Switchboard Soldiers: A Novel of the Heroic Women Who Served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps During World War I

In June 1917, General John Pershing arrived in France to establish American forces in Europe. He needed telephone operators who could swiftly and accurately connect multiple calls, speak fluent French and English, remain steady under fire, and be utterly discreet. The U.S. Army Signal Corps promptly began recruiting them, and more than 7,600 women responded, including Grace Banker, Marie Miossec, and Valerie DeSmedt. They were among the first women sworn into the U.S. Army under the Articles of War and endured hardships and risked death or injury from gunfire, bombardments, and the Spanish Flu. Their story has never been the focus of a novel until now.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

From the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller, Jennifer Chiaverini, comes a powerful and illuminating novel that delves into one of the lesser-known yet remarkable stories of World War I: the women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. These trailblazing individuals shattered gender barriers in the military and faced a pandemic as they played a pivotal role in leading the Allies to victory.

"An eye-opening and detailed novel about remarkable female soldiers," remarked Kirkus Reviews. Chiaverini skillfully weaves the intricate threads of these brave women's lives together, showcasing their profound sense of pride and duty.

In June 1917, General John Pershing arrived in France to establish American forces in Europe. However, he quickly realized a critical challenge: communicating with troops in the field. Pershing required telephone operators who possessed exceptional skills, including the ability to connect multiple calls swiftly and accurately, speak fluent French and English, remain composed under fire, and maintain absolute discretion, as the calls often carried sensitive classified information.

At that time, nearly all well-trained American telephone operators were women. However, women were not allowed to enlist or even vote in most states. Undeterred, the U.S. Army Signal Corps initiated a recruitment drive for women.

More than 7,600 women responded to the call, including Grace Banker of New Jersey, a switchboard instructor with AT&T and a graduate of Barnard College; Marie Miossec, a Frenchwoman with a passion for opera singing; and Valerie DeSmedt, a twenty-year-old Pacific Telephone operator from Los Angeles, driven to fight for her native Belgium.

These remarkable women were among the first to be sworn into the U.S. Army under the Articles of War. In contrast, the male soldiers they had replaced needed one minute to connect each call. The switchboard soldiers, on the other hand, could accomplish the task in just ten seconds.

Deployed throughout France, including near the front lines, the operators endured numerous hardships and faced risks. They worked tirelessly to establish communication networks, ensuring that vital information flowed.

Their contributions were immense, and their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are truly awe-inspiring. The women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps played a crucial role in shaping the course of World War I and paving the way for greater gender equality in the military.

Through their stories, Chiaverini sheds light on the untold tales of these remarkable women and their unwavering determination to serve their country. "An eye-opening and detailed novel about remarkable female soldiers," remarked Kirkus Reviews. Chiaverini skillfully weaves the intricate threads of these brave women's lives together, showcasing their profound sense of pride and duty.

In June 1917, General John Pershing arrived in France to establish American forces in Europe. However, he quickly realized a critical challenge: communicating with troops in the field. Pershing required telephone operators who possessed exceptional skills, including the ability to connect multiple calls swiftly and accurately, speak fluent French and English, remain composed under fire, and maintain absolute discretion, as the calls often carried sensitive classified information.

At that time, nearly all well-trained American telephone operators were women. However, women were not allowed to enlist or even vote in most states. Undeterred, the U.S. Army Signal Corps initiated a recruitment drive for women.

More than 7,600 women responded to the call, including Grace Banker of New Jersey, a switchboard instructor with AT&T and a graduate of Barnard College; Marie Miossec, a Frenchwoman with a passion for opera singing; and Valerie DeSmedt, a twenty-year-old Pacific Telephone operator from Los Angeles, driven to fight for her native Belgium.

These remarkable women were among the first to be sworn into the U.S. Army under the Articles of War. In contrast, the male soldiers they had replaced needed one minute to connect each call. The switchboard soldiers, on the other hand, could accomplish the task in just ten seconds.

Deployed throughout France, including near the front lines, the operators endured numerous hardships and faced risks. They worked tirelessly to establish communication networks, ensuring that vital information.

Their contributions were immense, and their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are truly awe-inspiring. The women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps played a crucial role in shaping the course of World War I and paving the way for greater gender equality in the military.

Through their stories, Chiaverini sheds light on the untold tales of these remarkable women and their unwavering determination to serve their country. "An eye-opening and detailed novel about remarkable female soldiers," remarked Kirkus Reviews. Chiaverini skillfully weaves the intricate threads of these brave women's lives together, showcasing their profound sense of pride and duty.

Weight: 331g
Dimension: 203 x 135 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780063080706