Lt. Elna M. Ericksen (right) and her sister, Pvt. Betty Ericksen of Cedar Rapids, compare notes on army life at a reunion at Bradley field, Conn., where the lieutenant is stationed. The plane is a P-47 fighter.
Reunion for 2 Sisters in WAC
Bradley Field, Conn. -- Air minded members of the WAC are First Lt. Elna M. Ericksen and Pvt. Betty Ericksen of Cedar Rapids, Ia., both presentably assigned to the First Air Force. Although stationed at Bradley Field and Mitchell field, NY., respectively, the sisters had a reunion recently when the private visited the lieutenant at Bradley.
Lt. Ericksen is assistant public relations officer and historian of Bradley field and has just finished a complete history of the base from the spring of 1941 until the present. She attended Coe college where she was associate editor of the Acorn and was graduated from Northwestern university, where she received a bachelor of science degree in journalism. Receiving her commission as a second lieutenant in April 1943, she arrived at Bradley field in August of that year.
Pvt. Ericksen is an administrative clerk at the Mitchell field statistical control center. A graduate of Franklin school, she attended Cedar Rapids business college. Prior to enlisting in the WAC in April 1944, she was employed as a draft teller by the Guaranty Bank and Trust company.
The sisters are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Ericksen, 2426 C avenue NE, Cedar Rapids.
Source: The Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 22, 1944 (photo included)
