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Lewis, Margaret Hinson

Margaret Lewis learned about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while riding in her family car to Virginia to buy some apples. The news frightened her as well as angered her. She became determined to join the Armed Forces and fight the enemy although she was only 16 years old at the time. Even at that young age, Lewis was very patriotic. So much so that she managed to have her birth certificate changed to show her being born one year earlier than she was born. In April 1942 when her altered birth certificate showed her as 18 years of age, she attempted to join the Navy. The Navy recruiter checked the records carefully and found she was only 17. At that time, a woman between 18 and 21 needed parental approval to join, which Lewis, of course, did not have. To her dismay, she was rejected on both counts, but more determined than ever to join the service and fight for her country.

Lewis’ family moved from Guilford County to Reidsville when she was two years old. Her father was a lumber dealer and after the war started, he worked long hours because there was a huge demand for his products. Lewis continued in High School, graduating in June 1943. She went to work for a time and then in April 1944, over her mother’s objections but with her father’s approval, joined the Women’s Army Corps.

In a few weeks, she was called to active duty and sent to Fort Oglethorpe, GA for six weeks of basic training. Lewis was the only one from the south in her group. As part of the indoctrination process, the sergeant asked Lewis for her nationality. Lewis answered “American” which caused some laughter from the group of “sophisticated” northerners but was a response from her heart.

Life at Fort Oglethorpe grueling with exercise and close order drill every day except Sunday. She watched training films, attended classes, cleaned barracks, and stacked her clothes according to regulation, in her small locker. Lewis liked the food and ate plenty, although she did not gain a pound. She slept well because she was exhausted at the end of each day. Weekends were a relief after the rigorous training during the week.

All the women were asked which duty they would like upon graduation. Lewis said she felt physically fit after all her training and wanted to be a Military Policewoman with an east coast assignment, close to Reidsville if possible. In typical Army fashion, she received an assignment to Fort Winfield Scott near San Francisco, far from what she requested. Now, she was homesick and on her way to California. This compounded her feelings.

Homesickness was soon over after she started to enjoy the activity on the west coast. She met the famous movie leading man, Victor Mature, at the USO in Los Angeles as well as other Hollywood greats, male and female. After a few days in LA, she rode the train to San Francisco and on to Fort Scott. She still did not know for sure what she would be doing. Upon arrival, she was assigned to the motor pool as a driver although she had never driven a vehicle. She took some brief lessons in driving and was promptly sent in a truck on a trip across San Francisco to Fort Baker, delivering supplies.

After some months, Lewis wanted to take some leave to visit Reidsville. The tough female first sergeant said no but with a few tears from Lewis, the sergeant approved leave. On the train trip home, the cars were full and if you had a seat, you could not leave it to eat or visit the rest room, or you would lose it. She stood a good part of the way home.

Upon return from leave, in her adventuresome way, she volunteered for duty in India. She got her wish for a transfer but was sent to Europe – the Army at work again. She first went to overseas training in Des Moines IA to learn about customs, history, and general deportment in a foreign country. After her training, she was sent to New York to board a Victory Ship (small transport ship built by the thousands during the war). Her top bunkmate was sick all the way to Le Havre, France. The ship captain would not allow Lewis to change bunks. The war in Europe was over about this time in May 1945, and it was a time for rejoicing about the victory.

Upon arrival at Le Havre, Lewis learned she would be driving trucks to Russia. While in Paris for several days with no duties, Lewis saw the sights and got to know some French people. It was disturbing to her to see the devastation and poverty induced by the war and the obviously poor nutrition of the people she met.

The Russian truck delivery was called off for some reason and she was sent to work in the message center at SHAEF (Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force) in Frankfort, Germany. There, she frequently observed General Eisenhower and occasionally, General Patton and other high-profile officers of WWII. It was routine then but now she is in awe of the historic people that came to the office to see General Eisenhower. Eisenhower’s wonderful smile is one thing Lewis remembers, as well as the fact that he was so well liked and respected by all the staff at SHAEF. Lewis had two German women working for her in the message center and she grew to know and like them.

After several months, Lewis was transferred to Hoechst, Germany. About this time, the Army was starting women’s basketball competition in Germany to give the women something to do in their spare time. Lewis, having been a basketball player in high school, was asked to help start the program in her area after some training in Nice, France. She flew to Nice and during the flight, the pilot became disoriented in the French Alps and told the passengers his predicament. He asked for help from anyone aboard the plane who was a pilot – a frightening time for Lewis that had a satisfactory ending.

A transfer to Berlin to the message center stopped her basketball endeavor. When Lewis arrived in Berlin, she cried at the devastation she saw. On the other hand, she was surprised at the comparatively healthy appearance of the German people she met – much different from the French. She saw the Reichstag where Hitler gave his fiery speeches as well as other sights in Berlin. She lived in a private home, and the mess hall was a few blocks away. She would see beggars asking for food and although it was against regulations, she and others would carry some food out for the beggars, especially children.

The Russian male and female soldiers were friendly, and many spoke English. They would invite the WACS as a group to the opera in the Russian sector. Lewis enjoyed the dancing and music of the Russian operas although she could not understand one word. The female Russians were amazed at the way our women lived and were dressed. The Russian women were dressed in very rough, simple uniforms and had no undergarments such as our women had.

The “Black Market” astounded Lewis. A person could obtain almost anything desired in the black market, including family heirlooms, in exchange for cigarettes, food, clothing, and other items of value.

As the fall approached in 1945, Lewis received approval for a short leave to England for rest and recreation. She had saved some money and called Reidsville for three minutes, which cost $25 dollars. When the call finally went through her mother started crying which made Lewis cry and the entire three minutes was spent crying with little talking.

In April 1946, Lewis was released from duty and sent home. It was a bittersweet time as she had learned to enjoy her time in Europe with all the sights and activity she had been exposed to. She was discharged at Fort Bragg on April 26, 1946. Lewis’ travels did not stop there though. She found work in San Francisco in the War Assets Administration selling much of the war equipment that was now surplus to our military needs.

After a time back in Reidsville she took a Civil Service job on Okinawa where she met her husband to be, John, who was an officer in the Air Force. They married in 1951, and she became a military wife traveling the world until John’s retirement in 1967. She, and her late husband, John, lived in Reidsville since that time – John eventually retiring again in 1985, from Chase Bag Co.

Lewis now spends time with her three daughters and two sons, as well as longtime friends in Reidsville. She has one granddaughter, three grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.

Travel is still in her blood, and she travels when she can. Lewis says during her time in the service and as a military wife, she became very aware of how fortunate we are to live in America. We need to be more thankful for the freedom we enjoy and be aware of the cost and obligation to defend that freedom.

Interviewed 5/26/2005