Margaret L. Mustacchio

Margaret Laverne Mustacchio

A-301646

8/8/19-2/9/83

Margaret was enlisted in the Women’s Army Air Corps from September 1, 1943 and honorably discharged on November 25, 1945.  She began her service as a PFC General Clerk and then onto Corporal as a Photo Lab Technician/Photographer.  She was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the WAAC Service Medal.  She was known to her family and friends at home as “Vernie,” but was affectionately called “Musty” by her Army friends, due to her last name.

But first, a little story about how and why she joined the WAACs.  Margaret and her two best friends decided they were going to enlist to serve their country.  When they tried to do so, Margaret was told that she was a little over weight and if she shed the pounds, try enlisting again.  Her friends decided to hold off until my she dropped the necessary weight.  Margaret lost the weight, and kept her promise to enlist.  However, her two friends backed out.  So off Margaret went to her station in Eagle Pass, TX where she remained for almost three years.

Margaret had a beautiful voice and loved to sing.  During a visit to the base by Tony Bennett, she had the opportunity to sing with him and was elated by this.  She once said that her service years were some of the best years of her life.