Jane Armitage was a school teacher from Columbus, Ohio. She married United States Army officer Fletcher "Fletch" Armitage, and moved with him to Wahiawa, Hawaii. Early in 1941, frustrated with Fletch's devotion to duty at her expense and his excessive drinking, Jane kicked him out of the apartment she shared with Fletch and began the process of filing for divorce. Anticipating food shortages, the Japanese dragooned Jane into becoming a gardener. Jane proved successful at growing turnips and potatoes, and was able to eke out a living for herself.