McDonald, Barbara Oral History

Mcdonald_Barbara_03072001 edited

Barbara (Matlack) McDonald was born in Westchester, Pennsylvania and had two brothers, one older and one younger. Her father and brothers were active in scouting and she attributes her desire to serve through helping her mother with the work associated with scouting and the post WWII patriotism in the community. Barbara graduated from highschool and went into the Marine Corps in July of 1951 with her girlfriend where they attended boot camp at Parris Island. Upon completion of boot camp, Barbara was sent to Cherry Point Air Base in North Carolina. She worked in clerical work where her training was in the Unit Diary, keeping track of all the replacement drafts being sent to Korea as well as working as a court reporter for court marshals. Cherry Point was where she met her future husband working in the same squadron office as her. Along with joining the Christian fellowship and drama club at Cherry Point, she had the opportunity to join the Drill and Pistol Team. She was able to compete in national and local competitions as a trailblazer for other women. After being stationed at Cherry Point, she was transferred to Washington where she worked on Leatherneck Magazine. Her memories of Washington consisted of Eisenhower's inaugural parade that she had the opportunity to march in. Barbara and her husband got married in 1953, her husband had been discharged a year prior to her and she was released from the Marine Corps as a Sergeant after serving two years. Barbara and her husband lived in Jacksonville, FL, had two boys and she worked in her husband's business until she retired. Barbara continued her involvement in 1986 with the Women Marine Association.