Strictly G.I.: The WWII Letters of Cpl. Wanda M. Renn

Strictly G.I.: A Woman’s War Through Letters

In 1942, Wanda set off on a journey unlike any other—one that would place her among the first women to serve overseas in World War II. As a member of the 149th WAAC Post Headquarters Company, she bore witness to a rapidly changing world, navigating the challenges of military life with unwavering spirit, humor, and resilience.

Drawn from a rare collection of letters and V-mail, Strictly G.I. offers a firsthand account of the war from a soldier who defied convention. From training at Fort Des Moines to marching before generals in North Africa, Wanda’s words paint a vivid picture of enlisted life—equal parts duty, camaraderie, and sacrifice.

Yet, for all her dedication, Wanda and her fellow WAACs were denied the same rights as their male counterparts: no overseas pay, no veterans’ benefits, no guarantees if they were wounded—or worse. Despite it all, Wanda rose quickly through the ranks, forging friendships, finding love, and documenting the reality of war in letters that echo with emotion and insight.

In one chilling reflection, she writes:

'We have a radio in our 'room,' and whenever we get a shortwave station from the States, it makes a person stop and think. You don’t know—you can’t possibly know what war really is—in all reality.'

More than a historical record, Strictly G.I. is a testament to perseverance, a glimpse into the heart and mind of a woman who stood her ground in a world not yet ready for her.