Forged in Fire by Robert L. Gangwere

Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War

Serving Up Coffee, Doughnuts, and Hope to GIs in World War II, Young Woman Overcomes Loss and Finds New Purpose

Traverse City, Michigan—There are countless tales about the resilience, patriotism, and virtue of the Greatest Generation. Blockbuster movies and bestselling books chronicle the service and sacrifices of soldiers—typically men—during World War II. In Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War, Mission Point Press, (July 10, 2025), author Robert L. Gangwere shifts the focus to women as he shares the inspirational story of his mother, Blanche Gregory Barnes. Blanche served in the Red Cross’s World War II clubmobile program, and just as noteworthy—if not more so—is Blanche herself.

Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War

After suffering a heartbreaking loss, Blanche was selected by the Red Cross for overseas service in 1944, joining other American women to serve up coffee, doughnuts, music, and hope to war-weary American GIs. Forged in Fire captures the journey of a sheltered, Midwestern woman as she experiences moments she never could have imagined—from crossing paths with General George S. Patton, Jr., and Marlene Dietrich, to learning to drive a truck, fly a plane, and cruising the Danube River on Hitler’s yacht.

American History Meets Family History

The road to publication was an endearing journey of mother and son. Gangwere first interviewed Blanche in 1978 and continued to ask questions every chance he had. “Mom had an outstanding memory and seemed to enjoy our conversations, although she was always a bit shy when talking about herself with strangers. Researching and writing about my mother’s WWII experiences was the perfect blend of my love for American history with my interest in family history. It was an opportunity for me to get to know my mother on another level,” he shared.

Forged in Fire recounts moments both adventurous and introspective for Blanche. Gangwere proudly shared a favorite story. “In late 1944, Blanche and two others were serving coffee and doughnuts to a company of African American soldiers. While chatting with a junior officer, their conversation turned to dancing and Blanche sadly commented that she never learned how to jitterbug. The officer offered to teach her and an impromptu dance lesson was held. Soldiers gathered around and shouted encouragement. She soon got the hang of it and was delighted.”

Not so the captain of the clubmobile. Failing to get a commitment from Blanche to never do such a thing again, she was ordered to a meeting with her supervisors and told she had “endangered the other Red Cross girls” by leaving the clubmobile and dancing with an African American soldier.

“Flabbergasted, she calmly pointed out that all soldiers, no matter their race, were risking their lives for their country and if an African American GI asked her to dance again, she would do so. With that unequivocal and unambiguous declaration, the conversation was terminated. It was decided it was a risk to dismiss her for fear of negative publicity. Instead, the Red Cross avoided the issue by never asking her clubmobile to serve African American soldiers again.”

The Author

Robert Gangwere is a retired administrative law, real estate, and ethics attorney, and an active historian and genealogist. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in American history from the University of Missouri–Columbia, and a law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC). He’s the co-author of Kansas City: A Place in Time (second edition) and a former member of the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission. Since retirement, he has taught several American history courses for seniors funded through a grant program and hosted by UMKC. Gangwere is married with two children and five grandchildren.

The Book

Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War

Robert L. Gangwere

278 pages, 6 x 9 inches, B/W

Biography & Autobiography, Fire & Emergency Services, Wars & Conflicts, World War II, European Theater, Women

ISBN: 978-1-965278-72-7, $26.95 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-965278-42-0, $18.95 (Softcover)

Mission Point Press, July 10, 2025

Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its July 10 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at robert.gangwere@hotmail.com.  

Visit robertgangwere.com for more book details, historical clubmobile photographs, and a master list of all 851 women who served in the Clubmobile Department in the European Theater of Operations.