Wright County

Capt. Clara J. Courson

 

 

WAAC Officer Candidates

Five Iowa women who were sworn in as WAAC officer candidates here Wednesday watched as one of their group, Jeanne Hardin of Dubuque, put finishing touches on a knitted sweater. From left, the candidates are Jane Courson and Eva Yost, Des Moines; Pauline McNally, Waterloo; Miss Hardie and Mrs. Vera Stiver, also of Des Moines.

Source: The Des Moines Tribune, August 5, 1942 (photo included)

Sioux City Woman Among W.A.A.C.’s to Be Commissioned

Fort Des Moines
—One hundred twenty-three officer candidates of the women’s army auxiliary corps will be commissioned third officers at the Seventh graduating exercise at the training center Saturday.

The class includes six Iowan’s;

The Iowan’s: Clara Jane Courson, Belmond; Mary Bernadine Dinneen, Melrose; Elaine Clara Homan, Remsen; Pauline Mary McNally, Waterloo; Vera Ervin Stiver, Des Moines; Eloise Norma Wissing (1723 S. Patterson) Sioux City.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, November 1942

11 IOWA WAACS ARE ADVANCED

Washington, D.C. -- Promotions for eleven Iowans in the women's army auxiliary corps were announce Tuesday night.

The following officers were advanced to the rank of first officer, the WAAC equivalent of captain: Clara G. Han, 1063 Twenty-first st, Des Moines; Marion C. Lichty, Waterloo; Kathleen McClure, Iowa Falls, and Helen E. Hanson, 726 Guthrie st, Des Moines.

Promoted from the rank of third officer to second officer, WAAC equivalent of first lieutenant: Clara J. Courson, Belmond; Elizabeth L. Flanagan, Cedar Rapids; Kola S. Gallagher, Council Bluffs; Vera E. Stiver, 4309 Allison ave., Des Moines; Jeanne E. Hardie, Dubuque and Marcella M. McCue, Greeley.

Source: The Des Moines Register, April 21, 1943

CLARA JANE COURSON TO WED

The marriage of Miss Clara Jane Courson, daughter of Mrs. Robert Elroy of Belmond, to Frank S. Jones, son of Mrs. Paul B. Jones of Beaver Falls, Penn., will take place Thursday in Belmond.

Miss Couson, former captain in the WAC served 20 months in the Southwest Pacific. She formerly was employed by The Register and Tribune Co. in the society department and received her basic training at Fort Des Moines.

Mr. Jones, who was a lieutenant colonel in the army, was stationed in the Southwest Pacific for two years.

The couple will be at home temporarily in Columbus, Ohio, where Mr. Jones will attend the University of Ohio.

Source: The Des Moines Register, March 19, 1946 (photo included)