Today in World War II History—October 19, 1944

Frances Wills (left)
and Harriet Ida Pickens are sworn in by Lt. Rosamond D. Selle, at New York City.
In December 1944, they became the Navy’s first African-American WAVES officers.

70 Years Ago—Oct. 19, 1944: Japanese Vice-Admiral Onishi Takijino orders the formation of Special Attack Group of kamikazes to attack Allied ships around the Philippines. US Navy partially integrates blacks into service areas and opens WAVES to black women.