Sally Nichols Served With U.S. Navy During World War II
May 5, 2019 at 11:31 p.m.
Sally Nichols Served With U.S. Navy During World War II
By Brittany Misencik-
Most 20-year-old women are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives.
Not Sally McConnell Nichols.
During World War II, Nichols, now 94, knew exactly what she wanted: to be in on the action. Enlisting as early as possible – considering women couldn’t enlist until they were 20 – Nichols committed to the Navy in February 1945 and was shipped out to New York City that May.
Even though the role she played was small, such as answering phones and mail, she knew that enlisting was an important step in her life.
“It was a time of growing up, seeing different faces,” the Warsaw woman recalled.
Despite being assured there would be other women with her on the way to New York City, Nichols was the only one. She left the station looking for some sort of direction, forcing her out of her comfort zone.
“I lost my shyness,” Nichols said.
Enlisting provided Nichols with various opportunities she had never experienced before, such as traveling to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C., and even catching a glimpse of Eleanor Roosevelt.
“We were in the dress parade and were to look straight ahead, but since I was guide on, I glanced over and saw Mrs. Roosevelt,” she said.
Stationed in Harrisburg, Pa., Nichols saw the faces of those the war was affecting and was ready to help.
Promoted to storekeeper third class, she served in Mechanicsburg, Pa., in a Navy supply depot.
“Whoever walked through the door that day was my mission,” Nichols recalled.
In July 1946, with the war was over, she was given the opportunity to leave the service. Her friends were heading home, so she did, too. Her sister, Jane McConnell Chinworth, an Army nurse, also had recently returned home.
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Most 20-year-old women are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives.
Not Sally McConnell Nichols.
During World War II, Nichols, now 94, knew exactly what she wanted: to be in on the action. Enlisting as early as possible – considering women couldn’t enlist until they were 20 – Nichols committed to the Navy in February 1945 and was shipped out to New York City that May.
Even though the role she played was small, such as answering phones and mail, she knew that enlisting was an important step in her life.
“It was a time of growing up, seeing different faces,” the Warsaw woman recalled.
Despite being assured there would be other women with her on the way to New York City, Nichols was the only one. She left the station looking for some sort of direction, forcing her out of her comfort zone.
“I lost my shyness,” Nichols said.
Enlisting provided Nichols with various opportunities she had never experienced before, such as traveling to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C., and even catching a glimpse of Eleanor Roosevelt.
“We were in the dress parade and were to look straight ahead, but since I was guide on, I glanced over and saw Mrs. Roosevelt,” she said.
Stationed in Harrisburg, Pa., Nichols saw the faces of those the war was affecting and was ready to help.
Promoted to storekeeper third class, she served in Mechanicsburg, Pa., in a Navy supply depot.
“Whoever walked through the door that day was my mission,” Nichols recalled.
In July 1946, with the war was over, she was given the opportunity to leave the service. Her friends were heading home, so she did, too. Her sister, Jane McConnell Chinworth, an Army nurse, also had recently returned home.
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