LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — At 99 years old, Las Vegas resident Linda Albanese can still vividly recall the precision work she did on military aircraft during World War II — and how different the job was from aviation work today.
Albanese was among the many women who supported the United States during the war, taking on roles that became synonymous with the “Rosie the Riveter” era.
She said she and her friend, Anita, decided to train for the war effort.
“We decided we would go to vocational school, to do something for the war effort,” Albanese said.
At 17, Albanese and Anita traveled from Arizona to San Bernardino, California, to work on airplanes.
“We were in a deepened war,” she said.
Albanese said her work included repairing and building aircraft, including F-86s and P-38s. She described the physical demands of the job, including climbing onto planes and wearing overalls.
Before pilots boarded, Albanese worked on repairing instruments and installing parts throughout the aircraft. She said she was allowed onto what she described as the biggest plane made at the time because of her work on aircraft instruments.
“I was allowed to come on it because I did red-lighting of the instruments,” she said.
Away from the aircraft, Albanese said there was time for dancing — something that became a key part of her personal story.
“We did a lot of dancing, working, and dancing,” she said.
It was through dancing that she met her husband, Andy. Albanese recalled his words when he saw her.
“He said I’m going to marry that woman right there,” she said, laughing.
Linda and Andy were married for 60 years and had three boys. Andy died several years ago, but Albanese said she continues to hold onto memories of her teenage years, her early marriage, and her role in supporting the country during World War II.
