Madeline Buchek, one of the first females to complete the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve training in the early 1940s is celebrating her 100th birthday.
Buchek, born and raised in the small, tight-knit community of Whitney, attended St. Cecilia Catholic School and graduated from the former Latrobe High School. She went on to work for Bell Telephone before entering the Marine Corps.
Buchek was proud of her time spent in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve early on when the commandant of the Marine Corps opened its ranks to women. Buchek graduated and reported to active duty in April 1943.
The Commissioners of Westmoreland County, Gina Cerilli, Ted Kopas and Charles W. Anderson do hereby recognize Madeline Buchek for all she has accomplished.