First woman bugler in the United States Military In 1942 while working in a Minnesota plant inspecting .30-caliber cartridges a young 22 year old Donna-Mae Baldenecker –(Burr-Smith) heard the military was accepting recruits  for the  Woman' Army Auxiliary Corps.  She wrote a letter expressing an interest in joining the first W.A.A.C. training center's band.  She got a telegram telling her to report for duty as soon as possible! She was stationed at Des Moines, Iowa and served as both a drum major and the bands only trumpet player for a while. Awakening the troops with reveille and playing taps were an every day duty for the young recruit. Every morning she arose early to start her duty by receiving a wake-up from Cpl. Robert Burr.  They were married in 1943. She rose to the rank of Sergeant.  When the Woman's Army Corp replaced the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp, she had the option of rejoining under the new branch of service. She decided to become a civilian and follow her husband to his postings. Smith kept up with her music over the years.  In 1947, she was a "mother advisor" to 65 girls playing in Hormel's All-Girl Drum Bugle Corps.
Then ...and now INSTRUMENTS: BUGLE TRUMPET CORNET MEDIUMS: Porcelain China Painting
She and her husband, Robert, had two sons, Craig and Kevin. The family settled in the San Fernando Valley in the 1950's.  Tragedy struck while the family was camping in the Utah mountains. They were exposed to a toxic cloud from government bomb testing's. Young Kevin became sick immediately and died within weeks. He was only seven years old. Robert Burr also became sick and later died of cancer in January of 1964. She was a bookkeeper and worked for the Los Angeles School System. Her wonderful attitude, confidence and knowledge and strength took her a long way job wise and she became the Financial Manager of John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, CA. ....a great accomplishment for a woman in the 1960's! In the fall of 1964, Donna-Mae met Edgar H. Smith, (father of Linda Acrey) and they were married in December 1964. They had no children together, but she helped raise his four children.  She has dedicated her life to volunteering of her time for many charitable causes. Smith has been active in Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority for over 55 years. She also volunteered her time and musical talent to playing taps at funerals for our nation's Veterans for many years. She also had an award winning fruitcake business - Donna's Delight!
	Ed and Donna-Mae moved to Nevada in the mid 1970's. While in Nevada, she took up china painting.  Her pieces are exquisite! (Each one destined to become a collector's item) She mostly paints for the enjoyment. Her designs are not original, as they are mostly from classes she has taken. But her painting is beautiful. They retired to Sutherlin, Oregon in the early 1990's.  She has shown and sold her works in several shows in the Roseburg area of Oregon and played her bugle for many events.
She taught her grandson, David Acrey, how to play the trumpet when he was about seven years old. She helped him with lessons throughout his childhood. They entertained their family and friends with their music for years. When he became of age, he joined the United States Air Force. While stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, he served in the Honor Guard and played taps at the funerals of our nation's veteran's. Her stepdaughter (Linda Acrey) created a painting in their honor titled "Generations-Patriotism Passed Down". In 1998 Smith and her daughter, Linda, went to Washington, D.C. for the dedication of the Women's War Memorial.  Donna-Mae Smith signed the charter book. Smith donated many of the newspaper clippings & other memorabilia that her mother had saved to the Memorial. She is featured playing her bugle on a national poster for Women in Service.  Her daughter also created a poster in her honor featured on her Portfolio page and is available in the Main Gallery. Edgar Smith passed away in 1996. Donna continued to volunteer her time and talent bidding our veteran's farewell military style by playing taps at their funerals in and about the area of Roseburg, Oregon.  She retired from playing her bugle and her fruitcake business in 2006 due to health reasons. She wrote a short story about her military life for author Margaret (Peggy) Parent Lutz’s book “It’s Hard to Salute Standing in a Wall Locker” A collection of WWII Memories “In their own words”.  She is also featured in several history books. For more information on Smith and other women veteran's contact or visit the Women's War Memorial, Washington D.C. For information and sales of her porcelain painting please contact her directly by mail or email through our office: Donna-Mae Smith P.O. Box 162 Sutherlin, OR 97479 email
SacramentoArt.com is not a party to offline sales or services from our advertisers