Oral history interview with Margaret Sangster recorded 2010 March 18

• Main Author: Sangster, Margaret
• Other Authors: Campbell, Marcy
• Format: Moving Image (Video)
• Language: English
• Published: Central Connecticut State University. Center for Public Policy and Social Research 2010
• Subjects: Korean War; 1950-1953; United States. Air Force; 1950-1953 > Personal narratives; American; Veterans > Connecticut > Interviews; Women and the military; Arctic; Greenland
• Online Access: http://content.library.ccsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/VHP/id/6149

Interview conducted by Marcy Campbell. Margaret Sangster enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, because there was a lack of jobs in the area in which she lived. She went to basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, where the women stayed in a large dormitory style living arrangement. She describes the experience as being similar to being in a large sorority. After completion of basic training, Sangster volunteered to work in the kitchen. She was given orders to attend Officer Candidate School and completed the schooling in Fort Lee, Va. After a number of smaller assignments, she was sent to Greenland, which was a Strategic Air Command Base. She was stationed in Greenland for 18 months, and was the first woman to be stationed above the Arctic Circle. Sangster completed her 9 years in the Air Force working out of Scott Field, Ill. Upon her discharge in 1960, she returned to school, which was partially supported by the GI Bill. 1st Lieutenant Veteran