FIRST WOMAN ARMY BUGLER JOINS BUGLE HALL OF FAME

[ffernbus3]

I posted this in the DCA Historical forum but didn't want the rest to miss it:

Donna Mae Smith was the first woman bugler in the history of the US Army. Later she was an instructor and, apparently, drum major of The Hormel Girls Drum & Bugle Corps, the first all woman corps to compete in The American Legion Nationals in 1947. I wrote to her some years ago while doing research on The Hormel Girls and she was very kind to reply. A very sweet woman and very modest about her place in the history of field brass.

Here's the story from her local paper:

http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20090722/NE...entprofile=1057

Be sure to watch the video at the bottom of the page.

RON HOUSLEY

Edited September 14, 2009 by ffernbus3

[Northern Thunder]

I had the pleasure of interviewing Donna when I wrote the chapter on the Hormel Girls for volume 2 of the Drum Corps World history book. She is one VERY special lady!

[ironlips]

Beautiful.

[ffernbus3]

I checked with Tom Day at Bugles Across America and he, also, had presented her with appropriate medals and certificates.

RON HOUSLEY