Meet the 100-Year-Old Woman from the WWII “Rosie the Riveter” Crew at the Burbank Aircraft Plant

Jennifer McMullen recently turned 100, surrounded by family and friends at Oakmont of Whittier. She’s not only reached a rare milestone in age, but also holds an important place in World War II history. McMullen was part of the group often called the “Rosie the Riveter” crew, made up of women who worked in American factories during the war.

Working the Night Shift in Burbank

At only 18 years old, McMullen moved from Ohio to California and started working the night shift at the Lockheed Aircraft Plant in Burbank. Like many women of that time, she filled a role left open when men went off to fight. Her job was to work on parts of airplanes—mostly the wings—doing skilled rivet work through long nights.

She recalls how the entire plant was hidden beneath a large tarp designed to look like a small town from the air. Fire hydrants, roads, and flowers were painted on top to make it seem like an ordinary neighborhood. Underneath, she and her coworkers kept the production lines moving, helping to build aircraft for the military.

Life at War and at Home

McMullen didn’t see the final aircraft come together, but her work helped build the wings that kept them in the sky. Her husband, Melvin, served overseas in the war as a nose turret gunner aboard B-24 bombers. He was part of the all-volunteer Flying Tigers and was stationed in China and India during his service.

After the war, Melvin returned home, and the two met soon after. They have now been together for 78 years. Looking back, Melvin credits their long life together to a strong, close family. “We all get along,” he said. McMullen smiled and added, “Here we are still happy, still healthy, and 100 years old.”