An ingenious look at WWII. --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) A groundbreaking new history of the role of American servicewomen in WWII illuminating their forgotten yet essential contributions to the Allies victory. Valiant Women is the story of the 350000 American women who served in uniform during World War II. These incredible women served in every service branch in every combat theater and in nearly two-thirds of the available military occupations at the time. They were pilots codebreakers ordnance experts gunnery instructors metalsmiths chemists translators parachute riggers truck drivers radarmen pigeon trainers and much more. They were directly involved in some of the most important moments of the war from the D-Day landings to the peace negotiations in Paris. These women--who hailed from every race creed and walk of life--died for their country and received the nations highest honors. Their work both individually and in total was at the heart of the Allied strategy that won World War II. Yet until now their stories have been relegated to the dusty shelves of military archives or a passing mention in the local paper. Often the women themselves kept their stories private even from their own families. Now military analyst Lena Andrews corrects the record with the definitive and comprehensive historical account of American servicewomen during World War II based on new archival research firsthand interviews with surviving veterans and a deep professional understanding of military history and strategy.
