PATRICIA YOUNG BERRI Denver, Colorado Unit Transcript of an Oral History Interview All rights, title, and interest in the material recorded are assigned and conveyed to the Women's Overseas Service League for the purpose of publication, use in teaching, or other such uses that may further the aims and objectives of the League, such use and participation to be acknowledged in appropriate fashion and with due credit to: Patricia Young (Berri) PREFACE This transcript is the product of an interview conducted on 29 May, 1986, for the Women's Overseas Service League. Signed, dated agreements of release and biographical information accompany the original cassette. Transcribed by Patricia Siggers Lansing, Michigan 1 June, 1989 WOMEN'S OVERSEAS SERVICE LEAGUE 2 Oral History Project 4 6 8 PATRICIA YOUNG BERRI 10 Denver, Colorado Unit NOTE: Interviewer is Marjorie Brown of 12 the Denver Unit. MB: What is your name? 14 PY: Patricia Young Berri. MB: When did you join the Denver Unit of WOSL? 16 PY: In the fall of 1948, I think. It could have been 1949. 18 MB: Were you in the Service? PY: I was in American Red Cross Hospital Branch, as a 20 replacement late in the war. MB: About what time did you come into the Service? 22 PY: February, 1944. MB: Before you came into the Red Cross, what did you do? 24 PY: I was a secretary for Shell and was doing USO work for the British because I had a British friend who 26 would come for me, and we would go where the tankers came in. I was living in Houston, Texas, then. 28 Tankers would come for oil and the boys would have a night at the British USO and leave the next day. 30 MB: What were your duties in the Service? WOMEN'S OVERSEAS SERVICE LEAGUE PATRICIA YOUNG, Denver Unit PY: 32 34 36 38 MB: PY: 40 MB: 42 PY: 44 46 48 50 52 MB: 54 PY: My title was secretary, at the unit of Red Cross at 117th Station Hospital, Leyte, Philippine Islands. In that, I had turns at going on the wards as the recreation and social worker; and also sitting in the recreation rooms just like the other people. It was quite a change from secretarial work in an office. How long were you in the Red Cross? Until March, 1945. While you were in the Red Cross, where did you serve? I was first assigned to the 117th Station Hospital in Leyte, and then I was assigned to go into a field hospital unit to Japan: But after the atomic bomb, there was no need for hospitals as there would have been in case of invasion of Japan. I was a floater until I was sent to Talwon, where there was no one in Red Cross and a very small Navy unit. I stayed there until there was a chance to be in line to go home. Then I went to Samar to wai t for transportation back to the States. While you were in the Red Cross, what kind of medical care was available to you? The hospital staff; for anything, mostly fungus. [Laughter] 2 WOMEN'S OVERSEAS SERVICE LEAGUE PATRICIA YOUNG, Denver Unit 56 MB: PY: 58 60 MB: 62 PY: 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 Tell me about the uniforms that you wore? All the Red Cross gear was unnecessary. We had to purchase suntans, boots (ankle-high boots), and suntan shirts. That was it. It was hot. Can you tell me a funny, sad, touching, or any special experience that was really very memorable to you? My first experience was leaving Washington after being in West Virginia, briefly, while waiting for assignment. The transcontinental trip on a train to San Francisco, and the people who cut cards: The highest card could go into San Francisco that night, and I cut the two of clubs right off. [Laughter] I've never been to San Francisco! Then when we arrived in Leyte on the Lurlene, which was a large transport at that time. It was the first time the Lurlene had gone into Manila; and without escort vessels. Mine was one of three footlockers lost out of the whole shipload. I felt very persecuted. Then I had to leave everything else I owned on the airfield, because there was no way to get it to Leyte. Again, I felt at the bottom of the heap! I had a very good friend who now lives in Texas, and I have been able to see her all through 3 WOMEN'S OVERSEAS SERVICE LEAGUE PATRICIA YOUNG, Denver Unit 82 84 MB: 86 PY: 88 90 92 MB: the years. She was in Red Cross and left before I did. Of course, I was a replacement. She is still a vivid person, and I wish she were living here and could be a member of the unit here. What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make when you came into the Red Cross? The latrine! I didn't mind the cold shower; I didn't mind the tent life; but I did mind sitting on the latrines. The little Philippinos would come and go with a great disregard of sex. [Laughter] But it was great. Thank you. 94 End of Interview 96 Transcribed by Patricia Siggers 98 Lans ing, Michigan 4 INDEX YOUNG-BERRI Locat ions Leyte, Philippine Islands, 2 Samar, 2 St at esi de Washington, 3 West Virginia, 3 Talwon, 2 Medical care, 2 Service, 1 Stateside Washington, 3 West Virginia, 3 Transportât ion Lurlene, 3 Train, 3 Uniforms, 3 l