Draft:Louise Le Breton

Louise Le Breton (1900 - 1986) was a telephone operator who served during World War I (1917-1918) with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. She was born in France and came to America as a young girl. She worked in the French Consulate. After being in America for four years, she applied for service with the American Red Cross and the YWCA. Louise was denied employment because of the age restrictions.

In November 1917, the Army was enlisting 100 French-speaking Telephone operators to serve in the AEF. Le Breton and her sister Raymonde sent applications and were accepted. They were asked to report for temporary duty. Le Breton underwent extensive training at the Sand Francisco Telephone School and then operating telephones in Richmond California.

On February 8, 1917, Le Breton received the telegram that included her orders “Pursuant to the authority of Secretary of War dated 7 April 1917, you will proceed to New York City reporting upon arrival to Mr. M. B. French, American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 195 Broadway. The travel directed is necessary in the Military Service. Transportation allowances are the same as accorded army nurses. You should apply to the nearest quartermaster for transportation. (Signed) Squier, Chief Signal Officer.” Le Breton was a "Hello Girl".

Le Breton and her sister joined 25 other women for the same journey. They were part of the First Unit, containing 33 women. February 25, 1918, they boarded the Celtic and set sail for France.

On August 25, 1918, Le Breton was promoted to supervisor and was transferred from Chaumont, Haute-Marne to the headquarters of the First Army and the Advanced Headquarters of the Service of Supplies in Neufchateau, Vosges. Le Breton believed she was enlisted from the very beginning and had said “I look back upon my military service with great pride. I take pleasure in looking at my citations from General Pershing for Meritorious Service as well as a Certificate from the War Department testifying that I rendered faithful and efficient service and all the letters of commendation which I possess.” In 1979, Le Breton and other surviving veteran women were honored by military brass during a special ceremony at the Presidio.

After Le Breton returned to the United States after World War I, she married John Kennedy Maxwell and lived in Berkely for more than 60 years. Louise helped with "Free France" efforts during World War II and was a member of the Alliance Francaise of the Eastbay.