This week in Indiana’s history …
1918 – Opha May Johnson of Kokomo signed up for the Marine Corps, becoming the first official woman Marine. She was soon promoted to sergeant and handled critical clerical jobs necessary during World War I. She was the highest-ranking woman in the Marine Corps during her time in service. Later she served as a clerk in the War Department.
1931 – “Take the world with you to uninhabited places” declared Indiana newspaper ads for the Motorola “auto radio.” New technology made it possible for cars to receive clear broadcast signals as they moved from place to place. A recent study by the Radio Manufacturers Association indicated that “the new motor-car radio does not increase driving dangers nor distract drivers’ attention.”
1945 – Japanese forces surrendered, ending World War II. Cheering crowds filled the streets of cities in Indiana and across America as millions celebrated the end of the war, which for the United States had lasted almost four years. Approximately 338,000 men and 118,000 women from Indiana were in uniform.
1951 – Samuel Woodfill died on his farm near Vevay. A major in the United States Army, he was a veteran of World War I and World War II. Winner of the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Honor, and the French Croix de Guerre, he was one of the most decorated soldiers of the 20th Century.
1976 – Oscar McKinley Charleston was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Born in Indianapolis, he was a batboy for the Indianapolis ABC’s before beginning a long career in the Negro Leagues. His best season was in 1921 with the St. Louis Giants when he hit 15 homeruns, 12 triples and 17 doubles, stole 31 bases, and had a .437 batting average.
2011 – Wind gusts from an approaching thunderstorm caused a stage to collapse at the Indiana State Fair. A large crowd had gathered to be entertained by the band “Sugarland.” Just before they came on stage, the storm struck and caused a temporary roof to fall onto a crowd of spectators, killing seven people and injuring 58.