Elizabeth Agnes McGinn was born in Petersville, Iowa on January 17, 1904. She earned a degree in teaching from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa before beginning a lifelong career as a teacher. Prior to the start of World War II, she taught eighth grade and coached the basketball team at Welton Township School in Welton, Iowa.

 

McGinn enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in June 1943 and bravely participated in parachuting training exercises with the U.S. Air Force. In late May 1945 she received an overseas assignment as a WAC Officer in Berlin, Germany. A position with the MFAA in Frankfurt followed soon after. She served first as a file clerk, and later as a librarian, with the Catalog & Files Section of the MFAA Branch of the U.S. Group Control Council (USGCC). During this time, she worked under the supervision of Monuments Woman Capt. Edith A. Standen.

 

Upon her return to the United States in June 1946, McGinn completed a Master’s degree in teaching. She then enjoyed decades as an elementary school teacher, working devotedly with third and fourth grade students at local Iowa schools, including Henry Sabin Elementary and St. Patrick’s Catholic Grade School.

 

She died in Clinton, Iowa on September 30, 1993.

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Photo courtesy of the McGinn Family (private collection).