"Whole nine yards" : some negative evidence [addendum]

[Sam Clements]

A question:

If my memory is correct, Elaine Shepard, the author of "Doom Pussy," was
previously married(1950's) to a military person.  I think I read this on the
dust jacket of the book. Or perhaps it was her "Forgive Us Our Press Passes"
book.

Anyway, do you Doug, or anyone else have a speculation on whether Ms.
Shepard picked up the phrase from some of the pilots she was living with at
the time in Vietnam, or could she have picked it up from her earlier
association with the military?