Evelyn Williams Staples
This is the bio prepared by Frances Finta for Civic Federation President David Foster to present to Evelyn the Journal Cup in 1995. The presentation always attempts to keep the audience guessing, so lesser-known facts are presented first. David began "This year's Journal Cup winner . . ."
I. Early Years
1. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, where her father worked for the Baltimore Sun.
2. Graduated from University of Baltimore Law School in June 1941.
3. While in college learned to fly in a government sponsored civilian pilot program. Earned a civilian pilot's license. Was awarded a wristwatch on the back on which were engraved the words: "J. Apple Award for Aviation 1941".
4. Was admitted to the Maryland Bar.
II. World War II
1. In October 1941, journeyed to Washington, DC, where, after having it suggested that if she had eaten a hearty breakfast she would have met minimum weight requirements, the 98 pound Evelyn Williams enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.
Was sent to an airfield near San Antonio, Texas, for flight training. During a training flight in an open cockpit plane, Evelyn was ordered to do a barrel roll. She began the roll. Two pillows, which had been strapped in behind her so that she could reach the pedals, fell out. Evelyn's seat belt had come unfastened. The instructor saw this happen. He straightened the plane, landed the plane, got out, and told Evelyn to take the plane up and solo for a couple of hours. That was her first solo.
Before graduating from the WAAF's, Evelyn resigned and joined...
2. the United States Women's Army Corps (WAC's). Evelyn worked for about one year in the Judge Advocates Office. She transferred to Army Intelligence. She was deployed overseas to England, then to covert activities in the European Theater of Operations where she served as a Combat Staff Intelligence Officer. She also served behind enemy lines in Europe. (Fall 1991: Northern Virginia Sun article titled "Spy Runs for County Board.")
3. Evelyn was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her work in Europe, the European Theater of Operations Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
4. Evelyn is a retired USWAC Major.
III. Post World War II
1. Was assigned to post-war created Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where she served as an intelligence analyst on the OSS staff.
2. Left the OSS and worked for the State Department. It was here that she met and married Lee Staples.
3. Was recalled to active duty twice. The first time was during the Korean War. The second was during the Cuban Missile Crisis. For her work during this crisis, Evelyn was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to her Meritorious Service Medal.
IV. Community Activities
1. Member, Maywood Community Association since its inception. Prior to that Member, Parkway Civic Association.
2. Delegate to ACCF from the Maywood Community Association [for approximately 15 years]
3. Member, ACCF Public Services Committee
4. Chairman, ACCF Public Services Committee [for more than 10 years]
5. Member, ACCF Revenue and Expenditures Committee
6. Member, ACCF Executive Committee
7. Chairman, ACCF Executive Committee
8. Member, Organized Women Voters of Arlington
9. Alternate Delegate to ACCF from the Organized Women Voters of Arlington
10. Member, American Association of University Women
11. Founder and President of Virginia for Animals. Has aided individuals with assorted animal problems--food, placement, relocating wild animals, safety, etc.
12. Animal rights activist throughout Virginia. Has appeared before several government boards, Virginia State Legislators and/or committees supporting or disagreeing with pending animal rights legislation.
13. Member, Volunteers for an Independent Arlington (VIA)
14. Arlington County Board Candidate, 1991 (Northern Virginia Sun article titled "Spy Runs for County Board.")
15. Awarded by Arlington County Civic Federation: Journal Newspapers Journal Cup Trophy , 1995
Appended by Frances upon Evelyn's death in 2001.
V. Death
1. Died Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 8:10 AM. in Fairfax County (Springfield), Virginia
2. Viewing and Chapel Service at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA Sunday, December 23, 2001 from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 P.M. Chapel Service immediately following.
3. Burial in Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, January 3, 2002 at 9:00 AM. Gather at Administration Building at 8:30 AM.
This page was last revised on: December 28, 2003.
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Arlington County Civic Federation
