PHM3 US Navy, Ernestina Herminia Quintana Buckley
Born: November 4, 1922
Died: June 11, 1989
Burial Site: SFNC, Section 5, Site 141
Ernestina Herminia Quintana (Buckley) joined the Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) in 1943, one of the first women to join from Santa Fe. 1, 2, 3 She joined in part to search for her brother Pat Quintana, an Army soldier who went missing in Bataan. 4 She completed basic training at Hunter College in New York City where she served as a platoon leader. 5, 6 Following basic training, Quintana received a month of hospital corps training at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. 5, 6, 7 She said of her training, “The training was rather intensive but now I’m glad it was. It will help me in trying for promotion to pharmacist’s mate.” 5 Her first post of duty was at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. 8 She was honorably discharged in December 1945. 7
Quintana Buckley was born to Patricio and Abelina Quintana in Cuervo, New Mexico. 4 She graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1941 and was active in the New Mexico State Guard Women’s Auxiliary. 2
Images & Documents
Buckley, Ernestina Quintana D1
“Two Santa Fe Girls Joins WAVES,” Santa Fe New Mexican, April 16, 1943, 2. Newspapers.com.
Buckley, Ernestina Quintana D2
“Jane Means and Ernestine Quintana Receive Navy Congratulations; Take Oath as WAVES,” Santa Fe New Mexican, May 14, 1943, 3. Newspapers.com.
Buckley, Ernestina Quintana D3
“Ernestine Quintana as WAVE Marches before Madam Chiang Kai-shek; to Join Hospital Corps in Pensacola,” The Santa Fe New Mexican, July 21, 1943, 3. Newspapers.com.
Buckley, Ernestina Quintana D4
“Ernestine Quintana, Santa Fe, Tells What Happened to a Girl in the WAVES,” The Albuquerque Tribune, July 23, 1943, 4. Newspapers.com.
Buckley, Ernestina Quintana D5
“Ernestina Q. Buckley,” The Santa Fe New Mexican, June 22, 1989, 4. Newspapers.com.
Buckley, Ernestina Quintana D6
New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Subsubseries: Military Discharges; Box Number: 16627; Box Title: Military Discharges Qooline – Ramsey
Notes:
1. “Two Santa Fe Girls Joins WAVES,” Santa Fe New Mexican, April 16, 1943, 2. Newspapers.com.
2. “Jane Means and Ernestine Quintana Receive Navy Congratulations; Take Oath as WAVES,” Santa Fe New Mexican, May 14, 1943, 3. Newspapers.com.
3. “C of C to Give Corsages to Navy Waves,” Santa Fe New Mexican, May 13, 1943, 8. Newspapers.com.
4. “Ernestina Q. Buckley,” The Santa Fe New Mexican, June 22, 1989, A-4. Newspapers.com.
5. “Ernestine Quintana, Santa Fe, Tells What Happened to a Girl in the WAVES,” The Albuquerque Tribune, July 23, 1943, 4. Newspapers.com.
6. “Ernestine Quintana as WAVE Marches before Madam Chiang Kai-shek; to Join Hospital Corps in Pensacola,” The Santa Fe New Mexican, July 21, 1943, 3. Newspapers.com.
7. New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Subsubseries: Military Discharges; Box Number: 16627; Box Title: Military Discharges Qooline – Ramsey
8. “Corporal Died in Philippines,” Santa Fe New Mexican, July 17, 1945, 1. Newspapers.com.
Featured Image:
“Jane Means and Ernestine Quintana Receive Navy Congratulations; Take Oath as WAVES,” Santa Fe New Mexican, May 14, 1943, 3. Newspapers.com.
Prepared by Sue Ruth, Ph.D., Central New Mexico Community College