Today's throwback Thursday photograph shows Owego, New York, native Corporal Margaret Hastings on her Victory Bond tour at the close of World War II.In Spring, 1945, Owego native Corporal Margaret Hastings boarded a transport plane with 23 other service men and women. It was for a sightseeing trip over the uncharted jungles of Papua New Guinea. But the trip ended when the plane crashed violently into the side of a mountain.Cpl. Hastings was one of only three survivors. The small group eventually found refuge with a tribe of locals, were rescued from the jungle over a month after the crash. The story of Hastings’ ordeal made her a media sensation in America. She received a hero’s welcome when she got back to Owego, and gave over 200 speeches on her Victory Bond tour.On Friday, a new historic marker will be dedicated in Owego honoring the life and service of Cpl. Hastings. The new marker will be located at Cpl. Hastings former residence in Owego. It will be the first historic marker in New York State honoring a female veteran.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDeTx8s7ofg
Edit: An earlier version of this story stated that this was the first historic marker in Tioga County honoring a female veteran. The story has been updated to indicate that it is actually the first historic marker of its kind honoring a female veteran in New York State.