Easter Posey [SEP] place of death
Easter Posey
Easter Posey (April 4, 1920 – April 21, 1942) was the first American woman killed in the line of duty during World War II. She died in an accidental explosion on the incendiary bomb manufacturing line at Huntsville Arsenal.
Background.
Born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, on Easter Sunday, Posey was named for the holiday. She was one of 18 children in her large family.
Huntsville Arsenal.
In 1941, the United States Army's Chemical Warfare Service decided to open
pay for work at the Arsenal, and both began on March 16, 1942. Easter was already engaged to be married.
The accident.
On April 21, 1942, the Posey sisters were assigned to a plant that produced four-pound incendiary bombs. Easter was assigned to a mixing machine, while Stacey worked on a filling machine. At about noon that day, an explosion took place, causing a fire inside the building. Easter Posey was the only fatality; her sister was severely injured and spent the