The doctor finally resumed his remarks, “Obviously your problem will have to be resolved by the doctors in the good old U.S.A. but—I can make it easier for you in getting back home without you having to suffer more embarrassment than you are suffering at this minute."

Instead of having the repatriation forms filled out in the usual manner, he completed them himself, entering her name as Michele Duval, 2nd Lt., Registered Nurse. Then he explained why this was done.

"You will be able to leave for home this evening-as an officer—and you will be flown back which will be much faster. You will be less conspicuous as an R.N., and also you can report to the Air Force Hospital in Miami with a minimum amount of attention to yourself. I will radio full details to Dr. Hammer who is in charge at the hospital and I feel certain that he can resolve this problem satisfactorily for you," the doctor concluded.

An orderly led Michele to the private room where her new clothing issue had been delivered and she gratefully donned the trim nurses dress; uniform and for the first time, a pair of nylon hose not available in occupied France.

The feel of the nylons against her legs gave her a warm feeling which grew as she adjusted the seams of her hose and regarded herself with satisfaction in the mirror on the wall. She was thrilled with her new military appearance and thought how much Yvette would have admired her new outfit. She placed her few personal belongings consisting mainly of makeup and costume jewelry into the military handbag she now owned and packed the extra clothing issue into her new Army Travel Bag before returning to the doctor's office.

She was driven to the Paris airport and during the brief meal before boarding her plane she had occasion to talk with others who did not know of her background as Michael.

Two WAC officers sat down on each side of her and soon were talking of their experiences in the war and expressing how happy they were to be going home. When they inquired why she was being returned since most medical personnel were not, she found the need, for the first time, of creating a "cover story.'

"I was captured by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge," she impro- vised. "I am being returned for recuperation. If you will excuse me, I would prefer not to talk about my experiences--they were not pleasant."

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