Name/Title
Naval Uniform cap worn by Loma Petersen, 1941-1945Entry/Object ID
2008.43.8Description
Acc. No. 08.43.8
Subject Category: CITIZENS OF ALAMEDA; WW-II
Date or Period: 1941-1945
Object: UNIFORM CAP, USN
Description:
A SOFT FOLDING CAP IN WHITE STRIPED COTTON. INTERIOR HAS AN EMBROIDERED LABEL WHICH READS, "MADE AND SOLD UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE U S NAVY WAVES." IT ALSO HAS AN ADDITIONAL BADGE WHICH STATES, "PETERSEN, LOMA" AND A BOLD-PRINTED CAPTION LABEL WHICH READS, "WAVES."
Size: (FOLDED) LENGTH 3-1/2" X WIDTH 11-1/2"
History of Subject
NAVAL UNIFORM CAP WORN BY LOMA PETERSEN, ALAMEDA RESIDENT.
Acquired from:
TOVA PETERSEN WILEY
CATALOGED: JUNE 7, 2008
Date:Interpretative Labels
Label
Cap of the WAVES working uniform.
The W.A.V.E.S. organization was the US Naval Reserve Women's branch, established on July 21, 1942. The women were to replace men stationed ashore, to free up more sailors and officers for sea duty.
Following the war, many WAVES were demobilized, but in 1948 the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law, allowing women to serve in the regular Navy.
The term WAVES continued to be used until the 1970s.
The WAVES' uniforms included a white dress style uniform, a blue dress version, and a seersucker working uniform with gray and white stripes, of which this is the cap.
