DOB/DOD: December 14, 1921 (Key West, FL) – August 6, 2017 (Houston, TX); 95 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Thelmer “Terrill” Flanagan (1926-1988) on December 27, 1947, in Groton, Connecticut
CHILDREN: One son, Edward Terrill (1950-). Three daughters, Aundrea Flanagan Clemons (1944-), Denean Flanagan (1956-), and Darcelle L. Flanagan (1959-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 48 Reed Street, New London
ENLISTMENT: February 4, 1943, in Hartford; she enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, later changed to the Women’s Army Corps, on April 6, 1943.
SERVICE NUMBER: A-125431
DISCHARGE: December 6, 1945
FAMILY: Born to Edward (1900-1979) and Kathleen Z. Moss Fraser (1902-1988). No siblings. Edward was listed in the 1940 census as being born in the British West Indies. He was born in Nassau, Bahamas.
OTHER: Shortly after graduating from high school, she attended basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. After completing basic training, she was assigned to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, as an assistant librarian. Several months after arriving in Louisiana, she received orders for overseas deployment with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. In November 1944, she transferred to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, and joined the 6888th. After the service, she attended the Baucus School of Nursing and became a Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN. She worked at the Submarine Base Hospital in New London, Connecticut, for 15 years. After retirement, she moved to Houston, Texas, to live with her daughter.
Williams Memorial Institute High School (New London, CT) Class of 1940
From The Day (New London, CT) August 13, 1992
By Bob Colby
SHE WOULDN’T TRADE ONE MINUTE
The 50th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor last year stirred a lot of memories for Burnardine Flanagan of New London. The other day, I received a packet of photographs from her, showing her in uniform during World War II. I learned that Mrs. Flanagan was the first black woman from New London to serve in the Army during World War II, the first black woman to graduate from New London Junior College, now Mitchell College, and the first black woman to work for the Connecticut State Employment Service. Her children live in New Jersey, New London and Texas. After the war, Mrs. Flanagan earned her licensed practical nursing degree from William W. Backus Hospital (in 1963) and worked at the Submarine Base Medical Center for 15 years. She was born in Key West, Florida, but raised in New London and graduated from the former Williams Memorial Institute in 1940. After graduation, Mrs. Flanagan went to work for Mr. McKenna, who worked for U.S. Congresswoman Chase Going Woodhouse. “Mrs. Woodhouse was writing a book, so she would send the typed pages to us, and we would proofread them, collate them, and send them back to her…” recalls Mrs. Flanagan. “When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, everyone in the office was quite upset, and I think that is what motivated me about two years later to join the WAACs, Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps.” Mrs. Flanagan reported for duty in Des Moines, Iowa, with about 100 other women. They were issued uniforms, bedding, and underwear. “Even our underwear was olive drab, and we all laughed about that… Imagine my surprise when all I saw were black women. I couldn’t believe that the Army was segregated, but it truly was. We had white officers, and that was all.” At Des Moines, the unit received six weeks of basic training, but there was also time for fun. “For recreation, we had an Amateur Talent night. We put on plays. We had readings, played cards and ping pong, and went to church on Sunday — sometimes on the post, sometimes off. The people in Des Moines were friendly and outgoing and treated us kindly and with respect. We had an inspection once a week.” After graduation from basic training, the new recruits crowded around the bulletin board where their next assignments were posted. “It was a sad day because we had become good friends, marched in the parades together, and were the first black company of WAACs in Des Moines. Our officers called us in formation and told us what a great unit we were and we had made them proud to be our commanders. Then, we were dismissed. Mrs. Flanagan received orders for Fort Clark, Texas, where she arrived on May 10, 1043. “Our officers were there to meet us. However, the Army had black officers now. We marched to our barracks and in the day room where it was explained what was expected of us.” Mrs. Flanagan served as a clerk typist, working for Lieutenant Newell, the sanitation officer, and Lieutenant Roy, the nutrition officer. But all was not work. “There was more after-work activity because there were men on this fort, and there would be dances and eating at their mess hall and watching the cavalry drills.” On August 2, 1943, Mrs. Flanagan became a member of the Army and officially became a member of the WACs (Women’s Army Corps).
In December 1944, she was transferred to Camp Clairborne, Louisiana, where she worked as a library assistant. In October, she was called into the commanding officer’s office and told she was chosen to go overseas. But first, she was sent to Fort Oglethorpe for training. She tells of her experiences: “We were orientated about what it would be like in England. We had to climb the cargo net. We had to learn how to use the gas mask and go through a small cabin with mustard gas. How to survive in the woods, etc. The training was hard, but it got us ready. The town was off-limits to WACs. “On February 3, we went to a staging area in New York, and from there, we boarded a ship and started our journey to England. The crossing was rough and most all the WACs became seasick. The water was rationed; it could only be used three times a day. We had to sleep in hammocks just like the sailors. We had certain times to eat. “The trip wasn’t a pleasure trip at all. At last, we were in England. We arrived, and it was foggy. We were stationed in what used to be a boarding school. We were shown to our quarters and went right to bed. “I think there were about three hundred women in all. Our commanding officer was Lt Adams she told us we were given the job to work the mail. When we saw all the mail, we were heartsick. The room was as large as a huge auditorium and mail and packages were stacked to the ceiling. Lt Adams had us working three shifts: 7-3, 3-11, and 11-7. We were Company 6888.
“We were given a citation because they expected us to have all the mail out of there in a year, but we finished the job in four months.” Mrs. Flanagan was in England on V.E. Day (Victory in Europe). “What an experience.” She recalls, “The English people were so happy. Everyone was hugging and kissing. Bands were playing. It was just a joyous occasion. While in England, I got a three day pass and went to see Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guards, 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, the Tower of London.” She was honorably discharged on December 6, 1945.
Concludes Mrs. Flanagan: “I wouldn’t trade one minute of my life in the service, and I was happy to contribute to the war effort.”
Private Flanagan is buried in Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas; Section Q, Row O, Plot 2294
END