Introduction: 20 sec
"My name is Terry Schulz. I live in Ocean Side, New York. And, when I graduated from High School, I obtained a position with the United States Maritime Commission. That was in 1943. I was only 17 years old, but, still, I was qualified; [I] had two diplomas: academic and commercial…so they hired me."What is the Maritime Commission? 30 sec
"It's the Merchant Marine[s]…It's these big ships that carry the supplies back and forth—and the men also—over to England. And that's where they deposited everything, and from there, it was moved on to different battle fields. And it was a very dangerous job for these men. Because they were torpedoed, and a lot of them lost their lives. A lot of the ships went down. And the ones that did survive, a lot of them came back in deep depression, because it was very, very risky business for them."What kind of supplies did they deliver? 10 sec
"They had to service them with medical supplies, food, all kinds of ammunition; whatever it may be."What happened to the men, that came home? 30 sec
"When they would come back to medical center, they would have to get a physical—before they left, and when they returned—and many times they needed rest and rehabilitation. And my boss was the head of the Merchant Marine Rest Centers at that time; which were beautiful mansions and beautiful homes that were donated for the War Effort. And the men would go there. One of them was the Teddy Roosevelt Estate, in Oyster Bay, which now is a museum; but, his family had turned it over for the War Effort."Were these mansions donated or rented? 12 sec
"The people who owned these beautiful places, were paid a dollar a year for rent—just to keep it a good contract. Of course they removed a lot of their valuables, but they were still very beautiful."Where were some of the other locations, and did you get to serve there? 20 sec
"…Gladstone, New Jersey and Sandpoint, Long Island, and then there was New Orleans, and there were quite a few on the West Coast, in California. But my mother and father wouldn't let me travel out there, but I did go to all the ones on the East Coast to relieve the secretaries for two weeks at a time, when they had their vacations."How was your office involved in running these institutions? 20 sec
"We hired a doctor, a nurse, a manager, a cook, kitchen help, maintenance people and a secretary. And then, we would have to have all the bills brought into our office where we would supply them with their needs. They needed fresh clothes, food, medical supplies, whatever!"What did you do when the War ended? 35 sec
"When the War was over, I thought sure that I would be what they call "RIF" (Reduction In Force) And you'd lose your position, because it was a war time job. But, as it turned out, I was promoted, and I was sent to be secretary to J.F. Keading—who was head of the whole financial division. So I worked there as his secretary, 'til I met my sweetheart…and we got married! That was the end of my wartime career, but I started a whole new one, which was very nice! And my husband and I are happy that we've just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary!"
