GI Jill

GI Jill
Born
Martha Wilkerson

May 4, 1918
Virginia, US
DiedFebruary 9, 1999(1999-02-09) (aged 80)
Pukalani, Hawaii
Occupation(s)Disc jockey, radio host
Known forGI Jive program on Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II
SpouseRobert Morton Werner (1939 - 1990, his death)
Children2 daughters

GI Jill (born Martha Wilkerson, 4 May 1918 — 9 February 1999)[1][2] was an American disc jockey and radio host, best known for presenting program's "Jack and Jill" and GI Jive, a music program on the Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II. She was notable for her positive effect of her personality and music selections[3] on American troops' morale and for being "universally credited with being the No. 1 overseas attraction"[4] on AFRS. By the end of January 1945 she had made 870 broadcasts.[5]

  1. ^ "Martha Werner: GI Jill was a radio hero for Allies". National Post. The Daily Telegraph. 27 February 1999. p. 14. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  2. ^ "Funeral Announcements". Los Angeles Times. 18 February 1999. p. A20. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  3. ^ Sies, Luther F. (2000). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920 -1960 (PDF). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 622. ISBN 0-7864-0452-3. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. ^ Gould, Paul (September 1945). "The Armed Forces Networks: Broadcasting Systems that Reach Our Boys -- Even in Foxholes" (PDF). Tune in. 3 (5): 9–11. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Radio: G.I. Jill". Time. February 5, 1945. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.