The Historical Commission's Tale of Our Town for February

In 2020, the Historical Commission is highlighting some of the Town’s historical figures each month. This month’s tale concerns Frances Keegan Marquis, West Newbury’s most famous Army officer in World War II.

This story is about a woman who was born and raised in West Newbury, and who—notwithstanding her fame, remarkable career, and life in New York City—always maintained ties to her old hometown. In her mid-40s, she left her successful career as an executive in premier women’s organizations to join the first Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps officer training class in 1942. She was chosen to lead the country’s first women’s expeditionary force, serving in General Eisenhower’s North African Headquarters. Upon returning to civilian life, she volunteered in women’s organizations, including as an official observer at the United Nations. Frances Keegan Marquis became a life member of the West Newbury Historical Society, which houses some of her medals and papers.   

Click here to read all about it.