Seventy-seven years ago, Gale H. Ferris decided to put her talents to work for her country.
Originally from Iowa, Gale worked in Wisconsin and Illinois as a telephone operator. On February 16, 1943, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Given her profession, WAAC assigned Gale to the Eighth Air Force headquarters in London.
There, Gale worked in a bunker as a switchboard operator. Her job was highly secret and sometimes required round-the-clock work. After the war, the army sent Gale to Germany where she assisted the Eighth Air Force.
Gale received her discharge papers in late 1945. She returned to the Midwest and worked for Northwestern Bell. In 1948 she married Arnold Thorson. They moved to Owatonna in the1980s.
Gale was active in the Owatonna post of the American Legion as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She sold many remembrance poppies during Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Gale passed away on August 21, 2009.
