Excerpt from August 13, 1942 Letter from Janie to Johnny:
This morning they told me I was a “primer feeder”; in other words I insert the bullet case into the machine. This department is rather dangerous, as no matter what they do there is at least one explosion every day. So I have to have safety glasses with special lenses, and I have to wait for a week for them because as I am wearer of glasses. Anyhow, the lenses have to be ground according to my eyesight. So while I’m waiting, I will have to be up “packer” but as soon as I’m equipped with the right safety glasses I start on my machine. I pledge 10% of my earnings for bonds and took out accident insurance. So I’m all set. I make 45¢ and I work 48 hours a week. I get time and a half for the last eight hours. Then, 2 weeks after my first paycheck, I received 9¢ an hour increase. (My first paycheck will be Friday on the 28th). Which will make 40 hours at 54¢ and eight hours at 81¢ in other words $28.08 a week. (Now I am making $23.80 per week, not bad huh!) I’m going to save 1/3 of each paycheck, which will be about $30 a month. Christmas is four months away which will be $120 and by July I will have about $250, which will enable me to fly one-way O.K.? O.K.! Now I told you my plans, why don’t you tell me yours?,
Well Hon, that’s about all. I miss you more than ever since last night.
All of the love & xxxxxxxxxx’s I have “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Thanks again Honey
(Fun Facts: DMOP Des Moines Ordnance Plant ~ Six to eight sites surrounding Des Moines were originally considered for the small arms cartridge plant, but a signed United States court order on Monday, July 7th, gave the War Department immediate possession of 2,445 acres southwest of Ankeny for the proposed $30,000,000 small arms ammunition plant. A second area of over 2,000 acres for a rifle range would be added to this site at a later date. The entire site was approximately three miles long and two miles wide with thirty-nine parcels of land owned by seventy-five persons and firms. Although the War Department could take immediate action due to an emergency wartime statute, the land would be appraised and purchased with possible appeals. This site was just ten miles north of Des Moines on the outskirts of the small town of Ankeny. .-“206 ~ ^^Des Moines Tribune, 7 July 1941.
Almost 45% of the workforce were women. A noisy, dangerous and complicated effort continued 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 4 1/2 years. Most of the hourly production works earned 45-50 ¢ an hour which in 2016 money would be equal to $7.00 to $8.00 an hour. The ordnance plant also had its own fire department and hospital. (© 2018 by Ankeny Area Historical Society)
Johnny & Jane 