Eva T. Tinnesz Papers, MSS.4139

Abstract: Papers and memorabilia of a United States Coast Guard Women's Reservist during World War IIScope and Content Note: The collection contains the papers and memorabilia of Eva Tinnesz, a United States Coast Guard Women's Reservist during World War II. Included are telegrams and postcards to and from her sister Katy (who was also in the Women's Reserve which was known as SPARS - an acronym for the Coast Guard motto "Semper Paratus/Always Ready"), her enlistment and discharge papers and certificates, diplomas, photographs, and other papers including a 1918 U. S. Department of Justice Registration Card of Alien Female for Louise Schaeffler. Her garrison cap and bucket hat are also part of the collection.Biographical/Historical Note: Eva T. Tinnesz, daughter of Peter and Eva Tinnesz, was born on June 29, 1924, in Bronx, New York. Her parents and older sister Katie (Katy) immigrated from Hungary the year before and settled in Bronx. She graduated from Morris High School in January 1941 and enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard Women's Reserves on August 12, 1944. She did her basic training at Hunter College's Bronx campus, and later attended the Coast Guard Institute in Palm Beach, Florida. She graduated in August 22, 1945, as a yeoman second class, and spent the majority of her enlistment in and around San Francisco. Her sister Katy also served in the Women's Reserve stationed in Washington, D.C., and the collection includes a very nice portrait of the two of them in uniform. Eva received an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard on May 26, 1946. In 1966, she married Lawrence G. Paul. Being dedicated naturalists, they worked at the Long Island Conservancy until their deaths. Eva died on April 26, 2013, and Lawrence died barely a month later on June 3