📖 1955 WAVES Boot Camp – Company 18W, USNTC Bainbridge (The PORTAL)

Front Cover, Bainbridge USNTC "The PORTAL" 1955 WAVES Company 18W. | GGA Image ID # 100492da7a

Quick Facts

• Training Center: U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland
• Year / Company: 1955, WAVES Company 18W
• Commander: DKCA E.H. Walther (Company Commander)
• Graduates: 71 women (graduated 3 October 1955)
• Organization: 32nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment
• Training Dates: 4 August – 3 October 1955
• Document Type: Yearbook (The Portal)
• Standout Features:
  • Largest WAVES class we’ve seen so far (71 women).
  • Includes Capitolie A. Sutton, SR, recipient of the American Spirit Honor Medal.
  • Features detailed instructional staff across drill, ships & aircraft, physical education, and orientation.
  • Rare newspaper clippings documenting medal awards included in the yearbook.
    

👩‍✈️ Leadership and Instruction Staff

1. DKCA E.H. Walther, USN — Company Commander
2. SK1 D.L. Cole, USN — Jobs & Training Instructor
3. SK1 G.A. Romeo, USN — Physical Education Instructor
4. SK1 M.A. Petee, USN — Drill Instructor
5. PN3 C.A. Nordon, USN — Ships & Aircraft Instructor
6. PN3 S. Haskin, USN — General Orientation Instructor
7. PNC M.V. Andrews, USN — History Instructor
   

🌟 Honor Medal Highlight

One of the most engaging aspects of this yearbook is the American Spirit Honor Medal awarded to Capitolie A. Sutton, SR (Los Angeles, CA).

Recognized during the 217th Graduation Review on 1 October 1955.

Profiled as “education-minded,” she had prior studies in dental technology and stewardess training, choosing the Navy to continue her professional education.

A rare case where the yearbook includes a contemporary newspaper clipping describing the award.

🖼️ Noteworthy Images

• Front Cover — The PORTAL (1955) | GGA Image ID #100492da7a
• Recruits (pp. 1–3) | GGA IDs #1004a40688 → #1004eee64a
• Boot Camp Life (pp. 1–5) — photos of drills, daily activities | GGA IDs #100520349e → #1005745dea
• Honor Medal Clipping & Photos — Sutton honored at Bainbridge, 1955 | GGA IDs #1005756d0f, #1005a488dd, #10061dbb1f
  

🎯 Relevance and Research

Teachers & Students: Ideal for lessons on women’s military service during the Cold War, especially showing how the Navy supported recruits’ professional education.

Genealogists: With 71 names tied to hometowns across the U.S., this roster is a rich resource for tracing mid-20th-century servicewomen.

Historians & Veterans: Sutton’s profile and medal recognition represent a rare blend of individual biography, institutional record, and public acknowledgment.

⚓ Final Thoughts

Company 18W’s Portal yearbook captures a transitional moment in women’s naval history: larger class sizes, structured leadership, and the public recognition of WAVES’ contributions through medals and press coverage.

💙 Teachers gain a vivid Cold War case study.

📚 Genealogists get 71 traceable names.

⚓ Historians see women’s service honored in real time.

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruits, Page 1 (Armour-Daly) Note: Top Two Rows Are Leadership Portrait Photos

1. Peggy J. Armour St. George, S. C.
2. Lois V. Bivins Ada, Okla.
3. Betty A. Bronston Ponce City, Okla.
4. Frances E. Brown Fort Noches, Texas
5. Rita P. Brown Philadelphia, Pa.
6. Ginger C. Buff Enumelaw, Wash.
7. Dora Jane Burgess Pueblo, Colo.
8. Alice J. Carr East Springfield, Pa.
9. Irene M. Chiesa Pico, Calif.
10. Maxine C. Childs Duluth, Minn.
11. Barbara J. Colbert Youngstown, Ohio
12. Shirley M. Colbert Youngstown, Ohio
13. Adella R. Collins Fenwick, W. Va.
14. Nola S. Conner Casper, Wyo.
15. Donna L. Daly Johnstown, Pa.

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruits, Page 2 (Davis-McGrath)

1. Ida E. Davis Justin, Texas
2. Marilyn A. Diamond Brooklyn, N. Y.
3. Dorothy Donovan Lewiston, Me.
4. Narcisses R. Esselman Detroit, Mich.
5. Marylou Farrar Detroit, Mich.
6. Joyce L. Fields Miami, Fla.
7. Ruth G. Gangstad Grenora, N. D.
8. Louise A. Gerhardt Spokane, Wash.
9. Betty J. Gray Fitchburg, Mass.
10. Nila M. Grover Port Angeles, Wash.
11. Wilma L Hammett Lawrenceville, Ga.
12. Barbara J. Hahn Hastings, Neb.
13. Mary Ellen Hemming Bisbee, Ariz.
14. Reta M. Holman Pomona, Calif.
15. Carol A. Hoover Hoguiam, Wash.
16. Sharon R. Hubner Alhambra, Calif.
17. Safllé A. Joiy Youngstown, Ohio
18. Grace L. Kahn Richmond, Va.
19. Virginia M. Kees Nyaclc, N. Y.
20. Barbara R. Keppner Sasaguak, Wash.
21.  Carla M. Knolcey Hoguiam, Wash.
22. Yvonne A. Kraemer Seattle, Wash.
23. Opal E. Lancaster Logsden, Ore.
24. Claudetta D. Larck Riverside, W. Va.
25. Marian G. Linker Woodbine, Ga.
26. Phyllis J. Lunger Fort Meyers, Fla.
27. Marion J. MacDonald Cleveland, Ohio
28. Jean E. Marcy Palmer, Mass.
29. Marlene G. Marsh Miami, Fia.
30. Mildred C. McGrath Pittsburgh, Pa.

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruits, Page 3 (Newman-Worden) [Capitolie A. Sutton Numbert 14 Below Portrait Phone is located in Row 3, Fourth From the Left]

1. Lois M. Newman Sandpoint, Idaho
2. Mildred A. Nugent Baton Rouge, La.
3. Alice M. Pounds Daytona Beach, Fla.
4. Jacqueline F. Pruitt Panama City, Fla.
5. Thelma A. M. Reed Greensville, Ohio
6. Carol A. Reimann Stockton, N. Y.
7. Jacqueline J. Ripley Puyallup, Wash.
8. Hadie M. Russell Ashland, Ky.
9. Mary J. Sawyer Seattle, Wash.
10. Willie E. Saylors Bradford, Ark.
11. Cecilia Solis Tampa, Fla.
12. Bobbie J. Spurlock Nashville, Tenn.
13. Ollie M. Stapleton Douglas, Ga.
14. Capitolie A. Sutton Los Angeles, CA.
15. Joan C. Taylor Prosser, Wash.
16. Audrey C. Teske Minneapolis, Minn.
17. Joan M. Tomkiewicz Middleboro, Mass.
18. Ruby S. Vanderford Union, S. C.
19. Helen J. Wave Panama City, Fla.
20. Portia J. Weeks Punta Gorda, Fla.
21. Patricia A. Wharton Dover, Del.
22. Nanita R. Withers Longmeadow, Mass.
23. Sandra B. Wolfe Spokane, Wash.
24. Barbara A. Woodbury Tampa, Fla.
25. Madalenne R. Wooden Eureka, Calif.
26. Elizabeth M. Worden League City, Texas

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruits, Page 1 Leadership Portrait Photos (Top Two Rows): DKC E. H. Walther, Company Commander, SK1 D. L. Cole, SK1 G. A. Romeo, SK1 M. A. Petee, PN3 C. A. Nordon, PN3 S. Haskin, and PNC M. V. Andrews. Recruit Photos (Armour-Daly). | GGA Image ID # 1004a40688

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruits, Page 2 (Davis-McGrath). | GGA Image ID # 1004cea43d

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruits, Page 3 (Newman-Worden). Capitolie A. Sutton in Row 3, Fourth From the Left Was the Original Owner of the Book. | GGA Image ID # 1004eee64a

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruit's Boot Camp Life. Page 1: Eight Uncaptioned Photos. | GGA Image ID # 100520349e

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruit's Boot Camp Life. Page 2: Eight Uncaptioned Photos). | GGA Image ID # 100552633f

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruit's Boot Camp Life. Page 3: Nine Uncaptioned Photos. | GGA Image ID # 100558ce18

Company 55-18W WAVES Recruit's Boot Camp Life. Page 4: Eight Uncaptioned Photos. | GGA Image ID # 10055ce4fb

Company 55-18W Recruit's Boot Camp Life, Page 5: Eight Uncaptioned Photos. | GGA Image ID # 1005745dea

October 1955 Newspaper Clipping: Two Education-Minded Recruits Chosen Honor Medal Winners. (Newspaper Uncredited: [no notes as to its origin]. The newspaper could have been a military publication like The Bainbridge Compass or a local publication covering the graduation, but given the time period, it is likely from a publication covering the NTC Bainbridge area.). | GGA Image ID # 1005756d0f

Transcript of Newspaper Article: Two Education-Minded Recruits Chosen Honor Medal Winners

Two education-minded recruits have been selected as this week's American Spirit of Honor Medal winners. Capatolie A. Sutton, SR, of Company 18(W), and Wayne U. Waterhouse, EFSR, Co. 355, Fourth Regiment, will receive their awards at the Recruit Training Command Graduation review Saturday at Camp Rodgers Parade Field.

The WAVE medal winner, 22, although born in Durham, NC., now calls Los Angeles her hometown. Her exodus across country occured after she completed a course at Duke University qualifying her as an operating room technician and wanted to attend Lawton Dental School at Beverly Hills, Calif.

To Attend DT School

In addition to being a graduate of Lawton, Capitolie has completed the curriculum at California Air College, qualifying her as an airline stewardess. But because she wanted still further schooling, she chose the Navy instead of a career as an airline stewardess so she could continue her dental studies at the Navy's DT school here.

A Reservist and RCPO of the WAVE drill team, Capitolie is now considering a career in the Navy as a Dental technician.

Pre-Med Student

Wayne Waterhouse, 19, of Sanford, Me., was a pre-med student at Bowdoin College until lack of funds forced him to temporarily defer his education. He chose the Navy as a career for it’s educational aspects and is now considering several of the Navy’s officer training programs.  

If he doesn't embark on one of these, Waterhouse hopes to go to electronics technician school, for which he has already been accepted.

Wrote for Newspaper

Waterhouse, athletic PO, of his company, earned money for college expenses as a sports writer for a Maine newspaper. He is also ^definitely interested in the Navy as a career.

Company honormen include:

• Hoy K. Consia, SR, Company 332;
• Charles L. Stauffer, SR, Co. 341;
• Robert W. Jenkins, SR, Co. 342;
• Jan T. Gross, SR, Co. 343;
• John D. McClister, SR, Co. 344;
• Wesley A. Conary, SR, Co. 345.
• Patrick D. Keith, SR, Co. 346;
• Thomas E. Taylor, SR, Co. 347;
• Marlin G. Wright, SR, Co. 348;
• Cecil W. Miller, SR, Co. 349;
• Karl F. Zedell, SR, Co. 350;
• Donald F. Green, SR, Co. 351.
• Taylor N. Stanley, SR, Co. 352;
• Anthony C. Ciasulli, SR, Co. 353;
• Dana B. Edwards, SR, Co. 354;
• Warren J. Costedio, AN, Co. 355;
• Paul T. Murphy, SR, Co. 356;
• Charles E. Donaldson, SR, Co. 357,
• James McSorley Jr., SR, Co. 358;
• Stephen P. Mateyak, SR, Co. 360;
• Delan D. Cotton, SR, Co. 361; and
• Capitolie A. Sutton, SR, Co. 18(W).

From the Newspaper Article: "Two Education-Minded Recruits Chosen Honor Medal Winners."

Capitolie A. Sutton, SR, Co. 1955-18(W) Receiving Honor Certificate. | GGA Image ID # 1005a488dd

Presentation of American Spirit Honor Medal to SR C. A. Sutton, USN. Image shows Captain William J. Catlett, Jr., USN, Commanding Officer Recruit Training Command shaking hands with SR Capitolie A. Sutton, USN of 1955 Company 18(W) at the 217th Graduation Review, Saturday, October 1, 1955. | GGA Image ID # 10061dbb1f

Provenance: Estate of Capitolie A. Sutton, April 2019. GGA Collection ID # A000B4E47D 2019-04