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Veteran Stories
World War II Veterans
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Mary Catherine "Kathy" Long
World War II Veteran: 1944–1946
Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class – US Navy
Locations of Service
New York, Maryland and Texas |
Kathy Long was born on February 7, 1924, in Dayton, Ohio. She never considered joining any service but the Navy. She took Basic Training at Hunter College and trained at Bethesda Naval Hospital to become a hospital assistant. After training, Kathy was assigned to the contagious disease ward of the Naval Hospital at Corpus Christi, Texas. There, she treated downed airmen, many with severe burns. Despite the long hours, Kathy also studied for and passed the test to become Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class, an accomplishment of which she is extremely proud.
When the war ended, Kathy met Gillis William Long, her future husband. After their marriage, their address soon changed when Gillis was asked to come to work in Washington. Once in the District, Kathy worked as a staff assistant for Senator Morse, at the Democratic National Committee, and as an aide to her husband throughout his eight Congressional races and two gubernatorial races. When Gillis died in 1985, Kathy courageously ran in a special election for his seat, becoming the first woman veteran ever to hold such a position.
She has been a District resident since 1951. Kathy also continues to be active in the community by volunteering at Miriam’s Kitchen; working to prevent the sale of the historic Watergate Hotel, serving as a reader for Everybody Wins, and offering her services in many activities at the All Souls Church. However, one of her greatest joys is sitting with her two grandsons whenever possible. For her dedicated service during World War II and for her continued service to the community: Kathy C. Long, a proud World War II veteran and District of Columbia resident, the District of Columbia proudly salutes you! |
