Prudence E. Johns
1919 - 1998
USN
WWII
Prudence Emma Johns was born August 31, 1919 in Chicago to Joseph and Emma Henrichs Johns.
Johns served in a clerical capacity during World War II for the U.S. Navy as a WAVE, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, a Purple Heart, and a Joint Service Commendation Medal.
The majority of WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) worked in clerical, health care, or storekeeper billets. Approximately 14,000 served as yeomen and 13,000 WAVES served as hospital corpsmen. Women also served as codebreakers for the Office of Naval Operations’ highly secretive Communication Division in Washington, DC, and managed the fleet’s post offices.
Johns continued working as a stenographer following the war, until moving to Pensacola in the 1960’s. In Florida, she owned the Quaint and Clever Shop, selling antiques and crafts items. She also participated in the Gourmet Club and the Altrusa Club, a community service organization.
Prudence Johns died June 9, 1998 in Pensacola, Florida. She is buried with her sister and brother-in-law (also Veterans) in Barrington’s Evergreen Cemetery.
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Remember. Honor. Teach.
Courtesy of Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution