Grace Banker Victory Medal Presentation Ceremony to Take Place 105 Years After Her Return from World War 1
Published: 30 September 2024
Special to the Doughboy Foundation website
Banker and WWI Victory Medal
Grace Banker is shown at left wearing the Distinguished Service medal she was awarded at the end of World War I for her service as the Chief Operator of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit, known as the "Hello Girls." However, neither Baker nor the other Hello Girls received the World War I Victory Medal (right) they deserved in the aftermath of the war, due to the Army's decision to deny that they had actually served as soldiers. A century later, Banker's granddaughter will accpt the medal on behalf of her grandmother in a ceremony on October 3.
When the Doughboys returned home after World War 1, all received a Victory Medal for their honorable service. However, US Army Signal Corps Women Telephone Operators, known as the Hello Girls, returned to the news that they were not considered Veterans. They were denied not only their Veteran status but were told they were not eligible for a Victory Medal.
Chief Operator Grace Banker, recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal in 1919, was one of the women to learn of this injustice. To confuse matters, in June,1919, Banker received a Victory Medal Service Ribbon with two bronze stars for having served in the St. Mihiel Offensive and Meuse-Argonne Offensive. A memo accompanied the medal stating she was authorized to wear her pin by command of Lieutenant General Liggett. However, she was not awarded the Victory Medal itself!
Carolyn Timbie, granddaughter of Grace Banker, has sought to rectify this and pursued the Victory Medal for her grandmother. It was suggested that Carolyn contact her US Representative, Chris Pappas’ office, and speak to a Veterans Constituent Affairs Staff person. The staff was eager to help and promptly followed up. Carolyn completed a privacy release form and was asked to send scans of documents that related to her grandmother’s service. These included her service number, dates as to when Banker’s service began and when she separated from service.
The application process was begun in July, 2024. In early September Carolyn was contacted by Rep. Pappas’ office and received the good news that Grace Banker’s Victory Medal was ready!
It’s not every day that one seeks a Victory Medal for their grandmother. Grace Banker should have been awarded this medal 105 years ago!
Please join us for a Medal Presentation Ceremony at the Hampton American Legion Post 35 at 69 High Street, Hampton, NH at 1:00 pm EDT on Thursday, October 3rd. Representative Pappas will present Grace Banker’s Victory Medal, to her granddaughter, Carolyn Timbie, who will accept this on behalf of her grandmother, 105 years after Banker returned home from World War 1.
Carolyn completed a privacy release form and was asked to provide documentation regarding Banker’s service. This process is challenging. The descendant of a Hello Girl must show proof of their loved one’s service. This requires locating very old documents with identifying information. To complicate matters, over one hundred years have passed since service documents were processed which makes it difficult to track down the information.
Grace Banker and the other Hello Girls have been recommended for a Congressional Gold Medal. Citizens are invited to contact their Representatives in Congress, and urge them to become cosponsors of the legislation that will honor the Hello Girls’ World War I service.
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