADELINE C (Bressler) KENNEDY, USMC

Many people ask me why I went into Military Service during World War 2 . The reason was that we didn't have anyone in our immediate family that was helping the war effort. I had a good job with Elizabeth Arden, the Cosmetologist , working between the manufacturing plant in Long Island City, N.Y., and her famous Salon on 5th Avenue, N.Y.C.

I did try and donate blood to the American Red Cross but they told me I needed it more than they did. I also did some volunteer work at various places.

One day while on vacation from my job, I visited the recruiting office at Church St., N.Y.C. where they had recruiters from both the Army and Navy. I talked to the Navy recruiter and he was so convincing decided to enlist in the WAVES, however, when it came to take my test I found out that you could take a test for the Lady Marines and since I have always admired the Marines, decided to take that test. Well, long story short, I passed the test and although I didn't have a very happy WAVE recruiter, I was on the way to being a Marine.

After being sworn in I received orders to be sent to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina .where I received my boot training. The heat was terrific and the training strenuous but I soon learned don't grin and bear it! I remember group formation one time under the Drill Instructor (who was a regular tough guy) a fly was biting at my nose and I brushed it away and he caught me --his admonition was "you had your breakfast, let him eat his".

I was assigned mess duty and worked in the kitchen for a while and since I liked to cook, made fancy salads, etc., and they wanted to send me to Cooks and Bakers School but I soon stopped making the fancy salads, etc., for I didn't want that. I had heard if you asked for something you didn't get it and I wanted Aviation so kept quiet. My dream was answered and I was assigned to the Air Base at Edenton, North Carolina. My job was Procurement of Aeronautical Supplies and the Marines in the office taught me how to do this.They adopted me and we all got along like we'd known each other for a long time. They did start an Aviation Supply School but they told me I was given a Warrant for it by on job training. I was assigned to MOTG-81 (Marine Operational Training Squadron-81)We had B-25's, SNJ's and R4D's. I loved those B-25's!

Timeless Air Tours has a B 25 "Pacific Prowler" currently on Tour; Check its Schedule at---- http://www.b25tour.com/ Tell: Scott " Madeline sent you" ----

(Counting Right to left as you view this picture I am number 13)

I remember looking in the Nomenclature books to ascertain the correct part number to match what was requisitioned . I can remember the Captain telling the enlisted men, no more cursing in the office, we have a Lady Marine - they would forget and let off a barrage of curse words. I told them all to be themselves and treat me like another Marine - which they did.

I also remember that I had befriended a little dog that I called "Montezuma Moe"when I went I believe it was to Cherry Point, N.C., and smuggled her back on the cattle car that we used for transportation (I knew I was breaking a rule but I do love animals and no one would take care of her) Made it without being detected and left her by the Base Exchange where I would visit her every day. The people there soon found about me but were very kind and let her stay there. When she had puppies they let me have one and since I was going home on furlough I started to smuggle again.

When I was on the train I passed the pup around when the conductor came around and I brought him home to my Mother at home.and he had a good home for she loved animals too.

While on furlough I received passes to go to a radio broadcast (TV was almost non-existent in those days) While seated in the audience (I was with my Mother and sister)a lady came and got me and asked if I would come with her which I did. I didn't know it but I was to take part in their show and in it was Milton Berle and Lionel Stander. That was an experience.

When I returned to Base at Edenton another thing I learned was counting cadence and one day I was assigned to lead a small group of Lady Marines along with our Captain. We were on a narrow road and I gave them a right flank and they marched into a ditch. Was my face red!

Another event I recall was flying in a B-25 to Quantico, VA. I was sitting up front with the Tech. Sgt (who was flying the plane)and a Lt. Somehow the pilot got wrong directions and since the runway at that time was very small to accommodate a B-25 and we could not land. I guess we were running low on fuel so he initiated an emergency landing. I really felt like we were going to crash but thank God he landed it and they had all the crash trucks and emergency vehicles out preparing for the worst.

I enlisted in the U.S.M.C., on May 18, 1943 and on release from active duty, got a civilian job with Development Engineers who also did defense work. I volunteered to go into the USMC reserve on a volunteer basis . I did this after work and on weekends when time permitted.

I did get married and when the Korean War broke out I was sent orders to report for active duty, however, I had given birth to my daughter so they exempted me.

I belong to the National Women Marines Association, the WMA -Indiana Chapter #1, and WIMSA. If I were sent orders today to participate in any conflict I'd gladly go - however I am on oxygen so they would have to prop a bottle on my desk. I am very proud to have been part of the

Greatest Generation - God Bless America