Mary Drew was born on Oct. 15, 1921 in Delhi Township, Mich., where she grew up on a farm, preferring to be outside helping her father over being inside doing housework.
After receiving her college teaching certificate in 1942, Mary joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps on Jan. 21, 1943. Her duties included teaching illiterate soldiers how to read and write at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. As a result of her education, she was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and she supervised a team of five, who assisted her in teaching.
On July 3, 1943, the new Women’s Army Corps was formed, transitioning the members to work for the Army. Mary became one of the pioneer service members of that organization. She was honorably discharged on May 30, 1944. Her awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal and the Women’s Army Corps Service Medal.
Mary met and married her husband, Paul, in Texas and in 1946 moved to Paul’s hometown of Houlton, where they raised their three children, Dennis, Gary and Margaret (Peggy). Mary and Paul, also an Army veteran, owned and operated a small family store in Houlton called Drew’s Filling Station. The family was proud of their military service and all three of their children served in the Navy. The Drews were married for 60 years.
Mary volunteered for several organizations, including fundraising for the American Red Cross, the Houlton library, and she counted ballots during elections. She was also very interested in genealogy and could trace her family back to the early 1800s.
In 2008 Mary moved from Houlton to Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou. She attends most of the home’s daily activities and enjoys being with the staff and her fellow veterans.
Thank you for your service!
