Reston in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Julia Anna Gardner (1882-1960), Ph.D.
Geologist, Paleontologist
USGS: Science for a changing world
June 10, 2019
1. Julia Anna Gardner (1882-1960), Ph.D. Marker
After earning her doctorate in geology from Johns Hopkins University (1911), Julia Anna Gardner worked for the USGS as a contractor. In 1917 during World War I, she volunteered as an auxiliary nurse with the Red Cross in France, often working on the front lines. In 1920, she rejoined the USGS and studied the coastal plain along the Atlantic and Gulf shores from Maryland to Mexico. She produced over forty scientific reports and papers.
During WWII, she was part of the USGS Military Geology Unit (MGU), which provided maps, aerial photographs, and other related information to the military. During this tour of duty, Dr. Gardner helped to identify beaches in Japan from which balloon-borne incendiary bombs were launched against the Pacific coast of the United States. Using her knowledge of coastal paleontology, she identified marine animal shells from Japanese beaches in the sand ballast of the balloons.
Dr. Gardner served as President of the Paleontological Society, and Vice President of the Geological Society of America. Upon her retirement from the USGS in 1952, she was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the U.S.
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Erected by United States Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, World I • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 38° 56.893′ N, 77° 22.136′ W. Marker is in Reston, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from U.S. Geological Survey Drive south of Sunrise Valley Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston VA 20191, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Randolph Wilson Bromery (1926-2013), Ph.D. (here, next to this marker); John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) (a few steps from this marker); Veteran's Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); "October Glory" Red Maple (within shouting distance of this marker); The Robert E. Simon, Jr. Plaza (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sunset Hills Station (approx. 1.1 miles away); Train Wrecks (approx. 1.1 miles away); Herndon: A Summer Resort (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reston.
June 10, 2019
2. Julia Anna Gardner (1882-1960), Ph.D. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2019. This page has been viewed 332 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 10, 2019.
