Calista Louise Bliler was born on January 27, 1912. Bliler was raised in California, and was an author and elementary school teacher prior to joining the WAVES. She volunteered for service in 1942, and completed training at Hunter College in the Bronx before reporting to Lakehurst, New Jersey for Aerographer training. Bliler continued teaching elementary school after leaving the Navy in 1946. 

View the Finding Aid for the Calista Bliler collection here.  

Calista Louise Bliler Collection

6” x 4”

Photograph of Calista Louisa Bliler in uniform, approximately 1942 – 1946.

Calista Louise Bliler

3” x 2”

This “Enlisted Men’s Pass” was Calista Louise Bliler’s pass onto the U.S. Naval Air Station in Dallas, Texas. She served as the first female ranking officer for the WAVES at this Air Station.

 

Calista Louise Bliler Collection
 

This paper is one of the many targets that Calista Louise Bliler used to practice her marksmanship. Other WAVES members would have used similar targets to practice.