FRE 8016
IMAGECorporal Hazel Bliss of the Women's Army Corps with a bomber crew of the 392nd Bomb Group and a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-50505) nicknamed "Pallas Athene- The GI Jane". Passed for publication 12 Feb 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'A W.A.C. Christens A Liberator. To honour their khaki-klad sisters, the W.A.C.S. - members of the crew of a Liberator, operating from a British base, painted on their ship the W.A.C. insignia - the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Pallas Athene and named the 'plane G.I. Jane. (G.I. stands for Government Issue and has become the American slang for Army personnel). The original "G.I. Jane" - Cpl. Hazel I. Bliss of Portland, Oregon, performed the christening ceremony. The plane, until now only known by its call letter, V for Voctory[sic], belongs to a Liberator group which bagged 45 enemy aircraft in less than a six month period. Keystone Photo Shows:- Cpl. Hazel I. Bliss - the original G.I. Jane with members of the crew. JW/F. Keystone. 24, 25.' Censor no: 304780. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Women's Army Corps 2nd Air Division
- Service Numbers: A-200081
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Women's Army Corps
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group Headquarters (2nd Air Division)
- Service Numbers: A-906563
- Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
- Role/Job: Switchboard Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Pallas Athene
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 578th Bomb Squadron