Dear Sergeant Honey

by Ceil Stetson

DEAR SERGEANT HONEY is a non-fiction compilation of the writings of the author's mother who was a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in WW II. It details her 2 1/2 years of service from the time she was given a two day notice to report for duty, to basic training and overseas service. Hildie Molnar served overseas in a unique job. She kept a daily diary and wrote detailed letters home to family and friends. This is not a recollection but rather a day-by-day record as things happened to her in WW II. Every word was written by her as only someone who lived it could do. The author edited but never embellished her words. Editing was only done to keep the book a reasonable size. You will laugh at some of her descriptions of events and be prompted to reflect on the impact of this war through her eyes. She was one of the first WACs to serve in the European Theatre of Operations, (ETO), received a Bronze Star for meritorious service, and one of the very few WACs who were entitled to wear combat ribbons for her service. You will find her reactions to these honors in the book. She met her husband-to-be in England. When they were separated they would write letters to each other with the greeting, "Dear Sergeant Honey." Don't expect ordinary love letters, though. Expect instead lyrical writing laced with cynicism, humor and commentaries on the war. This is a rare first person account of WW II seen through the eyes of a female soldier. You will never read anything like it. Please see the review below from the Military Writers Society of America.

404 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2008

Reviews

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book out of desperation more than anything else, it was the only diversion available on a trip to Mexico. I actually found that I enjoyed it. I had no idea beforehand that so many women had taken part in WWII. (I assumed a few worked as nurses, USO performers, and support staff.) Ceil's mother Hildie sounds likes she would have been a fun person to know. She has a optimist's spirit and a no-nonsense way of looking at life. She travels across Europe, working as a clerk involved with court martials. I did wish for a little more introspection when it came to the young men who were dishonorably discharged and given anywhere from 2 to 12 years for their crimes of falling asleep on post, or refusing to obey an order. I especially wondered this when the crime in question resulted in a death sentence. There is only one point in the book where she address this briefly, calling the subject a nice kid. I would have liked to know how Hildie's life turned out, a little epilogue written by her daughter. All we are allowed are Hildie's words without commentary. I've actually researched, and written my own story about women who served in Vietnam, so I was enlightened to learn about this earlier generation who also served with great distinction.

[Sandra Bernsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me quite a while to read this one. I had to consciously skim over portions of the diary entries -ie: "shined shoes", but it was definitely worth the read. Learning what a WAC court reporter went through in WW II in such an intimate way was very interesting. Thank you Ceil for all the time and effort it must have taken to put all the letters and diary entries together. Your mother was a very special lady!!