Josephine Cahill

Personal Information

Birthplace: Mankato, MN

Service Information

Branch of Service: Marine Corps

Unit: Marine Corps Women's Reserve

Theater of Operation: American

Enlisted / Commissioned: Apr 5, 1945

Discharged: Mar 8, 1946

Highest Rank: PFC

Honored By: Daughter - Paula Harms

Biography

Josephine Pifher Cahill was born in Mankato, Minnesota. She attended Deer River High School in Minnesota and graduated in 1943.

Josephine wanted to see the world and decided joining the military would be a good way. Women had to be 20 years old to enter the service at the time, and, still, parents had to sign off on the decision. Josephine got permission and went to boot camp at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and, later, at Mere Island in California.

She participated in close-order training; the drills comprised the formal movement and formations used in marching, parades, and ceremonies. Josephine also processed paperwork for soldiers coming to American from the South Pacific theater. Josephine enjoyed her time as a Marine.

She met her husband, Paul Cahill, who was in the Navy, and they married while both were stationed in California. Paul made a career of the Navy, and they lived in many locations. The couple had 3 children.