MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Cpl. Florence S. Dawson is a legal clerk for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and her duties include helping other service members naturalize, or gain citizenship, to America. Though she helps others, she has been fighting a war for her own citizenship for several years now.

She grew up in Saint Waast-la-vallee, France, a small rural village with a population of 600. The area, known for its involvement during both World Wars, is also relatively close to Belleau Wood, where Marines earned the name “Devil Dogs,” in WWI.

Dawson first came to America in 1998 to improve her English. She came as an au pair, which is similar to a foreign exchange student.

As an au pair, she helped her sponsor family with housework and childcare. She met a cousin of the family who she later married.

Happy with her new life in America, Dawson decided to apply for citizenship.

However, after three years she and her husband decided to go their separate ways. With the divorce, her ex-husband attempted to make her life more difficult.

He tried by sending a letter to immigration stating that their marriage was a fake. As a result, immigration told her that she was not allowed to live in America anymore.

“I lost my job and was forced to live in my car for two months,” Dawson said. “But with the help of friends I was able to fight to stay here.”

After she proved to immigration that their marriage was real, she found work in construction at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and with Sato Travel where she dealt with several hundred recruits weekly.

During this time she also learned a lot about Marine Corps customs and traditions, and met her current husband.

After two years of marriage, and with the hopes of finishing school and getting her citizenship, she decided to join the Marine Corps herself.

She faced several issues when she tried to enlist. She was 30, one year older than the maximum enlisted age, and her husband was a senior enlisted Marine. After several interviews and waivers, the commanding general of MCRD San Diego approved her enlistment.

Her friends and coworkers told her that she wouldn’t be able to make it as a Marine. That was not the case; she has excelled among her peers and was meritoriously promoted to corporal June 2.

“Dawson is head and shoulders above her peers,” said Staff Sgt. Henry W. Gonzales, the legal assistance staff non-commissioned officer in charge, MCAS Miramar. “She is the ‘go-to’ Marine and she always gets the job done.”

Dawson is currently enrolled in school and she expects to get her bachelors of science in criminal investigations within six months. After she completes her degree, she wants to continue her education to earn a masters degree in forensics.

“The Marine Corps has given me the opportunity to do what I want to do and finish school,” said Dawson. “People complain about this but it’s better than living in your car for two months.”

Although Dawson has lived in America for almost ten years and has made the sacrifice that some Americans won’t, she still continues to fight for her own naturalization.