I am working on this
year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow. I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s
Southern Family or at My Trails Into
the Past. I’m looking forward to
writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.
I
have written previously about my paternal aunt, Lorene Hork, who went to Japan
to work for the U.S. Army. She left me a collection of the letters she wrote
home from Japan and from her trip across Asia and Europe on her return home.
See this post
and this post.
Because
she worked for the federal government, I sent for her official personnel file
from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. It was simple; just
send a letter with the request. I received an envelope full of photocopies—a total
of 110 pages! And at no charge.
A
surprise was in the packet. Lorene had also worked for the U.S. Navy at the
Mare Island Naval Yard during World War II. The naval base was located in
Vallejo, only about twenty miles from her home in Napa. Her cousin, Margaret
Patterson, already worked there.[1]
She
started in January 1942 as a probationary Record Clerk, making $1260 per year.[2]
Through the four years she worked there, she had several promotions and job
classifications. The Trade and Record Card gives the history:[3]
The
last year and a half, she worked as a photographer in the Labor Board and
Employment Office, the Badge and Identification Section.[4]
She must have been taking photos for identification cards. At this time she was
earning $1620 per year.
There
was one surprise item found in the packet. She was suspended for three days for
being absent without authority.[5] Lorene
was always the fun aunt. I wonder what activity she was doing to miss work for
three days.
Her
efficiency rating as a photographer was “very good.” She received + marks on
Presentability of work, amount of acceptable work produced, and
cooperativeness.[6]
I’m not surprised by the presentability mark. She was always a sharp dresser.
She
resigned on 20 February 1946. The reason she gave was change of residence.[7]
She did move to San Francisco after the war.
The personnel file is pretty interesting. Too bad there was no photograph of my aunt. That would have been a great bonus.
[1] “Personal
History Statement,”30 Jan 1942, Lorene E. Hork, Official Personnel File, NARA,
National Personnel Records Office.
[2] “Promotional
Appointment,” Navy Yard, Mare Island, Commandant’s Office, 30 Jan 1942, Lorene
E. Hork, Official Personnel File, NARA, National Personnel Records Office.
[3] “Trade
and Record Card,” 20 Feb 1946, Lorene E. Hork, Official Personnel File, NARA,
National Personnel Records Office.
[4] “Reassignment,”
United States Navy Department, 27 Oct 1944, Lorene E. Hork, Official Personnel
File, NARA, National Personnel Records Office.
[5] “Suspension
for a period of three days,” United States Navy Department, 21 Mar 1945, Lorene
E. Hork, Official Personnel File, NARA, National Personnel Records Office.
[6] “Report
of Efficiency Rating,” Navy Yard, Mare Island, 31 Mar 1945, Lorene E. Hork, Official
Personnel File, NARA, National Personnel Records Office.
[7] “Resignation,”
Navy Department, Mare Island, 25 Feb 1946, Lorene E. Hork, Official Personnel
File, NARA, National Personnel Records Office.
Copyright © 2018 by Lisa Suzanne Gorrell, My Trails into the Past. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks so much for sharing this - I love seeing the documents and the rates of pay increase...she sounds like a fascinating woman!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't processed the whole packet yet and can't wait to sort it all out. Thanks for stopping by!
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