Fannin County Witnesses to History
A Joint Project of the Sam Rayburn House Historic Site and the Fannin County Historical Commission
Celebrating America 250 with Spotlights of Fannin County Citizens Who Participated In or Witnessed Historical Events
On December 7, 1942, Margaret joined the U.S. Navy as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She graduated from the Naval Post Graduate School in 1954 with a Master’s Degree in Aerological Engineering (meteorology). During her career in the WAVES and regular Navy service, Margaret worked around the world, including Rhein-Mein, Germany, in 1948 as the only WAVE operating in support during the Berlin Airlift.
After the end of WWII, the U.S., British, French and Soviet Russian governments divided the nation of Germany between themselves and occupied certain areas of it. The city of Berlin, located in Soviet-controlled East Germany, was also divided between the U.S., British, and French forces in the western parts of the city and Soviet areas in the east.
On June 24, 1948, the Soviets blocked ground transportation access to west Berlin. British, American and French forces then airlifted fuel and food to Berlin. The Soviets ended the blockade on May 12, 1949, ending the Berlin Airlift.
Later in her career, Margaret was assigned to the staff of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy in Washington, D.C. She retired in 1965 with the rank of commander. She made her way to California, where she volunteered with and served as a member of the Executive Board for the Santa Rosa Symphony.
Margaret also served as the State Vice President of the
Retired Officers Association in California. She was married to Navy Commander John Thomas McGroarty until his death. She later married Dr. John Douglas Smith. Margaret died on March 24, 2004 and is buried at Willow Wild Cemetery, F-261-3SE.
This information was obtained from the Fannin Co., Texas GenWeb (txfannin.org) and other online sources. The Sam Rayburn House SHS presented this information at their 2025 Cemetery Walking Tour.
For a copy of the 2025 Cemetery Walking Tour guide or for other information, contact the Sam Rayburn House at (903) 583-5558 or email Margo.McCutcheon@thc.texas.gov.
