Overview

Most American women of the 1940s did not attend college; learn to fly a plane, drive a 21/2 ton truck or a Sherman tank; or serve in war zones, but Blanche Gregory Barnes did before the age of 28. ""Forged in Fire"" is a coming-of-age tale of a sheltered midwestern woman who, after suffering a sudden, heart-breaking loss, found something larger than herself that ultimately provided her a new purpose for her shattered life. The vehicle for this transformation was the American Red Cross's new and innovative overseas clubmobile program. As a ""clubmobile girl,"" Blanche served on multiple 8th Air Force air bases outside of Kettering, England, including Molesworth Airfield, the home of the famous 303rd Bombardment Group or ""Hell's Angels,"" then she served on the continent at the Cigarette Camps located outside of Le Havre, France, and finally in war-torn Germany. Along the way she crossed paths with such notables as Medal of Honor winner Col. John ""Killer"" Kane, journalist Ernie Pyle, and U.S. Generals George S. Patton, Jr., Omar N. Bradley; and Leonard T. Gerow, as well as movie actress Marlene Dietrich and the members of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. She also witnessed first-hand the destruction and tragedy of world war. Forged in Fire expertly weaves Blanche's story in with the history of the clubmobile program, and how it raised the morale of America's fighting men. The backbone of the program was a cadre of well-educated, independent, and resolute women (such as Blanche) who served up coffee, doughnuts, and hope for the future to hundreds of thousands of war-weary, exhausted American GIs.

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9781965278420

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Reviews

Jane Healey, award winning author of ""The Beantown Girls"" The story of Blanche Barnes's life during World War II is heartbreaking and inspirational, a quintessential American war story that is somehow unique and universal at the same time... Rich in historical detail yet deeply human, this book sheds new light on women's roles in the war effort and is a fitting tribute to their service and sacrifice. I loved it! Professor James H. Madison, author of ""Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys."" Described by an Army Major as a ""cute little redhead,"" Blanche Gregory Barnes was among the heroic women who worked in a Red Cross clubmobile during World War II. Robert Gangwere tells her story with compelling details and engaging perspectives to help us understand one among many heroes. Professor Charles B. Dew, author of ""The Making of a Racist."" Compelling, important, moving, and absolutely fascinating, Blanche Barnes's story adds significantly to our understanding of the extremely important role women played in World War II. Sustaining the morale of our soldiers and airmen was no easy matter, and the clubmobile program put American women on the front lines of that critical effort. Historian Dennis G. Pregent, author of the ""Berkshire Heroes in World War II."" Robert Gangwere has crafted a wonderful, fact-based story about his mother's service in the clubmobile program, delivering donuts, coffee, and warm smiles to America's GIs across the entire European Theater of Operations. ""Forged in Fire"" is a fitting tribute to all the Red Cross clubmobile girls. Harold G. Speer Jr., editor of ""From Kingdom Come to the Fringes of Outer Space."" ""Forged in Fire"" is a carefully researched work that will enlighten readers to the accomplishments and sacrifices made by the Red Cross clubmobile girls during World War II. It is a fitting tribute to the female members of ""The Greatest Generation.""

Author Information

Robert Gangwere is an attorney and an avid historian and genealogist. He retired from the Federal Government after 32 years of service with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). While with SBA, he served as the Agency's ethics official, Deputy General Counsel, and acting General Counsel. He has a bachelor's and a master's degree in American history from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and a law degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC). He is the co-author of ""Kansas City: A Place in Time"" (second edition) and a former member of the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission. Since retirement he has taught several American history courses for seniors funded through a grant program and hosted by UMKC.Robert is married with two children and five grandchildren, and he spent decades interviewing his mother about her World War II experiences and researching the Clubmobile Department of the American Red Cross during World War II. ""Forged in Fire"" is a result of those efforts.

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