From the mountains of West Virginia, Betty found the character and courage to join the Women's Army Corp and find a new life. She also found her husband of 58 years there and made a wonderful contribution to the world.
Before the USA was thrust into World War II, Betty Nugen was a farm girl in the mountains of West Virginia. When Congress created the WAC—the Women’s Army Corp—she knew that was where she should be. Serving her country.
Elaine Fields Smith gathered information from memories of her mother, Betty, from family stories and historical facts to create this story of a young woman who found a new life away from the only home she ever had known.
Before Betty passed away, Elaine had a question: “Why did you join the WAC? Was it to get off the mountain?” Her answer was as solid as a rock. “Certainly not. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time.” That may be true, but the WAC did get her off that mountain and into the arms of the man she would love forever.
Professional Reviews
A Moving Tale of True American Heroism
"War had taken to the skies and America was now involved."
Girl with a Star Spangled Heart, the true story of Betty Nugen, a small-town farm girl who joined the Women's Army Corp to serve in World War II.
This is a story of true American heroism, family, patriotism, and honor. Written with love and passion by Betty's daughter, Elaine Fields Smith. The book is beautiful crafted, with fun, witty dialogue, moving memories, and lo and behold, even a bit of romance, which was so beautiful, considering how long Betty waited for the right man, Glenn Fields.
This is a book that everyone needs to read. In a time of political corruption, distrust, and polarization, in a time of celebrity worship and idolizing women for looks alone, Girl With A Star Spangled Heart is a wonderful reminder that a woman is so much more than physical beauty. Betty Nugen is the role model that I didn't even know I was looking for. She's courageous, honorable, intelligent, strong, patient, and she follows her heart and her calling to the bitter end. She is a role model for the generations, and especially for the young women today who are told that we are worthless unless we're pretty, unless we're married, unless we're a size two, etc… Thank you, Ms. Smith, for sharing your mother's extraordinary tale with us. It is one that I will not soon forget.
Historical Story With Heart
An era in American history of family values and patriotism comes to life in the true story told by the author, Elaine Smith, with love and skill. She returns to the engaging style of writing she showed in her first novel, Ridin' Around, which was also based on real people and times.
Autumn 1940. Germany invades Britain. Newport is blitzed. Danny O’Shea’s house is bombed, his wife is killed. While taking his young son Adam to neutral Ireland, they witness an attack on a German convoy. The result is brutal.
Shanghai Escapist grabs the faint-of-heart right from the get-go and serves up an ultimatum: What would you do if caught in the same circumstances? From the opening scene, the reader is tossed into the maze of daily intrigue as it existed in 1960s-70
