The WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) were one of the groups of women who served during World War II. Other branches included the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP), and the SPARS, who worked with the Coast Guard.
According to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, over six million women took jobs in factories during WWII, three million volunteered with the Red Cross and over 200,000 women served in the military groups listed above.
In early 1943, 500 WAVES were brought to Atlanta, first training downtown and staying at the Biltmore Hotel while barracks were built to house them at Naval Air Station Atlanta. The station was not physically located in Atlanta, but in Chamblee, Georgia. It was on land that is now DeKalb Peachtree Airport. (Atlanta Constitution, January 31, 1943, “WAVES Begin Trainer School Tomorrow with Class of 500”)
Some WAVES at Naval Air Station Atlanta received Link Trainer instruction, which they took to other Naval Air Stations across the country. Before the WAVES arrived at Naval Air Station Atlanta, women working with the Civil Service were trained as Link Instrument Trainers, and they are the ones who trained the WAVES.
WAVES at Naval Air Station Atlanta playing baseketball. (photo from Tattoo magazine, a publication of Naval Air Station Atlanta, 1944)
During World War II, there were several places in Atlanta set up to accommodate soldiers’ recreational needs. These included the Service Men’s Center at Edgewood Avenue and Courtland Street, the YMCA at 145 Luckie Street, Open Door Canteen on Peachtree Street above the S & W Cafeteria, and the USO Service Men’s Lounge at Terminal Station-just to name a few.
The Parrott Lounge at 230 Peachtree Street was set up for women in the various branches of service. WAVES traveling through Atlanta or from Naval Air Station Atlanta could relax, have a Coke and a sandwich. Women from any branch of service were welcome at the Parrott Lounge, which was described as holding a “perpetual open house.”
The Buckhead Lions Club donated the money to establish the Parrott Lounge and businessman DeWitt King loaned the physical space. Parrott Lounge was supposed to have the feel of home and be a way of showing appreciation to those who served our country. (Atlanta Constitution, June 20, 1943, special section on WAVES and SPARS)
An additional feature at the lounge that was popular with the women was two sewing machines. Women would alter or repair their uniforms. There was also locker space for camera storage and stationery for letter writing. The women could also use this as a place to meet their dates.
The Atlanta Constitution page includes a description of the WAVES and SPARS. It encourages women to enlist, saying, “The WAVES and SPARS need you for the most important job you’ll ever have.”