Exhibit R - Wears Uniform of U.S. Signal Corps - 1918

May 6, 1918.—Adele Hoppock, a senior at the University of Washington, who left early in the year for the training school in San Francisco for telephone operators in the signal corps, left New York last week for France, according to information received on the campus.

She was the only Western girl who started across at this time, because of crowded transportation facilities. It is thought that she left on the largest transport afloat, formerly the Vaterland, which was to carry 4,000 soldiers.

The telephone girls travel as officers, so only small units can be accommodated at one time. While in New York the operators, in their new navy blue uniforms, attracted much attention. Before sailing each girl was presented with a ten-pound box of candy by the telephone company.

"[Exhibit R]: Affidavit of Gertrude Hoppock: Termination of Services - Wears Uniform of U.S. Signal Corps, 6 May 1918," in Recognition for Purposes of VA Benefits, Hearing before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Unted States Senate, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session on S. 247, S. 1414, S. 129, and Related Bills. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 25 May 1977. p. 374.