document resume ed 280 948 institution 86 255p. · document resume. ce 046 654. stremlow, mary v. a...

ED 280 948

AUTHORTITLEINSTITUTIONPUB DATENOTEAVAILABLE FROM

PUB TYPE

EDRS PRICEDESCRIPTORS

IDENTIFIERS

DOCUMENT RESUME

CE 046 654

Stremlow, Mary V.A History of the Women Marines, 1946-1977.Marine Corps Washington, D.C.86255p.Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government PrintingOffice, Washington, DC 20402.Historical Materials (060)

MF01/PC11 Plus Postage.Adult Educatipn; Adults; *Armed Forces; EnlistedPersonnel; *Females; *Military Personnel; *MilitaryService; Military Training; Officer Personnel*Marine Corps

ABSTRACTThis monograph recounts the events that brought about

the change from women as Marine Reservists only to the integration ofwomen into the Marine Corps. Chapters 1-8 trace the status of womenin the Marines beginning with demobilization plans for the Women'sReserve following World War II. They discuss the Women's Armed ForcesLegislation; integration of women into the regular Marine Corps; theReserve and regular corps women in the Korean War; utilization andnumbers from 1951 to 1963, from 1964 to 1972, and from 1973 to 1977;and the Reserves after Korea. Chapter 9 describes recruit training;the focus of chapter 10 is officer training. Chapter 11, onadministration of women, considers supervision and guidance of womenMarines, the daily routine, and discipline. Promotions are discussedin chapter 12. Chapter 13 considers marriage, motherhood, anddependent husbands. Chapter 14 describes uniforms. Focuses of chapter15 are laurels (decorations) and traditions. Chapters 36 and 17 offerbrief biographies of the Sergeants Major of Women Marines and theDirectors of Women Marines. Appendixes include listings of womenMarines' strength (1948-1977), eligible occupational fields, andunits (1946-1977). (YLB)

***********************************************************************Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made

from the original document.***********************************************************************

-""""V^"

1

O."

-':',.' U. OEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ".:-.,Office E allonal Researsn and ImprovenienN

_EMI ATIONAL_RESOUKES INFORMATIOW:4... CENTER :RIC)

ttrihis document has been reproduced 'tweceived from the person or organization4,

O originating it, CI Minor changes have been made to improve.

reproduction quainy

Points of view or opin....ns stated in this doctf-;ment do not necessarily,repres.ent officiapOERI position or PolicY

litiirMeftt

COVER: On 4 November 1948, the Com-mandant of the Marine Corps, Gen CliftonB. Cates administers the oath to the first threewomen to be sworn into the Regular MarineCorps. 7:1:ey are (left to right) LtCol Kather-ine A. Towle, Magulia E. Hamblet, and 1stLtMary J. Hale.

A HISTORY OF THEWOMEN MARINES,

1946-1977

by

Colonel Mary V. Stremlow, U.S. Marine Corps Reseive

HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISIONHEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS

WASHINGTON, D.C.

1986

Foreword

Despite the acknowledged contribution made by the 20,000 women Reservists who served in theMarine Corps during World War II, there was no thought in 1946 of maintaining women on activeduty or, for that matter, even in the Reserve forces. This volume recounts the events that broughtabout the change in thinking on the part of Marines, both men and women, that led to the integra,tion of women into the Corps, to the point where they now constitute eight percent of our strength.

The project was the idea of Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer, who, in 1975, as the last Direr.tor of Women Marines, noted that the phasing out of women-only organizations marked thc startof a new era for women in the Corps, and the end of an old one. Further, she rightly rea.;oned thatthe increased assimilation of women would make the historical trail of women in Marine Corps difficultto follow.

The story is drawn from official reports, documents, personal interviews, and transcribed remi-niscences collected by the author and preserved by the Oral History and Archives Sections of theHistory and Museums Division.

The pattern set during World War II of coiling women Reservists "WRs" was followed after thepassage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948 by referring to the women as "WomenMarines," or more often as "WMs." In the mid-1970s there was a mood to erase all appearancesof a separate organization for women in the Marine Corps and an effort was made to refer tc thewomen simply as Marines. When it was necessary to distinguish between the sexes, the noun "wom-an" with a lower case "w" was used as an adjective. Thus, throughout the text the terms "WR" and

are used only when dictated by the context.The comment edition of this manuscript was read by many Marines, men and women, who were

directly associated with the events. All but one of the former Directors of Women Marines con-tributed to the work and reviewed the manuscript draft. Unfortunately, Colonel Katherine A. Towlewas too ill to participate.

The author, Colonel Mary V. Stremlow, now a retired Reservist, has a bachelor of science degreefrom New York State University College at Buffalo. She counts three other women Marines in herfamily two aunts, Corporal Rose M. Nigro and Master Sergeant Petrina C. Nigro, who served asWRs in World War II, and her sister, retired Major Carol Vertalino Diliberto. Colonel Stremlowcame to the History and Museums Division in 1976 with experience as a company commander; S-3;executive officer of Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island; inspertor-instructor of Wom-en Reserve Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion, Boston; instructor at the Woman .ifficer School, Quanti-co; and woman officer selection officer for the 1st Marine Corps District.

In the interests of accuracy and objectivity, the History and Museums Division welcomes com-ments on this history from interested individuals.

E. H. SIMMONSBrigadier General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)

Director of Marine Corps History and Museums

5

...,=4..Preface

A Hiitory of the Women Marines, 1946-1977 is almost entirely derived from raw files, interviewsand conversations, newspaper articles, muster rolls and unit diaries, and materials loaned by Ma-rincs. There was no one large bon:7 of records available. In the course of the project, more than390 letters were writte n. to individuals, smeral mass mailings were made, and notices soliciting infor-mation were printed in all post and .station newspapers, Leatherneck, Marine Corps Gazette , RetiredMarine, and the newsletters of Marine Corps associations. More than 100 written responses werereceived and some womeii Marines generously loaned us personal papers and precious scrapbooks.Especially helpful in piecing together the events between World War II and the passage of the Wom-en's Armed Services Integratien Act were the scrapbooks of former Director of Women Marines ColonelJulia E. Hambler, and former WR Dorothy M. Munroe. Taped interviews were conducted with 32womein, including former Director of the Women's Reserve Colonel Ruth Cheney Streeter.

Researching this history was a challenge. Women's units were extremely difficult to find. Onlythose labeled "Women Marine Company" were easily identified. At times, days were spent screen-ing the muster rolls of all the companies of all the battalions on a base looking for one with person-nel having feminine first names. More recent unit diaries were even less useful since they are notsigned by commanding officers and initials are used rather than first names. To add to the problem,the Corps had no system that permits a researcher to find a married woman when only her maidenname is known, or vice versa.

The author and the women Marines whose story is told in this monograph owe a special debtof gratitude to Master Sergeant Laura J. Dennis, USMCR, now retired, who from January to October1977 voluntarily worked several days a week at the History and Museums Division, doing the pains-taking research that resulted in the publication of much re material than would have been other-wise possible. Had it not been for her tenacity and dogged determination, easily 100 names, nowdocumented for posterity, would not have made it to these pages. She tracked vague but importantleads that the author, because of limited time allowed for the study, could not. Later, as a civilianvolunteer, she shepherded the work through the comment edition stage and assisted in the searchand fmal selection of photographs.

Master Sergeant Dennis also induced Colonel Agnes M. Kennedy, USMCR, to volunteer for thedifficult task of indexing the manuscript. In the process, Colonel Kennedy further assisted in check-ing and verifying hundreds of names cited. Her own experience as i Marine officer enabled her alsoto make other valuable comments.

The manuscript was prepared under the editorial direction of M.. Henry I. Shaw, Jr., chief historianof the History and Museums Division. Teacher and mentor, hr encouraged the author to take thestep from merely parroting a string of facts to presenting interp etations as appeared justified. Morethan 100 Marines reviewed the draft edition and, thanks in large measure to Mr. Shaw's expertguidance, few took is,sue with the historical facts or the interpretations of those facts.

The author also received valuable assistance from Mrs. Catherine A. Kerns, of the division's Pub-lications Production Section, who prepared the typeset version of the manuscript, offering numer-ous stylistic suggestions in the process, and who was particularly helpful in the rendering of captions

for photographs and in designing the tables which appear both within the text and in the appen-dices. Thanks also are due to Mr. W. Stephen Hill, the division's graphic artist, who is the book'sdesigner, and who prepared all of the boards used in printing. His contribution has been to enhancethe usefulness of the book by making its appearance especially attractive.

72-7 I ,,te.nuiez..-

MARY V. STREMLOWColonel, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve

7

Table of Contents

PageForewordPrefaceTable of Contents vii

Introduction 1

CHAPTER 1 A Time of Uncertainty, 1946-1948 3

A Time of Uncertainty 3

Postwar Women's Reserve Board 4Termination of the Wartime MCWR 5

Retention of the WRs at HQMC 5

A New Director 6The Volunteer Women's Reserve 7

4th Anniversary Celebration, 13 February 1947 7

The Women's VTUs 8Plans for the Organized Reserve 11

Release of the WRs Delayed Again 11

Stenographers Recalled 13

CHAPTER 2 Women's Armed Forces Legislation: Public Law 625 15

Women's Armed Forces Legislation 15

Provisions of Public Law 625 18

CHAPTER 3 Going Regular 21

The Transfer Program 21

Establishing the Office and Title, Director of Women Marines 23The First Enlisted Women Marines 24The Pioneers 2!"

Reindoctrination of the Officers 25Reindoctrination of Enlisted WMs 26Designation of Women Marines 27Recwit Training Established at Parris Island 27The First Black Women Marines 31

Establishing the Women Officers Training Class at Quantico 33

CHAPTER 4 Th,. Korean War Years 39Organized Reserve Gets Undetway 39Mission and Administration 39The First Seven WR PlatoonsAdd Six More Platoons 42Mobilization of Organized Reserve Units, Korea 44Volunteer Reservists Answer the Call 46Women Marines Return to Posts and Stations 46

vii

Korean War Brings Changes to Recruit Training 53A Few Changes at Officer Candidates School 53The Korean Years, Reprise 54

CHAPTER 5 Utilization and Numbers, 1951-1963 57Utilization of Women Marines, Evolution of a Policy 57Report of Procedures Analysis Office, 1951 57Women Officers' MOSs, 1948-1953 601950-1953 Summary 621954-1964 62Numbers 62Utilization, 1954-1964 62Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Officers 63Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Staff Noncommissioned Officers 65Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School 65A Woman in the Fleet Marine Force 681954-1964 Summary

CHAPTER 6 Utilization and Numbers: Pepper Board, 1964-1972 69The Pepper Board 71Women Marine Program Revitalized, 1965-1973 73Strength Increases 73Women Officers Specialist Training, 1965-1973 74Women Lawyers and Judges, A Beginning 75Professional Training 76Amphibious Warfare School 76Post-Graduate Schooling 76Command and Staff College 76The Armed Forces Staff College 77Advanced Training and Assignment of Enlisted Woman Marines, 1965-1973 77New Woman Marine Units, Stateside 78Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow 78Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany 79Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe 79Women Marines Overseas 79Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni 80Marine Corps Air Station, Futema, Okinawa 81Marine Corps Base, Camp Butier, Okinawa 81Women Marines in Vietnam 83Women Marines in Marine Security Guard Battalion 87Women Marines Overseas, Summary 87

CHAPTER 7 Utilization and Numbers: Snell Committee, 1973-1977 89Strength, 1973-1977 90New Occupational Fields 90Military Police 91Presiding Judges 92Breaking the Tradition 93Bandsmen 94Women Matines in the Fleet. ...4P 'me Force 95

9

ix

Women in Command 981973-1977, Summary 100

CHAPTER 8 Reserves After Korea 101Deactivation of the WR Platoons 104Woman Special Enlistment Program 104Strength 106Women Reserve Officers 106Formal Training for Women Reservists 106

CHAPTER 9 Recruit Training 109Mission 109The Training Program 109Arrival at Parris Island 113The DailY Routine 114Recruit Regulations 116Recruit Evaluation and Awards 120WM Complex 123Command Reorganized 124

CHAPTER 10 Officer Training 125Location 125Training Program 126Traditions 127Awards 1291973-1977 129Towards Total Integration 132Second Platoon, Company C, BC 3-77 135

CHAPTER 11 Administration of Women 137Supervision and Guidance of Women Marines 139Barracks 141Daily Routine 143Discipline 144

CHAPTER 12 Promotions 145Public Law 90-130 145Enlisted Promotions 148

CHAPTER 13 Marriage, Motherhood, and Dependent Husbands 151Marriage 151Motherhood 151Dependency Regulations 154The Military Couple 155Marine Wife, Civilian Husband 155

CHAPTER 14 Uniforms 157The Beginnings of Change, 1950 159The Mainbocher Wardrobe, 1950-1952 161

After Mainbocher 164Grooming and Personal Appearance 167Utilities 168

CHAPTER 15 Laurels and Traditions 169Legion of Merit 169Navy and Marine Corps Medal 169Bronze Star Medal 172Joint Service Commendation Medal 172Dominican Republ'c 173WM Anniversary 174Women Marines and Mess Night 177Molly Marine 177Women Marines Association 180

CHAPTER 16 The Sergeants Major of Women Marines 181Bertha L. Peters 182Evelyn E. Albert 182Ouida W. Craddock 184Mabel A. R. Otten 184June V And ler 185Grace A. Carle 186

CHAPTER 17 The Directors of Women Marines 187Katherine A. Towle 187Julia E. Hamblet 189Margaret M. Henderson 190Barbara J. Bishop 191Jeanette I. Sustad 192Margaret A. Brewer 193The Position 194

Notes 197

Appendices 207A. Women Marines Strength, 1948-1977 207B. Occupational Fields for Women Officers 209C. Occupational Fields for Enlisted Women 211D. Women Marine Units, 1946-1977 213E. Women Marines Who Served in Vietnam, 19674973 225F. Enlisted Women Marines Retained After World War II

Who Served Until Retirement 227

Index 229

Introduction

"The opinion generally held by the Marine Corpsis that women have no proper place or function in theregular service in peace-time. This opinion is con-curred in by the Director of Marine Corps Women'sReserve, and a majority of the Women Reserves." Inthese words, Brigader General Gerald C. Thomas,Director, Division of Plans and Policies in October1945, stated the basic Marine Corps case against wom-en on active duty. He elaborated his stand with thecontention, "The American tradition is that a wom-an's place is in the home . . . ." and, "Women donot take kindly to military regimentation. During thewar they have accepted the regulations imposed onthem, but hereafter the problem of enforcing dis-cipline alone would be a headache."2

The controversy over what to do with the womenhad been going on for months before the hostilitiesof World War II ended. It was a problem an emo-tional one at thatwhich had to be faced. It wasagreed that the Women Reserves (WRs) had suc-cessfully met the challenge of military service. At theclose of the war, working in 225 specialties in 16 outof 21 functional fields, WRs constituted 85 percentof the enlisted personnel at Headquarters MarineCorps and one-half to two-thirds of the permanentpersonnel at all large Marine Corps posts and stations.3It was generally acknowledged that it had been neces-sary to activate a women's unit for wartime duty; itwas safe to assume that women would be called uponin any future, major emergency; most Marines,however, men and women, displayed a marked lackof enthusiasm toward the prospect of women in thepostwar Marine Corps. The men were understand-ably reluctant to admit women permanently into oneof the few remaining male-dominated societies, andthe senior women officers were concerned about thetype of women who would volunteer. Colonel RuthC. Streeter, wartime Director of the Marine CorpsWomen Reserves (MCWR), believed that there wasa difference in the women who enlisted for purelypatriotic reasons due to the war, and those who en-listed after the G.I. Bill was passedthose who joinedfor what they could get for themselves.4

The pressure to give peacetime military status towomen came from the other services, most notablythe Navy. In the summer of 1945, the Secretary ofthe Navy, James V. Forrestal, made the statement,"The Navy favors retention, at least in cadre strength,of the WAVES, as well as SPARS and the Marine Aux-iliary."

Hoping to keep the Marine Corps out of any grand-scale plan for maintaining a women's corps in peace-time, Colonel Streeter developed a plan for an inac-tive Women's Reserve to be administered by no morethan 10 women officers on active duty. On the ac-companying routing sheet, she pencilled:

These comments arc submitted at this time because thereis considerable agkation in the Navy in favor of keepingWAVES on active duty in peacetime. It comes mostly fromBuAir, Communications, and Hospital Corps. The WAVESthemselves arc much opposed to the plan.5

Colonel Streeter, tempered by her experience inbuilding a wartime women's organization from noth-ing, took a very practical approach to the matter. Sherecognized that in planning a Reserve of women,wastage was going to occur because many of the wom-en trained for military service would marry and havechildren, but this was a loss which would have to beaccepted if women were truly need.xl. Indeed, if warthreatened, even mothers could give a few months'active service for recruiting and training programs untilenough new women Marines were ready to carry on.

By December 1945, General Thomas' division haddeveloped a detailed plan for training a postwar, in-active, Volunteer MCWR ( :MCWR) of 500 officers

*In 1943, when women joined the Marine Corps, the Directorof Reserve, Colonel Littleton W. T. Waller, wrote to RepresentativeLouis L. Ludlow of Indiana: ". . . these women will not be aux-iliary, but members of the Marine Corps Reserve which is an in-tegral part of the Corps and as . . . they will be performing manyduties of Marines it was felt they should be so known." Col Little-ton W. T. Waller, Jr., kr to Hon. Louis L. Ludlow, dtd 8Feb43.(File 1535-55-10, Female Enrollment Marine Corps Reserve No, I.Central Files, HQMC). Thus, the term auxilieny used by the secre-tary was incoTa.

2 INTRODUCTION

and 4,500 enlisted women, that would provide anucleus of ready WRs capable of being expandedrapidly into a war-strength organization. In the in-troduction to this plan it was bluntly stated, "The ar-

guments against retention . . . preclude any furtherdiscussion in favor of women being kept on activeduty."6 In the eyes of the leading Marines, the casewas closed.

CHAPTER 1

A Time of Uncertainty, 1946-1948A Time of UncertaintyPostwar Women's Reserve BoardTermination of the Wartime MCWR

Retention of the WRs at 1-IQMCA New DirectorThe Volunteer Women's Reserve4th Anniversary Celebration, 13 February 1947The Women's VTUsPlans for the Organized Reserve

Release of the WRs Delayed AgainStenographers Recalled

A Time of Uncertainty

At the end of the war in August 1945, the strengthof the Marine Corps Women's Reserve was approxi-mately 17,640 enlisted women and 820 officers.Demobilization procedures for women called for themandatory resignation or discharge of all WRs, officersand enlisted. Demobilization was to be completed by1 September 1946.

Colonel Streeter, who felt strongly that no womanshould remain after she was no longer needed, askedto be released. She resigned on 6 December 1945 and,the following day, her assistant, Lieutenant ColonelKatherine A. Towle was appointed the second Direc-tor of the wartime Marine Corps Women's Reserve andpromoted to the rank of colonel. To Colonel Towle fellthe dual responsibility of overseeing the demobiliza-tion of the women an t? planning for a postwar wom-en's organization.

In the spring of 1946 there was a steady flow of cor-respondence between the Chief of Naval Personnel,Vice Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, and the Commandantof the Marine Corps (CMC), General Alexander A.Vandegrift. The Navy was making plans for a WAVEorganization with 1,500 officers and 10,000 enlistedwomen on active duty. The Army had already public-ly announced its plan to give Regular status to theWACsJ The Commandant, however, stood firm. Theonly women Marines on active duty during peacetimewould be "Director, VMCWR; OIC [Officer inCharge], Personnel; OIC, Planning and Training; OIC,Recruiting; six officers, one officer assigned to eachRecruiting Division."2

Recognizing that some sort of women's military or-ganization was inevitable, and because legislationauthorizing a women's inactive Reserve was pending,the Marine Corps no longer required WR officers toresign. Those still on active duty were allowed to re-quest assignment to inactive status, and those alreadyseparated were sent a letter asking them to reenlistin the Reserve and reminding them of the privilegesand responsibilities of belonging to the Marine CorpsReserve. Upon request, they could be reappointed tothe permanent rank held upon resignation.2

1 4

Former colonel Mrs. Streeter was one of the womenwho applied for a Reserve commission, but her requestwas denied because of a legal restriction that preclud-ed the appointment of more than one woman colonelin the Reserve. In fact, Mrs. Streeter, who saw the war-time Women's Reserve through all of its growing painsand its initial demobilization, had voluntarily givenup terminal leave in order that her successor (thenLieutenant Colonel Towle) might immediately havethe rank of colonel. The Commandant told Mrs.Streeter that he would recommend her to the Secre-tary of the Navy for reappointment in her rightful rankin the inactive Reserve, but the Navy Judge AdvocateGeneral held that there could be no exception. Helater reversed his decision and Mildred H. McAfee Hor-ton, the WAVE Director, was given Reserve status asa captain.*

Colonel Joseph W. Knighton, legal aide to theCommandant, advised General Vandegrift on 13March 1946 of the Army's and the Navy's plans to keepwomen on active duty. They even allowed for womenin their budgets something that the Marine Corpswas not to consider until after passage of the women'sarmed forces legislation in 1948. It was apparent thatAdmiral Denfeld was giving more than lip service tothe support of women since he had instructed the Na-

*Subsequently, efforts were made by Colonel Towle, and rwo Com-mandants, General Vandegrift and General Lemuel C. Shepherd,Jr., to straighten out the matter. It was not until 1959, however,through the persistence of Colonel Julia E. Hamblet, that this sit-uation was satisfactorily resolved. In a letter to the Chairman, Boardfor Corrections of Naval Records, the then Commandant, GeneralRandolph McC. Pate, wrote: "Correction of Mrs. Streeter's recordswould erase an apparent inequity and allow her to be affiliated withthe Marine Corps Women's Reserve which she was so instrumentalin establishing. This correction would afford the Commandant ofthe Marine Corps great satisfaction." (CMC ltr to Chairman, Bd forCorr of NavRecords, dtd 31Mar59 [Postwar MCIVR I Mel). He alsowrote to Mrs. Streeter and said, "In view of your outstanding con-tribution to the Corps, I sincerely hope you will not deprive meof the opportunity of recommissioning you as a Colonel in the Ma-rine Corps Reserve." (Gen Randolph McC. Pate ltr to Mrs. Ruth C.Streeter, dtd 25Feb59 [Postwar MCIVR I file]). And so, on 25 June1959, Ruth Cheney Streeter was reappointed a colonel in the Ma-rine Corps Reserve and retired.

3

4 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

vy's judge advocate general to prepare a bill whichwould enable the Navy to have women in its Regularcomponent. Colonel Knighton put two questions tothe Commandant:

(1) Does the Marine Corps want women in its regular peacetimeestablishment? (2) If the answer is negative, can the Marine Corpsjustify this stance if the Army and the Navy have come to the con-clusion that women should be included in their permanent estab-lishment?'

In response, the Plans and Policy Division recom-mended that the Marine Corps be excluded from theprovisions of Denfeld's proposed legislation to provideRegular status for women because ". . . the numberof billets which could be filled to advantage by wom-en in the postwar Marine Corps is so limited that theincreased administrative overhead could not be justi-fied." Although the Commandant approved thisrecommendation on 18 March, that was not the endof it.

Postwar Women's Reserve Board

Acting on a suggestion from Colonel Towle, on 28March 1946, General Vandegrift appointed ColonelRandolph McC. Pate, Director, Division of Reserve,senior member of a board to recommend policies foradministration of women in the Marine Corps post-war Reserve structure. The board convened at Head-quarters, Marine Corps (HQMC) on 1 April andconsisted of Colonel Pate, Colonel Richard C. Man-grum, Colonel Katherine A. Towle, and Major ErnestL. Medford, Jr., with Major Cornelia D. T. Williamsand Major Marion Wing as additional members, andCaptain Sarah M. Vardy as member and recorder.5

The report of this board, which was approved bythe Commandant on 7 June, called for women to beincluded in both the Volunteer and Organized com-ponents of the Reserve. Enlisted women would betrained at unit meetings in home armories. Officerswould train at an annual summer officer candidateschool to be established at Quantico and then returnhome to participate in a Reserve unit. A total of 45officers and 32 enlisted womenall Reservistswouldbe assigned to continuous active duty to administerthe program. It was spelled out that no woman wouldbe allowed to remain on active duty longer than fouryears, and summer training was not considered neces-sary even for the organized Reservists. At the time ofthe study, only the volunteer, inactive status was le-gally possible and many of the 40 recommendationswere based upon the premise that legislation would

15

be passed authorizing inclusion of woman in the Or-ganized Reserw. Finally, the board recommended thata qualified woman Reseivist of field grade be select-ed as soon as possible for the position of director andthat she be appointed to the rank of colonel?

Concurrence with the creation of a permanent wom-en's Reserve was unanimous. The staff comments, forthe most part, dealt with minor administrative details.Colonel Knighton, however, spotted the weaknesswhich would eventually alter the opinions of the lead-ing women officers. He recognized that the four-yearactive duty limit was impractical, and he stated:

. . . where can you find a woman, unless she happensto be unemployed and hunting for a job, who would agreeto serve on active duty for a short period? In peacetime house-wives will not volunteer, socialites will not be interested, anda woman who has to work for a living, unless she is tem-porarily looking for employment, will certainly not sign upfor a few years of active duty in the Women's Reserve.8

Long before the board report was officially approv-ed, Colonel Towle outlined its main points in a state-ment she prepared for the Joint Army-Navy PersonnelBoard on 17 April, and for the 9 May House NavalAffairs Committee Hearings on H. R. Bill 5919, "Toamend the Naval Reserve Act of 1938, as amended soas to establish the Women's Reserve on a permanentbasis . .

By the time the bill was reported out of committeeon 21 May, it had undergone some major changes. Thenext day, Admiral Denfeld wrote to RepresentativeMargaret Chase Smith of Maine giving his views ofwhat the legislation should embody. Due mainly toher efforts, the subsequent draft read:

All laws or parts of laws which authorize the appointmentof persons to commissioned grades or ranks in the RegularNavy and Regular Marine Corps and which authorize theenlistment of persons in the Regular Navy and Regular Ma-rine Corps should be construed to include the authority toappoint and enlist women in the Regular Navy and Regu-lar Marine Corps in the same manner and under the sameconditions as such laws or parts of laws apply to the appoint-ment and enlistment of men.°

Now, like it or not, the Marine Corps was included.In the words of Victor Hugo, "No army can withstandtt.! strength of an idea whose time has come."I5

*See Chapter 2 for a more detailed discussion of the Women'sArmed Forces Integration Act of 1948 (P.L. 625).

A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948

A_

5

Marine.Corps Coinmandant Gen A.. A. Vandegrtft (center) ir shown with Col KatherineA. Towle (right) and Col Ruth C. Streeter (left) in December 1945. Col Towle has justsucceeded Col Streeter as the post-war Director, Marine Corps Women's Reserve.

Thrmination of the Wartime MCWR

The office of the wartime MCWR was closed on 15June 1946 when Colonel Towle began her terminalleave. Before leaving the Marine Corps to return tothe University of California's Berkeley campus as ad-ministrative assistant to the vice president and pro-vost, Colonel Towle proposed the name of Major JuliaE. Hamblet to be director of the women's postwar or-ganization. She wrote:

It is believed that Major Hamblet has all the attributesand qualifications desirable in a director of a postwar MCWR.She is a college graduate, about 30 years of age (which isconsidered a great advantage in appealing to volunteersamong younger women, especially those of college age), offine appearance, with a great deal of natural dignity andpoise, and has an outstanding service record and reputation.She has had experience in both line and aviation assignmentsand has served in the present MCWR since her commission-ing in the First Officers' Class in May 1943."

The recommendation of Major Hamblet to head upthe postwar MCWR was acknowledged and held inabeyance.

Turning to another matter, Colonel Towle suggestedthat her assistant, Captain Mary V. Illich, continueduty in the Personnel Department to take care of thework incident to the termination of the office of thedirector. Captain Illich and one private first class wereassigned the task of tying up the administrative de-tails of the wartime Women's Reserve and were expect-ed to finish by 15 July 1946.

Retention of the WRs at HQMC

It is ironic that only two months earlier, on 14 June,in a report on the state of the MCWR to the Directorof Personnel, Colonel Towle wrote:

General morale during demobilization has been gratify-ingly high. Part of this had been due to the definite stand

16

6

the Marine Corps itself had taken from the beginning onMCWR demobilization, particularly in setting and main-tainir,,,s 1 September as the terminal date of the wartimeWomen's Reserv,-. It had been a goal to work toward, andMarine Corps women have never had the uncertainty andconfusion co ing demobilization which have occurredin some of t other women's services because of the shif-ting of date and changes in policy.12

Most of the WRs still on active duty in the summerof 1946 were working at Headquarters on the adminis-trative job of demobilization of the wartime MarineCorps. In spite of the general feeling against reten-tion of women in the Marine Corps, individual worksupervisors were anxious to keep their women on thejob. As the September deadline for the release of allWRs neared, case after case of exception was request-ed. Few were granted, but this activity not only keptCaptain Illich on the job, but also on 30 August gaveher an assistant, First Lieutenant Mary Janice Hale.*

This appointment followed a major change in policyannounced on 7 August 1946 when the Commandantauthorized the retention on active duty at HQMC, ona voluntary basis, of 100 WRs for a period of eightmonths. These women, clerk typists, payroll clerks,and auditors, were to be assigned to a new divisionof the Personnel Department established to administerthe Armed Forces Leave Act of 1946. One officer wouldbe retained to command a company to be activatedon 1 September, all of whose members would live offpost and be placed on subsistence and quarters al-lowances. The last of the WR barracks was finallyclosed. As an inducement to apply, privates first classwho were accepted would be automatically promotedto corporal."

The next day, 8 August, the Commandant autho-rized the retention of 200 additional WRs until 30June 1947. It was specified that these women ". . . musthave clerical, stenographic or other specific ability (nocooks, truck drivers, hairdressers, etc., unless they havea secondary clerical specification)."14

Company E, 1st Headquarters Battalion, Head-quarters, U.S. Marine Corps, commanded by FirstLieutenant Regina M. Durant, was activated on 19 Au-gust 1946 with a strength of 12 officers and 286 en-listed women, with Master Sergeant Geraldine M.Moran as first sergeant.

*Lieutenant Colonel Hale, who retired in March 1964, is the onlywoman officer to have served on continuous active duty from WorldWar II until the completion of a 20-year career.

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

A New Director

Major Julia E. Hamblet had served as assistant forthe Women's Reserve from December 1945 until shewas released from active duty in April 1946. She hadnever considered the military as a career and was verymuch in favor of the Marine Corps plan for womenin organized and volunteer Reserve units.

While in England visiting her family, Major Ham-blet, as other Marine veterans, received numerous let-ters from Headquarters Marine Corps. The familiarbrown envelopes contained words of thanks and ap-preciation for wartime service, advice regarding vete-ran's benefits, a request to keep in contact with theReserve District commander, and information regard-ing the planning for the postwar Reserve.

In mid-June 1946, rushing to an appointment fromher brother's London home, she found yet anothermessage from Headquarters. In a hurry, she put it inher purse and promptly forgot it. Nearly a week later,while at a party, she remembered the letter andopened it to find that it was not the routine form let-ter she had come to expect. Instead it was a Personalletter to her from the Commandant, General Van-degrift.

In the letter he explained the plan to establish wom-en as part of the Organized Reserve and to maintainon active duty a limited number of women Reserviststo adminster the program. He stated:

Because of your record and experknce in the present Ma-rine Corps Women's Reserve, you have been selected to fillthe position of Director of the postwar Women's Reserve,and it is hoped that you will be interested in accepting thisappointment. If you do accept, it is desired that you be avail-able for duty at Headquarters Marine Corps not later than1 September 1946. You will understand, of course, that thecontinuance of a postwar Women's Reserve and the positionof Director are contingent upon the enactment of enablinglegislation by the Congress which is currently giving it con-sideration.

A prompt reply will be appreciated.15

Had she not immediately thereafter received lettersfrom both Colonels Streeter and Towle expressing theirpleasure at her selection and their concern for the fu-ture of the MCWR, Major Hamblet's first inclinationwould have been to refuse the appointment. Rather,on 25 June, she wrote to the Commandant and ac-cepted.

Due to the difficulty in obtaining transportationfrom England at the time, she asked be activatedthere, so that she could travel on military orders.'6 Ex-isting laws did not permit members of the MCWR to

A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948 7

be on active duty anywhere outside the United Statesexcept Hawaii. Therefore, she was informed that shecould not be assigned to duty until her return." MajorHamblet reported to the Division of Reserve, Head-quarters Marine Corps on 6 September 1946, and be-came the Director, MCWR.

At this time two distinct women Marine programsexisted with the sex of their members as the only com-mon denominator. At Headquarters, the severalhundred retained wartime WRs continued to work onadministrative matters unrelated to the MCWR. The5ewomen were under the cognizance of Captain Illichin the Personnel Division. Then there was Major Ham-blet in the Division of Reserve concerned with initiat-ing detailed planning for a postwar, inactive Reserve.Inevitably, some confusion arose. In a study dated 8October, Major Hamblet wrote:

The relationship of the undersigned to the 286 enlistedwomen and 5 officers retained on active duty after 1 Sep-tember 1946 for assignment other than MCWR postwar plan-ning is not at present clear. It would seem evident, however,that the powers assigned to the Director, MCWR, shouldbe exercised in relation to all women reservists, on whateverbasis they may be serving."'

Clarification was soon made, ki no uncertain terms,in a Headquarters Memorandum of 16 October 1946which stated the policy for the administration of theMarine Corp.; Women's Reserve. The wording was pre-cise and unequivocal, and it was the foundation of apolicy that was to last for more than 25 years. TheCommandant directed:

That all matters of policy and procedure pertaining to theMarine Corps Women's Reserve, which are initiated by anydepartment or division of Headquarters Marine Corps, bereferred to the Director, MCWR, for comment andrecommenda6on. In regard to matters of policy, such refer-ence shall be made prior to submission to the Comman-dant of the Marine Corps fa: approval; in matters ofprocedure, such reference shall be made prior to execution."'

The Volunteer Women's Reserve

With a staff of two women, First Lieutenant MaryJ. Hale and Technical Sergeant Dolores M. Adam,Major Ham blet began her work. She faced the tasktotally committed to the urgency of obtaining as soonas possible the nucleus of a postwar women's Reserve.Her visit to England and France during the summerconvinced her that the world situation was still unset-tled and that greater utilization of womanpower in theU.S. military would be required in the event of anotherwar. As a member of the first officer training class in

rhe wartime MCWR, she saw the difficulties of build-ing up such an organization after an emergency hadalready occurred. In 1943, the Marine Corps had beenforced to iely on civilian facilities and Navy person-nel to get its women's program started. Worse, maleMarines, needed for comix.t, were used instead to trainwomen.

Wjor Hamblet recognized that the unclear statusof the women's legislation in 1946 jeopardized the suc-cess of a women's Reserve. The long and uncertain de-lay allowed former women Reservists to becomeabsorbed in their civilian interests and lessened thechance of their enlisting in a future Reserve.

She questioned the necessity of waiting until thelegislation was actually passed before taking positiveaction. There was reasonable doubt about the legali-ty of an Organized Reserve but she believed that nosuch obstacle blocked the creation of a VolunteerReserve. Indeed, the WAVES were, at that time, reen-listing women for full-time active duty in the Volun-teez Reserve.

Pending the enactment of permissive legislation,Major Hamblet urged immediate enlistment of asmany former members of the MCWR as possible ina volunteer status since, she reasoned:

These women already have had indoctrination and train-ing; and those among them who do desim could later transferto an "OrganizedReserve," if one were activated. Meanwhik,they would at least constitute a rosrer of trained personnel,available for active duty if the ne:d arose.2°

A step in this direction was taken on 23 Decemberwith the publication of Marine Corps Letter of In-struction 1391, authorizing the enlistment of formerwomen Reservists in the Marine Corps Reserve. Thiswas part of a purposeful effort to maintain contactwith the women who had set ved so well in World WarII. The intention was to keep the women interestedand predisposed to join a volunteer or organized unitwhen legally possible. Furthermore, it supplied theCorps with a pool of ready, trained volunteers. Thefirst enlistment contract received was that of Staff Ser-geant Elizabeth Janet Steele, who, a few months later,activated and commanded Volunteer Training Unit3-1(WR), New York, New York.21

4th Anniversary Celebration, 13 February 1947

Keeping in touch with former WRs became a taskof giant proportions for the three women MajorHamblet, Lieutenant Hale, and Sergeant Adam. Theydrew the cases of nearly all the 1'3,000 World War II

18

8

women Reservists and personally reviewed each onein order to compile an up-to-date roster with currentaddresses. Ostensibly', this list was to be used in de-termining the geographic areas best suited for futureOrganized Reserve units, but it was put to a more im-mediate use in planning a celebration in honor of thefourth anniversary of the Marine Corps Women'sReserve?2

Seltcted officers in 25 cities were asked to acceptchairmanship of these birthday parties and were pro-vided with the names of officers and capable NCOsin their area. They were told:

In order to afford continuity to the MCWR it is impor-tant that we have anniversary parties all over the country thisyear and bring together again as many as possible of the form-er WR's, both officers and enlisted personnel. . . . Becausethere has been such a delay in getting the postwar programunderway, it is just that much more important th,tt we doa bang-up job on February 13th. . . It is realized what anundertaking this will be, but the dividends in the form ofthe goodwill of former WR's (which we are most anxiousto have!) will be tremendous.23

Since no funds were provided, many of these officersand NCOs used their own money for stationery andpostage in order to contact the veterans.

Birthday greetings were sent to individual womenReservists reminding them that this was the time torecall friendship and experiences. "Get out theuniformdust off the moth balls, let out the seams,roll up the hair and gather round to rehash the Ma-rine Corps days," they were told.24

More than 2,500 WRs attended the parties in 22cities and at the Marine Corps Air Station at CherryPoint, North Carolina. San Francisco, where 395 wom-en gathered under the chairmanship of First Lieu-tenant Pearl Martin to hear the guest speaker, ColonelTowle, was the site of the largest celebration. Anothercoup was scored by Captain Mildred Dupont and theNew York WRs when former Colonel Streeter agreedto be the honored guest and to help cut the tradi-tional birthday cake.

The Marine Corps Women's Reserve Post 907,American Legion, in Chicago sponsored a grand eventin the Gold Room of the Congress Hotel. The com-mittee was headed by First Lieutenant Dorothy R.Dietz. Captain Emma H. Hendrickson (later Clow-ers), who was to become one of the first 20 Regularwomen Markle officers in November 1948, read con-gratulatory messages from Headquarters and spoke tothe group of the plans to utilize women in theReserves.

9


The Washington, D.C. area celebration was uniquein that it was attended by former WRs, inactive wom-en Reservists, and numbers of women still on activeduty.

The fourth anniversary parties accomplished theirmission. In addition to being onasions of much funand recall, they provided Headquarters with a rosterof former WRs who were still interested in the Ma-rine Corps and a nucleus of officers and NCOs whowere able organizers.

The Women's VTUs

Authorization for the formation of volunteer train-ing units (VTUs) came on 9 January 1947 in Leiterof Instruction 1397. The objective of this program wasto develop a ". . . pool of efficient general duty, staffand specialis- personnel which, on call, can fill needsfor individuals or groups in an emergency."25. In ord-er to form a VTU, a group of 10 Reservists, commis-sioned or enlisted, male or female, was required.Women could, of course, join a unit already eszab-fished by men.

The appeal was made almost entirely to patriotismand esprit de corps. The Marine Corps Resen e recruit-ing material offered membership, tradition, and pres-tige of the Corps, credit toward promotion in rank,social and athletic activities, a lapel pin, and an I.D.card. Attendance and participation were voluntary andmembers could not be called to active duty withouttheir consent except in the event of war or nationalemergency. Reservists would retain the rank held ondischarge, and only male members would be eligiblefor periods of active duty.26

There was considerable latitude allowed in planninga VTU training schedule. Units could specialize in onefield, such as intelligence, communications, photog-raphy, etc., or follow a more generd pattern. A generalunit might emphasize lectures on current worldproblems, and a women's unit might spend all its timegiving clerical assistance to the male Marine Reservists.

Seattle has the distinction of being the horm: of thefirst women's Volunteer Training Unit VTU13-12(WR) established in January 1947 and com-manded by Captain Nancy M. Roberts.

In November 1947, Magulia E. Hamblet (right) con-gratulates Capt Constance Risegari-Gai (left), com-mander of Volunteer Training Unit 1-1, Boston,Massachusetts during ceremonies to present awardsearned by Women Reservists during World War H.

A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948

rtt;

(

,


From the 1st Marine Corps Reserve District Head-quarters, then located in Boston, Captain ConstanceRisegari-Gai, commanding officer of VTU 1-1(WR),wrote:

Dear Ex-Marine,Do you want to remain an ex-Marineor would you like

to drop the "exr, remove the "hcming pigeon", "rupturedduck" or whatever you call it from your uniform, and againbe able to write LISMGR after your name?

Yes, the Corps wants you back, right now, in the Volun-teer Reserve, although later you may have an opportunityto go into the Organized Reserve?"'

Boston chose Marine Corps administration as itsspecialty, scheduled regular lectures, and gnt "fieldpractice" by assisting the. 2d Infantry Battalion,USMCR, with its paperwork. The Boston WRs metevery Wednesday night on the fourth deck of the NavyBuilding-Marine Corps Reserve Armory (formerly theFargo Building) to type enlistment papers, medicalrecords, and routine correspondence.

Elements of that unit gave similar help on Satur-day and Sunday mornings to the threc Marine avia-tion squadrons at nearby Squantum. And, on Tuesday,others went south to Hingham Naval AmmunitionDepot to lend a hand to Company B, 2d Infantry Bat-talion. Frequently, the women were called on forrecruiting and public relations activities as well. Lackof work was never a problem.

In the notice for the week of 12 November 1947,Captain Risegari-Gai added, "Major Julia Harnblet ex-pressed much pleasure and satisfaction with the workof VTU 1-1. She stated that we have the largest actu-ally working unit (there is a larger unit in New Yorkwhich meets for training lectures once a month):'28

The WRs of New York would, no doubt, have takenexception to the captain's assessment of their unit.VTU 3-1(WR), activated in February 1947, and com-manded by Staff Sergeant Steele was not only the lar-gest women's volunteer training unit, with a strengthat one time of 100 members, but it was the only allenlisted women's VTU and it remained active until20 August 1957a little more than 10 years.29 By1954, it had logged in a record of over 7,000 volun-tary unpaid hours of service to the Marine Corp:: do-ing clerical, recruiting, and typing duty for manyMarine Reserve units including Marine Fighter Squa-dron 132, the 1st Infantry Battalion, the 19th Infan-try Battalion, and the 14th Signal Company.3°

Among its early members were Helen A. Brusack,who eventually integrated into the Regular MarineCorps and remained until her retirement as a gun-

=.21

nery sergeant in May 1972; Agnes Hirshinger, whocommanded the unit from July 1949 until its deac-tivation; Dorothy T Hunt (later Stephenson), who in-tegrated and was a member of the staff thatestablished women's recruit training at Parris Islandin 1949; Pearl Jackson, the first enlisted woman ac-cepted for officer candidate training after the in-tegration of women into the Regular Marine Corps;and Alice McIntyre, who later integrated, became awarrant officer, and served 20 years.3'

Second Lieutenant Julia M. Hornsby activated theBaltimore VTU(WR). Members of the Woman Ma-rine Organized Reserve platoons of the post-Korea eraremembered her as the Reserve liaison officer at Par-ris Island who was vitally involved with their summertraining period.

First Lieutenant Kathyrn E. Snyder established VTU12-4 (WR) at San Francisco on 10 February 1948. Thenext year, serving on continuous active duty, she be-came the first inspector-instructor (I&I) of the wom-en's Reserve platoon in that city and eventually theI&I of the post-Korea Women Reserve AdministrationPlatoon in Detroit.

In Philadelphia, Captain Dorothy M. Knox com-manded VTU 4-4 (WR), activated in September 1947.When the Organized Reserve finally became availa-ble to women in 1949, Captain Knox and her entireVTU became the nucleus of Philadelphia's WR pla-toon. They had already lost one member to theRegularsCaptain Elsie Eleanor Hill. In time, Doro-thy Knox integrated, served with the major women'scommands to include assignments as commandingofficer of the Woman Marine Detachment at Quanti-co and later of the Woman Recruit Training Battalionat Parris Island and retired as a colonel in 1970.

San Diego's Volunteer Training Unit, VTU 11-2(WR) was activated on 26 February 1948 with FirstLieutenant Ben Alice Day as commanding officer.Lieutenant Day, among the first 20 Regular womenofficers, later reverted to the Reserve when, as a ma-jor, she married Brigadier General John C. Munn (laterLieutenant General Munn, Assistant Commandant ofthe Marine Corps). The Munns retired in 1964 in thefirst husband-wife, Regular-Reserve retirement ceremo-ny in Corps history.32

In 1977, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Alice Munnrecalled:

. with respect to the interest Colonel W. R. Collins(later Major General, USMG; now retired) had in the group.As the Inspector-Instructor of the Reserve unit in San Die-go, he gave most generously of his time and energy to help

A TIME OF UNCERT AINTY, 1946-1948 11

set up a program, and to keep the meetings interesting. Thiswas very difficult as the question of what to do with Wom-en Reserves, besides sitting them in front of typewriters, wasan unanswered question. There was no training program orsyllabus. (The question remained for a good 20 years or more!The Marine Corps had bowed under wartime pressure thathistoric February 1943, and it was my impression that theCorps was glad, or relieved, to see the last of us go off toinactive duty or to civilian life!)

Perhaps Colonel Collins was ahead of his time for I wellremember one lecture he gave to VTU 11-2 (WR) in whichhe described a trip he made to Russia immediately afterhostilities ceased. He gave a vivid description of his obser-vation of Russian women being used in every military job,from sweeping snow off runways to driving tanks.33

Women's VTUs were also formed in Indianapolis,Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Los Angeles, California;Oakland, California; Chicago, Illinois; Rochester, NewYork; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri;Portland, Oregon; New Orleans, Louisiana; Minneapo-lis, Minnesota; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington,D.C. The WR volunteer training units were a sourceof great pride to the Marine Corps. Between Marchand December 1947, women Reservists worked a to-tal of 5,000 hours of voluntary service.

The immeasurable importance of these units liesprimarily in their effectiveness in keeping hundredsof WRs interested in their Marine Corps affiliationduring the two years it took to pass legislation allow-ing Regular and Organized Reserve status for women.Many of the units later transferred 100 percent to theOrganized Reserve. Individuals integrated into theRegular Marine Corps when it became possible in late1948 and early 1949. Others, mobilized for Korea, re-mained to complete a 20-year career.

Plans for the Organized Reserve

Planning for the Organized Reserve, which was tobe the heart of the peacetime women's program, con-tinued based on the expected passage of enablinglegislation. The Marine Corps was deeply committedto this concept and Major Hamblet and her staffworked out the details while at the same time theytried to maintain the interest of former women Reser-vists. At one time there was talk of 30 women's com-panies throughout the country. But, by 1947 thisfigure was reduced to 15 companies at 10 officers and235 enlisted women each, for a total of 150 officersand 3,525 enlisted women.34 Reserve companies wereplanned for those cities with the greatest concentra-tion of women Reservists and where interest was themost obvious.

During the year and a half before the iaw was fi-nally passed, it was the intention of the Marine Corpsto activate a Women's Reserve company in each of thefollowing cities: Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Mas-sachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Detroit,Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Los Angeles, Califor-nia; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York;Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California;Seattle, Washington; St. Louis, Missouri; Toledo, Ohio;and Washington, D.C.

The legislative delay was frustrating and costly. Inspite of efforts to keep the women interested, theydrifted away and company-size units never materi-alized.*

Release of the W/Rs Delayed Again

In February 1947, the first hashmatk, the officialinsignia of a full four years of active duty and the tradi-tional mark of a "salty" Marine, appeared on the uni-form uf Technical Sergeant Mary F. Wancheck.35 Otherswould soon sew them on. Just as the women weresettling in and beginning to feel quite at home, theplan for their release was again under discussion.

The Assistant Commandant and Chief of Staff,Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., seemed reluc-tant and on 17 April 1947, he sent a short memoran-dum to General Thomas: "Now that the time hascome to discharge our WRs do you still want to gothrough with it? We will lose many good clerks, anumber of whom are processing claims, etc."" Thepredictable response was, "I feel that we must carryout these discharges. Only 23 of these WR's are work-ing on claims."37

Careful coordination between work sections and theseparation center was necessary to facilitate an order-ly demobilii.ation. The women were to be transferredto Quantico in groups of 20 per working day duringthe period from 13 June to 30 June in order to meetthe deadline. Because the medical and administrativeprocessing would take several days, it could not bedone at Henderson Hall where WR barracks were nolonger available. Work sections were assigned quotasof women to be released on a regular schedule to avoida last-minute overload.

Hardly had the details been arranged when on 22April, Colonel John Halla, Acting Chief of the Dis-bursing Branch, asked to keep 28 women Reservists

*For a more thorough discussion of the women's OrganizedReserve program, see Chapter 3.

:2 2

12A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

on active duty until 31 December 1947 to work ona backlog of claims. The Commandant approved therequest, but, added a terse directive, ". . . see to itthat they are not deviated to any other work."38

Contrary to the Commandant's published policythat all matters affecting the MCWR be submitted tothe Director, MCWR, Major Hamblet was not con-sulted on the transaction involving the retention ofthe 28 women. She called this omission to the at-tention of the Director, Division of Reserve andreiterated:

The undersigned has stated her arguments against theretention of women on active duty either as reservists or asmembers of the regular Marine Corps. It is believed thatall women who are not working on postwar plans for theMCWR should be discharged as expeditiously as possible.It is considered particularly unadvisable to retain a groupas small as twenty-eight."

Major Hamblet was fighting a losing battle. Notonly were there more requests to keep women on ac-tive duty but some divisions wanted to call back al-ready released women officers with specialqualifications.

The case of Captain Edna Loftus Smith put thewhole matter of WR retention back into the spotlight.She was recalled for membership on the Marine CorpsAviation History Board. The Director of Aviationwrote: "This officer is peculiarly well qualified for thisduty, more so than any officer in the Marine Corps,due to her wartime duties.

The legality of her recall opened a Pandora's boxof legal considerations. How would she be paid? Therewas no authorization to use Reserve funds for mattersconnected to the war already fought and the Com-mandant had made no mention of women in his state-ment to Congress relative to the 1948 Reserveappropriations. Beyond the question of money,Brigadier General William T Clement, Director, Di-vision of Reserve, even doubted the authority to main-tain WRs in the Volunteer Reserve under existing laws.

In spite of his uncertainty and due to the criticalpersonnel shortage, he suggested that the Comman-dant's policy to discharge all WRs by 30 June bereversed. This would eliminate the problem of recall-ing individual Reservists and take care of the problemof pay since WRs on active duty were being paid fromRegular Establishment funds.

Twenty-eight women were already being retainedbeyond the 30 June 1947 deadline to work on claims."However," wrote General Clement, "claims cannot besettled until muster rolls are checked which justifies

the retention of the WRs in that section, and by thesame token, those on duty in the Decorations and Me-dals Section are working to clean up the war load."4'He believed it was better to keep all WRs on activeduty on a voluntary basis until the passage of perma-nent legislation to resolve the situation. To ease theembarassment caused by the constant shifting ofdatesand policy changes it was rationalized that the 30 June1947 date was originally set with the idea that per-manent legislation covering the women would havebeen enacted by that time.

Following General Clement's suggestion, a weeklater in early June, General Shepherd recommendedthe retention of WRs rather than approve a requestthat several hundred enlisted men be transferred toHeadquarters. Since the efficiency of each womanReservist was considered to be far greater than thatof the average enlisted man to be brought in, he feareda marked loss in work output with the proposedchangeover.

Thus another last-minute reprieve for the womenat Headquarters arrived on 9 June when the finaldemobilization deadline was changed to read, ". . .

for a period of six months after the war is declaredover or such shorter time as meets the requirementsof the Marine Corps."42

General Thomas once again asked that the previ-ously published policy be strictly adhered to and thatonly the five officers actually working on the postwarprogram and the enlisted women kept as a result ofthe latest change be allowed to remain on active duty.He recommended that the other four women officersstill on duty (Smith not included) be released as soonas their work was completed and that no more wom-en officers be recalled except to fill a possible vacancyin the billets designated for the MCWR.* General Van-degrift's approving signature was a bittersweet victo-ry, for next to the word, approved, he wrote "with theaddition of one (1) WR officer for duty in the officeof the J.A.G. [Judge Advocate General]."43

*At the time of General Thomas' memo, there were 10 womenofficers on active duty: Major Hamblet and Lieutenant Hale work-ing on MCWR plans; Captain Illich working on matters related tothe women kept on active duty; Captain Elizabeth). Elrod and Cap-tain Durant at the WR company; Major Frances W. Pepper and Se-cond Lieutenant Pauline F. Riley at the Post War PersonnelReorganization Board; First Lieutenant Marie K. Anderson in theSupply Department; and Captain Sarah M. Vardy and CaptainSmith in the Division of Aviation.

A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948 13

In the files of the Director of Women Marines wasfound an undated, unsigned, brief history of the wom-en in the Marine Corps which begins:

It is rumored that when i was announced that womenwere going to be enlisted in the Marine Corps that the airwas colored with profanity in the language of every nationas the members of the old Corps gathered to discuss thisearth-shaking calamity. It is entirely probable that the wailingand moaning which went on that day amongst the old Ma-rines was never equallednever, that is, until it was an-nounced that the women Marines were going home. Then,with a complete reversal of attitude many of those same Ma-rines declared that the women in their offices were essen-tial military personnel and absolutely could not be sparedfrom the office."

Stenographers Recalled

A severe shortage of clerk-stenographers brought

another demand for the recall of formerly active en-listed women Reservists. Few enlisted men were quali-fied and Civil Service was unable to fill the needs ofHeadquarters, so, in October 1947, 1,500 applicationswere mailed to women Reservists in the VolunteerReserve. It came as a great surprise and disappoint-ment when only 56 were returned and of the num-ber only 28 were considered qualified. The fact is thatthe letter soliciting applications was not very enticing.The maximum tour assured was for six months thewomen could not request earlier release and the Ma-rine Corps could not guarantee anything more.45

Among the women recommended for recall wereStaff Sergeant Lotus T Mort, who later became thethird woman warrant officer in 1954; Corporal MildredA. Novotny, who was among the first eight enlisted

Col Katherine A. Towle cuts cake on the 6th anniversary in February 1949 of the MarineCorps Women's Reserve. Mrs. Ruth Cheney Streeter looks on. In the background (fromleft to right) are TSgt Grace L. Benjamin, Cpl Emilie Pranckevich, TSgt Agnes T. Hir-shinger, SSgt May Ann Henritze, MSgt Marie B. Benziger, and Sgt Elsie F. Futterman.

T t-- ".*t z.c

;

n 24

\


women to be sworn into the Regular Marine Corps on10 November 1948; and Technical Sergeant Helen L.Hannah, who retired in 1975 with 32 years service asa Reservist. Lotus Mort recalled that she was a bit hesi-tant when her orders arrived on Christmas Eve, buton 5 January 1948, she reported for six months and

stayed for 17 years until her retirement in 1965. Thepoor response to the call for stenographers was the firstindication that competent women needed to be as-sured of more security if they were going to leave theirhomes and good jobs. Colonel Knighton's predictionof 1946 had come to pass.

25

CHAPTER 2

Women's Armed Forces Legislation: Public Law 625Women's Armed Forces LegislationProvisions of Public Law 625

Women's Armed Forces Legislation

Nearly three years elapsed from the end of hostili-ties in August 1945 until legislation giving womenregular military status was finally passed and signedinto law by President Harry S. Truman on 12 June1948. The drawn-out process, marked by gains andreverses along the way, was the cause of much of theuncertainty experienced by women Marines on dutyat Headquarters. Without the legislation there was nosecurity for those women, and no one knows how manycompetent WRs, who would have preferred a careerin the Marine Corps, asked to be discharged simplybecause they could not afford to wait.

The proposed law received little support from theCommandant and for some very good reasons. T'Marine Corps had an authorized regular enlirstrength of 100,000 and then as now, operatedlimited budget. Understandably, neither the men. .

the women wanted to sacrifice combat billets to mar.room for the women. General Vandegrift was heartilyin favor of women as Regular Marines provided theywould not count against his end strength; otherwise,he was unalterably opposed.

A study of the position taken by the other servicesregarding the women's bill reveals that the Army andthe Navy intended to use large numbers of womenin occupational fields not required in the MarineCorps. There was a strong case made, for example, forwomen in the medical field: nurses, Medical CorpsWAVES, dental technicians, and laboratory techni-cians. Furthermore, they contended that these billetswhich were planned for the WAVES and the WACswould not affect overseas rotation of the men. Thiswas not the situation in the Marine Corps.

The senior women officers, Colonels Streeter andTowle and Major Hamblet, were aware of the uniqueproblems faced by the Commandant, and they werealso conscious of the climate at Headquarters.* Theyrecognized exactly how far the Marine Corps would

*Colonels Streeter and Towle, although no longer on active du-ty, were frequently consulted on matters relating to the postwar plansfor the women in the Marine Corps.

be willing to go and believed that a crusade by thewomen would have had negative results. The plan fora strong Women's Organized Reserve backed up by aVolunteer Reserve was a compromise that most Ma-rines could accept, and this was the proposal they car-ried to Capitol Hill.

The Honorable Carl Vinson, on 29 March 1946, in-troduced H.R. 5919, "To amend the Naval Reserve Actof 1938, as amended, so as to establish the Women'sReserve on a permanent basis . . . ." (79th Congress,2d session). As the purpose clearly states, the bill wasstrictly a Reserve measure and in its original form al-lowed the Marine Corps only 50 officers and 450 en-listed women on active duty during peacetime. It wasreferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and hear-ings were held on 9 and 10 May.

In her book, Lady In The Navy, Captain Joy Han-cock notes, "The burden of presentation before that,:ommittee was carried largely by the members of theWomen's Reserve who were not in a position of suffi-cient authority to speak with the necessary assuranceof Navy plans and policies:" Colonel Towle, the Com-mandant's representative, prepared a short statementsummarizing the plans for a Reserve organization withan active duty strength of 32 officers and 28 enlistedwomen at the most?

American military women enjoy a relationship ofunusual cooperation. Perhaps it stems from the sharedexperience of being a minority in a previously all-maleworld. For whatever reasons, they have made it a pointof honor to be mutually supportive. Accordingly, whenthe time came to testify before the committee, ColonelTowle was careful not to undermine the much strongerWAVE position.

After the initial hearings in the House, AdmiralDenfeld enlisted the aid of Congresswoman MargaretChase Smith, who had taken a public stand in favorof Regular status for service women. Mrs. Smith hadbeen cautioned by the chairman, Carl Vinson, thather amendment to include Regular as well as Reservestatus would kill the whole bill? Mrs. Smith's view was,"The Navy either needs these women or they donot. . .

26

15

CHAPTER 2

Women's Armed Forces Legislation: Public Law 625Women's Armed Forces LegislationProvisions of Public Law 625

Women's Armed Forces Legislation

Nearly three years elapsed from the end of hostili-ties in August 1945 until legislation giving womenregular military status was finally passed and signedinto law by President Harry S. Truman on 12 June1948. The drawn-out process, marked by gains andreverses along the way, was the cause of much of theuncertainty experienced by women Marines on dutyat Headquarters. Without the legislation there was nosecurity for those women, and no one knows how manycompetent WRs, who would have preferred a careerin the Marine Corps, asked to be discharged simplybecause they could not afford to wait.

The proposed law received little support from theCommandant and for some very good reasons. TMarine Corps had an authorized regular enlirstrength of 100,000 and then as now, operatedlimited budget. Understandably, neither the mer. .

the women wanted to sacrifice combat billets to mak:room for the women. General Vandegrift was heartilyin favor of women as Regular Marines provided theywould not count against his end strength; otherwise,he was unalterably opposed.

A study of the position taken by the other servicesregarding the women's bill reveals that the Army andthe Navy intended to use large numbers of womenin occupational fields not required in the MarineCorps. There was a strong case made, for example, forwomen in the medical field: nurses, Medical CorpsWAVES, dental technicians, and laboratory techni-cians. Furthermore, they contended that these billetswhich were planned for the WAVES and the WACswould not affect overseas rotation of the men. Thiswas not the situation in the Marine Corps.

The senior women officers, Colonels Streeter andTowle and Major Hamblet, were aware of the uniqueproblems faced by the Commandant, and they werealso conscious of the climate at Headquarters.* Theyrecognized exactly how far the Marine Corps would

*Colonels Streeter and Towle, although no longer on active du-ty, were frequently consulted on matters relating to the postwar plansfor the women in the Marine Corps.

be willing to go and believed that a crusade by thewomen would have had negative results. The plan fora strong Women's Organized Reserve backed up by aVolunteer Reserve was a compromise that most Ma-rines could accept, and this was the proposal they car-ried to Capitol Hill.

The Honorable Carl Vinson, on 29 March 1946, in-troduced H.R. 5919, "To amend the Naval Reserve Actof 1938, as amended, so as to establish the Women'sReserve on a permanent basis . . . ." (79th Congress,2d session). As the purpose clearly states, the bill wasstrictly a Reserve measure and in its original form al-lowed the Marine Corps only 50 officers and 450 en-listed women on active duty during peacetime. It wasreferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and hear-ings were held on 9 and 10 May.

In her book, Lady In The Navy, Captain Joy Han-cock notes, "The burden of presentation before that:ommittee was carried largely by the members of theWomen's Reserve who were not in a position of suffi-cient authority to speak with the necessary assuranceof Navy plans and policies." Colonel Towle, the Com-mandant's representative, prepared a short statementsummarizing the plans for a Reserve organization withan active duty strength of 32 officers and 28 enlistedwomen at the most?

American military women enjoy a relationship ofunusual cooperation. Perhaps it stems from the sharedexperience of being a minority in a previously all-maleworld. For whatever reasons, they have made it a pointof honor to be mutually supportive. Accordingly, whenthe time came to testify before the committee, ColonelTowle was careful not to undermine the much strongerWAVE position.

After the initial hearings in the House, AdmiralDenfeld enlisted the aid of Congresswoman MargaretChase Smith, who had taken a public stand in favorof Regular status for service women. Mrs. Smith hadbeen cautioned by the chairman, Carl Vinson, thather amendment to include Regular as well as Reservestatus would kill the whole bill? Mrs. Smith's view was,"The Navy either needs these women or they donot. . .

26

15


As a result of the efforts of Admiral Denfeld andMrs. Smith, a new draft was prepared which wouldextend the scope of existing laws governing the Regu-lar Navy and Marine Corps to include women. For allthat, time ran out before further action was taken.When the 79th Congress adjourned, the women's billdied in committee. Consequently, it would be neces-sary to begin fresh at the next session.

The women in the Army worked on a separate billuntil the armed services were combined to become theDepartment of Defense. At that time, the womenjoined forces in order to present as strong a case aspossible while allowing for the unavoidabledifferences.

Added to the varied duties assigned to Major Ham-blet when she returned to active duty in the fall of1946 was the task of tracking the pending legislation.Sandwiched between the planning of the postwarReserve, and the vain attempt to demobilize the war-time WRs, she studied and commented on the wom-en's bill and made occasional appearances beforecongressional committees. She was asked verbally byColonel Pate to submit, "arguments against keepingwomen on active duty in the Marine Corps either asreservists on continuous active duty or as members ofthe Regular establishment." She did so in a 29 April1947 memo, ending with the statement:

If it is decided that women shall be on active duty foran indefinite period of time, their rights should be protect-ed by making them members of the Regular establishmentof the Marine Corps rather than keeping them on continu-ous active duty as reservists.5

i; By the time the Senate subcommittee hearings ofthe 80th Congress began on 2 July 1947, the Navy billS. 1529 and the Army bill S. 1103 were combined toform S. 1641. Most observers were certain that womenwere going to be made part of the Regular ArmedForces. General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhoweropened his testimony saying, "Not only do I heartilysupport the bill to integrate women into the RegularArmy and Organized Reserve Corps, but I personallydirected that such legislation be drawn up and sub-mitted to this Congress." A critical shortage of infan-trymen and the need to stabilize the Women's ArmyCorps prompted him to stress the urgency of actionto the Congress.

General Eisenhower was followed by Fleet AdmiralChester W. Nimitz who said, "The real fact must beacknowledged that in any future war it will be man-datory to have at our command immediately all pos-

Congresswoman Margaret -Chase S,üt.& of Maine.

sible resources. Womenpower is one of them." Itshould be noted that the Allies made good use ofwomen in the armed services in World War II.*

Colonel Knighton followed, reading a brief, two-sentence Marine Corps statement: "The previous wit-nesses have expressed the views of the Commandant;the Commandant of the Marine Corps is in favor ofthe bill and trusts that it will be enacted as soon aspossible."8

*In an interview in October 1976 in Heidelberg, Germany, Al-bert Speer, Hiker's weapons production chief said: "How wise youwere to bring your women into your military and into your laborforce. Had we done that initially, as you did, it could have affectedthe whole course of the war. Women would have been far superior,for example, to our impressed labor force from occupied countries,which you called 'slave labor: We would have found out, as youdid, that women were equally effective, and for some skills superi-or to males. We never did, despite our critical manpower shortagein the late years of the war, make use of this great potential." (SanDiego Union, 30Nov76).

27

WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES LEGISLATION, PUBLIC LAW 625 17

The brevity and the wording of the statement castsome doubt on the Commandant's true feelings. Inorder to offset its negative effect at Headquarters,Colonel Knighton sent a memorandum to the Assis-tant Commandant, General Shepherd, along with afile of statements given before the Senate Armed Serv-ices Committee which he said:

. contain almost unrefutable arguments why: it is vi-tal that women be integrated into the Regular Establishmentof all services.

I informed the Senate Committee that the views expressedby these witnesses reflected the views of the Commandant.

As it has been rumored that the Commandant is oppos-ed to having women in the Regular Marine Corps, it mightbe well to circulate these statements to the heads of allDepartments and offices.°

Colonel Knighton was perhaps the strongest voiceheard in the Marine Corps in favor of integration ofthe women. As legal aide to the Commandant, legis-lation was his responsibility but he seemed to go a stepfurther in an effort to convince others of the need forthis particular bill. He went so far as to testify at aSenate hearing in place of Major Hamblet when hefeared that she, due to her own doubts, would not beconvincing enough. The bill passed the Senate on 23July 1947 and was sent to the House committee whereit sat until the adjournment of the first session, butthis time it would not be necessary to begin anew.

In anticipation of the enactment of the legislation,a board was convened in December 1947 to proposea program for women as Regular Marines. Keepingin mind that every woman in the Regular MarineCorps would be at the expense of a man, carefulthought was given to their most efficient utilization.The study, therefore, provided for 65 officers and 728enlisted women to be assigned to Headquarters Ma-rine Corps, both at Henderson Hall and the MarineCorps Institute; offices of the directors of the MarineCorps Reserve Districts; Headquarters Recruiting Di-visions; Department of Pacific and Depot of Suppliesat San Francisco; Marine Corps Schools, Quantico; andto the Organized Women's Reserve Program.

In February 1948 just before the House Armed Serv-ices Committee was scheduled to meet, Captain IraH. Nunn of the Navy Judge Advocate General's officewrote to the Commandant asking for his help. In viewof the considerable opposition to the bill, a strongpresentation was deemed necessary, and plans werebeing made for appearances by the Secretary ofDefense, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chiefof Naval Personnel, and the Deputy Surgeon Gener-al. The letter read:

Advice is requested as to whether the Commandant canappear in support of the bill . . . . It is understood thatthe Departments of the Army and Air Force will berepresented by Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Spaatz, De-vers, Paul, Armstrong, and Strothers.11*

The Marine Corps was represented at those crucialhearings by Major Hamblet, who was introduced byColonel Knighton.

The hearings were heated and prolonged, but theoutcome seemed assured. To almost everyone's sur-prise, however, in early April, the committee report-ed out a measure which would have limited enlistmentof women in the armed services to Reserve status only.During the debv.:.. Margaret Chase Smith tried to getHouse approval of the Senate version, but only 40members backed her while 66 were opposed. The op-ponents argued that, "Regular status for women in themilitary service now might result in a draft for wom-en in another war and West Point would become acoeducational college."12 The solution seemed to beto put women in a Reserve status.

The bill, S. 1641, then went into a joint conferenceby members of both the Senate and the House toreconsider the differences. Support came from patri-otic organizations, professional and business womengroups, and most importantly from the ranking mili-tary men of the day. Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Chief ofNaval Operations, in backing the legislation said:

This legislation has been requested after careful study ofthe overall requirements of the Navy, now and in the fu-ture. It is the considered opinion of the Navy Departmentand my own personal belief that the services of women areneeded. Their skills are as important to the efficient opera-tions of the naval establishment during peacetime as theywere during the war years."

The bill that emerged from the joint conference es-tablished a Women's Army Corps in the Regular Army,authorized the enlistment and appointment of wom-en in the Regular Navy and the Regular Marine Corpsand the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve, and the

*General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower; General OmarN. Bradley, Chief of Staff of the Army; General Carl T. Spaatz,Commanding General, Army Air Forces; General Jacob L. Devers,Commanding General, Army Ground Forces; Lieutenant GeneralWillard S. Paul, Director of Personnel Administration, GeneralStaff, United States Army; Brigadier General Harry G. Armstrong,U.S. Army Air Forces, Commandant of the School of Aviation Medi-cine; Brigadier General Dean C. Suothers, U.S. Army Air Forces,Director of Military Personnel under Deputy Chief of Staff, Per-sonnel and Administration.

28


Regular and Reserve of the newly created Air Force inwhich the women would be known as WAFs (Womenin the Air Force). Ten days later, 12 June 1948, Presi-dent Truman signed the long-debated Women'sArmed Services Integration Act, Public Law 625.

Provisions of Public Law 625

Generally, P. L. 625 gave equal status to women inuniform, but there were a number of restrictions andspecial provisions. While the law placed no limit onthe number of women who could serve in the Reserves,it did specify that the number of women Regularscould not exceed two percent of the nation's totalarmed strength in the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force,and Marines. It provided for a gradual build-up whichwould allow the Marine Corps a strength of 100officers, 10 warrant officers, and 1,000 enlisted wom-en by June 1950. In fact the Marine Corps did not an-ticipate or want to f !I the allotted quota.

Based upon a strong recommendation from Mrs.Streeter, the new law contained the provision that theDirector of Women Marines would be detailed to dutyin the office of the Commandant to assist the Com-mandant in the administration of women's affairs.Originally, she, like the WAVE director, would havebeen responsible to the Personnel Department. Mrs.Streeter, in response to a letter from General Van-degrift in August 1947, recalled her duty in the Per-sonnel Department and the limitations under whichshe worked during the war. She gave great credit tothe courtesy and cooperation of all the men at Head-quarters with whom she worked, but she argued thatthe Director would be in a better position to deal withall branches, and that her cognizance over all womenMarines and all matters affecting them would berecognized if she did not come undei one particularbranch.,7 General Vandegrift agreed and the women'sbill was amended before it came to the final vote. Forall services, the director was to be selected from amongthe Regular women officers serving in the grade ofmajor or above (lieutenant commander for the Navy)and would hold the temporary rank of colonel or Navycaptain.

Promotion reguLtions loosely paralleled those ofmale components, except that women could not holdpermanent rank above lieutenant colonel. Ad-ditionally, the number of Regular women lieutenantcolonels could not exceed 10 percent of the numberof Regular women officers on active dutyfor ma-

jors, the law read 20 percent.* Inasmuch as lieutenantcolonel was the senior grade that women officers couldthen hold (with the exception of the Director), non-promotion to this rank was not considered a passover.Women officers retired from the senior ranks uponreaching a mandatory retirement age which was formajors, 20 years or age 50, whichever came sooner,and for lieutenant colonel, 30 years service or age 55,whichever was sooner. The law also specified thatwomen could not be assigned to duty in aircraft en-gaged in combat missions nor to vessels of the Navyother than transport and hospital ships.

Women were entitled to the same pay, leave, al-lowances, and benefits as men, but with an impor-tant proviso. Husbands would not be considereddependents unless they were in fact dependent ontheir wives for their chief support, and the childrenof servicewomen would not be co,,sidered dependentsunless their fathers were dead o ey were really de-pendent upon their mothers for their chief support.This apparently simple exception was the cause ofmuch frustration and bitterness as the law was inter-preted over the years. In effect, it negated many ofthe service benefits normally considered routine by themen. For example, quarters could not be assigned toa woman married to a civilian, nor could her husbandshop at the post exchange or commissary store.**

The Marines especially appreciated the section ofthe law dealing with the Reserves for it made possi-ble, at last, the much-discussed Organized Women'sReserve. Nearly two years had passed since MajorHamblet had been called to active duty to frame thepostwar women's plans which, by this time, were laidout in great detail and ready for implementation.

Women were now a part of the Regular MarineCorps in spite of earlier opposition to this radical idea.In the spring .of 1946, when the legislation was firstintroduced, no one, least of all the women themselves,ever thought in terms of Regular status. As time wenton, however, there was increasing evidence that no real-

*The provision held up a number of promotions to field graderank. In 1962, Captain Grace "San" Overholser Fields stayed on activeduty longer than she intended after her marriage in order to keepup the strength figures of the Regular active duty women officers,thereby allowing Major _Jeanette I. Sustad, a future Director of Wom-en Marines, to be promoted to lieutenant colonel. (Grace Over-holser Fields interview with HQMC).

**For a detailed discussion of marriage, motherhood, and de-pendent husbands, see Chapter 13.

29

WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES LEGISLATION, PUBLIC LAW 625 19

ly effective and continuing nucleus of trained person-nel could be counted on in the Defense Establishmentunless some permanency was assured women whovolunteered for training and assignment in peacetime.

The passage of the Women's Armed Services Integra-tion Act of 1948 recognized this fact and was a natur-al sequel to the excellent record of the women whoserved in World War II.


Col Ruth Cheney Streeter, wartime.Director of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, be-fore leaving her post recommended that the position be strengthened, a proposal whichlead ultimately to the Marine Corps amendment to Public Law 625 and placement ofthe Director in the table of organization of the immediate office of the Commandant.

it

3 1

CHAPTER 3

Going RegularThe Thansfer ProgramEstablishing the Office and Title, Director of Women Marines

The First Enlisted Women MarinesThe PioneersReindoctrination of the OfficersReindoctrination of Enlisted WMsDeiignation of Women Marines

Recruit Twining Established at Parris IslandThe First Black Women MarinesEstablishing the Women Officers' Training Class at Quantico

The Transfer Program

The integration of women was now a fait accompli,and in Colonel Towle's view, ". . . the Marine Corpshad, with varying degrees of enthusiasm but alwaysin good grace, accepted the fact that women as poten-tial 'careerist? in the Marine Corps must be reckonedwith and provided for."' To this end, the first step wasto find a suitable Director, but the process of transferfrom Reserve to Regular could not wait for her selec-tion, acceptance, and arrival.

Major Hamblet, still the Director of the MarineCorps Women's Reserve, recommended Colonel Towlebe named to that post. Although the press had an-nounced that the services would probably retain thecurrent directors, and certainly she was the one mostfamiliar with the plans to be implemented, MajorHamblet recognized that her age and rank would workto her and ultimately to the women's disadvantage.There would be, she was certain, a good deal of op-position to the appointment to colonel even on atemporary basis of a 33-year-old woman with onlyfive years of military experience? Colonel Towle, onthe other hand, was happily ensconced as the Assis-tant Dean of Women at the Berkeley campus of theUniversity of California, and she felt that MajorHamblet should continue as Director.

General Clifton B. Cates, then Commandant,found himself in the uncomfortable and certainly un-usual position of personally having to ask a womanto accept a Regular commission. In the summer of1948, his aide called Colonel Towle to tell her that theCommandant was planning an official trip to Califor-nia and wished to meet with her in San Francisco atthe Saint Francis Hotel. At the ensuing interview,Colonel Towle was not prepared to make a definitecommitment to return, but she and General Cates dis-cussed details of organization and particularly the po-sition of the Director and her access to theCommandant.3 The general agreed to consider herrecommendations and to talk them over with his ad-visor at Headquarters The outcome was the app:,int-ment of Colonel Katherine A. Towle as the firstDirector of Women Marines.

Admittedly, she was one of the women who origi-nally had grave doubts about the need or even desira-bility of having women in the military duringpeacetime, but on thinking it over, she said, "the logicof the whole thing did occur to me: that this wassound. . . ."4 Any uncertainties she entertained wereset aside once and for all when she returned toWashington in the fall of 1948, and she undertookher work determined to make the women truly in-tegrated, contributing members of the Corps.

In July, while the matter of a director was still un-settled, letters containing information about the trans-fer program were sent to women Reservists and formerwomen Reservists. The women were to be selectedbased upon their qualifications to fill the 65 officerand 728 enlisted billets. Of the 65 officers selected,21 would receive Regular commissions and 44 wouldbe assigned as Reservists on continuous active duty,presumably with the Organized Reserve companies.5

Since 18,000 enlisted women had served in WorldWar II, it was not anticipated that nonveterans wouldbe accepted for perhaps nine months to a year afterthe transfer program got underway. A continuingboard would be convened at Headquarters to selectapplicants at the rate of 75 per month until theplanned strength was reached. After that, severalrecruit classes per year would be conducted at Hen-derson Hall to compensate for losses due to normalattrition. It was estimated that no more than 200recruits would be needed during the first two years.6

Former enlisted Reservists could enlist for two, three,or four years, and had to meet the following require-ments: be 20-31 years old; have two years of highschool or business school; be a citizen of the UnitedStates or its insular possessions; be married or single;have no children under 18 years of age regardless oflegal custody; have no dependents; be able to pass theprescribed physical examination; and possess an honor-able or under-honorable-conditions discharge. Thedeadline for receipt of applications was set at 15 Sep-tember 19487

In the case of officers, the flow of promotions aswell as available billets had to be considered. It wasdecided that the 21 initial selections for Regular sta-

32

21

2 2 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

ka*

:g7

On 4 November 1948, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen Clifton B. Cates administersthe oath to the first three women to be sworn into the Regular Marine Corps, (left toright) LtCol Katherine A. Towle, Maj Julia E. Hamblet, and lstLt Mary J. Hale.

tus should be allocated to: majors and above, two;captains, five; first lieutenants, seven; and second lieu-tenants, seven. All officers and former officers weresent letters similar to the ones used to solicit enlistedcandidates. The promise of security in these was a bitvague in that they were told, "Subject to budgetarylimitations and satisfactory performance of duty, ap-plicants are assured at least a 3-year tour ofduty. . . ." And following the details of the projectedofficer candidate class was written, "As these newofficers are obtained, the Reserve officers on continu-ous active duty will be ordered to inactive duty."8

To be considered for transfer to the Regular MarineCorps, women officers had to have completed two yearsof accredited college work or pass an equivalent ex .amination; be physically qualified; have no childrenunder 18 years of age; and fit into a complicated age-grade structure which would protect them later frommandatory, involuntary retirement.

The enlisted selection board convened on 21 Sep-

1 0

tember with Colonel Lester S. Hamel as senior mem-ber. The first report, submitted on 4 October,recommended the approval of 142 applicants and thetentative approval of 45 others subject to age and phys-ical waivers?

It became increasingly apparent and by late Sep-tember it was conclusive that the number of enlistedapplicants was below expectation and the quota wouldnot be reached. The cause of the disappointingresponse is a matter of speculation. First, there is noevidence that large numbers of women were interest-ed in a military career. During the congressional hear-ings on the women's armed services legislation, thevoice of the woman veteran was not heard. Then, theage group involved was vulnerable to marriage andmotherhood, and while marriage itself was not a pro-hibiting factor to enlistment, it certainly was a deter-rent. Finally, the physical standards were quitestringent and the age restrictions for officers were, atthe very least, difficult. The women officers of World

3.3

GOING REGULAR 23

War II were, by and large, older than average whencompared to men of the same rank.

A Plans and Policy Division study of 24 September1948 recommended that the grade distribution forofficers be revised in light of the applications received;that the deadline for enlisted applications be extend-ed to 1 January; that officer applications be forward-ed to the board for consideration regardless ofineligibility for age or physical condition; that appli-cations for new enlistments by nonveterans be autho-rized; and that recruit classes begin by 1 March 1949."

Many of the recommendations were approved. Theenlisted transfer program was extended and age andphysical waivers were granted, but the problem ofopening up the program to nonveterans was set aside.And, indeed, at the time it was a problem. The Ma-rine Corps was not yet racially int:grated and to openenlistments meant to face "the Negro question." Fur-thermore, it required the hasty establishment andstaffing of a recruit training command for women.

In spite of the liberalized reenlistment procedures,less than 350 applications were received and about 25percent of these came from WRs on duty at Head-quartersP Even as CcAonel Towle arrived on 18 Oc-tober, suggestions, plans, and recommendations forthe reenlistment, recruitment, and training of wom-en Marines were being discussed and changed almostdaily. The paucity of applicants for the transfer pro-gram demanded new thinking.

The officer transfer program, for its part, movedrelatively smoothly requiring only a few changes inrank distribution. On 26 October the names of the21 Regular officers selectees were announced. The listincluded 1 colonel, 2 majors, 7 captains, and 11 firstlieutenants. Not counting Colonel Towle, who had re-cently reported aboard, only Major Hamblet and Lieu-tenant Hale were on active duty at the time ofselection. The initial list of women recommended forRegular commissions named:

Colonel Katherine A. TowleMajor Julia E. HambletMajor Pauline E. PerateCaptain Pauline B. BeckleyCaptain Barbara J. BishopCaptain Margaret M. HendersonCaptain Emma H. HendricksonCaptain Elsie E. HillCaptain Helen J. McGrawCaptain Nancy M. RobertsFirst Lieutenant Kathleen J. ArmyFirst Lieutenant Eunyce L. BrinkFirst Lieutenant Ben Alice Day

First Lieutenant Frances A. DenboFirst Lieutenant Mary J. FisherFirst Lieutenant Jeanne FlemingFirst Lieutenant Mary J. HaleFirst Lieutenant Margaret S. OrdemannFirst Lieutenant Pauline F. RileyFirst Lieutenant Margaret L. StevensonFirst Lieutenant Jeanette I. Sustad 12

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, GeneralCates, administered the oath to the first women tobecome Regular Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Towle,Major Hamblet, and Lieutenant Hale, in his office NI4 November 1948. On the previous day, Colonel Towlehad been discharged as a colonel from the MarineCorps Reserve. Upon accepting a Regular commission,she was appointed a permanent lieutenant colonel,and then, assuming the position of director, she waspromoted to the temporary rank of colonel once again.

Establishing the Office and Title,Director of Women Marines

In an analysis of the wartime Marine Corps Wom-en's Reserve written in 1945, the authors, very diplo-matically, but very clearly, pointed out the handicapunder which Colonel Streeter worked as an advisorwith no real authority of her own. The report ex-plained:

. . . the first real problem confronting the Marine Corpswas what to do with the Director, MCWR. There really didnot seem to be much place for her. Certainly she could not"direct" anything without cutting squarely across all offi-cial channels and chains of command, and creating divid-ed responsibility at all points.

Luckily, Colonel Streeter had great gOod sense, and a won-derful knack for getting along with people, for it was throughthe medium of friendly relations with department heads andcommanding officers that she eventually gained their con-fidence so that .. . suggestions could be made to them withsome hope of success.,3.

Colonel Streeter rightfully concluded that the mid-dle of a war was no time to quibble over administrativeand organizational details, but before leaving the Ma-rine Corps, she respectfully made the recommenda-tion that, ". . . a new study be made by the Divisionof Plans and Policies embodying the experience of thiswar as to the best possible use which can be made ofa Director, MCWR, in case of another war," and "Thather position be strengthened if this can be properlydone within the structure of the Marine Corps.'"4.

Colonel Streeter was ultimately responsible for theMarine Corps amendment to P. L. 625 which placedthe Director in the table of organization of the im-

c 34

24 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 19464977

mediate office of the Commandant. While serving asDirector of the MCWR between September 1946 andNovember 1948, Major Hamblet continually strivedto maintain some degree of control over all mattersthat affected the women. When Colonel Towle wasasked to return as the first Regular Director, the clarifi-cation of this one issue was a factor in her acceptance.Clearly, to the most senior women officers, the posi-tion of the Director of Women Marines was a matterof concern. This position was defined in a study of20 October 1948 which stated:

In establishing the office and title of the senior womanMarine, consideration is given to the following:

(a) An important aspect is the field of public relations,involving contacts outside of the Marine Corps. To insuremaximum prestige and effectiveness in these duties, it isnecessary that the senior woman Marine hold a title whichindicates a position of importance in the Marine Corps.

(b) This officer must have cognizance of all matters I er-taining to women Marines, Regular and Reserve, even thol ighsuch matters are handled by the appropriate Headquar tersagency in the same manner as for other Marines. Assigningactual administration and control of women Marines to ex-isting agencies precludes establishment of a separate divi-

sion or department to carry out such functions. Undcr thesecircumstances, the senior woman Marine could best exer-cise cognizance over matters in her sphere if she were estab-lished as an assistant to the Commandant for woman Marinematters. In this capacity she could initiate action on mat-ters affecting women Marines or make recommendations onpolicies and procedures concerning them but prepared byother agendes.15

The recommendations were approved and the seniorwoman Marine was called the Director of Women Ma-rines. Due directly to the efforts of Colonels Streeterand Towle and Major Hamblet between 1945 and1948, the Director of Women Marines enjoyed a some-what autonomous role, able to attend the Comman-dant's staff meetings in her own right, and able tobring to the Commandant or to a division head anyconflict which she felt merited his attention.

The First Enlisted women Marines

The enlisted Wits stationed at Headquarters lost notime in applying for Regular status, and, by Novem-ber, Colonel Towle was most anxious that the 210 al-ready selected women be sworn in as soon as possible

On 10 November 1948, the Commandant, Gen Clifton B. Cates, administers the enlist-ment oath to the first eight women sworn into the Regular Marine Corps, (left to right)MSgt Elsie J Miller, TSgt Bertha L. Peters, SSgt Betty J. Preston, SSgt Margaret A. Go-ings, Sgt Mildred A. Novotny, TSgt Mary E Wincheck, SSgt Anna Peregrim, and SSgtMary E. Roche, Col Katherine A. Towle, Director of Women Marines, is at far right.

35

ilvt.gc05

1611111101111111

GOING REGULAR 25

in order to generate some favorable publicity and in-terest. On the 173rd anniversary of the Marine Corps,10 November 1948, the first eight women, all WRson duty at Headquarters Marine Corps, were given theoath of enlistment by the Commandant. Seven ofthose women, Master Sergeant Elsie J. Miller, Techni-cal Sergeants Bertha L. Peters and Mary F. Wancheck,and Staff Sergeants Margaret A. Goings, Anna Pere-grim, Betty J. Preston, and Mary E. Roche, had beenon continuous active duty since their enlistment forwartime service. The eighth, Sergeant Mildred A.Novotny, had responded to the call for stenographersmade in late 1947. The eight new women Marines wereenlisted at the same rank that they held in theReserve.' 6

A WR at Headquarters during that period, retiredFirst Sergeant Esther D. Waclawski, remembered thatshe had alre'ady spent two days in Separation Com-pany when the transfer program was announced. Sheand her friend, Technical Sergeant Petrina "Pete" C.Nigro, rushed to the recruiting station on PennsylvaniaAvenue to "join the Marines." Although on active duty,these women had to follow the same procedures asformer WRs all over the country.'7 Upon r.cceptance,they were issued the usual travel orders with the seniorwoman put in charge. Typical of the travel orders ofthe time was a set dated 17 November 1948 and ad-dressed to Master Sergeant Alice Julia Connolly, whichread:

Having been enlisted this date in the USMC-W, you will,when directed, take charge of the below named women andproceed this date to Headquarters Battalion, HeadquartersU.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., where upon your ar-rival you and the women in your charge will report to theCommanding Officer thereat for duty

Technical Sergeant Marion Olson BarnesTechnical Sergeant Anna Marie SchermanStaff Sergeant June Virginia AndlerStaff Sergeant Rose Mary BarnesStaff Sergeant Wilma GreifensteinStaff Sergeant Jeanette Marie JohnsonStaff Sergeant Vera Eleanor PiippoSergeant Ruby Alwilda EvansSergeant Bertha Janice SchultzAs no transportation is involved none is furnished!,

Since it is safe to assume that a group of seniorNCOs is not likely to get lost on the way to the bat-talion to which they are already attached, the ordersmust have been issued because "it is always dolif; thatway."

The Pioneers

The original band of women in the Regular MarineCorps, now to be known as WMs, must have been anadventuresome lot. They had little idea of what wasin store for thcm, either in the way of assignments,length of service, or acceptance by the men of the Ma-rine Corps. Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, later tobe a Director of Women Marines, recalled that she ap-plied more or less to see if she could make it. Lieu-tenant Colonel Elsie Eleanor Hill submitted hesapplication with the thought in mind that she wouldprobably be stationed at home, in Philadelphia, whereshe had spent her entire wartime tour." The Inspectof-Instructor of the Reserve unit there told her of theplans for an organized platoon in the "City of Brother-ly Love."

Lieutenant Colonel Emma Hope HendricksonClowers, reminiscing about her feelings when she wassworn into the Regular Marine Corps on 3 December1948, said:

I think most women officers in the firm group who cameback as regular officers wondered how we would be receiv-ed by the career Marines. . . . We knew there had been nolack of enthusiasm on the part of the men for the many thou-sands of us who enlisted during WW II to lend a hand and"FREE A MAN TO FIGHT" our WW II motto. But thatwas quite a different situation from one in which we werereturning as career officers and would inevitably be in com-petition with them in varying degrees. It therefore was withmuch pleasure and surprise that, through the efforts of amale officer and his men, I was made to feel that they werehappy and proud to welcome me back in the Marine Corpsas a regular officer. At that time I was completing somestudies at the University of Southern California and was or-dered to report to the CO, MB, NB, [Commanding Officer,Marine Barracks, Naval Base] Long Beach to be sworn intothe Regular Marine Corps. The CO (Lieutenant ColonelCharles T. Hodges] put on a formal parade, with all his menin dress blues and held the swearing in ceremony on theparade grounds, followed by a reception in my honor. Pic-tures and a write-up appeared in two of the L.A. papersand in the USC paper. I think this first experience as a regularofficer not only made me feel that I was again a part of theMarine Corps but also served to erase my doubts as to ac-ceptance as a regular officer."

Reindoctrination of the Officers

In view of the long period of inactive service formost of the returning women over two years forsomeColonel Towle planned a short reindoctrina-tion course to be held at Henderson Hall. The one-time class of 17 of the new officers was scheduled for13 to 17 December under the direction of Captain Il-

36


lich. Then one of these officers was to be selected toconduct similar training classes for the enlisted wom-en to begin in January."

Reindoctrination for the officers included classes inadministration, naval law, military customs and courte-sies, leadership, recruiting, and a discussion of the roleof women in the Regular services. There was a myriadof administrative details to attend to and then therewas the matter of "close order drill:*

In her wisdom, Colonel Towle asked for an indoorhall where the officers could drill unobserved, and sothe Post Theater at Henderson Hall became their drillfield. But the colonel underestimated the drawingpower of the sight of women officers in a military for-mation trying to recapture the marching precision oftheir "candidate days." Enlisted men crowded in thedoorways and enlisted women filled the projectionbooth to watch the group in which, retired First Ser-geant Betty Schultz remembered, "Each officer hada step of her own."22 To make matters worse, the floorwas slippery and the women were self-conscious of theirtoo short, and in some cases too tight uniforms in frontof the onlookers and in particular in front of the hand-some drill instructor, First Lieutenant William H.Lanagan, Jr., later to be a brigadier general.

Most of those women had never expected to returnto the Marine Corps and were lucky if they had evenone uniform as a souvenir of their days in the Corps.After the war, skirt lengths dropped drastically withthe arrival of the fashion called "The New Look."Lengthening skirts became a major preoccupation."We were very interested in looking each other overto see how we managed to put together a uniform,"recalled Colonel Henderson. Like the other tall wom-en, her only recourse had been to insert a piece offabric just below the skirt waistband. This meant, ofcourse, that she could never remove her jacket.23

They had the opportunity to order new uniformsfrom -he tailor during the week of reindoctrination,but there was no solution to the problem of thefashionable longer skirts hanging several inches belowthe short overcoats. Major General William P. T. Hill,the Quartermaster General, insisted upon depletingthe wartime supply of uniforms before ordering newones but later he relented and bought longer skirtswhich, of course, did not match the five-year-oldjackets."

It is likely, believing that they had sem the last ofthe women, that the Marines sold VCR _4(1.L.eorms to sur-plus dealers after the war. Although no documents

have been found to prove it, thc evidence is convinc-ing. When P.L. 625 was finally signed by PresidentTruman, a surplus dealer came to Headquarters andoffered to sell WR uniforms to Lieutenant Hale. Thereis a well-known story of a former woman Reservistshopping in a Pittsburgh department store and find-ing all the elevator operators dressed in Marine uni-forms complete with the distinctive buttons. Butperhaps the worst incident of all is the one told byColonel Ham blet. Among the novelties for sale by aconcessionaire at the circus was a woman Marine uni-form hat. There was but one displayed and she boughtit.25

Next to the uniform problem, the officers in thatfirst group were confronted by the postwar Washing-ton housing shortage. Although some expected to bepermanently stationed in the area, others knew thattheir stay was temporary. Tired of paying exorbitantrates in a downtown hotel, about 10 of thein rentedseveral unfurnished apartments in Shirlington (Arling-ton, Virginia), a few miles from Marine Corps Head-quarters. Captain Hill, the OIC (Officer in Charge)of the enlisted reindoctrination program, was able toborrow cots, dressers, and mess tables from Head-quarteis Battalion, Henderson Hall, and thus allowthe women to set up "squadbays" in the empty apart-ments. A card table and chairs were loaned by newlyarrived Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, when his secre-tary, June Hendrickson, joined the group."

Reindoctrination of Enlisted IFAfs

Beginning in January 1949, Captain Hill supervis-ed a series of enlisted reindoctrination classes and hadan office at Henderson Hall. The women had to beissued uniforms, reclassified, and given refresher classesin military subjects. As with the officers, much timewas spent on administrative matters such as allotments,savings bond purchases, issuance of new identificationcards and tags (dog tags), photographs, and physicals.The WMs attended the five-day class in groups of 15and were billeted in the former dispensary during thecourse.

Twenty-seven women Reservists living on the westcoast were selected for transfer to Regular status andCaptain Illich went to the Headquarters of the Depart-ment of Pacific in San Francisco in late January to con-duct their training on the spot. In a letter to thecommanding general, Major General Leroy P. Hunt,Colonel Towle explained the reindoctrination courseand made assurances that Captain Illich could han-dle it with a minimum of effort on the part of the

GOING REGULAR 27

general's staff. She also told him of her intention toassign First Lieutenant Margaret Stevenson to theDepartment of Pacific. Tactfully, she wrote:

As you probably know, it was always the policy in theMCWR to have at least one womn officer detailed to dutyat a post or station where enlisted women were serving, whoin addition to her regular assignment, could have generalsupervision over their welfare, appearance, etc. and to whomthey could go for advice and information if they wanted to.I believe such a policy is sound and highly desirable for manyreasons.

Lieutenant Stevenson has had Quartermaster training, butcan, I feel certain, do almost any kind of administrative work.She had an excellent record as a Reserve officer, is most con-scientious and sincere, and very pleased with her assignment.I am sure you too will be pleased to have such a competentwoman officer as our first "regular" representative in yourHeadquarters. Since she comes from California, she is asamazed ar she is pleased that the Marine Corps is sendingher back there for duty.

Forgive this long letter, but I thought this informationmight be of interest and assistance to you in your con-sideration of plans for the coming invasion of WomenMarines."

While the Director of Women Marines personallyselected women officers with specific billets in mind,she was totally aware that assignment is a commandprerogative and that she had no authority once thewoman reported to her duty station. Colonel Towle,in her gracious way, developed the peacetime wom-en's organization in a spirit of cooperation rather thancompetition with the male Marines. After the initialdoubts and outright opposition to the integration ofwomen, it came as a pleasant surprise when the mennot only tolerated the female presence but went outof their way to help them get established.

Designation of Women Marines

A Marine Corps Memorandum, dated 16 Novem-ber 1948, directed that women entering the RegularMarine Corps be referred to as "Women Marines,"with "USMC-W" as the short title or reporting form.The identification of Reservists wouid be "USMCR-W."28 Colonel Towle took great exception to the "W"and the proper designation of women Marines becameone of her first priorities. She suggested an alterna-tive in a memorandum which stated:

It is believed the apparent inconsistencies can be resolv-ed if the "W" as indicator of a woman Marine were usedwith the service number rather than as a component desig-nator. For example: Second Lieutenant Jane Doe, USMC(W050123) (0105) or for a reservist, Sergeant Jane Doe,USMCR (W755123) (0143). This is clear and concise, and

\T'3 8

would be used in every instance in official correspondence,orders, records, and publications where the service numbcris customarily indicated. It would also bc evidence, whichthe Director of Women Marines considers important for themorale and prestige of the women, that womcn are an in-tegral part of the Marine Corps or the Marine Corps Reserve,and not relegated to a specially constituted women's com-poncnt as USMC-W and USMCR-W

Her plan met with some opposition. While one staffcomment noted the naval tradition to identify non-combatant components; for example, Captain Joe Doe(MC), another suggested the idea could be carried tothe extreme and cooks would be designated CorporalJoe Doe, USMC-C. Written, staffed, and rewritten,the recommendation was finally approved on 17March 1950 and thereafter the "W" was placed be-fore the serial number of women Marines.30

In the same vein, Colonel Towle preferred the word"women" to "female," and in her comments on a pro-posed order regarding officer promotion examination,she wrote:

The use of "female" instead of "women" in referring tothe distaff side of the Marine Corps was gone into quitethoroughly when the new Marine Corps Manual was writ-ten. It was finally agreed upon that "women" would be theaccepted terminology even when used as an adjective, e.g.,"Women Marines," "women officer," etc. The usage fol-lows that established in Public Law 625, "Women's ArmedServices Integration Act of 1948." From a purist's point ofview "female" may be correct when used as a counterpartof male, but from a woman's point of view it is very objec-tionable. I would appreciate, therefore, having reference to"female" deleted and "women" substituted . . . .

This sounds a little like "the battle of the sexes." It won'tbe unless we are called "females"!31

Recruit Training Established at Pamis Island

The idea that only 200 new recruits would requirebasic training during the first two years was soon aban-doned. On 29 November 1948, even before the trans-fer program was completed, Colonel Towle wasinvestigating the, possibility of conducting womanrecruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Be-cause the majority of women Marines would have tobe recruited from among civilians, and because of thenumbers involved, Henderson Hall was no longer con-sidered suitable. Not only was it too small, but it wasnot considered the type of Marine Corps post whosemission and atmosphere would help instill the desiredespirit de corps and pride which distinguish Marinerecruits. To strengthen her case, Colonel Towle point-ed out the convenience of having several appropriatespecialist schools at Parris Island since training beyond


Capt Margaret M. Henderson (right) reads the order activating the 3d Recruit TrainingBattalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in Feburary 1949.

basic military indoctrination would be essential if theWMs hoped to attain the mobilization objective ofbeing a skilled group ready for expansion in case ofwar.32 Happily, Major General Alfred H. Noble, Com-manding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Par-ris Island, gave his unqualified support to the idea.

Captain Margaret M. Henderson was selected tohead up recruit training. With no more writtenguidance than a piece of paper on which was typedthe general training plan, she and several membersof her staff went to work at a long table outside Col-onel Towle's office on the first floor of Marine CorpsHeadquarters.33 Lieutenant Colonel Mary Hale, whoas a lieutenant was assigned as training officer to theembryo command, believed that, "Margaret Hender-son was the perfect choice" to establish recruit train-ing. She had had extensive teaching experience incivilian schools and was OIC of the Marine Corps In-stitute Business School during the war.34

In early January, Captain Henderson accompaniedColonel Towle to Parris Island to inspect the availablefacilities and to discuss the proposed training sched-ule. The women were assigned Building 902 in the

same area used by World War II WRs. They wouldshare the mess hall, Building 900, and the adminis-tration/gymnasium facilities, building 914, with otheractivities, primarily the Recruit Depot's InstructionCompany.

Captain Henderson arrived at Parris Island for du-ty on 25 January with Lieutenant Arney who was ontemporary duty to set up the WM uniform shop. Bythe end of the month Lieutenants Hale, Fisher, andSustad reported and by mid-February the enlistedwomen were on the island, and all were attached toHeadquarters Company, H&S Battalion: The roster in-cluded:

Captain Margaret M. Henderson, Commanding Officer.First Lieutenant Jeanette I. Sustad, Executive Officer.First Lieutenant Mary J. Hale, Training Officer; Security OfficerFirst Lieutenant Mary J. Fisher, Police & Property Officer; Spe-

cial Services Officer.First Lieutenant Kathleen J. Arney, Temporary duty connected

with WM uniform mauers.Master Sergeant Elsie J. Miller, Sergeant Major.Technical Sergeant Bertha L. Peters, Chief Clerk.Technical Sergeant Barbara A. Ames, Special Services NCO.Staff Sergeant June V. Andler, Pay Clerk.

3))

GOING REGULAR 29

Staff Sergeant Dorothy T. Hunt, Instructor,Staff Sergeant Dorothy E. Sullivan, Platoon Sergeant.Sergeant Margaret K. Leier, Instructor.Sergeant Mark A. Proulx, Correspondence Clerk.Sergeant Ruth Ryan, Police Sergeant.Sergeant Bertha J. Schultz, Platoon Sergeant.Sergeant Agncs C. Thomas, Duty NCO.Sergeant Ardella M. Wheeler, Quartermaster Clerk.Sergeant Mary E. Zabriskie, Platoon Sergeant.Corporal Rosa V. Harrington, Instructor,Corporal Grace M. Karl, Instructor?3

Although set up like a battalion and so designat-ed, the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, the unit in noway resembled a battalion in size. A visiting Armygeneral saw the "battalion" led by a captain andremarked, "Now I've seen everything!" The organiza-tional plan was deliberate, however, and was based onGeneral Noble's desire that the senior woman Marineon the depot, Captain Henderson, have disciplinarycontrol over all women Marines at Parris Island. Cap-tain Henderson was designated his advisor on mat-

ters concerning WMs and as such was a member ofhis special staff."

The six-week training schedule for women recruitswas organized into eight periods daily Mondaythrough Friday and four periods on Saturday for a to-tal of 264 hours. The objectives were stated as:

1) To give basic Marine Corps indoctrination to womenwho have no previous experience.

2) To give the women information on the part the Ma-rine Corps played in our national history and its place inthe current National Military Establishment.

3) To classify each individual to fill an available billet ac-cording to her abilities.

4) To develop in each individual a sense of responsibili-ty, an understanding of the importance of teamwork, anda desire for self-improvement an t! advancement in the Ma-rine Corps.37

With those objectives in mind, the 20 women wentto work preparing the bqrracks and classroom; writ-ing lesson plans, recruit regulations, and battalion ord-ers; making out training schedules and coordinating

Future Director of Women Marines, I sat Jeanette I. Sustad (standing second from left),is photographed with the original staff of the 3d Recruit TrainingBattalion, Parris Island.

4 0


Platoon sergeants SSgt Dorothy' E. Sullivan (left) and Sgt Betty J. Schuliz.(righi) withthe first platoon.to undergo' training at the3d Recruit Training-Battalion, Patris

their plans with all the depot facilities that support-ed recruit training. The barracks needed little reno-vation, but they had to be scrubbed and shined tomeet the standards of distaff Marines. SergeP...tt Ryanordered bunks, locker boxes, linen, and supplies andher job was made easier by the depot supply peoplewho saved their best for the 3d Battalion. SergeantsSchultz and Sullivan arranged squadbays. Several ofthe enlisted women had some college background, andthey went to work writfrict- lesson plans. LieutenantHale, a self-described "pacx rat," made good use oforders and schedules she had saved from her wartimetour at the WR school at Camp Lejeune, and the Ma-rines of Instruction Company under the command ofMajor Gerald T. Armitage helped in all facets of thepreparation.38

The enlisted staffall ranks from master sergeantto corporalwas billeted on the lower deck of Build-ing 902. Recruits would eventually occupy an uppersquadbay. In addition to everything else, the womenprepared themselves for this important assignment bypracticing close order drill in an empty upper squad-bay. They had no other training, and they were as ap-

prehensive about meeting the recruits as the recruitswere about meeting them.38

The drill instructors were selected from among maleMarines with experience on the drill field. Staff Ser-geant Jack W. Draughon had been a D.I. for two yearswhen Lieutenant Colonel Herman Nickerson, Jr.,asked him if he would be interested in the job withthe 3d Battalion. After a careful screening by Cap-tain Henderson, Staff Sergeant Draughon, SergeantPayton L. Lee, and Corporal Paul D. Lute were assignedas the drill instructors. Sergeant Draughon remem-bered very clearly his first interview with Captain Hen-derson. It was strange in those days to sit across froma Marine captain answering, "Yes, ma'am" and "No,ma'am." Leaving her office, he met Lieutenant ColonelNickerson and Colonel Russell N. Jordahl in the pas-sageway and Colonel Jordahl said, "So you're goingto be the D. I. for the women Marines?" to whichDraughon answered "Yes, ma'am." The story quicklymade the rounds and Marine artist Norval E. Pack-wood immortalized the incident in a "Leatherneck"cartoon.48

The male drill instructorspught close order drill,

41

GOING REGULAR31

first aid, chemical warfare, and classes on general ord-ers. At first they had to endure some goodnaturedharassment when they took the recruits outside thebattalion area, and Marines taunted them with, "HeySarge, your slip is showing:' To avoid snickers and kid-ding, Sergeant Draughon often got the platoon go-ing and then stepped up on the sidewalk and walkedas if alone, but with one eye on his recruits.4'

While the staff was still readying itself at Parris Is-land, the Marine Corps formally announced on 13January 1949 that enlistmerit was open to nonveterans.General requirements were somewhat stricter thanthose for WRs who transferred from Reserve to Regu-lar in that recruits had to be single, had to be highschool graduates, and had to be approved by a board,convened quarterly, at Headquarters Marine Corps.Private Connie J. Lovil of Incksburg, Arkansas, was thefirst woman Marine recruit to arrivereporting in onthe day the battalion was formed, 23 February." Re-tired First Sergeant Betty Schultz remembers being"scared as all heck," when going to Port Royal to meetthe first contingent of recruits. She and Sergeant Dot-tie Sullivan were the platoon sergeants of Platoon 1Awhich began training on 2 March, donned its uniformsfor the first time on the 11th, and graduated on Tues-day, 12 April."

Colonel Towle came down from Headquarters as theguest of General Noble and together they attendedthe reremonies which included an outdoor inspection,

ling to the accompaniment of the Parris Islandand Bugle Corps, and the traditional speeches

in -lassroom. Of the 30 graduating recruits, 15 re-

mair, attend Personnel Administration Schooland t. :est were sent directly to Headauarters forduty.44

The First Black Women MarinesIt is rumored that several black women "passed" as

white and served in the MCWR, but, officially, thefirst black women Marines enlisted during the sum-mer of 1949 and joined the 3d Recruit 'training Bat-talion on 10 September. Platoon 7 therefore is believedto be one of the first racially integrated Marine Corpsunits since, at the time, black male Marines weresegregated and trained separately."

The press had often questioned Colonel Towle onthe Marine Corps policy regarding black women, andshe answered that they would be recruited the sameas whites. During the congressional hearings, after thewar, Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New Yorkhad made quite an issue of the fact that no black wom-en had served in the MCWR. It was a serious matter

complicated by the southern tradition of segregation.The number of black women Marines was sure to betoo few to allow for any type of separate facilities andno one was quite certain how white women, unac-customed to mixing with blacks, would react to an in-tegrated barracks situation.

Colonel Towle called Captain Henderson and toldher that she would not send one black woman, by her-self, to Parris Island this out of consideration for thewoman. Captain Henderson and Lieutenants Sustadand Hale discussed what they foresaw as potentialproblems, and they decided to assign bunks to the in-coming platoon geographically rather thanalphabeticallynorthern recruits at one end of thesquadbay and southern recruits at the other. They toldno one of the plan, including the platoon sergeants,and according to First Sergeant Schultz, they werecompletely unaware that the precaution had beentaken!' 6

A more frivolous concern was the beauty shop. Thewhite hairdressers from Beaufort did not know howto do the black women's hair, and it is doubtful thatthey would have been willing to do it in any case. BothCaptain Henderson from Texas and Lieutenant Halefrom Georgia knew that the recruits would need spe-cial preparations and equipment but neither was quitecertain what they were. They enlisted the help of theblack maid who worked in the Women Officers' Quart-ers to buy the necessary supplies.47 When she had corn-pleted all arrangements, Captain Henderson called inthe staff and gave a stern warning that if anyone treat-ed these recruits differently from the others, theywould answer to her.

Ann Estelle Lamb of New York City, whose enlist-ment contract was signed by Major Louis H. Wilson,Jr., a future Commandant of the Marine Corps, andAnnie E. Graham of Detroit arrived on the same day,and from all accounts their boot training was unevent-ful." Although both women were from northern ci-ties they undoubtedly understood the time and theplace, and they did not complain, for example, aboutfixing their own hair, after hours in Lieutennit Hale'soffice.

No one connected with recruit training at the timeremembers any unpleasantness and, in fact, ColonelHenderson now believes that the separation of thesoutherners from the blacks was unnecessary. She doesrecall, however, that the curiosity of the entire depotwas piqued and that all eyes were on Platoon 7.Wherever they went, Marines, including the com-manding general, were at the window to stare."

4 2


Occasionally, recruits attended football games inSavannah, drawing lots for tickets. As chance wouldhave it, Privates Lamb and Graham were among thelucky recruits one weekend and everyone took a deepbreath as blacks and whites left together on their wayto the segregated stadium. Again all went well.50*

Private Lamb remained at Parris Island to attendthe Personnel Administration School where shefinished first in a class of 61. Now a student rather

*See Hcnry I. Shaw, Jr., and Ralph W. Donnelly, Blacks in theMarine Corps (Washington: History and Museums Division, HQMC,1975), p. 56 for a discussion of General Noble's attitude towardsintegration while he was the Commanding General, Marine CorpsRecruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

than a recruit, she went on liberty, but it was some-what inconvenient outside of the depot. Many yearslater, Colonel Henderson met a women who had beenin charge of the USO at Beaufort during the period,and the woman told her of an incident concerning aWM who called to make reservations for roller skat-ing, but she said that there would be a Negro withthe group and if she was not welcome, none of themwould come.51

The third black woman Marine, enlisted in Chica-go in 1950, was Annie L. Grimes, destined to becomea warrant officer in 1968 and the first black womanofficer to retire after a full 20-year career.52 From thebeginning, black and white women Marines trainedand lived together. Accounts differ as to whether the

Pvt Annie L. Grimes, the third black woman to join the Marine Corps and destined tobecome the first black woman officer, with her recruit platoon at Parris Island, in 1950.

*1, La

43

,ecolr.t

GOING REGULAR 33

blacks were subjected to discrimination, but there isgeneral agreement among active duty and formerWMs that any discrimination or harassment directedat the black women was always a case of individualpersonalities and never a case of organizational bias.*

Establishing the Women Officers'Training Class at Quantico

After the initial selection under the so-called trans-fer program, the only source of women officers wasthrough the commissioning of second lieutenants whosuccessfully completed the Women Officers' TrainingClass. The class, which vaguely resembled the malePlatoon Leaders Course, was conducted at the MarineCorps Schools at Quantico. WOTC, as it was known,was the responsibility of the Commandant of the Ma-rine Corps Schools and fell under the operational con-trol of the Education Center and the administrativecontrol of Headquarters Battalion.

The class, held only in the summer, was dividedinto two six-week periods: the first a junior course;and the second a senior course. College graduates andseniors would attend both sessions, juniors would at-tend only the junior course, and qualified enlistedwomen were scheduled only for the senior course. Suc-cessful candidates who held a bachelor's degree andwho were at least 21 years old would be commissionedsecond lieutenants in the Marine Corps Reserve. Onlyseven honor graduates would be offered Regular com-missions and these would then attend an additionaleight-week Women Officers' Basic IndoctrinationCourse (WOIC) to be held at the Basic School. The

*"I find it hard, in 1980, to look back on those days. But it wasa fact of life during the years 1949 and 1950. My friends today arejust friends, whether white or black. But I was just as guilty as any-one in the change process. I can recall that at MCAS, Cherry Point,I was very much concerned about the acceptance and/or treatmentof my Negro enlisted women, who arrived in 1950 to become a partof WMD-2. It all worked out thanks to the wisdom of Sgt MajorAlice). Connolly and T. Sgt Katherine O'Keefetwo superb hu-man beings.

When I learned that two Negro women would be reporting tomy command, I was concerned. But I consulted my trusty Sgt Ma-jor Alice). Connolly, and together we decided on a course of ac-tion. They would be billeted in an area with T. Sgt O'Keefe, a devoutChristian woman, and if there were any problems, they would bereferred to the Commanding Officer. How antiquated this deci-sion now seems to be! But in retrospect, it was important that weplaced the two Negro women in areas where there would be minimalor no rejectionand, of course it worked. We had no problems."Col Helen A. Wilson comments on draft manuscript, dtd 1jan80.

Reservists could request assignment to continuous ac-tive duty, but most would return home in an inac-tive status.

Each session was limited to about 50 candidates whowere at least 18 years old; single; citizens of the Unit-ed States; and college graduates, or in the case of un-dergraduates, regularly enrolled in an accreditedschool and pursuing a course leading to a degree. En-listed women and former WRs who were collegegraduates or who could pass a college educationalequivalency examination were encouraged to apply.53

l'ublicity for the program began in April 1949 butthere were no pamphlets, posters, mailing lists, orother procurement aids. The recruiters' teams for thePlatoon Leaders Course brought mimeographed in-formation sheets to the coeduational schools they visit-ed, but it was very late in the season for a classbeginning in June. The first woman officer procure-ment officer was, in effect, Colonel Towle herself, whomade a three-week tour in May of women's collegesin the northeast and southeast to acquaint the collegesand the students with the program.34

Captain Hill was selected to head the WOTC staffof four officers and six enlisted women, all temporarilyassigned to Quantico and attached to the SchoolsCompany, Headquarters Battalion. Captain Hill andLieutenant Eunyce L. Brink left Headquarters on 20April for the five-month tour. Colonel Towle wrotelong, explanatory setters to Captain Nita Bob Warnerand Lieutenant Doris V. Kleberger, both Reservists,and asked them to join the staff. In her letter to Lieu-tenant Kleberger she wrote:

4 4

While on active duty your base pay would be that of afirst lieutenant. In case you have forgotten, $200.00 is a firstlieutenant's pay. You would also, of course, be entitled toany longevity which you have earned. For every three yearsthis is a 5 per cent increase. By this time, you must be veryclose to the second pay period, or 6 years. You would alsodraw the customary $21.00 a month subsistence. As youwould be in Government quarters at Quantico you wouldnot draw quarters allowance.

Naturally, I have no way of knowing whether you are ina position to consider this proposition, or even whether youare interested. I can only hope for both, as I know you wouldhelp immeasurably in this important venture. I also thinkit could give you not only satisfaction in a job well donebut afford you a rather pleasant and profitable occupationfor the next few months. I would not, however, want to in-terfere with any future plans you may have made, or to haveyou sacrifice the permanency of a civilian occupation for tem-porary duty with the Marine Corps. Whether there wouldbe opportunity for you to continue in a Reserve billet afterthis summer job is finished is something I cannot predict

34

L '.q

sr.

:A

J.;

I -4"


Col Joseph C. Burger, commander of The Basic School, awards regular commissions tomembers of the first Woman Officer Training Class, 1949: Virginia M. JohUson, EssieM. Lucas, Anna F. Champlin, Eleanor M. Bach, Doris V. Kleberger, Betty J. Preston.

right now. For a limited time there might be, but I don'twant to hold that out as an inducement.55

At the time, both Captain Warner and LieutenantKleberger were graduate students at the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley, and were personally known toColonel Towle. Luckily for the woman Marine pro-gram, a number of competent WRs and former WRswere in school during that period and could affordto take a chance on a temporary assignment. Lieu-tenant Brink, a Regular officer, was temporarilydetached from her duties as administrative assistantto the Director of Women Marines in order to be pla-toon leader. The staff was completed by Technical Ser-geant Janet R. Paterson, Technical Sergeant '!A" FernSchirmer, Staff Sergeant Mary S. Cookson, SergeantRosalie C. Evans, Corporal Helen C. Cathcart, andCorporal Anna M. Delaney.56 Most of the instruction

was done by male officers from the staffs of the BasicSchool, Junior School (later Amphibious WarfareSchool), and Senior School (later Command and StaffCollege). Colonel James T. Wilbur and his staff at theEducation Center worked very closely with CaptainHill in developing a syllabus, schedules, and lessonplans.57

The women were quartered in the old WR area over-looking the Potomac. The candidates and the enlist-ed staff were assigned to Barracks 3076 which was usedas a dependents' school during the winter. The NCOs,on the lower deck, had a lounge and private roomsthe candidates were billeted in squad rooms on the

Capt Elsie E. Hill, officer-in-charge, conducts Satur-day morning personnel inspection of the first Wom-an Officer Training Class, Quantico, Virginia in 1949.

4 5J.

4.0.30WOJIN At.k.C.A41142".1-4,1,,yr

I

4;274 4

e;Irs

teS-75

,,

I f / '''''" I"..., ' A --

, -,.

I 1 IAi.17,,,,,:`,4, i

, 1,,,,,:',.,,,,;,,,,t,4,,...,.., s.... .1..-,..i -1: .I,. '. ..:',:: :' -1'; ...

-/LI . i ' - K-ili-,;-, '-11 .:-'.7., 1' --i. " '''''' ^ 1., '

:, ---;i1 ''Z. t",., 1.,', '''',, Oijr 4:;. , 1 1 i'l

IP; 'F, ';',..:*-;--P ,1 ,. ,

1 I

36

second deck. The four women officers lived nearby inMarried Officers' Quarters, Building 3078, which wasan apartment building converted from a barracks. Itwas unheard of at the time for women officers to livein bachelor officers' quarters, so they were given athree-bedroom apartment in the quarters reserved formarried lieutenant colonels and colonels. Few colonelswanted to live in the building, yet there was somehealthy grumbling about giving junior women Ma-rines a field grade apartment.58

In spite of the late start and the lack of recruitingmaterial, 180 completed applications were received,and 67 candidates from 35 colleges began the juniorcourse on 10 June 1949. They were welcomed by theCommandant of the Marine Corps Schools, MajorGeneral Shepherd, who told them he personally feltthere was a "definite place for women Marines duringpeace, as there was during war," and he encouragedthem to try for the Regular commissions." GeneralShepherd had already given convincing evidence ofhis positive view toward women in the Marine Corpswith his efforts to keep WRs on duty after World WarII. In recalling the period, Lieutenant Colonel Hillstated emphatically that the women could not havemanaged the officer training on such short noticewithout the "marvelous support" of the male Marinesat Quantico, especially General Shepherd. He took anactive interest in their training, often appearing dur-ing a drill period, where as a perfect southern gentle-man he always removed his hat when speaking to awoman Marine no matter what her rank."

The first WOTC graduation exercises were held on9 September 1949 in the auditorium of the Am-phibious Warfare School, Junior Course. Thirty-fourcandidates were recommended for commissions: 18immediately and 16 pending the receipt ofa bachelors'degree. A quota of seven Regular commissions was al-lowed. Those to be appointed Regular officers were:

Eleanor M. BachEssie M. Lucas (former WR; later Dowler)Joan Morrissey

Betty J. Preston (among the first enlisted WRs sworn into theRegular Marine Corps on 10 November 1948)

Anna F. ChamplinVirginia M. Johnson (later Sherman)61

The seventh and last one was given to LieutenantKleberger, who was in competition with the candidatesin her platoon. In a 1977 letter to the History andMuseums Division, Lieutenant Colonel Klebergerwrote:


While serving on the staff, my interest in remaining inthe Marine Corps became very intense. I discovered that Imet all "requirements for commissioning" (including age

less than 27 on 1 July of the year of commissioning)with the exception of the requirement that I be a graduateof Warn. I requested commissioning in accordance withexisting regulations, requesting that "graduation fromWOTC" be waived in that I was a platoon leader and cer-tainly possessed the required training. Additionally, in viewof my six years in the Marine Corps Reserve, I requested ap-pointment to the rank of first lieutenant (a request that wasnot granted).62

This case was repeated in 1950 when LieutenantElaine T. Carville, then on continuous active duty,asked to be transferred to the Regular Marine Corps.Since there were so few vacancies and they were view-ed as recruiting incentives, the Procuremelit Branchopposed the idea of giving Regular appointments toformer WR officers. Having approved Lieutenant Kle-berger's case just a year earlier, Colonel Towle felt thatLieutenant Carville should have the same opportuni-ty to compete for a regular commission. Her commentsincluded:

Unfortunately, there is nothing that I can find to preventformer WR officers from applying for regular commissionsproviding they meet all requirements, including that of age.When the directive concerning the "transfer" program waswritten this loophole was apparendy not considered. Actu-ally because of the age requirement I doubt if we will havemany, if any, more such requests; most of the MCWR officersare already too old even with service adjusted age. Carvilleherself just got under the wire.

Since the WOIC had been set up as the sole means ofprocuring regular women officers, I would not approve ofCarville not being required to take some training. It mightbe possible to assign her as a platoon commander as we didKleberger last summer, which could excuse her from atten-ding the WIC, or her present duties as Assistant Inspector-Instructor of an organized reserve platoon might be consi-dered equivalent training. Certainly, however, she shouldbe required to attend the two months of additional indoc-trination if selected for a regular commission as second lieu-tenant. . . .

Fortunately, Lieutenant Carville is, I understand from var-ious sources, a capable officer, and if selected would proba-bly be a credit to the Marine Corps. But if her request isapproved she should be given to understand:

(1) That she will compete with WOTC graduates on anequal basis, with no prior assurance of selection.

(2) That she can in no event receive a regular commis-sion higher than second lieutenant.

(3) That she would have to complete such basic indoc-trination as the Marine Corps prescribes."

These women, Doris Kleberger and Elaine Carville,both retired lieutenant colonels, were the only form-er WRs who had to take a demotion upon transfer to

4 7

GOING REGULAR

the Regular Marine Corps. Captain Warner, the assis-tant OIC that summer at Quantico, did not meet theage requirements for transfer and remained a Reser-vist. During the Korean War, another integration pro-gram opened, and she was able to integrate withoutlosing any rank.

A problem surfaced in 1953 when Lieutenants Kle-berger and Carville found:

. . . that we were subject to separation from the MarineCorps under P.L. 625 because of the loophole in the law thatneither the Marine Corps nor either of us considered whenaccepting commissions as second lieutenants with date ofrank of 1949 and 1950, respectively. Basically, this providedfor the separation of officers who had completed seven yearsof active commissioned service, regular and reserve, and whohad not been selected for the rank of Captain. JAG ruledthat we could not eliminate our reserve active time and therewas no way we could become eligible for Captain before

37

reaching that seven years of active commissioned service. Thiseventually required seeking relief from the Board of Cor-rection of Naval Records and subsequent reassignment ofdate of rank to provide eligibility for the rank of Captainbefore mandatory separation.64

In addition to the Regular commissions awarded tomembers of the first class, Reserve commissions weregiven to: Sara J. Andersun, Nedra C. Calender, Cather-ine L. Frazier, Pearl A. Jackson, Mildred D. Morrow,Mary E. O'Donnel, Emily C. Ogburn, Shirley A. Pritz-ker, Margaret C. Roberts, Barbara J. Stephenson, Phyl-lis L. Jones, and Marie L. Henry." Among the 16undergraduates who returned to school, but laterserved on active duty were Barbara B. Kasdorf, JoanP. O'Neil, Natalie Noble, and Mary Sue Mock.

The seven "Regulars" were assigned to the BasicSchool and began the Woman Officers' Indoctrination

Capt Elsie E. Hill, officer-in-charge, leads candidates of the first Woman Officer Can-didate Class as they parade on Barnett Avenue, Quantico, Virginia, summer 1949.

EMU

48


Course on 23 September, but an administrative de-tail delayed their commissioning until the end of themonth. During the intervening week, WOIC consist-ed of one Reserve fi r s t lieutenant and six Reservesergeants one of whom, Joan Morrissey, was under-age and had to complete the entire course as an en-listed woman."

Captain Hill, assigned to the S-3 of the Basic School,and now the only woman staff officer left at Quanti-co, accompanied the students on a trip to Parris Is-land which was planned to acquaint the new officers

with recruit training and to give them the opportunityto drill enlisted troops. In the fall of 1949, there wereno enlisted women except Sergeant Morrisseystationed at Quantico, and it was awkward, ifnot im-possible, to conduct any type of close order drill witha formation of seven women.67

Upon graduation, 18 November, the lieutenantswere transferred and Captain Hill was reassigned tothe Testing and Educational Unit, thereby becomingthe first postwar woman Marine to be 2ermanently sta-tioned at Quantico.68

4 9

CHAPTER 4

The Korean War YearsOrganized Reserve Gets UnderwayMission and AdministrationThe First Seven WR Platoons

Add Six More PlatoonsMobilization of Organized Reserve Units, KoreaVolunteer Reservists Answer The CallWomen Marines Return to Posts and Stations

Korean War Brings Changes to Recruit TrainingA Few Changes at Officer Candidate SchoolThe Korean Years, Reprise

Organized Reserve Gets Underway

Of equal importance to the integration of womeninto the regular service was the development of astrong women's Reserve. During the early phases ofplanning, in 1946-47, Colonel Pate, Director, Divi-sion of Reserve, was a strong advocate of OrganizedReserve units for women. He frequently found him-self defending this relatively unpopular ideaan ideaunique to the Marine Corps.' Senior Marines at Head-quarters recognized the need for a women's Reserve,but Marines, by and large, shuddered at the thoughtof this female intrusion. Little by little, the conceptgained wider acceptance especially when it was consi-dered as an alternazive to women Regulars. It effec-tively solved the problem of maintaining the affiliationof the WRs and of training a group who would even-tually take their place.

Until February 1949, the Division of Reserve stillthought in terms of 30 women's companies with a to-tal strength of 60 officers and 1,500 enlisted women,but in reviewing the Marine Corps budget for fiscalyear 1950, the Bureau of the Budget reduced the es-timate and eliminated the provisions for drill pay fororganized women's companies. The Division of Plansand Policies reexamined the location of existing or-ganized units with the purpose of determining thosein which women's detachments could readily be justi-fied. Based upon the premise that any locality in which500 or more enlisted personnel were administeredwould justify a women's Reserve detachment, the studyrecommended the activation of 30 women's platoons?By March, the plans were finally approved for 15 pla-toons of two officers and 50 enlisted women each.Major Hamblet and Lieutenant Hale studied the casefiles of former WRs and made projected plans basedon the size of existing male Reserve units, the geo-graphic concentration of WR veterans, and upon avail-able training facilities. In the end, they settled on theseven most promising locations in which to begin:Kansas City; Boston; IDS Angeles; New York; Philadel-phia; San Francisco; and Seattle?

A mix of Regular and Reserve officers on continuousactive duty would administer the program. Women

were needed to serve as Inspector-Instructor for eachplanned unit and for duty in the various Reserve Dis-trict offices to give overall supervision to women's mat-ters. Accordingly, a board was convened in March andthe following selections were made for Inspector-Instructors: Captain Shirley J. Fuetsch, Los Angeles;Captain Helen A. Wilson, Philadelphia; First Lieu-tenant Frances M. Exum, Seattle; First LieutenantMary C. MacDonald, New York; and First LieutenantKathryn E. Snyder, San Francisco. For duty in ReserveDistrict offices, the following officers: Captain Con-stance Risegari-Gai, Boston; Captain Barbara Somers,New York; First Lieutenant Dolores L. Dubinsky,Philadelphia; First Lieutenant Lucille M. Olsen,Washington, D.C.; First Lieutenant Annie V. Bean,New Orleans; First Lieutenant Mary E. Roddy, Chica-go; First Lieutenant Elva B. Chaffer, Los Angeles; FirstLieutenant Beatrice R. Strong, San Francisco; FirstLieutenant Mildred N. Cooke, Seattle; and First Lieu-tenant Mary W. Frazer, Atlanta.4

Mission and Administration

Reserve Memorandum 15-49 of 14 March 1949 pub-lished the specifics of administration and training ofthe women's portion of the Organized Reserve.5 Themission of these units was to provide individual wom-en trained to meet mobilization needs of the MarineCorps. They were not classified by specialty as the maleReserve units were or as post-Korea women Reserveplatoons would be. Designated women's Reserve pla-toons (WR platoons), they were attached directly tothe major parent male unit as an organic element(e.g., WR Platoon, 11th Infantry Battalion) and notto any subunit. Inasmuch as the women were neitherassigned to, nor trained for, combat duties, they weregrouped into five subdivisions under Reserve Class VIin order to permit immediate distinction between menand women in case of mobilization.°

The male Inspector-Instructor staff was augment-ed by one woman officer, designated an assistant I&I,and one or two enlisted women who administered theWR platoon. The platoon was under the direct com-mand of the commanding officer, a platoon leader,and a platoon officer. In many ways the platoon was

5 0

39

40

autonomous since the platoon leader was responsiblefor recruiting, administration, training, rank distribu-tion, and the mobilization state of readiness of herplatoon. Furthermore, she was directed to render ad-ministrative assistance to the male unit to compen-sate for the increased workload caused by the existenceof the WR platoon. Very often, however, the womenactually took over much of the parent unit's adminis-tration.

The WR platoons held weekly two-hour trainingperiods during which their time was divided betweenformal classes, basic military indoctrination courses forthe nonveterans, and specialist training classes in sub-jects like administration, disbursing, or training aidsdepending upon the background of the members, andgiving clerical assistance to the male unit. It was ex-pected that the basic course, closely resembling recruittraining, and consisting of classes in drill, military cus-toms and courtesies, history of the Marine Corps, navallaw, interior guard duty, first aid, defense againstchemical attack, uniform regulations, and currentevents would take about two years to complete.

Officers were procured only from among former WRofficers and successful graduates of the WOTC atQuantico. Enlisted members wc-e -,iited fromamong WRs, women veterans of t "Porces,and nonveterans who met the qualificalwns. l'or vete-rans, the age limits specified that all previous activemilitary service plus all inactive service in the Reservemust, when deducted from their actual age, equal 32or less. Aspiring Reservists with no prior service hadsomewhat less stringent requirements than women be-ing recruited for active duty: age, 18-31; and educa-tion, high school graduate, or high school student andpass the equivalency test. Regular recruits, on the otherhand, had to be 20 years old and high schoolgraduates.

To complete the organization, the Division ofReserve requested that WAVE pharmacist mates be in-cluded in the naval personnel allowance for those unitswhich had a WR platoon. The decision was approvedin the interest of public opinion, as well as health andaccident security?

The First Seven WI? Platoons

The first WR platoon was activated on 14 April 1949at Kansas City, Missouri. A Regular officer, First Lieu-tenant Ben Alice Day, was appointed Assistant I&I ofthe 5th 105mm Howitzer Battalion, USMCR, andMajor Helen T. Chambers was assigned platoon lead-


er. In a very short time the platoon was up to its autho-rized strength.8

First Lieutenant Pauline "Polly" E Riley, Irish andfrom Maine, was sent to Boston to activate the secondWR platoon. Lieutenant Riley, formerly enlisted, wasa member of the last WR officer candidate class in1945. The class was made up entirely of enlisted WRs,and when World War II was declared over about a weekbefore commissioning, the students were given threeoptions: return to enlisted status, take a discharge ifthey had the required points, or accept the commis-sion and remain on active duty for one year. Most ofthe candidates took the discharge or returned to en-listed status, but Lieutenant Riley was commissionedin August 1945 and served at Headquarters until 1947on the Postwar Personnel Reorganization Board. Shewas released to inactive duty when the board was ter-minated and later was among the first 20 Regularwomen officers.9

With her New England background, it was logicalto send Lieutenant Riley to Boston, where the WR Pla-toon, 2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, was establishedon 22 April 1949 under the command of LieutenantColonel James Dugan and with Lieutenant CarolynTenteris as the platoon officer.1°

Former WRs Staff Sergeant Frances A. Curwen, StaffSergeant Katherine Keefe, Corporal Hazel A. Lindahl,and Corporal Dorothy M. Munroe were early mem-bers of the Boston unit. Among the nonveterans wasPrivate Eleanor L. Judge, who originally enlisted inthe Reserve because she happened to be free on Wed-nesday evenings, the women's scheduled drill night.But that was only the beginning; in 1977 with 27 yearsactive service as a Regular, she reenlisted for three moreyears.11

Sergeant Major Judge remembered that the wom-en were "put through a pace." There were classes toattend as well as battalion administrative work to bedone. The non-veterans were not issued regulationshoes and they drilled in their own civilian shoes whichproved impractical and uncomfortable. The classes innaval law, taught by Sergeant Mary L. Attaya, a law-yer, were complete with mock trials in which the wom-en played active roles, and there were Hollywood-mademovies featuring the Marine Corps.12 For all of this,a private was paid $2.50 per drill and a captain received$7.67.13

Captain Risegari-Gai, formerly the commandingofficer of viu 1-1(WR), Boston, was not a membersince she had been selected for a continuous active

51

THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 41

rg;

'2 ,

_

4.Pettny t

-

TV^

EMSIVAIFA4tAtr41.770-'!' rs4,

qqt.,.+Ack"

o. Capt Rosalie B. Johnion, assistant inspector-instructor of the 5th Infantry Battalion,Washington, D.C., discusses the formation of the local Organized Women's Reserve Pla-toon with Rachel Freeman, Charlotte De Garmo, and Sgt Theresa "Sue" M. Sousa.

duty billet in the office of the First Reserve District,which in those days was located in the Fargo Buildingin Boston. When Captain Risegari-Gai reported forduty, Colonel George 0. Van Orden, District Direc-tor, and a Virginia gentleman, was quoted in theBoston newspaper as saying that his first sergeantneeded a week off to recuperate because he was,". . the finest cussin gent yo'all ever did hear. Hadto pretty up his language, though, with all these ladyMarines around. He's a beaten man:' The colonel,himself, had never seen a woman Marine until he ar-rived in Boston, saw Captain Risegari-Gai, anddescribed himself as "thunderstruck."14

The next five platoons were organized by Reserveofficers on continuous active duty, and it was neces-sary for them to go to Washington for a briefing be-fore taking up their new duties. Captain Helen A.

Wilson was then sent to Philadelphia where recruit-ing was simplified when the entire VTU under thecommand of Captain Dorothy M. Knox transferred tothe Organized Reserve. The unit became the WR pla-toon, 6th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, with CaptainKnox as platoon leader and First Lieutenant EmilyHomer as platoon officer.

From Philadephia, Captain Wilson kept ColonelTowle informed of the platoon's progress and activities.By Christmas of 1949, recruiting was so successful thatthe unit was permitted to exceed its authorizedstrength by 10 percent. When the male commandingofficers of other battalions heard of this, they were verymuch interested in receiving a similar authorization.The women in Philadelphia formed a rifle team, anda bowling team, and even fielded a team for a swimmeet.


In response to one of Captain Wilson's informalreports, Colonel Towle, always conscious of the servicewoman's image, wrote:

I think you were wise to put a stop to post drill activitiessuch as drinking in bars while in uniform. There is nothingintrinsically wrong, of course, but the very fact that a wom-an is in uniform makes her liable to criticism even thoughshe is behaving herself in every respect. As you say, Wom-en Marines have established a fine reputation and it wouldbe most unfortunate to have any criticism leveled at them,especially when we ourselves can do much to prevent it. Ithink you have shown excellent judgement in your de-cision.15

First Lieutenant Kathryn E. Snyder, who had serv-ed at the Department of the Pacific during World WarII, was assigned as Assistant I&I, 12th Infantry Bat-talion, Treasure Island, and together with the Reserveofficers Lieutenants Katherine W. Love and MarjorieJ. Woolman, started San Francisco's WR platoon,whose roster included Sergeant Alameda Blessing;Corporal Rosita A. Martinez, who eventually in-tegrated and retired as a master gunnery sergeant; andCorporal Ouida Craddock, who also went Regular, andlater became the Sergeant Major of the WomenMarines."

Captain Shirley J. Fuetsch and First LieutenantFrances M. Exum drove west together and parted atDenverFuetsch to go to the 13th Infantry Battalion,USMCR, in Los Angeles and Exum to go to the 11thInfantry Battalion, USMCR, at Seattle. In Las Angeles,two Reserve First Lieutenants, Esther N. Gaffney andChristine S. Strain, took the reins of the WR platoonwhile the Seattle unit was headed by Captain NancyM. Roberts and First Lieutenant Fern D. Anderson.'7

First Lieutenant Mary C. MacDonald, who beforethe war had been personal secretary to Laurence Olivierand Vivien Leigh, was sent to New York to activatethe WR platoon, 1st Infantry Battalion, USMCR, atFort Schuyler. Captain Mildred Gannon and First Lieu-tenant Elizabeth Noble filled the two Reserve officerbillets. Like Philadelphia, the Fort Schuyler platoonalso increased its strength to 55, but eventually theauthorization was rescinded, and the women had to"keep on their toes" to stay in. Those with poor at-tendence records were transferred involuntarily to theInactive Reserve, and the platoon maintained a wait-ing list of potential recruits.'8

Add Six More Platoons

After the original seven platoons were well estab-lished, plans were announced for an additional four.On 15 October 1949, WR platoons were activated as

elements of the 4th Infantry Battalion, Minneapolis;the 5th Infantry Battalion, Washington, D.C.; and the9th Infantry Battalion at Chicago. On 1 November,the fourth WR Platoon was activated at St. Louis aspart of the 3d Infantry Battalion.

Chicago's WRs were led by First LieutenantGenevieve M. Dooner who had compiled quite arecord as a volunteer recruiting offic.1 in the postwaryears. She was assisted by platoon officer LieutenantIsabel F. Vosler and I&I Lieutenant DorothyHolmberg.

First Lieutenant Elaine T. Carville, although ofFrench background and from Louisiana, was orderedto Minneapolis because "she looked like a Swede." AReserve officer on extended active duty, she activat-ed the WR Platoon, 4th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,which came under the leadership of First LieutenantArdath Bierlein and Second Lieutenant Phyllis Da-vis. Well known for her enthusiasm and esprit decorps, Lieutcnant Carville soon had a unit made upof 10 former WRs, 37 nonveterar s, 2 ex-WAVES, and1 ex-SPAR. Minneapolis-St. Paul had been chosen fora WR platoon from among a number of cities whichhad asked for one. The large number of wartime WRsfrom Minnesota plus the personal interest in theproject displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Emmet 0.Swanson, commanding officer of the 4th Battalion,combined to bring the unit to the "Twin Cities."

When plans for the platoon were first announced,250 inquiries flooded the Reserve office at Wold-Chamberlain Naval Air Station. Lieutenant Carvillepersonally interviewed 150 applicants. The first groupof 45 selectees was sworn in on 2 November 1949 byBrigadier General Elmer H. Salzman in a ceremonyat the airfield. Wartime WRs included Master SergeantCecilia Nadeau, Staff Sergeant Lucille Almon, StaffSergeant Leona Dickey, Staff Sergeant Betty Guenther,Sergeant Gladyce Pederson, Sergeant Anna Homza,Private First Class Betty Lemnke, Private First ClassGrace Moak, Private First Class Ruth Mortenson, andPrivate First Class Kathleen Schoenecker. Among thenonveterans was Private Julia L. Bennke, who laterwent on to a full active duty career and retired in 1970as a master sergeant.

Despite the commanding officer's enthusiasm fora WR platoon some members of his staff were con-cerned at the changes it would bring. Reportedly, Ser-geant Major Thomas Polvogt said that on occasion hewould issue rifles to the women Marines so they wouldknow what they were dealing in when they handled

5,3


records for M-ls issued to guards, but he was not go-ing to be responsible for powder puffs "or them otherthings they are going to issue." Lieutenant Carville as-sured him that the women would be issued full Ma-rine Corps uniforms "from the skin out" and SergeantMajor Polvogt would not have to worry about "themother things."19

Captain Jeanette Pearson, Assistant I&I of the 5thInfantry Battalion, USMCR, Washington, D.C., ac-tivated that WR platoon with Major Mary L. Condonas platoon leader and First Lieutenant Ethel D. Frittsas platoon officer. Theresa "Sue" M. Sousa, later presi-dent of the Women Marines Association, was an earlymember of that very active unit which met at 230 CStreet, N.W.20

After the first WOTC, Captain Nita Bob Warner,selected for a three-year active duty contract, leftQuantico for a Headquarters Marine Corps briefingbefore setting out for St. Louis to form the WR Pla-toon, 3d Infantry Battalion, USMCR. Officially ac-tivated on 1 November 1949, the unit received a greatdeal of publicity. On the night that enlistmentsopened, more than 100 applicants one of whom wasformer WR Peggy Musselman, later assigned as theplatoon leadercame to the Navy-Marine CorpsReserve Training Center at the foot of Ferry Street.According to retired Lieutenant Colonel Warner, thisunit was supposed to be self-contained. That meantthey were to recruit or train women to handle all mat-ters of administration, supply, recruiting, disbursing,or whatever else it took to run an efficient organi-zation.

Like the rest of the women Marine Reservists, thosein St. Louis were shod in civilian shoes of various shadesof brown and tan an intolerable situation to Cap-tain Warner. She enlisted the help of Staff SergeantMabel Otten, stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps,who sent a full ca2e of cordovan brown shoe dye tothe WR platoon. All 50 Reservists spent one drill peri-od outside the armory ". . . wielding a bottle of cor-dovan brown shoe dye and shoe polish, dying theirshoes dark brown and then learning how to give thema Marine Corps spit shine." When St. Ipuis saw its firstwomen Marines, a proud group, on 20 May 1950 inan Armed Forces Day parade, they were stepping outin regulation cordovan brown shoes.

As it turned out, the shoe color problem was moreeasily solved than that of providing the Reservists withsummer uniforms. There were none! In the summerof 1950, Headquarters allowed the platoon two weeks

?

01017,-"--

MARINE

r06,:PEA

4.5. ,MARINE: cøR

RESERVE:4'ff

Inspector-Instructor 1stLt Doris V. Kleberger (stand-ing second from right) attends an Open House for theWomen Reserve Platoon, 17th Infantry Battalion,U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, in Detroit, 1950.

of active duty for training at the armory, which theyperformed wearing the utility uniform bib overallsand white T-shirtswhich Lieutenant Colonel Warn-er laughingly recalls, ". . . made really quite a hand-some outfit."2'

February 1950 saw the formation of the last two WRplatoons. Second Lieutenant Doris Kleberger leftQuantico to become the Assistant I&I, 17th InfantryBattalion, USMCR, Detroit, with Captain Cecelia Van-den Bossche as the platoon leader.22

Captain Mary J. Hale went from Parris Island to Dal-las where she served as Assistant j&I, 23d 155mmHowitzer Battalion, USMCR. She remembers that theMarines, Regular and Reserve, were very proud of thepreparations they had made to welcome the WR pla-toon. On the night of the open house, planned to kickoff the recruiting effort, Dallas was the scene of a "ter-rible ice storm," but the Texans were undaunted andthe unit was off to a good start. Captain Hazel C. Tyl-er was platoon leader and First Lieutenant Grace E.Kathan was platoon officer. Captain Hale, scrupulousin her explanation to recruits of a Reserve unit's mobili-zation potential, was asked by the I&I if she really hadto emphasize the point so strongly. Fortunately shecontinued to make an issue of it because within sixmonths mobilization became a fact?3

54


Mobilization of OrganizedReserve Units Korea

Within 15 months of the initiation of women intothe Organized Reserve, the value of the program wasrealized with the mobilization of all 13 WR platoons.Women, as a result of the Korean crisis, and for thefirst time in American history, were called involuntarilyto military service along with men. Mobilization ofReserves, including women veterans, was announcedin June 1950.

Since a number of women Reservists had belongedto organized platoons for only a few months, the term"veteran" was defined as women who had:

a)served 90 days or more on active duty with the MarineCorps, Marine Corps Reserve; orb)attended 36 drills as members of an organized platoon; orc)attended 30 drills and 10 days active duty for training.

Those women who did not meet the criteria were clas-sified as nonveterans, transferred to the Volunteer Ma-rine Corps Reserve, Class III, and directed to awaitorders to recruit training at Parris Island.24

Unfortunately, the 3d Recruit Training Battalionhad closed down for the summer. Recruitingwas some-thing of a disappointment and thus far, no women

recruit platoon had reached its authorized strength of50. That fact coupled with the manner in whichWOTC was organized as a temporary unit estab-lished anew each summer led to the decision to ter-minate training at Parris Island and to assign the staffto Quantico temporarily to conduct officer training.Platoon 2A, graduating in May, was the last sched-uled class until 18 September. Three officers and sevenenlisted women from the permanent staff of 3d RecruitTraining Battalion were temporarily reassigned to asubunit activated at Quantico on 2 June. The firstgroup to leave Parris Island included Captain JeanetteI. Sustad, Second Lieutenants Joan Morrissey and BettyPreston, Technical Sergeant "A" Fern Schirmer, StaffSergeant Bertha Schultz, and Sergeants Rosa V. Har-rington and Ruth Ryan. Sergeants Grace M. Karl andAgnes C. Thomas and Private First Class Allis V. Wallsoon followed.25 They were barely established in Vir-ginia when the news of mobilization broke and theurgent need for recruit training was realized, but itwas too late to change plans as WOTC would bewithout a staff. So, when the WR platoons left formilitary duty, the nonveterans stayed behind expect-ing orders to Parris Island in early September.

The women Reserve officers were not mobilized in

Capt Cecelia Vanden Bossche, Commanding Officer, IFR Platoon, 17th Infantry Battal-ion, Detroit, reads mobilization orders resulting from the Korean aids in August 1950.

'4?

55

THE KOREAN WAR YEARS

mi. AEI

MSgt Petrina C. Nigro leads the platoon of the first post-TVorld War II women Marinesassigned to Headquarters, Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California in 1950.

order to maintain a sufficient numba of statesidebillets to allow the rotation of male officers. Beforethe plan was published, several officers gave notice totheir employers and prepared to leave for duty. Thedecision to exclude WM officers caused a moraleproblem at several levels of the women's Reserve pro-gram. According to retired Lieutenant Colonel Car-ville, Assistant I&I at Minneapolis at the time ofmobilization, "It was a terrible, terrible, terrible mis-take!" The I&I hated to tell Reserve officers, who, inturn were embarrassed in front of their troops. Theenlisted women were at first apprehensive at thethought of leaving without their own, familiar officers.Later, some were even angrily asking, "Why us, andnot them?"26

The mobilization of the women caused by the con-flict in Korea brought two significant changes to thewomen Marine program: it enabled women Marinesto return to several duty stations, from which they hadbeen a!ment during the postwar years, and it enabledthem to break out of the strictly administrative moldinto which they were cast after World War II. An anal-ysis of tables of organization indicated that 1,183women Marines could be assigned immediately,

4 5

releasing an equal number of men according to thefollowing distribution:27

Hq, Dcpartment of Pacific andDepot of Supplies, San Francisco 172

Marine Barracks and Marine CorpsSupply Depot, Camp Pendleton 189

Marine Barracks and Marine CorpsSupply Depot, Camp Lejeune 190

Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro 95Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island 133

Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point 195

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego 68Marine Corps Schools, Quantico 141

Total 1,183

The WR platoons with 2 5 officers and 594 enlistedwomen were up to 88.6 percent of their authorizedstrength.26 To make up the difference and to fill vacan-cies in critical specialties, an immediate call was madefor veteran volunteers in the following occupational

01 Personnel Administration15 Printing and Reproduction22 Fire Control Instrument Repair25 Operational Communications30 Supply Administration, Accounting and Stock Control31 Supply Procurement, Warehousing, Shipping, and Receiving

56;

46

34 Disbursing35 Motor Transport40 Machine Accounting41 Post Exchange43 Public Information46 Photography49 Training and Training Aids52 Special Services67 Air Control70 Aviation Operations and intelligence29

Volunteer Reservists Answer The Call

An intensive short-term recruiting drive attractedformer WRs like Corporal Anne Revak who volun-teered at the start of the war, but could not be recalledfrom her home in Fairbanks, Alaska. She drove to Seat-tle in order to report within the continental UnitedStates, was accepted, and sent to Camp Pendleton.30

Sergeant Ethyl Wilcox was recalled in August 1950and ordered to recruiting duty, a billet she filled allthrough World War II. She was on the job, in civilianclothes, for several months before she had time to goto Chicago for a physical examination and uniforms.On duty in Minnesota, she spent her time processingReservists and later recruiting women.31

Sergeant Mary S. Mock completed officer candidatetraining in 1949, and returned home to finish college.Too young to be commissioned, she accepted a teach-ing position but on 12 September, two days beforeschool was scheduled to begin, she received a collecttelegram ordering her to report to Quantico on 14 Sep-tember. She attended Basic School, which was short-ened from eight to four weeks because of theemergency, as an officer candidate, the only enlistedWM on the base. As such, she could not eat in theofficers' mess with her classmates, and the command-ing general thought it inappropriate for her to eat byherself in the general mess hall, so, in time, she wasgiven an allowance to eat in civilian restaurants in thetown of Quantico.32

There were a number of women serving in districtoffices on continuous active duty contracts_ whichstipulated that they could not be transferred againsttheir wishes. One of these was First Lieutenant MaryE. Roddy, who had been the last WR to leave CherryPoint in 1946. When the transfer program was an-nounced in 1948, she found that she did not meetthe age criteria for integration, but that she was eligi-ble for continuous active duty. She was selected andassigned to the 9th Reserve District Headquarters inthe Federal Court Building on Lake Shore Drive inChicago. She was the woman Marine liaison officerand handled all WM matters, Reserve and Regular.

57


During this time, the Korean situation "was heatingup" and the district director asked if Ale could findwomen Reservists to help with the administrativework. She successfully recruited some 15-20 formerWRs for continuous active duty. At the time that theywere recruited, Lieutenant Roddy explained that thecontracts did not offer too much a minimum of oneyear's duty and a clause that protected them from aninvoluntary transfer. But, she added that they had allleft the Corps with good records, and if an emergen-cy arose, she expected that they would fulfill the spiritof their contract as a Marine. Not long after, a mobili-zation roster, not entirely unexpected, arrived and thelieutenant called a meeting in the only available pri-vate spot, the ladies room. The women knew whatwas coming and although not legally obligated, theyaccepted the fate of mobilization "with good grace"and all, including Lieutenant Roddy, were soon sentto Washington, D.C.33

At the time of mobilization, only 12 women weredeferred or rejected which resulted in a mobilizationof 98 percent of the women in the OrganizedReserve.34 Two hundred eighty-seven veterans wereordered to extended active duty and 298 nonveteranswere ordered to Parris Island. All had been trainedand assigned by January 1951. Together with thevolunteer Reservists, a total of approximately 1,000women were assigned to extended active duty. Theyworked in clerical fields, recruiting, public informa-tion, communications, photography, cartographicdrafting, disbursing, and motor transport."

Women Marines Return toPosts and Stations

In June 1950 the only woman Marine company wasCompany E at Headquarters Battalion, HendersonHall. The battalion at Parris Island was strictly a recruitcommand and no regular WMs worked outside of it.Women Marines were assigned to the Department ofthe Pacific at San Francisco, but they had no govern-ment quarters. All other WMs were working with theReserve districts, Reserve platoons, or as recruiters.

The first priority then was to prepare billeting spaceat the posts and stations for the incoming women Ma-rines. Major Pauline B. Beckley, Commanding Officer,Company E, was transferred to Parris Island to assumecommand of the recruit training battalion, with a tem-porary assignment en route. She, Technical SergeantSchirmer, and Corporal Leona M. Fox reported toCamp Lejeune on 24 July 1950 to open and ready abarracks for occupancy by the women Reservists be-


ing ordered to active duty. The building had been va-cated by men and, of course, did not pass the women'sinspection. Lieutenant Colonel Beckley, looking back,wrote in 1977, "Don't think any three WMs workedhardermanually than we did." With the excep-tion of a battle with the G-4 for supplies, the womenreceived fine cooperation from the Marines at CampLejeune, especially the commanding general, MajorGeneral Franklin A. Hart, and his staff.36 Major Beck-ley was no stranger to Camp Lejeune, having servedthere as the postal officer of the schools and the ex-ecutive officer of the WR battalion during World War

With Camp Lejeune prepared on the east coast, andSan Francisco ready to process WM5 on the west coast,it was at last possible to ship the Reserves. Many ofthe WR platoons left home on the same troop trainsas the men. When the 5th Infantry Battalion of

Washington, D.C. entrained for Camp Lejeune., on31 July 1950, the Marine Band gave them a sendoffbefitting the country's first mobilized Marine CorpsReserve unit. Along with wives and children atUnion Station to say goodbye were two husbands, W.G. Kegel and Edmund A. Gibson, there to bid fare-well to Corporal Virginia S. Kegel and Technical Ser-geant Josephine R. Gibson.37

The WR platoon in Boston was mobilized on 7 Au-gust, one week before actual departure, and the wom-en reported to the armory where they lived whileperforming the administrative tasks essential to themobilization of an infantry battalion. When the daycame to leave, 15 August 1950, marching to the mus-ic of the 2d Infantry Battalion band, 700 male Ma-rines and 32 women Marines boarded the train forNorth Carolina. Billeting was carefully arranged so thatthe men occupied the forward cars, followed by the

In August 1950, Base Commander MajGen Oliver P. Smith greets (from left to right)TSgt Catherine G. Murray, Capt Jeanette I. Sustad, and Sgt Beatrice M. Kent, the firstwomen Marines to be stationed at Camp Pendleton since the end of World War II.

58


dining car, then the male officers' car, and finally thewomen's car, guarded by MP5.39

The first three Reserve platoons to arrive at CampLejeune were those from Washington, Philadelphia,and Boston. Three Regular staff NCOs, Staff SergeantsEsther Waclawski, Ruth Ryan, and Virginia L. Moore,students at Supply School, were already living in thebarracks. In 1977, First Sergeant Waclawski could stillhear the "click . . . click . . . click" of the high heelsof the Reservists trooping off the buses and into thebarracks. Customarily, women Marines wore oxfordsfor such formations and so the Regulars were undecid-ed as to whether they should laugh at the Reservistsin their more attractive shoes or envy them.39

As soon as they arrived, and before they had timeto settle, the women were processed and put to workto alleviate the personnel shortage caused by troopdrafts for Korea. After the Camp Lejeune quota of 190women was reached, Reservists were sent for duty toother east coast duty stationsCherry Point, Parris Is-land, and Quantico. To avoid the establishment of ad-ditional administrative units, the women were attachedto existing male units, and unlike World War II, theyate in existing male mess halls."

Those first few months were hectic. Many of the so-called "veterans" had never seen a Marine Corps basebefore. In addition to working long hours, an impro-vised boot camp was held evenings by the handful ofexperienced NCOs. Typically, a WM worked five days,had one-half day of military subjects training, and at-tended close order drill classes after evening chow, andaccording to Sergeant Major Judge, excuses from train-ing were unheard of. The barracks routine, which in-cluded outside morning muster and chow formations(to make the formation and march up to the mess hallwas mandatory; to enter and to eat was optional) wasa culture shock to many of the women.4'

The WM Company, Marine Barracks, Camp Le-jeune, the first postwar women's company was formallyactivated on 13 October 1950, with Captain Mary J.Fisher commanding, and with Technical SergeantSchirmer, first sergeant." The women were housed inBarracks 60 and 63 with the main area service clubbetween. At the height of the Korean War, the WMcompany numbered approximately 400 women: 270on duty with the base; 75 attached to the depot quar-termaster; and 155 attending supply school and dis-bursing school."

At the same time that Camp Lejeune was beingreadied for the arrival of the WMs, women Reservists

from cities west of the Miscissippi were reporting toSan Francisco for processing and classification. Cap-tain Sustad, Technical Sergeant Catherine G. Murray,and Sergeant Beatice M. Kent reported to Camp Pen-dleton on 8 August to make advance preparations forthe billeting of women Marines who would arrive assoon as the Department of the Pacific's and Depot ofSupplies' quotas were filled.

The Pendleton WMs were assigned the same bar-racks in the "24" area occupied by their predecessorsduring World War II. Just before the Reservists arriv-ed a fire destroyed all the mattresses, chests of draw-ers, and other supplies set aside to furnish theirquarters.44 A lesser crisis arose with the news thatHeadquarters required a guard from 1800 to 0600posted around the WM barracks. To save personnel,the Marines at Camp Pendleton fenced in the WMarea, and the gate was locked each night when libertyexpired. In First Sergeant Waclawski's view, it lookedlike a prisoner-of-war compound, and she was pleasedto see the fence come down after a visit by ColonelHamblet in the mid-Fifties"

In addition to her regularly assigned duty as the cus-todian of registered publications, Captain Sustad wasthe "Supervisor of Women Marines:' all of whom wereattached to Headquarters Company, HeadquartersBattalion, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton. TheWM company, under the command of Captain Sus-tad, was eventually activated as an element of ServiceBattalion on 1 June 1951.

One month after the WMs landed at Camp Pen-dleton, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diegosaw its first postwar woman Marine, First LieutenantKathyrn E. Snyder, who had been on I&I duty in SanFrancisco until the WR platoon there was mobilized.In November, she was joined by Second LieutenantDorothy Dawson. Both women were assigned primaryduties in the depot G-1 office, and additional duties,respectively, as WM platoon commander and platoonofficer. The enlisted women arrived in December 1950and were attached to Headquarters Company, Head-quarters and Service Battalion. Private First ClassDawn Zimmerman was first to report. By 8 Decem-ber she had been joined by 15 others: Master SergeantCecilia Nadeau, Staff Sergeant Annette Burkhead,Sergeant Dorothy Walker, Privates First Class IngaBoberg, Margaret Cooper, Patricia Pfeiffer, and FrancesQuinlan, and Privates Norma Adams, Jo Carrera, Phyl-lis Curtiss, Nita L. Fagan, Joy Hardy, and Rebecca

59

THE KOREAN WAR YEARS

Rarrick. The balance of the WM platoons came directlyfrom recruit training:28

Major Emma Hope Clowers (nee Hendrickson)reported to San Diego in December of 1951 and in1977 gave the following account of the activation ofthe WM company and of the problems encounteredby the women officers assigned as supervisors ratherthan as commanding officers:

When I reported to MCRD in Dec 1951, the women werehoused in two two-story barracks near the main gate andwere carried on the rolls of HqCo, H&S Bn. Both barrackshad open squadbays, with double-deck bunks for most ofthe women. (I believe the NCOs and SNCOs had single deckbunks, but that there were no separate areas set aside forthem.) As I recall, even SNCOs were scattered at randomthrough both barracks, alongside PFCs, in some cases. Therewas only one woman officer and myself, and there were noquarters on the base for either of us. Therefore, supervisionof the women Marines after working hours and duringweekends and holidays was almost entirely in the hands ofthe NCOs, even though I was on call much of the time atthe home I had in Ocean Beach. It seemed as though a nightrarely passed when I wasn't called at least once by the PostDuty Officer or by our Barracks NCO and I made many atrip to the base during the night. My position was strictlythat of a barracks officer (such as WAVE officers at that timefrequently held as additional duty). I had no authority overthe women in administrative or disciplinary matters, or infact any area, and the women were aware of that fact. Atone time the women's CO was the Post CommunicationsOfficer, who had command of the company as additionalduty. It was an impossible situation as !soon found out whenI reassigned the women within the two barracks to breakup the little cliques that had developed and to have the StaffNCOs in a separate area. I recall that some of the womenstaged what was probably one of the first of the "sit-ins"when I rearranged the barracks and reassigned them. It isamusing now but wasn't then. My "C.P" was a tiny convertedstock room in the barracks with scarcely enough room fora desk. I was receiving urgent calls from Colonel Towle atHQMC about the formation of a women's company, butcould never clear the hurdle set up by the basea magicnumber which we had to meet before they would give usa company. Each time our strength was about to reach thatnumber, we would have an unexpected discharge or trans-fer. But eventually we were given company status, and bythe time I was transferred back to HQMC in May 53 I feltwe had accomplished much in organization of the compa-ny, improvements in the barracks, reduction in disciplinatyproblems, and improvement in morale of the women.47

The WM Company, Headquarters and Service Bat-talion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot was activated on1 July 1952, Captain Clowers, commanding; SecondLieutenant Joyce M. Hamman, executive officer; andMaster Sergeant Vera E. Piippo, first sergeant.

El Toro was originally programmed to receive 90

f

49

WMs, but later the commanding general actuallyidentified 235 positions which could be filled by wom-en. Plans were made at once to receive and quarterthe women Marines even before the usual advancegroup arrived. The large, eight-wing barracks behindthe station administration building which had beenoccupied by the WRs during the war was vacated bythe male Marines, then repainted and renovated.

Captain Warner left St. Louis shortly after her pla-toon was mobilized and during the first week of Oc-tober became the first woman Marine to report to theMarine Corps Air Station, El Toro since 1946. Untilthe company was activated, she was assigned as thestation assistant personnel officer and administrativeassistant for WMs.

Seven NCOs from Headquarters Marine Corps(Master Sergeant Bette A. Kohen; Staff Sergeants Mar-garet H. Crowell, Doris M. Plowman, and Martha J.Clark; Sergeants Chadeane A. Rhindress and Rita M.Walsh; and Corporal Maxine H. Carlson) who arrivedin early November 195-0 were the vanguard of the unitwhich would be known as the Woman Marine Detach-ment 1 (WMD 1). Waiting for more women to reportin, the seven lived in the station hostess house.

Public Works had scrubbed and polished the bar-racks, and the NCOs settled in and made up the bunksfor the incoming women, newly graduated recruitsfrom Parris Island. Just one week before the barrackswas to be occupied, a Santa Ana windstorm blew infrom the desert and dumped an inch of red sandthoughout all the squadbays in the women's build-ing. Lieutenant Colonel Warner remembers that it was"an awful mess." There was sand everywhere and ineverythingsheets, blankets, pillow cases. She and theNCOs literally shoveled out the barracks, got two wingsready, and closed off the others. A squared away liv-ing area awaited each new group of privates. Settledin, they, in turn cleaned a wing for the next con-tingent.

WMD 1 grew to a strength of approximately 250;almost all were recent graduates. The officers and theNCOs felt a great sense of responsibility and were like"mother hens" to the 18-year-old WMs a newphenomenon in the Marine Corps. An NCO advisorwas assigned to each squadbay and was always readyto listen and to help the young Marines make whateveradjustment was necessary. WMD 1 was a closely knitunit which Lieutenant Colonel Warner remembers asa "fine group of women."48

60


:M212-1111

;17 il-oefr

h MEM,

-

The first post-World War II women Marines arrived at Quantico, Virginia, in 1951 andwere assigned to the Administrative Section of the Landing Force Development Center.

Hard pressed for personnel, the Marines at El Toromade the women feel welcome and needed. The vari-ous squadron and station offices vied for WMs whowere assigned to all except combat units. Interest ranso high that the Flight Jacket, the station newspaper,regularly published the number of women Marines ex-pected along with their occupational specialty. On 20October 1950 one article read:

Out of El Toro's first draft will be 11 basic personnel andadministration women, seven basic communication girls andfour basic supply people. There will be two basic shippingand receiving WRs, five basic post exchange stewards, twobasic air controlwomen, and one basic flight equipmentwoman .49

The return of the WMs made a similar impact onEast Coast posts and stations, Matters of housing,uniforming, administration, and assignment had tobe resolved quickly. At two of the bases, Quanticoand Parris Island, training sites for WM officers andrecruits, the adjustment was minimal.

The 3d Recruit Training Battalion underwent aminor organizational change on 20 November 1950,and WMs not involved in training but rather assign-ed to the depot offices were made members of Post

Troops Section under the section commander, SecondLieutenant Mary S. Mock. On 16 November 1951, thePost Personnel Company under the command of Cap-tain Emily Schultz was officially activated as an ele-ment of the 3d Recruit Training Battalion.

The influx of women Marines to the Marine CorpsSchools at Quantico was made less traumatic by vir-tue of the presence of a senior woman officer involv-ed in officer training, a barracks already occupied byWMs, and a male unit, Headquarters Battalion, ac-customed to having women on its rolls. LieutenantCarville, having seen the Minneapolis WR platoon offto duty in San Francisco, was transferred to Quanti-co, where in addition to her assignment as adminis-trative officer for the Marine Corps Landing ForceTactics and Techniques Board, she became the bar-racks officer for the permanently assigned WMs, thefirst of whom included Technical Sergeant Mary C.Quinn; Staff Sergeants Dorothea E. Hard, Mary K.Arcure, and Martha E. Kirchman; Sergeant Muriel V.Artz; Corporals Alma Noffke, R. F. Black, and JaneL. Reynolds; and Private M. L. Williarnson.50 In spiteof the nontraditional command and administrativerelationship where the women Marines were attachedto one unit, worked in another, and were under the

61


supervision of a woman officer with no real authori-ty, the first arrived WMs at Quantico were a cohesivegroup, and evidently, a well disciplined one. For aperiod of a year, there was not a single case of nonju-dicial punishment involving a WM. Maintaining therecord became a matter of great pride. But bad luckwas their undoing when a private first class' auto brokedown in the town of Triangle and after walking thethree miles to the barracks in her high heels, shereported in from liberty 10 minutes late. On this andother occasions when a WM appeared before the bat-talion commander for office hours, it was LieutenantCarville's habit to stand behind him and squeeze hisshoulder when it appeared that he was weakening andunduly moved by a tearful story.5,

For about 18 months, the WMs at Quantico werecustomarily attached to Headquarters or Service Bat-talion. A WM company was eventually formed under

the command of Captain Bernice M. Pittman on 1May 1953 as an element of Service Battalion.

Captain Helen A. Wilson, on 7 September 1950,was the first of the WMs to return to the Marine CorpsAir Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. She easilymoved into the Navy nurses quarters, but housing thenewly arrived enlisted women was more of a problem.When Staff Sergeant Katherine Keefe, a Boston Reser-vist, was tranferred to Cherry Point after spending onlya very short time at Camp Lejeune, she was temporar-ily quartered in the maternity ward of the naval hospi-tal.52 The station WMs were attached to HeadquartersSquadron until WMD 2 was officially activated on 1March 1951 with Captain Wilson commanding, Se-cond Lieutenant Natalie Noble, executive officer, andMaster Sergeant Alice J. Connolly, sergeant major. InNovember 1951, ground was broken for theJet Han-gar, a new WM service club, and when it opened the

The Commanding Officer of Woman Marine Detachment 2, Cherry Point, North Caro-lina, Maj Helen A. Wilson (center), pictured in 1953 with (from left to tight) MSgtElizabeth Tarte, SSgt Muriel Artz, MSgt Alice Connolly, and MSgt Jessie Van Dyke.

62vO'

52

Capt Helen Wilson, the senior woman officer at Cher-ry Point, and Col Katherine A. Towle, Director ofWomen Marines, check clothing display in 1952.

next spring, complete with juke box and patio, it wasa popular spot for snacks, beer, soft drinks, and milkshakes.53*

Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic(FMFLant), located at Norfolk, Virginia, asked for andreceived a total of 10 WMs; all were administrativeclerks, and all were privates first class. It was ColonelTowle's policy to assign a woman officer to any basewhere enlisted women served and so Lieutenant Kle-berger was assigned to Norfolk as the assistant forceadjutant and additionally as the "Supervisor of Wom-en Marines."54

The original 10, Privates First Class Henrietta L.

*"Being the first Woman Marine on a major Marine Corps AirStation (MCAS - Cherry Point) in five years (1945 -1950) posed itsproblems. Upon my arrival, I was directed to report to the Com-manding General. During this meeting, he pointed out that thefive-year interim that had elapsed since women (other than Navynurses) had been aboard made it evident that male Marines wereunaccustomed to having female Marines as an integral part of theirdaily lives. Therefore, I was stunned when he said he'd hold mepersonally responsible if 'anything happened' to any of the wom-en! He further suggested that no women should leave the base ex-cept in pairs (like Nuos, as I later expressed it). I wanted toremonstrate, but all I could say was 'Aye, Aye, Sirr-- knowing fullwell that I couldn't go on liberty with the women. They arrivedshortly after my meeting with the General, in increments of 100to 200. Nothing untoward happened. The men seemed happy tohave them aboard, and I think they really were!" Col Helen A. Wil-son comments on draft manuscript, dtd 1Jan130.


Belcher, Dorothy P. Eastman, Naomi M. Hallaway,Beatrice I. Harper, Theresa S. Kovar, Martha M. Lud-wig, Margaret M. Martin, Mary A. Seman, Earlene Sla-ton, and Mary H. Clements were attached toHeadquarters Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, FMFLant and quartered with the WAVESat the Norfolk Naval Base. Eventually on 1 April 1952,a WM Company was activated with Second LieutenantMary E. Sullivan commanding.

During the Korean War years, women Marinesreturned to Hawaii, in 1951 to FMFPac at Pearl Har-bor and in 1953 to the Marine Corps Air Station atKaneohe Bay. On 31 July 1951 Lieutenant ColonelHamblet became the first WM to be assigned to Head-quarters, FMFPac. It was three months before SecondLieutenant Essie M. Lucas, graduate of the fkst WRrecruit class in 1943 and the first officer candidate classin 1949, left San Francisco with 17 enlisted WMs on5 October 1951. On board the military transport wereTechnical Sergeant Mary E. Roche; Sergeant Julia M.Pierce; Corporals Doris Allgood, Shirley Anderson,Lillian Brown, Olive G. Chapman, Anita F. Dale,Joyce R. Dupuy, Evangeline I. Lyon, Audrey E. Kle-berger, Mary E. Scudder, Naomi J. Sexton, Ruth V.Tate, and Joan V. Walsh; and Privates First Class NitaM. Oliver, Vivia Smith, and Adoree R. Troche.55

Upon arrival, the women were attached to Head-quarters Company, Headquarters and Service Bat-talion, FMFPac, and were assigned a small, but veryattractive two-storied wooden barracks overlooking theparade deck. Mrs. Victory, wife of Brigadier GeneralRandall M. Victory, had supervised the decoration andwhen dignitaries visited the command, receptionswere often held in the WM lounge." Within sixmonths the WMs had their own command, Compa-ny A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, FMFPac,under Second Lieutenant Margaret M. Schaffer. Un-like the male companies in the same battalion, thecommanding officer of the woman Marine companywas not empowered to sign record books or to issuecompany regulations. Only through the interventionof Colonel Towle several years !at er did the companycommander gain the control usually associated withthat position.57 Early members of the command in-cluded; Master Sergeant Mary E. Roche, Technical Ser-geants Mary E. Grande and Ann M. Kopp, StaffSergeant Margaret E. Boerner, and Sergeants BarbaraJean Dulinsky (who later was to be the fkst WM toserve in Vietnam) and Emma G. Ramsey (who retiredas a captain in May 1971).

63


In January 1956, Headquarters, FMFPac, movedfrom the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor to the old navalhospital at Aiea, which was designated Camp H. M.Smith. The women's company, commanded by Cap-tain Kleberger, moved into former Navy nurses' quart.ers. The newly renovated barracks afforded suites forthe senior SNCOs, private rooms for some, and roomsof two-to-four persons for sergeants and below. "Thebuilding abounded in lounges, exercise rooms, studyrooms, and other fantastic facilities," recalled Lieu-tenant Colonel KlebergerP8

WMD 3, a group of 56 WMs led by First Lieute-nant Phyllis J. Young, stationed at Kaneohe Bay, onthe opposite side of the island from Pearl Harbor, wasthe last woman Marine command to be activated inthe 1950s. In an interview published in the San Die-go Chevron, First Sergeant Doris P. Milholen re-counted her trip to the island:

There were four of us from the detachment that were toleave by seaplane [the MARs] to arrive in Kaneohe aheadof the rest of the women Marines. But for about four daysbefore takeoff the plane had engine trouble and the flightwas delayed. The main detachment almost made it to theislands by ship before we finally got off the ground.59

The women were quartered in one of the MarineCorps' newest and most modern barracks, sometimesreferred to as "The Waldorf." The living areas werepaintcd in pastel colors, and the amenities includeda complete kitchen and adjoining dining room. Thestaff noncommissioned officers, living in single rooms,had private showers and their own lounge."

WMD 3 was a short-lived unit. It closed on 1 Sep-tember 1956 due to personnel replacement problems,but was reactivated during the Vietnam War.

Korean War Brings ChangesTo Recruit Ti-aining

The year 1950 marked significant changes to thewoman Marine program and consequently to the 3dRecruit Training Battalion at Parris Island. Until May1950, classes with a quota of 50 recruits each were con-vened consecutively. Beginning with the class of 18September each class was composed of three platoonswith a total strength of 150 women, and for the firsttime since World War II classes overlapped each other.

The Division of Plans and Policies indicated a needfor 2,257 women Marines at posts and stations dur-ing fiscal year 1950 in addition to the 492 regular en-listed women on active duty. Based upon an estimateof 1,000 Reservistsorganized ind volunteeron ex-

tended active duty, 1,257 women had to be providedfor regular recruits. Added to this figure were the 300nonveterans of the WR platoons who required basictraining. The plans necessitated an increase in the ta-ble of organization of the recruit battalion and theassignment of another barracks, Building 901.8'

Most of the staff members returned from Quanticowhere they had been assigned to WOTC and were sup-plemented by the I&Is of mobilized platoons. Cap-tain Hale, away only six months, returned to ParrisIsland on 29 August as the interim commandingofficer with First Lieutenant Dorothy A. Holmberg,the executive officer. Major Beckley, her work at CampLejeune completed, assumed command of the 3dRecruit Training Battalion on 18 September 1950 andCaptain Hale became the executive officer.

With the increased need for Marines, the recruit-ing requirements were eased, allowing for the first timethe enlistment of 18 year olds and also women whowere not high school graduates but who could passa high school equivalency examination. Colonel Towlewas much opposed to the lowered educational stan-dards, but was pressured by the other services and theDepartment of Defense. During this period the Vete-rans Administration, working on behalf of veteransdesiring a college education, asked the colleges anduniversities to accept the equivalent examination. asevidence of successful completion of high school. Theacademic community was quick to point out theanomaly of asking an educational institution to recog-nize the examination when the military services didnotP2

It was a different woman recruit who reported toParris Island in September 1950: many were youngerand less skilled; others, with a smattering of Reserveexperience, arrived wearing PFC stripes. In the classthat convened on 18 September, 33 of the 144 werenonveterans from WR platoons.83 Reluctantly, theymoved the stripes from their uniforms. First SergeantSchultz spoke of her duty as platoon sergeant and ofher last recruit platoon an honor platoon whichconsisted mainly of Seattle Reservists. She said, "Theymust have had very good training. They were an out-standing platoon and my job was really alleviated asfar as basic training was con erned."84

A Few Changes atOfficer Candidate School

The changes at the Woman Officer CandidatesCourse marked a significant shift in policy regarding

6 4


4-'n-Iiito

In the summer of 1951, Officer-in-Charge lsat Doris V. Kleberger (seated at far right)meets in barracks lounge with the first women Marines assigned to FMFLant, Norfolk.

the entire woman Marine program. Until the Koreansituation arose, only a few women were offered com-missions in the Regular service and allowed to remainon active duty. In contrast, the entire graduating classof 1951 was ordtted to duty for 24 months.e5 Althoughthis was intended as a temporary, emergency meas-ure, it continued thereafter, changing only to length-en the required service. The emphasis had changedfrom a strictly Reserve force on inactive duty to anucleus of trained women Marines with at least a mini-mum of active duty experience.

The candidates who arrived in the summer of 1951were uncertain of their status through much of thetraining, and those who wei not college graduatesfeared that the Marine Corps would retain them onactive duty as enlisted personnel rather than releas-ing them to finish their college education. CandidateMargaret A. Brewer, the last Director of Women Ma-rines, and destined to be appointed the first womangeneral in 1978 was in this category, and she remem-bers the daily, changing rumors. The final result wasthat the women who accepted commissions were re-tained, those who refused commissions were dis-

t 5

charged, and undergraduates returned home in aReserve status. Colonel Brewer recalled that with onesemester remaining she returned to school, finishedin January, and expected to attend the officer's basicclass convening in the fall. Instead, she was orderedto active duty in Mav f.nd assigned to El Toro as a com-munications watch officer, one of only a few womanMarine officers never to have attended the BasicSchool."

During the same period the Woman Officer In-doctrination Course underwent only a modest revi-sionshortening its training for the new lieutenantsfrom eight to four weeks. For the graduates of theWoman Officer Candidate Course of 1952, however,the basic indoctrination class was lengthened to sixweeks.

The Korean YearsReprise

During the Korean years, the relatively few ex-perienced women Marines were spread thinly andtransferred oftenLieutenant Kleberger, for example,had four assignments, Quantico, Detroit, Norfolk, andWashington, D.C. in just two years. The officers and


NCOs worked together scrubbing and polishing bar-racks, setting up the new companies, training Reser-vists and Regulars, guiding young lieutenants andprivates, and holding together a group consisting ofa disproportionatc, number of inexperienced Marines.In March 1950, at the beginning of the Korean war,there were only 28 Regular officers and 496 Regularenlisted WMs and 18 Reserve officers and 41 Reserve

enlisted women on continuous active duty. Their com-mon purpose and special pride in being a woman Ma-rine served to override any personal differences which,if aired, would have undermined the group. Theyworked as one to bring the WMs back into the main-stream of the Marine Corps. Until one by one, themembers of this pioneer group began to retire in 1963,they served as role models for the WMs who followed.


1111;,It(X'

el

4 "4"

0:Wt.

a

1,

Congratulations are extended to 2dLt Nancy Flint (right) by Col Katherine A. Towle,Director of Women Marines (left), and LtCol Julia E. Hamblet, Commanding Officer,Women Officer Training Detachment, upon Lt Flint's graduation ftom the 4th WomanOfficer Indoctrination Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, on I November 1952.

7

CHAPTER 5

Utilization and Numbers, 1951-1963Utilization of Women Marines, Evolution of a PolicyReport of Procedures Analysis Office, 1951

Women Officers' MOSs, 19484953-1950-1953 Summary-1954-1964NumbersUtilization, 1954-1964Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Officers

Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Staff Noncommissioned OfficersNoncommissioned Officer Leadership SchoolA Woman in the Fleet Marine Force

1954-1964 Summary

Utilization of Women MarinesEvolution of a Policy

The war in Korea marked the first of three turningpoints, each one opening new career fields w womenMarines. The second turning point was the WomanMarine Program Study Group (Pepper Board) meet-ing in 1964. The third was the Ad-Hoc Committeeon Increased Effectiveness in the Utilization of Wom-en in the Marine Corps (Snell Committee) of 1973.

After World War II nearly all women Marinesworked in the areas of administration and supply. WRveterans who had served in technical fields in WorldWar H, especially in aviation specialties, were disap-pointed when they found themselves reclassified astypists and stenographers upon integration in 1948and 1949. It is probable that many skilled WRs,trained during the war, when faced with the prospectof a change in occupational field, did not apply forRegular status.

Pre-Korea recruits, in spite of the detailed classifi-cation procedures followed at Parris Island, were in-variably earmarked for administrative work. Ninety-fivepercent of them were assigned directly to a job; theremainder, however, were given formal training at thePersonnel Administration School at Parris Island or theYeoman Course at San Diego.' In the spring of 1950,just before the war, two recruits, Privates Nancy L. Ben-nett and Cynthia L. Thies, slated to be photographers,became the first WMs to complete boot camp and tobe assigned to an occupational field other than ad-ministration. Both Marines had had experience in pho-tography.2

The shortsightedness of these restrictive measureslimiting the occupational opportunities and trainingof women to clerical duties was evident as soon as theNorth Koreans invaded South Korea in June 1950.Then, expediency dictated a more diverse classifica-tion of women. Manpower was in critically short sup-ply. Each Marine Corps base was polled on the numberof billets that could be filled by women, and on thebilleting space available for distaff Marines. Unfor-tunately, the available women Marines had not beentrained to fill many of the needs identified by thissurvey.

Report of Procedures Analysis Office, 1951

On 12 Decembei 1950, four months after themobilization, an internal memorandum in the Divi-sion of Plans and Policies on the subject of re-quirements for women Marines revealed that therewere 76 military billets at Headquarters Marine Corpswhich by their nature could be filled by WMs but towhich women were not assigned. Lack of training wascited as the cause. Furthermore, women were assignedto billets in accordance with ability, regardless of rankdeficiency. At the time of the memorandum, 70 wom-en privates first class were assigned to billets designatedfor higher ranks: 27 filling corporals billets; 32 fillingsergeants billets; 9 in staff sergeant billets; 1 in a tech-nical sergeant slot; and 1 in a master sergeant billet.It was noted, as well, that of a total of 438 militaryjobs at Headquarters, 230 were coded as requiringmale Marines and of these "must be male" billets, 12were filled by WMs. The recommendations made inview of the situation was that the table of organiza-tion be reviewed with an eye towards decreasing ire-quirements for male Marines and that WMs, Regularand Reserve, with adequate work qualifications andrank be ordered to Headquarters. A like number ofWMs from Headquarters, the least qualified clerical-ly, would be transferred to posts and stations.3

Colonel Towle found the memorandum useful inpointing out what she saw as, "The difficulty of at-tempting to utilize untrained personnel in skilled mili-tary billets" and "the need of remedial measures"4 Shereiterated her position that specialist training beyondrecruit indoctrination was essential to meet the needsof both the Marine Corps and the individual Marine.Her conclusion was:

A policy which relies upon an ever-diminishing supplyof World War II women reservists to continue to provide theskills presently needed by the Marine Corps as well as thosewhich would be required in all-out mobilization, rather thanestablish systematic long range training beyond recruit in-doctrination for younger women enlistees of the regular Ma-rine Corps is considered unrealistic and shortsighted, as wellas uneconomical.5

Subsequently, in May 1951, Plans and Policies Di-vision asked that a study be made to determine the

57


OE

Aleknam

- MIA_

Attending the Conference of WoMen Marine CoMmanding .0fficers and IrioenRepresentatives of Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment Districts in June 1955, were(from left, seated): Maj Dorothy M. Knox; LtCol Pauline B. Beckley; Col Julia E. Ham-blet; LtCol Elsie E. Hill; LtCol Barbara J. Bishop; and Maj Helen M. Tatum. Also (fromleft, standing): lstLt Rita A. Ciotti; Capt Mary S. Mock; lstLt Ruth J. O'Holleran; CaptDolores A. Thorning; Maj Emily Homer; lstLt Anne S. Ritter; Capt Valeria F. Hilgart;Capt Jeanne Fleming; Maj Nita B. Warner; Maj Shirleyl Fuetsch; lstLt Nancy L. Doser;Capt Margaret E. Dougherty; Capt Elena D. Brigotti; and Capt Rosalie Crites.

military occupational specialties (MOS) in which wom-en could be utilized and the proportion of the totalnumber which could be profitably employed. The en-suing study conducted by the Procedures AnalysisOffice, evaluatr.-ei MOSs on the basis of utilization ofwomen in rfne legal restrictions, physical require-ments, job cn i;)nment, availability of training facil-ities, and the existence of promotional outlets. Theynoted that while women Marines were assigned MOSsin 25 different occupational fields, actually about 95percent of the WMs were concentrated in only sixfields. The lessons learned in the emergency broughton by the war in Korea were apparent in the conclu-sions drawn by the committee that:

a. Women can be used in 27 of the 43 occupational fields.b. For maximum effectiveness, women should be employed(as a general rule) in a limited number of major activities.c. Under the present tables of organization, a maximum of

69

1Pr

approximately 6,500 women can be employed.d. Full utilization of women Marines requires an evaluationof the combined influence of all "restricted assignment"groups upon rotation policies.e. Immediate steps should be taken to utilize women in allappropriate MOSs so that under full mobilization, expan-sion can be readily accomplished.f. Service schools must be cpened to women to train themfor the appropriate MOS.g. Billets that can be filled by women must be identifiedon tables of organization.

The 2 7 occupational fIek. sidered appropriatewere:

01 Personnel and Administration02 Intelligence04 Logistics14 Mapping and Surveying15 Printing22 Fire Control Instrument Repair

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963

25 Operational Communications26 Communication Material27 Electronics30 Supply31 Warehousing, Shipping, and Receiving33 Food34 Disbursing35 Motor Transport40 Machine Accounting41 Post Exchange43 Public Information46 Photography49 Training and Training Aids52 Special Services55 Band66 Aviation Electronics67 Air Control68 Aerology69 Aviation Synthetic Training Devices70 Aviation Operations and Intelligence71 Flight Equipment8

Colonel Towle endorsed the study calling it,"thorough, thoughtful, and essentially a realisticpresentation of facts pertinent to the utilization ofwomen within the Marine Corps." She did, however,take exception to the stated position that while wom-en could perform the duties of the 27 recommendedoccupational fields, they could not be placed in allof the billets falling under each major heading sincethe "most effective utilization occurs when women su-pervise only women and when situations in whichwomen supervise men or mixed groups areminimized." She submitted that:

... the most effective utilization of women does not neces-sarily depend upon women supervising women, unless cre-dence is also given to the corollary of this statement rhatmen should supervise only men. The skuation at Headquart-ers Marine Corps is an excellent example of the invalidityof this contention. During World War II there were manyinstances at many posts and stations where women super-vised both men and women with notable success. In thisconnection, it should be remembered that women officers'commissions are identical in wording to those of their malecounterparts charging them not only with the duties andresponsibilides of their grade and positions, but also assur-ing them of comparable military authority.8*

*In fact, during k4:7-an War, skomen Mmines made a fewtentative steps t,:,A74ii taking over supervision of several all malegroups. In 1952, :t(al.:f Sergeant Hazel A. Lindabl, a Reservist fromBoston, held the top enlisted post at Camp Lejeune as Camp Szr-geant Major of mor: Lhan 40,000 Marines. Durhig the same ,peri-od, Master Sergeant Margaret A. Goings was the first Sergeant,Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base, CampLejeune. (DivWMs Scrapbook, box 4, 117Ms HQMC Records)

59

The final report of the Procedures Analysis Officewas submitted in November 1951 and generated a let-ter the following January to all interested divisions andsections for comment. For the most part there wasgeneral agreement with the theory that wider utiliza-tion of women Marines would increase their poten-tial effectiveness upon all-out mobilization. TheDivision of Aviation suggested a greater percentageof WMs could be properly assigned aviation special-ties and recommended the addition of OccupationalField 64, Aircraft Maintenance and Repair, to the listof appropriate MOSs, but was overruled. The agencymanaging the 35 field, motor transport, commentedthat women were qualified to drive the cars, trucks,and jeeps, but the requirement that the driver loadand unload the vehicle restricted their use. In the areaof communications, it was recommended that a newfield, administrative communications, be created andthat women be used as switchboard operators. Wom-en as instructors at the Communications-ElectronicSchool was specifically ruled out due to their lack ofcombat experience and because they would have tosupervise men?*

All comments and recommendations were incor-porated and the list of appropriate MOSs for enlistedwomen Marines was promulgated in April 1952, abouta year before the end of the Korean conflict.")

The same memorandum identified the following16 occupational fields as unsuitable for womenMarines.

03 Infantry07 Antiaircraft Artillery08 Field Artillery11 Utilities13 Construction and Equipment18 Tank and Amphibian Tractor21 Weapons Repair23 Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal32 Supply Services36 Steward56 Guided Missile57 Chemical Warfare and Radiological Defense58 Security and Guard64 Aircraft Maintenance and Repair65 Aviation Ordnance73 Pilot

70

*In 1961, 10 years later, Lance Corporal Priscilla Carlson becamethe first woman Marine to instruct at Communications-ElectronicSchool at San Diego. She was a graduate of 36 weeks training atthe Basic Electronic Course, Radar Fundamentals Course, and Avi-ation Radar Repair Course, and she instructed the Radar Fundamen-tals Course. (San Diego Chevron, 28Jul61).


In spite of the above exclusions, during the KoreanWar at least a few women served in the utilities,weapons repair, supply services, and security guardfield." It is probable that they were Reservists alreadyknowledgeable in these occupations.

At the time of the study, only six WMs were in themotor transport field. One of these, Sergeant There-sa "Sue" Sousa, mobilized with the Washington, D.C.Reserve platoon and on duty at Camp Pendleton, be-came a driver through determination, persistence, andbecause she proved she could handle a truck andjeep.12 Then, in the fall of 1952, women were assignedto motor transport school for the intensive five-weekcourse. The first WMs to receive such training since1945 were Privates First Class Hazel E. Robbins,Christin Villanueva, Jessie Chance, Elizabeth Drew,and Ann Oberfell. By 1954, the number of womenin motor transport jumped to 111.'3 Colonel ValeriaF. Hilgart, who was Commanding Officer, CompanyA, Pearl Harbor that year, remembered that she had22 women Marine drivers and a woman Marine dis-patcher, Sergeant Barbara Jean Dulinsky.'4 This careerfield has been volatile for WMs as the number dwin-dled to seven in 1964 and rose to 186 in 1977.'5

Now retired Gunnery Sergeant Helen A. Brusackand one other former WM worked in radio repairmanassignments in 1950 but formal training in this fieldwas not reopened to women until March 1953 whenfour WMs (Technical Sergeants Rosita A. Martinez andKatherine E Tanalski and Sergeants Norine Andersonand Mary Williams) received orders to the 16-weekcourse at the crystal grinding shop at the BaltimoreSignal Depot in Fort Holabird, Baltimore. The high-ly technical course covered the manufacture of pre-cisely cut crystals which controlled the frequency inradios.16 Like the motor transport field, this also provedto be a volatile field as the number of WMs assignedto it dropped to two in 1961 and then grew to 166in 1977.17

Women Officers' MOSs, 1948-1953

After World War II, all officer MOSs were groupedinto categories.15 For example, Category I includedMOSs suitable for Regular unrestricted officers;Category II MOSs were suitable for Regular limitedduty officers of company grade; and with the passageof the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of1948, Category V MOSs were deemed suitable forRegular women officers. Only the following nine MOSsin four occupational fields, plus the designation forbasic officers (unassigned second lieutenants) and one

ground colonel were considered to be appropriate forwomen:

0101 Basic Personnel and Administration Officer0105 Administrative Officer0110 Personnd Classification and Assignment Officer0130 Adjutant0190 Personnel Research Officer3001 Basic Supply Administrative Officer4001 Basic Machine Accounting Officer4010 Machine Accounting Officer4301 Basic Public Information Officer9901 Basic Officer9906 Colonel, Ground

For most of the fields, women officers were limitedto the basic position and therefore not allowed to moveup the ladder in that specialty as they were promot-ed. The war in Korea caused some of the restrictionsto be lifted in 1950, but women officers continuedto serve in a relatively minute number of fields.

This untenable situation was noted by the Classifi-cations Section on 1 November 1952 when it was foundthat the large majority of the older, more experiencedwomen officers were assigned MOS 0105 (Adminis-trative Officer); few women held an additional MOS;and no woman at the time had two additional MOSs.In all, over 60 percent of all women officers in the Ma-rine Corps were assigned a basic MOS or MOS 0105.The discovery led to a study involving a review of thecases of all women officers on active duty and lettersto all sections interested in MOS assignments. In viewof the antipathy displayed in 1947 and 1948 towardthe use of women in the Marine Corps, the commentsemanating from this study were gratifying to the wom-en officers. The Assistant Chief of Staff G-1 wrote:

During the congressional discussion prior to the passageof the "Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948"it was emphasized that the primary reason for establishingwomen in Regular services was to provide a nucleus of train-ed women for rapid expansion in event of an emergency.If the Marine Corps assigns women officers only to the MOSslisted . . . there will not be a group of well trained, ex-perienced women officers who could provide the necessaryleadership in the many fields where large numbers of wom-en will be utilized in the event of a national emergency."

From the Classification Branch came the comment,"In fact in the final analysis it became apparent thata woman officer should be assigned any MOS for whichshe had become qualified by actual performance ofduty in a satisfactory manner."2° And following thelist of recommended MOSs submitted by the Person-nel Control Branch was the statement, "It is further

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963 61

suggested that women officers not be precluded fromas:4nment of other MOSs for which an individual maybe qualified."21

In the second phase of the study each woman of-ficer's qualifications were considered as well as thedescription of each MOS. Decisions were based on le-gal restrictions, physical restrictions, rotation con-straints, technical schools open to women, billets heldby WRs in World War II, and "American mores." Asa result, the variety of MOSs assigned to womenofficers increased somewhat, mainly in the area of ad-ditional MOSs, that is, in sc,- -,mary jobs for which theywere considered qualified. On 1 March 1953, the al-location of primary MOSs to women officers was asfollows:

ol Administration 8702 Intelligence 1

25 Communications 7

30 Supply 2531 Transportation 1

34 Disbursing 10

41 Post Exchange 4

43 Public Information 7

49 Training 2

52 Special Services 7

9906 Ground Colonel 1

Women Marine Officers on active duty22 152

The Division of Aviation had identified the sevenfields of aircraft maintenance, aviation electronics, aircontrol, aerology, aviation synthetic training devices,aviation operations and intelligence, and flight equip-ment as suitable for assignment to women Marineofficers, but only three, aerology, training devices, andflight equipment appeared on the final approved list.As it turned out, women officers were not assignedto aviation specialities of any nature until about 1960.

Subsequent to the study, in March 1953, the Direc-tor, Division of Personnel, Brigadier General ReginaldH. Ridgely, Jr., recommended that category restrictionson the assignment of MOSs to women officers be per-manently removed and that a policy be established

Col Julia E. Hamblet (left), Director of Women Marines, and her assistant, lsat DorisV. Kleberger, confer with Maj Wesley C. Noren, monitor ofwoman officer assignments,

I tta

72

r.z


which would be consistent with the intent of theWomen's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.23

1950-1953 Summary

The Korean War brought permanent changes to thewomen Marine program, the most obvious being thereturn of WMs to maior posts and stations. When thearmistice 7vas signed on 27 July 1953, women wereserving at Headquarters Marine Corps; at the MarineCorps Air Stations at Cherry Point, El Toro, andKaneohe; at the Recruit Depots at San Diego and Par-ris Island; at Marine Corps Bases at Camp Lejeune andCamp Pendleton, Quantico, Norfolk, and Pearl Har-bor; at both the Depot of Supplies and the Depart-ment of the Pacific in San Francisco; at the variousReserve districts; and in Stuttgart, Germany.*

1954-1964

As the pressures of war subsided, so did the urgen-cy to revitalize the women Marine program. The Per-sonnel Department stated that "The Marine Corps'long range plan for the utilization of women Marinesis to utilize them in sufficient numbers and ap-propriate military occupational specialties to providea nucleus of trained women for rapid expansion in theevent of full rnobilization."24 The wording was suffi-ciently vague to allow commanders to vacillate, to balkat the idea of women placed in key positions, and todeny formal schools to WMs.

Numbers

Numerically, women were limited by law to a ceil-ing of two percent of the authorized strength of theCorps, and the women officers were limited to 10 per-cent of the number of enlisted women. The MarineCorps set a goal of one percent rather than the allow-able two, but never reached even that figure duringthe period 1954-1964. The one percent was not justan arbitrary, antiwoman measure but was arrived atin recognition of the Corps' mission and organization.Traditionally, the Marine Corps is a compact fighting

*In September 1952, for the first time, women Marines were as-signed to duty in Europe. Arriving to serve on the staff of the Com-mander in Chief of U. S. Forces in Europe was Second LieutenantSara Frances McLamore, followed a week later by Captain JeanetteI. Sustad. Captain Sustad was assigned to message control and Se-cond Lieutenant McLamore became the commanding officer of thejoint detachment of enlisted women. They were soon joined by 11enlisted women Marines. (Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad interview withHist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 20Jun77 [Oral Hist Collection,Hist&MusDiv, HQMCD.

73

unit with much of its logistics and some of its sup-porting personnel furnished by the Navy. Women Ma-rines were prohibited, by law, from ". . . duty in aircraftwhile such aircraft are engaged in combat missions andduty on vessels of the Navy except hospital ships andnaval transports."26 They were prohibited, by tradition,from Fleet Marine Force units, security forces at shoreactivities, and any unit whose mission it was to de-velop tactics or combat equipment.

To accomplish its mission, the Marine Corps isdivided generally into 60 percent operating forces and40 percent supporting units. Of the latter, during war-time and based on Korean War figures, eight percentcould be patients, prisoners, and transients, leavingonly 32 percent of the billets available to women. Evenwithin the supporting establishment, certain factorsrestricted the utilization of women: legal prohibitions,Marine Corps rotation policy, and the necessity for in-service training for men in preparation for assignmentto combat jobs or to the fleet. To further complicatethe matter, women are only one in a list of restrictedassignment groups which include sole-surviving sons,and twice-wounded Marines.26 Added to the aboveconstraints was the fact that all services planned a cutin women's strength in 1954. During the years be-tween Korea and Vietnam the strength of the wom-en Marines went from a peak of 2,787 in September1953 to a low of 1,448 on 30 June 1964.

Utilization, 1954-1964

While women were assigned at various times to asmany as 27 occupational fields, for the most part theyremained concentrated in the same six or seven special-ities, with 45-55 percent in personnel administration,followed by supply, communications (telephone oper-ators), disbursing, data processing, post exchange, andpublic information. It took nearly 100 women officersto fill the strictly women's billets (WM companies,WM recruit and officer training, recruiting, officerselection duty, I&Is of WR platoons). Since the wom-en officer strength averaged 125 for the years1954-1964, the incidence of their assignment outsidethe woman Marine program was minimal.

Colonel Hamblet, Director of Women Marines1953-1959, devoted much time on her annual in-spection trips trying to convince the personnel peo-ple to assign senior women Marines to jobs other thanthose within the women's program. She found a reluc-tance to place women in positions where they had notserved before, at least in the memory of the currentbase population. Most activities, on the other hand,


welcomed the presence of young, attractive womenMarines in window dressing type jobs, as receptionists,for example, as long as they did not count against theirallotted strength. Having succeeded in placing WMsin suitable billets, the director then met just as strongresistance in getting them released for a tour as arecruiter, drill instructor, or company commander.27

A numbcr of factors combined to bring on this am-bivalence in the utilization of women Marines, onlya portion of which could be auributed to sex discrimi-nation. The average woman Marine was in the marri-ageable and child bearing age group and the forcedseparation brought on by prevailing regulations in thisregard caused a proportionately high attrition rate forWMs compared to male Marines. A married womancould ask to be discharged after serving only one yearof her enlistment.* There was, therefore, some insta-bility and an unsatisfactory rate of personnel turnoverthat could not be stemmed without a drastic changein policy.

A second factor working to the detriment of thewomen was the insufficiency of their training coupl-ed with the male Marines' expectation that women arenaturally good typists, stenographers, and clerks. Aslate as 1955, only five percent of the WMs receivedformal training of any kind.28 The majority of the en-listed women reported to their first duty assignmentafter a mere eight weeks of recruit training whereasthe male private spent 12 weeks in boot camp followedby advanced training, and usually a tour in the FleetMarine Force, thereby arriving at a post with some serv-ice behind him. The woman private suffered in com-parison from both a military and a professional pointof view, unless her supervisor understood the situa-tion and took extra time not only to correct her workbut to help her with the basics of military life like uni-form regulations and saluting. Lieutenant ColonelGail M. Reals, recalling her first job out of boot camp,relates that she reported to one office in the Educa-tion Center at Quantico in 1955 and was transferredto another almost immediately because she did nothave a firm grasp of naval correspondence procedures,although she was an above average typist28

*See Chapter 7 for a detailed discussion of marriage and mother-hood regulations.

**In 1985, while serving as the chief of staff of the Marine CorpsDevelopment and Education Command, Colonel Reals became thefirst woman to be selected by a promotion board, in competitionwith her male Marine peers, to the rank of brigadier general.

L

LtCol Lily H. Gridley, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, firstwoman to serve as a legal assistance officer, is pho-tographed at Marine Corps Headquarters in 1955.

There is a feeling among women veterans of thetime, almost impossible to prove, that women had toperform better than men to be considered acceptable.Then, once a women was found unsatisfactory, theoffice would not want another woman, no matter howmany men had done poorly in the same billet. '

Women officers were in an even less favorable posi-tion since their training after officer candidate schoolwas limited to the six-week Woman Officer Indoctri-nation Course compared to the male lieutenants' nine-month Basic School. Furthermore, technical trainingwas extremely rare and, for women, professional mili-tary schools were unheard of.

During these years, 1954-1964, very few new fieldsbecame available to women Marines. Generally, theywere assigned to the same 27 occupational fields thatwere opened to them as a result of the Korean War.Most of the time, they served in no more than 21 ofthese at one given moment, and they maintained theusual 50 percent in administration, followed by sup-ply, operational communications, and disbursing.

Rank Does Not Have ItsPrivilegesOfficers

In this post-Korean era, senior women officers andsenior staff noncommissioned officers faced similarproblems, since by this time there was a sizable num-ber of each and only a limited number of women's

74


program billets requiring so much rank. Women lieu-tenant colonels exchanged a few jobs as if on a cir-cuit: Commanding Officer, Woman Recruit TrainingBattalion; Commanding Officer, Woman MarineTraining Detachment; and an occasional assistant G-1billet at a base that had been asked if it would accepta woman. It was the rule rather than the exceptionto serve in the same billet a second time. Typical ofthe pattern was the career of Lieutenant Colonel El-sie E. Hill, who commanded the officer candidateschool 1949-1951 and again 1965-1966. She command-ed the recruit battalion 1954-1956, exchanged posi-tions with Lieutenant Colonel Barbara J. Bishop asHead, Women's Branch, Division of Reserve, Head-quarters Marine Corps and in 1959 returned to therecruit battalion at Parris Island. In contrast to theRegular women officers, the two Reserve lieutenantcolonels on active duty, Hazel E. Benn in educationalservices, and Lily H. Gridley, a lawyer, served a full20 years in specialized jobs.

Perhaps the most remarkable senior woman officerassignment during this period was that of LieutenantColonel Emma H. Clowers as Head, Personal AffairsBranch, Personnel Department, Headquarters MarineCorps.3° She was originally ordered in as the assistantbranch head on 28 April 1959 but became branchhead when a male colonel's orders to that departmentwere rescinded. No record can be found of a womanMarine branch head on that level either before or formany years after her tour. She served in that capacityfor seven years, during which she received strong andloyal support from the director of the Personnel

LtCol Emma H. Clowers discusses the assignment ofwomen Marines with a fellow officer in the G-1 Divi-sion at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps in 1955.

Department and from the 15-20 male officers servingas heads of the various sections and as assistant branchhead. Lieutenant Colonel Clowers found only onedifficulty in her position which was directly relatedto her being a woman, and that was her lack of rankduring some of the interbranch negotiations. The lawat the time barred women officers, other than thedirector, from promotion to colonel, resulting in awoman officer (Clowers) performing duties for manyyears in a billet which before and after her assignmentwere performed by male colonels. Upon completionof that tour, Lieutenant Colonel Clowes was award-ed her second Navy Commendation Medal, havingreceived the first during World War II. The citationthat accompanied her award noted that the duties werenormally assigned to an officer of greater rank and thatthe hostilities in Vietnam demanded a rapid expan-sion of the branch. The scope of her responsibilitiesare underscored in that citation which read in part:

75

Extremely competent and resourceful, Colonel Clowersperformed duties, which are normally assigned to an officerof greater rank, in a highly professional manner during atime when hostilities in Vietnam demanded rapid expansionof the Personal Affairs Branch to meet the added responsi-bilities. Through infinite foresight and judicious planningshe accomplished organizational reforms which enhancedthe effectiveness of the Personal Affairs Branch. In additionto establishing and maintaining excellent liaison and cooper-ation with agencies in both the military and civilian com-munities through which Marines and their dependentsreceive counselling, financial help, and other needed as-sistance, she substantially improved and expedited methodsof informing concerned and anxious families of the condi-tion of wounded or seriously ill Marines. She brought theneeds of Marines and their families to the attention of thosewho draft and present proposed legislation to the Congress,thereby improving the scope and applicability of laws direct-ed toward the necessities of military servicemen. With im-measurable personal concern and a keen sense ofresponsibility for the welfare and interests of Marines, sheformulated a program for personal notification of the nextof kin of casualties in Vietnam; developed and coordinateda system by which Marine Retired and Reserve GeneralOfficers visit evacuees in twenty-three naval hospitals; con-tributed materially to the formation of the Family AssistanceProgram, and directed expansion of job counselling facili-ties to assist retiring and retired personnel in finding suita-ble employment. Throughout her seven years in this capacityshe skillfully directed her attention to the most minute de-tails of each facet of her responsibilities in a manner whichexemplifies more than could possibly be expected from anyofficer. Colonel Clowers' outstanding service, judgment anddevotion to duty reflected great credit upon herself and theMarine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the Unit-ed States Naval Service.3,


A World War II mail clerk, TSgt Frances A. Curwen, the Marine Corps' only femalepostmaster in 1952, supervised the Montford Point Branch, Camp Lejeune Post Office.

Rank Does Not Have Its PrivilegesStaff Noncommissioned Officers

The staff noncommissioned officers were in a slight-ly different position in that they generally had aspecialty and some training, whers nearly all of thefield grade officers at the time were eassified as eitherwomen's unit officer or personnel administrator.Nevertheless, eie staff noncommissioned officer foundthat 1) she was moved out of her field too often toserve in women's recruiting or training billets, and 2)as she became more senior, she was less welcome sinceshe would be in the position to supervise male Ma-rines. Then, once she proved herself, she was often con-sidered indispensable. Inevitably, a controversy eruptedwhen she was needed to fill a slot in the women's pro-gram, and more often than not, the Director of Wom-en Marines was blamed by the woman for sending heron a third recruiting tour, and accused by the assign-ment branch of meddling in their business.

The staff noncommissioned officers of this periodwere, for the most part, former WRs who had servedin responsible positions during World War II and hadseen women perform all manner of duties to includesupervision of male Marines. This only made themmore incredulous at the narrow attitude taken by manymale Marines. Master Sergeant Ruth Ryan, in 1960,

for example, was on orders to the Reserve district inAtlanta as the Logistics Chief until it was discoveredthat she was a woman. Eventually she went as planned,but only after being interviewed by her prospectiveofficer in charge, an unusual procedure, and then riotas the Logistics Chief, but as the Fiscal Chief, sincethat was deemed more appropriate.32

Retired First Sergeant Frances A. Curwen Bilskirepresents a similar case. She had been a mail clerkfrom August 1943 until September 1946 at the fleetpost office in San Francisco. Following the war, shewas a member of the VTU and later the WR platoonin Boston. Mobilized for the Korean War, she servedas postmaster at the Montford Point branch of theCamp Lejeune post office, and as an instructor at theMarine Corps East Coast Postal School in 1952. In theearly 1960s, after having served as postmaster at Par-ris Island, she was ordered to similar duty in Hawaii,but the command absolutely refused to have a wom-an in the job, saying that the mail bags were too heavyfor a female.33

Noncommissioned OfficerLeadership School

With a memorandum to the Assistant Chief ofStaff, G-3, written by 12 May 1952, Colonel Towle in-itiated a stream of correspondence that culminated

76

66

with the creation of an NCO Leadership School forwomen Marines." She cited the prevailing acceleratedpromotions of enlisted Marines with short periods ofservice and the loss of older, qualified NCOs as evi-dence of the need for such a course. Colonel Towlerecommended that the school be located at Quanticoin the same barracks used by officer candidates andbasic second lieutenants from June throughNovember.

The Commandant, Marine Corps Schools, andCommanding General, Marine Corps Base, CampLejeune, were both queried on the matter and in themeantime, the Director was asked to furnish guidanceconcerning the mission of the proposed school, sub-ject matter to be covered, course length, and appropri-ate rank of the students. ln answer, Colonel Towlerecommended a four-week course whose missionwould be ". . . to train an efficient and continuingstaff of women noncommissioned officers for theduties and responsibilities commonly associated with'troop' leadership,"35 and to provide a source of poten-tial officer candidates. She emphasized classes inleadership, personnel management, technique of in-


struction, use of training aids, Uniform Code of Mili-tary Justice, and military customs and courtesies forstudents ranking from staff sergeant through mastersergeant.

Camp Lejeune was selected as the site and First Lieu-tenant Mary Jane Connell was named officer in charge.On 19 January 1953, for the first time since 1945 aStaff NCO Leadership School for women was con-vened. Major General Henry D. Linscott, the com-manding general, gave the opening address to the 25members of the new class." Classes were held in a wingof Barracks 65 at the Navy Field Medical ResearchLaboratory five and a half days a week. In prepara-tion, all the hand-selected instructors, Technical Ser-geant Alice McIntyre, Technical Sergeant Frances A.Curwen (later Bilski), Master Sergeant Lillian V. Do-lence, and Technical Sergeant Josephine R. Milburnattended a month-long session at the Navy Instruc-tors School at Norfolk, Virginia.37 Members of the firstclass included:

Master Sergeant Margaret A. GoingsMaster Sergeant Alice M. RenyMaster Sergeant Margery R. Wilkie

Instructors of the WOman Marine Staff NCO Leadership School, Camp Lejeune, con-gratulate Officer-in-Charge Elaine T. Carville on her promotion to captain in July 1953.

77


Capt E. T. Carville, officer-in-charge, NCO Leadership School, is pictured (front rowcenter) with Class 9 in 1953. MSgt P. C. Nigro (second row left) xas the honor graduate.

Technical Sergeant Loraine G. BrusoTechnical Sergeant Eleanor L. ChildersTechnical Sergeant Margaret L. HarwellTechnical Sergeant Beatrice J. JacksonTechnical Sergeant Dorothy L. KearnsTechnical Sergeant Blossom J. McCallTechnical Sergeant Sarah N. ThorntonTechnical Sergeant Laura H. WoolgerStaff Sergeant May S. BellettoStaff Sergeant Phyllis J. CurtissStaff Sergeant Anna M. FinniganStaff Sergeant Nellie C. GeorgeStaff Sergeant Naomi HutchinsonStaff Sergeant Inez E. SmithStaff Sergeant Dorothy L. VollmerSergeant Carolyn J. FreemanSergeant Sonya A. GreenSergeant Mary E. KingSergeant Dorothy L. LeySergeant Carol j. HomanSergeant Margaret A. Shaffer"

Colonel Towle gave the graduation speech and dis-tributed the diplomas at ceremonies held on 13 Febru-ary 1953, 10th anniversary of the Women Marines. Thehunor student for this first woman Marine NCOLeadership Class was Master Sergeant Reny, with Tech-nical Sergeant Childers in second place, and Staff Ser-geant Vollmer in third. Classes continued at CampLejeune for a little more than a year on a five-weekcycle, four weeks of training and one week off. Staff

changes brought Captain Elaine T. Carville as theofficer in charge with First Lieutenant Connell as herassistant and Technical Sergeants Lillian J. West andJune V. Doberstein as instructors.39

Colonel Hamblet, successor to Colonel ToWle,reevaluated the situation and while convinced of thereal need for the school, found the basis on which itwas being run to be inefficient. Only 129 studentsrather than the authorized 225 had completed thetraining. The table of organization called for one of-ficer, four enlisted instructors, and one clerk typist andthe physical facilities used by the women included anoffice, a classroom, and a wing of a barracks. She pro-posed a move to Quantico since the staff required totrain officer candidates from June through Novembercould handle the NCO Schu .4 during the wintermonths with only two additional enlisted women in-structors. In turn, these enlisted women could beprofitably used as platoon sergeants in the officer can-didate program. There was at the time an unsuccess-ful (in terms of numbers) winter officer candidate classwhich would have to be cancelled, thereby making thebarracks, classroom, and staff available.49

The plan, promising a personnel and financial sav-ings, was enthusiastically endorsed at Headquartersand by September 1954 the change were made. Tech-nical Sergeants West and Doberstein was transferred


to Quantico where they worked with NCOs during thewinter and officer candidates in the summer. CaptainCarville was sent to Parris Island, and the remainderof the staff was dispersed.

The majority of women noncommissioned officersreceived leadership training during these years,1954-1964, at the course conducted by the Women Ma-rines Detachment, Quantico. Several commands as-signed women to local, predominantly male, NCOschools. In fact, as early as 1951, Staff Sergeant LauraH. Woolger attended the 2d Wing NCO leadershipschool, graduating on 10 August of that year. A dif-ferent tactic was tried at San Dicgo, California, wherein 1959, the depot NCO school conducted two one-week accelerated courses for women Marines.

A Woman in the Fleet Marine Force

In this decade of status quo, it is surprising to findthe first reported WM working in an FMF head-quarters, admittedly in a traditional job. On 13 Janu-ary 1954, Private First Class Betty Sue Murray wasassigned as the secretary to the Commanding Gener-al, 2d Marine Division, Major General George F.Good, Jr.4' The general had called Captain Elaine T.

Carville, Commanding Officer, Woman Marine Com-pany, Camp Lejeune, and told her that his office wasin a mess, that he could not find anything, and thathe wanted a woman Marine immediately. She ex-plained thl, women Marines could not be assignedto an FMF unit, but the general only answered thathe trusted her to work out the administrative details.Private First Class Murray was officially attached to theoffice of the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Bat-talion, Marine Corps Base (Colonel John H. Cook),billeted in the WM barracks, and worked for MajorGeneral Good. She stayed at the job long enough toserve his successors, Major General Lewis B. Puller andBrigadier General Edward W. Snedeke02 Not until1975, 20 years in the future, would WMs be assignedlegitimately to any FMF unit

1954-1964 Summary

The WM situation then, on 30 June 1964, was astrength of 129 officers and 1,320 enlisted women serv-ing in 20 occupational fields. Women received littleformal technical MOS training and were arsigned toonly one professional development course, the NCOLeadership School.

CHAPTER 6

Utilization and Numbers: Pepper Board, 1964-1972The Pepper BoardWomen Marine Program Revitalized, 1965-1973Strength Increases

Women Officers Specialist Training, 1965-1973Women Lawyers and Judges, A BeginningProfessional TrainingAmphibious Walfare SchoolPost-Graduate Schooling

Command and Staff CollegeThe Armed Forces Staff CollegeAdvanced Training and Assignment of Enlisted Women Marines, 1965-1973

New Woman Marine Units, StatesideWomen Marines OverseasWomen Marines in VietnamWomen Marines in Marine Security Guard BattalionWomen Marines Overseas, Summary

Rapidly waning strength, unsatisfactory recruitmentand retention results, and a need to improve the sta-tus and acceptance of women in the Marine Corps werethe basis of Marine Corps Bulletin 5312, dated 27February 1963, asking commands for recommenda-tions on more efficient utilization of WMs. The resultswere collated and sent to the Director, Colonel Mar-garet M. Henderson, for comment. She categorizedthe recommendations into:

1. those which could not be implemented by the com-mands themselves.

2. those which were presumably already in effect.3. those relating to more formal training for women

Marines.4. those which had possibilities, but required more study.5. those in whith she nonconcurred.

Taken as a whole, the recommendations made bythe commands demonstrated a general lack of under-standing of the status of women in the Marine Corps.It was readily apparent that the women were notthought of as personnel assets to be managed as allMarines. Statements that WMs should be assigned tobillets appropriate to their grade and MOS, that wom-en should be encouraged to participate in correspon-dence courses relating to their occupational specialty,and that the same performance standards be demand-ed of them as for male Marines, indicated a flaw inthe system at the command level rather than in Head-quarters policy since all of these matters came underlocal purview.'

On one subject, the need for more formal trainingfor women Marines, there was unanimity. ColonelHenderson strongly concurred, pointing out the fal-lacy of assigning WMs with eight weeks of recruit train-ing directly to support establishment billets, andexpecting the degree of knowledge and skill shown bymale Marines who, after 11 weeks of recruit training,and four weeks of infantry training, had more thanlikely served 13 months in the Fleet Marine Force. Shesupported her stand with the statement:

Seventy percent of our Women Marine recruit graduatesare between the ages of 18 and 20 and, in most instances,have come directly from high school into the Marine Corpswith little or no work experience. These young women arebright, capable trainees, but we are actually expecting them

to be proficient in a specific MOS with only eight weeks ofbasic training. During calendar year 1963, 771 women Ma-rines completed recruit training and only five were ordereddirectly from recruit training to a service school. In com-parison, the women basic graduates from the Army, Navyand Air Force were ordered directly to service school asfollows:

(a) Army, approximately 90 percent(b) Navy, approximately 50 percent(c) Air Force, approximately 60 percent2

Colonel Henderson reasoned that specialty train-ing in administration, supply, and communicationswould greatly improve the performance of WM recruitgraduates since 77 percent of the 1963 graduates wereconcentrated in those three fields.

One week following the submission of her com-ments, Colonel Henderson completed her tour, andon 3 January 1964, she was relieved as Director ofWomen Marines by Colonel Barbara J. Bishop. Justthree days earlier on the 1st of January, General Wal-lace M. Greene, Jr., took the helm as the 23d Com-mandant of the Marine Corps, a timely occurrence forthe women Marines. Writing about him later, ColonelBishop said, "General Greene was light years aheadof his time in his support of increased opportunitiesfor women Marines."3

Shortly after assuming command of the Corps, hedirected Colonel Bishop to submit recommendationsto effect improvement in the selection, training, andutilization of women Marines. Taking each identifiableproblem in order: a strength decline to 1,333 WMson 30 April 1964; conflicts over the assignments ofnoncommissioned officers and officers; unsatisfacto-ry recruiting results for officers and enlisted women;inadequate training; inefficient utilization; low reten-tion; and poor living conditions for enlisted women,Colonel Bishop expressed a number of highly con-troversial facts, observations, and recommendations.4

A discussion of the strength and general utilizationof women Marines centered on the traditionally ac-cepted goal of one percent of total enlisted strength,1,750 enlisted women and 175 officers, which was con-sidered workable based upon billeting conditions atthe time. Women were assigned to all bases havingmobilization requirements for WMs except the Ma-

69


0,10>6..."

LCp1 A. Digman Atau, one of two women at El Toro in 1965 to give pilots trainingin the aviation trainer field, instructs CpIJ. Harris in the operation of an F8 link trainer.

rine Corps Supply Centers at Barstow and Albany, afactor which would cause a delay in time of emergen-cy. Accordingly, Colonel Bishop recommended thatwoman Marine units be established at those two ac-tivities. And finally, in connection with general utili-zation of women, Colonel Bishop noted that in fillingcertain command, training, and recruiting billets therewas a conflict between the authority of the PersonnelDepartment and the Director of Women Marines, sheasked that all changes of station orders for WM officersand enlisted women be routed to her office forinformation and concurrence.

Turning to officer training, policy at the time al-lowed officer candidates to disenroll at any time dur-

ing the training cycle, and many did so before givingthemselves a chance to adjust to military life. Thecolonel recommended a change that would require allcandidates to complete the course before making sucha decision.

As for the career officer, she said:There is a definite need to provide women majors and

lieutenant colonels with professional education in commandand staff duties. The value of advanced military educationis recognized for male officers and the necd is met by as-signment to the Senior Course [later Command and StaffCollege]. Women officers of field grade would benefit equallyfrom broadened knowledge of policies, programs andproblems at all levels of the military establishment and ofstaff functioning at Headquarters Marine Corps, in theDepartment of Defense, and on joint staff0

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 71

To that end, Colonel Bishop reviewed the 1964-1965syllabus for the Senior Course, held at Quantico, anddetermined that at least 432 hours of instructionwould be extremely valuable for women. She specifi-cally identified the following courses: Executive Leader-ship, Management Techniques and Procedures,Geopolitical and Current World Situation, Organiza-tion and Functioning for National Security, and For-eign Language.

In respect to senior WM officers' utilization, she dis-cussed the hesitancy to assign them on the basis oftheir professional qualifications. She wrote:

When a woman major or lieutenant colonel becomes eligi-ble for transfer and one of the billets requiring a womanis not available, there is a tendency prior to issuance of ord-ers to query commands on their willingness to accept a wom-an. Acceptance is not based on ability since certainly thePersonnel Monitors would not recommend the assignmentof a woman to a billet inappropriate to her rank and profes-sional qualifications,

Then, as each Director of Women Marines beforehad done, Colonel Bishop pointed out the need foradvanced specialist training for enlisted women. And,she ended her report with recommendations designedto improve the retention rate of WMs. These includ-ed a stricter policy on separations due to marriagebalanced by increased efforts to station husbands andwives together, abolishment of the two-year enlistmentcontract in favor of a three- or four-year commitment,a guarantee similar to the one made to male enlisteesof a change of station during the first enlistment, andimproved living conditions. On the latter subject shewas emphatic. It was not just that the women neededmore privacy, she argued, but they spend more timein the barr than men; the women staff NCOs whoremain in the service are more likely to be single thanmale Marines who marry and live in their familyhomes; the majority of career women Marines wouldnever share in the large expenditures made on mar-ried quarters and in the support of dependents' pro-grams; and because the women took such good careof their barracks, inspecting officers were duly im-pressed by the cleanliness and attempts to create ahomelike atmosphere. She recommended new con-struction of barracks adapted to the needs of womenor at least the complete rehabilitation of existing struc-tures, to be accomplished with the aid of a nationallyknown interior decorator.

That then is the essence of Director of Women Ma-rines Study No. 1-64, a report that precipitated somuch opposition that the Commandant ordered the

creation of a study group to "propose a program torender the peacetime service of women Marines of op-timum benefit to the Marine Corps."7

The Pepper Board

On 3 August 1964, Lieutenant General Robert H.Pepper, USMC (Retired), was designated chairman ofthe Woman Marine Program Study Group, popularlyknown as the Pepper Board.8 The members includedColonel Bishop; Colonel Frank R. Porter, Jr., represen-tative, G-1; Lieutenant Colonel Eugenous E. Hovat-ter, representative, Director of Personnel; LieutenantColonel Alfred I. Thomas, representative, G-3; MajorPaul R. Fields, representative, G-4; Major Patricia A.Maas, representative, WM; Major Charles E. Baker,representative, Aviation; Major Paul P. Pirhalla,representative, Fiscal; and Major Jenny Wrenn, record-er. The Commandant's letter of instruction directedthe study group to convene on 11 August 1964 andto submit its report by 1 October. Early on it was ap-parent that a detailed study could not be completedin the time allowed and verbal authority was given toextend the deadline as necessary. The final report wassubmitted on 30 November and routed to staff sec-tions at Headquarters Marine Corps for comment.

Reaction was mixed and ranged from enthusiasticsupport for the 83 recommendations to bitter op-position. The Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, MajorGeneral Richard G. Weede, for example, concurredwith all but one recommendation under his purview.The one exception was the recommendation thatselected field grade officers attend the Marine CorpsCommand and Staff College as full-time students. G-3Division preferred courses in civilian universities forwomen officers or attendance at only a few selectedsubcourses of the Command and Staff College.

On the other hand, the Personnel Department,headed by Major General Lewis J. Fields, took 'ssuewith the thrust of the report and the philosophy thatcostly improvement would, in his words, ". . . attractmore young ladies into the Marine Corps and inducethem to stay longer and be more productive duringtheir stay."8 He continued, "We should . . . taiior ourwhole women's program to attract not young, un-trained small-town high school graduates, but youngwomen of professional skills and training who trulywant to make their mark in a man's (which the mili-tary is unarguably) world:" General Fields recom-mended recruitment of women already trained for askilled trade, advanced rank, personal freedom com-

82

72 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARIN, 1946-1977

parable with Civil Service, and "a modified trainingprogram designed to teach about the Corps and nothow to be a male Marine in skirts.", , And lastly, sincethe Personnel Department reasoned that the greatestp:oblem in WM housing in most places was causedby overcrowding, it was submitted that, "the best andquickest means of improving current housing wouldbe to reduce the WM strength. . . 12

In light of staff comments, some recommendation,were changed or modified and on 13 April 1965 a Ma.rine Corps Bulletin directed the staff agencies to takk.action on 75 of the recommendations already approvedby the Commandant, and a reporting schedule wasset up to keep General Greene informed of theprogress being made. Although the program was con-sidered iong-range, not to be fully realized for twoyears, more than half of the proposals were at leasta matter of policy by mid-1965. As result, LieutenantColonel Jeanette Sustad was named to the new postof Deputy Director of Women Marines. In the past,the next senior woman officer at Headquarters filledthat billet as an additional duty.

Women were to be assigned to and get training ina broader range of occupational fields, to includedrafting, lithography, operational communications,communications maintenance, auditing, finance, ac-counting, informational services, aerology, air control,and flight equipment. The Bask Supply School andTeletype Operator School were made available almostimmediately. The Pepper Board recommendation ,4',atsenior officers attend Command and Staff College wasunacceptable to most staff officers and post-grachawtraining in civilian or military schools was approvedas a substitute.

An impressive list of new duty stations for WMs waspublished to include: Fleet Home Town News Centera:: Great Lakes; Marine Corps Reserve Data ServicesCenter, Kansas City; Marine Corps Base, TwentyninePalms, California; Marine Air Reserve Training Center,Glenview, Illinois; the Supply Centers at Albany andBarstow; and Marine Corps Air Stations at Beaufort,New River, Kaneohe, Santa Ana, and Yurna. The ab-sence of a WM Company or barracks no longerprecluded the assignment of women Marines to anypost or station as long as suitable offstation housingwas available. Additionally, women would be afford-ed more overseas billets.

Changes in basic training included a greater use ofmale instructors; increased instruction in personal de-

velopment and grooming;* integration of some class-es at till: Woman Officer Basic Course and the WomanOfficer Candidate Class; and a new requirement thatcandidates complete four weeks of training before be-ing allowed to disenroll. At Parris Island, a rwo-platoonsystem or series system was created to inspire compe-tition, and on.base liberty for recruits was to be in ef-fect by January 1966.

F.alistment incentives that gbaranteed preferredatea, school, and occupational assignments to quali-f:ecl enlisted women were planned. For the new officersv;.ho requested it, there was the promise of two dutystations during the initial three-year period of activeduty.

To settle the difficulties cif as.signment arising fromvarying interests of the Director of Women Marinesand the Personnel Department, a woman officer wasassigned to the Classification and Assignment Branchat Headquarters as an occupational field monitor.Major Valeria E Hilgart was the first to fill that posi-tion, arriving in Washington in November 1966.

An aggressive %enforcement of the recommendationscovering bi.Iter living conditions for the women await-ed the result of a Department of Defense study onthe subject. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps reevaluat-ed all WM barracks, SNCO quarters, and the furnish-ings. At Pan.is Ishand, lockers and dressers wereinsvallcd in the recruit barracks o make their quart-els less austere.** At Camp Pendleton, plans weremade for a newly constmcted WM barracks.

These are but a fi:.F.ction of the changes in effect oron the drawing board in 1965. Some were implement-ed quickly; otheis came only with firm prodding from

"Strangely (?) this became the most controversial change in WMtraining ar,t1 was fiercely and almost entirely opposed by the seniorWM officers and senior WM NCOs! T, was determined to institutethis program for a number of very valid (as they later proved) reasons:

(1) to give polish and new confidence to the individual woman.(2) to improve WM recruiting by sending the girl back home

where her improved and smart appearance invariably brought com-pliments and new recruits.

emphasize femininity es an asset to a woman's role in themilitary to be coupled with proper assignment.

I enlisted and received the enthusiastic assist-- .e of airlines whichconducted aircraft hostess training schools (e.g. Pan Am) to whichI assigned selected WM instructors for training and return to RI.where we established a good grooming school. Beauty aids wereprovided free of charge by national cosmetic firms." (Gen WallaceM. Greene, Jr., comments on draft manuscript, dtd 26Dec79)

**A n-,:w clothing layout inspection requiring certain items tobe displayed hanging in a locker hastened the addition of lockersto recruit barracks.

8 3


At the time the Marine Corps' only woman Marinelawyer on active duty, future military judge CaptPatricia A. Murphy, is promoted by MajJaneCommanding Officer, WM Company, and LtCol.Frederick D. Clements, at Camp Butler in 1967.

General Greene. In November of 1965 the Comman-dant was given a resume of actions completed on thePepper Board recommendations which indicated con .siderable progress had been made. Not fully satisfied,he sent it to Colonel Bishop for her views. She beganher remarks by noting the strength increase froin 128officers and 1,320 enlisted women on 30 June 1964to 145 officers and 1,718 enlisted women on board on31 October 1965 and the increased satisfaction ex-pressed by commands with the performance and ap-pearance of women Marines."

She then commented in depth on the more disap-pointing progress shown in some areas. Of particularconcern was the question of advanced training forsenior officers. The original recommendation to sendWM officers to Command and Staff College had beendiluted to a statement about providing postgraduatetraining in civilian or military schools and the nota-tion that WM officers were eligible to compete withmale applicants for post-graduate training. No otheraction was considered necessary on this recommenda-tion. Colonel Bishop wrote:

This has always been the case, with the result that onewoman in 1950 managed to of.tain a year in Personnel Ad-ministration at Ohio State. No gain has been made hereas post-graduate training for senior women was to be a sub-stitute for advanced professional training available to careerMarines in AWS (Amphibious Warfare School) and Com-mand and Staff College."

After comparing Colonel Bishop's separate assess-ment of the progress made with that provided by theG-1, the Commandant pencilled in on the latter

1. I want this type of report coordinated with the DIRWMprior to submission to CMC.

2. I have approved this particular report, but I am definite-ly not satisfied with action reported. See attached commentsDIRWMs which deserve consideration and action.15

Women Marine Program Revitalized, 1965-1973

Three unrelated factors of disparate importance alljoined to alter the future course of the woman Ma-rine program at this point: a stricter policy on dis-charge based on marriage effective 15 July 1964; thePepper Board report of 30 November 1964; and in-creased involvement of Marines in the war in Vietnamin 1965. Dramatic progress was made in strength,availability of formal training, opening of new occupa-tional fields, and in assignment possibilities in theUnited States and overseas.

Strength Increases

The Pepper Board reaffirmed the policy stated in1948 of main+ aining a woman Marine strength of onepercent of toval Marine Corps enlisted strength. Ac-tually the number of WMs had been steadily declin-ing since 1953, leveling off at the one percent goal,approximately 1,700 from 1936 to 1959 and reachinga nadir of 1,281 in December 1964, when the PepperBoard reported its findings. In August 1965, due toVietnam commitments, a JOAO-man increase was ap-proved for the Marine Corps and higher objectives Wereconcurrently set for WMs. By 31 May 1967, enlistedstrength was 2,082 and officer strength reached 190.A peak of about 2,700 WMs was reached during theVietnam era of 1968 and 1969 and then tapered to2,288 on 30 ,June 1973.113

Highcr rccruiting goals accounted for some of thesuccess, but more impact was made by better reten-tion due to tighter control of discharges solely for rea-son of marriage. On 15 July 1964, a joint householdpolicy became effective which denied discharge towomen Marines who were located in the same area astheir husbands. All discharges of this type were thensuspended on 20 August 1965 in conjunction with afour-month involuntary extersion for all Marines. By1966 new regulations virtually eliminated marriage asa condition for discharge for WMs resulting in a reduc-tion of that type of separation from 18.6 percent ofwoman Marine losses in 1964 to 2.3 percent in 1966and finally 0 percent in 1969.'7

Recruiting incentives guaranteeing geographicchoices of duty and formal training combined withother enhancements resulting from the implementa-

8 4


tion of Pepper Board recommendations raised enlist-ed recruiting from about 60 percent attainment ofquota in 1963 to 105.7 percent in 1966. Officer selec-tion not only improved numerically, but a largerproportion of candidates were seniors or graduatesthan in previous years, a factor which cut down on thedrop-out rate of younger students and ultimately ledto an increase in commissions accepted. In 1966,officer selection attained 103.3 percent of senior-graduates quota and 152.5 percent of junior quota.Sophomores were no longer eligible.") At the sametime, the percent of women recruited as Regulars toserve a three- or four-year contract as opposed toReserves with a two-year obligation rose from 48 per-cent in June to 77 percent on 31 March 1968.19

All told, efforts in the mid-1960s to stabilize thewoman Marine program, to encourage women Marinesto complete their initial enlistment, to lengthen theaverage tour of women Marines, and to make the Ma-rine Corps an attractive choice for potential enlisteesachieved demonstrable success.

Women Officers' Specialist Training,1965-1973

In 1964, women officers were serving in only eightoccupational fields with about 70 percent in ad-ministrative billets, and no deliberate attempt wasmade to achieve a wider distribution. Only 30.6 per-cent of the second lieutenants commissioned in thethree-year period ending in 1964 had received formalspecialist training. No training was ivailable in per-sonnel administration although the majority ofwomenofficers served in this field. In contrast, members ofthe 20th Woman Officers Basic Course which gradu-ated in October 1966 were assigned in 14 occupation-al fields to indude intelligence, operationalcommunications, transportation, legal, avionics, -aer-ology, and aviation operations, specialities in whichwomen officers had been a rarity since World War II.Other fields to which the graduates were assigned we:epersonnel and administration; supply administrationand operations; auditing, finance, and accounting;data processing; Marine Corps exchange; informationservices; photography; training and tr....ining aids; andair control-antiair warfare. Seventy-two percent of thesenewly commissioned women officers received formaltraining at eight schools?° Earlier in the year, FirstLieutenant Alice K. Kurashige, the first woman Ma-rine officer since World War II to be assigned a primaryMOS in food service, completed a 12-week course infood services supervision at Fort Lee, Virginia.

85

t'41e41

Capt Carol A. Vertalino, first woman Marine officerto attend Amphibious Waifare School, is shown withLtGen Carson A. Roberts, Commanding General,Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, at Quantico in 1963.

The following spring, 1967, Colonel Bishop report-ed in the Woman Marine Newsletter on the status ofthis officer training. The first WM officers to attendthe Communication Officers Orientation Course a!,Quantico had made an impressive showing. In a classof three women and 23 men, Second Lieutenant Mar-garet B. Read finished second; Second LieutenantPatricia A. Allegree fourth; and Second Lieutenant LynA. Liddle sixth. Second Lieutenant Janice C. Scott hadcompleted the Military Intelligence OrientationCourse at Fort Holabird, Maryland, in January andcontinued on to attend the 18-week Aerial SurveillanceOfficer Course. Second Lieutenant Tommy L. Treas-ure, also a graduate of Fort Holabird's Military Intel-ligence Officer Course, was ordered to a subsequentAerial Surveillance Officers Course. CWO Elaine G.Freeman was to begin a four-week course in automat-ic data processing analysis in April and Captain SaraR. Beauchamp and Second Lieutenant JoAnn Deber-ry ,fuld follow in June. Four WM officers, SecondLieutenants Alpha R. Noguera, Donna J. Sherwood,Norma L. Tomlinson, and Harriet T. Wendel werescheduled to attend the 10-week Air Traffic ControlOfficers Course at the Naval Air Station, Glynco,Georgia?)


Women Lawyers and JudgesA Beginning

On 1 May 1944, Captain Lily S. Hutcheon, a law-yer stationed at Camp Lejeune, became the first wom-an judge advocate in the history of the Marine Corps.Captain Hutcheon had originally joined the Navy, butupon completion of Midshipman's School at North-hampton, Massachusetts, was commissioned a firstlieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.She was released to inactive duty in 1946 but returnedto continuous active duty in 1949. Under her marriedname, Gridley, she became a well-known Marine,highly respected for her work in legal assistance at

Headquarters Marine Corps where she served until herretirement in 1965. Lieutenant Colonel Gridley, forall those years, was the only woman Marine lawyer.22

Then, as a direct result of the Pepper Board study,a woman was permitted to complete officer candidatetraining, accept a commission, and delay her activeduty service while attending law school. In 1966-1967,First Lieutenant Patricia A. Murphy received her!:achelor of laws degree from Catholic University inWashington, D.C., graduated from the Woman Of-,ficer Basic Course, passed the District of Columbia Barexamination, graduated from the Lawyer's Course at

SSgts Mary L. McLain (left) and Carmen Adams (right), the first enlisted women to ar-rive for duty at Marine Corps Air Station, lwakuni, Japan, are greeted by Col WilliamM. Lundin, commanding officer; SgtMaj J. F. Moore; and lstSgt K. L. Ford in 1967.

5

rer,

-ty61 8 6

r

76 A Fir TORY OF THE WOMEN MARINE, 1946-1977

Naval Justice School, was selected for promotion tocaptain, and was certified by the Judge AdvocateGeneral to perform as a trial or defense counsel of ageneral court martial.23 Two years later, she becamethe first woman Marine officer ever to argue a case be-fore the Court of Military Appeals, and in 1970 whilestationed at Treasure Island, California, and by thenCaptain Patricia Murphy Gormley, she became the firstwoaLtri Marine lawyer in 26 years to be certified as a

judge.24

Professional Trait:ing

The, Woman Marine Program Study Group (Pep-per Board) identified the lack of career-type formalschool training as the most notable deficiency in thewoman Marine officer program. There was almost to-tal opposition to the inclusion of women students atthe Marine Corps' Command and Staff College sinceit would deprive a male Marine of the opportunity toattend this career-enhancing school. Less was said ofthe junior level course conducted for captains andmajois at the Amphibious Warfare School and therewas no opposition to sending women to Army or Navyschools provided these services would not ask for areciprocal space in a Marine school for a WAC or WAVEofficer.

Through unofficial conversation with the Director,Women's Army Corps, Colonel Bishop was able to laythe groundwork for women Marines to participate inthe five-month WAC Career Officers Course at FortMcClellan, Alabama. Captain Barbara J. Lee, the firstMarine ,o attend, graduated in May 1965.25 She wasfollowed by seven others. Captains Elaine E. Filkins(later Davies), Gail M. Reds, Jeanne Botwright (laterHumphrey), and Joan M. Collins, who distinguishedherself as an honor graduate by aaishing second inthe class, comprised an early group. The last threewomen to attend this school before it was disestab-lished in 1972 were Captains Karen G. Grant,Judybeth D. Barnett, and Ellen T. Laws.26

Amphibious Warfare School

Given the climate of period following the Pep-per Board, the intense interest of Colonel Bishop inwoman officer schooling, and the vigorous sup' t ofGeneral Greene, it was but a matter of time beforea woman officer was enrolled in the Marine Corps'Amphibious Warfare Course. Captain Carol A. Ver-talino (later Diliberto) was assigned to a modified ver-sion of AWS 1-67, on a trial basis, beginning on 23August 1966. Aware of the limits of her formal mili-

ta tktion, and knowing that the futu.e. assign..WMs to tne school was contingent upon hero.. Captain Vertalino spoke of her appre-

, J, to Colonel Bishop. The director assured herher selection was based on her professional repu-

tation and her ability to get along with people. Shewas not expected to finish first in thc class, indeed thatmight antagonize her fellow students. With fivemonths to prepare herself, Captain Vertalino, on herown time, completed the Basic Officer and the AWScorrespondence courses, each one designed to take thebetter part of a year.

The normal syllabus was altered to allow the lonewoman student to visit base staff offices for briefingsand informal training while the class was working oncombat-related matters. It proved awkward for all con-cerned, the academic staff making suitable ar-rangements, the staff sections assigned to brief her,and, most of all, for Captain Vertalino. After her suc-cessful completion of the course in May 1967, it wasdecided that woman officers would attend subsequent,unmodified classes at AWS.27

Post-Graduate SchoolingFor the first time in more than 15 years, a woman

officer was selected for postgraduate training in theSpecial Education Program.* In July 1967, First Lieu-tenant Judith Davenport reported to the Naval PostGraduate School at Monterey, California, to pursuea two-year course in applied mathematics.25

Command and Staff College

The question of women officer students at the Ma-rine Corps Command and Staff College remained un-resolved for more than thrc . years after therecommendation was made by the Pepper Board. En-couraged by the passage of Public Law 90-130 in 1967which made women eligible for selection to the per-manent grade of colonel, Colonel Bishop sent amemorandum to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, inwhich she stated:

. . women officers will be expecd co fill establishedbillets appropriate fot the grade of colonel in various Ma-rine Corps commands. . . . Women Marines who are nowlieutenant colonels have had little or no formal professionaleducation during their service careers. Efforts should bedirected toward providing the younger group of these lieu-tenant colonels with career training which will enable themto serve beneficially in higher grades."

She asked that Lieutenant Colonel Jenny Wrenn be

*In 1950, Major Julia E. Hamblet attended Ohio State.

'8 7

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 7 7

assigned, on a trial basis, to the class convening in Au-gust 1968. Lieutenant Colonel Wrenn had previouslyasked for such an assignment and the colonel for whomshe worked, Chief, Plans and Operations Branch, Ma-rine Corps Education Center, indicated to ColonelBishop that he considered her to be, "an outstandingcandidate should women officers be assigned to Com-mand and Staff College."30 Approval came on 9 Febru-ary 1968 and included the words:

It is recognized that the restricted nature of assignmentsfor Women Marine officers will preclude the full applica-tion of all instruction received from the college. However,participation in the full syllabus will provide valuable pro-fessional knowledge to enhance the growth of this selectedWoman Marine officer and correspondingly increase her valueto the U.S. Marine Corps.3,

Women officers at the time reasoned that all Ma-rine officers arc limited to some degree by their clas-sification as infantry officer, aviator, supply officer, etc.,and none of them could expect to use fully all the in-structional material. Since Lieutenant Colonel Wrennsuccessfully completed the Command and Staff Col-lege, women officers have been regularly included asclass members.

The Armed Forces Staff College

The Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Vir-ginia, opened its doors to women officers in 1970. Pro-vision was made for a quota of one woman officer ofeach service for the class which convened in February.Competition for selection between men id womenwas thereby eliminated and apparentlyMarine Corps opposition to the ?lan to wom-an officer to this high-level school. Lieurena,Mary Evelyn Bane was selected to atrenugraduated, and was then assigned to tht (34 Divisionat Headquarters Marine Corps.32

Completion of such a prestigious military school didnot dispel the notion that women colonels -tre notto be assigned in the normal fashion. When Lieu-tenant Colonel Bane was selected for promotion, thpersonnel monitor responsible for colonel assignmemscalled her in and asked her where she thought shy!should be transferred since in her words, "The thoughtof disposing of a woman colonel was turning himpale."33 Based upon her past experience, and her train-ing, she offered the opinion that the most loi,Lal placemight be Headquarters. He did not agree and said,"That would never do. You would have to be a branchhead."34 And so Colonel Bane was ordered to Camp

Pendleton where she filled an assistant chief of staffbillet.*

Advanced Vaining and Assignment ofEnlisted Women Marines, 1965-1973

Little time was lost between the Commandant's ap-proval in mid-1965 and the implementation of thePepper Board's recommendations regarding advancedtraining for enlisted women Marines. On 1 January1966 a program emphasizing advanced technical train-ing for women recruit graduates was published. Itspurpose was to bring the woman Marine to an effec-tive level of proficiency in hcr MOS as soon as possi-ble. During the first six months of 1966, 75 percentof the women recruit graduates went on ro advancedformal schools in 17 different fields, a sharp contrastto the five recruits who received post-recruit trainingin 1963.35 In the Winter 1967 nman Marine News-letter, Colonel Bishop reported that women Marinesattended a variety of military schools at Army, Navy,and Marine Corps bases and received basic-level in-struction in such areas as administration, supply,telecommunications, electronics, disbursing, photog-raphy, aviation operations, aerology, air control, avia-tion training devices, optical instrument repair,transportation, cooking -,nd baking, and journalism.Others atm ded d courses such as NCOleadership, a, Irnnif.tra (ion chief, recruiting, air con-trol, legal clerk an4 coLi reporter, supply, process pho-tograph: secIlriq guard, instructor orientation,and data mg."

During the period 1965-1973, opportunities forwomen Marines were greatly expanded. The gains wereev:dent but il to be taken for granted. Many tong--k issignment prejudices persisted. Women Marinessent to the Naval Air Station. Memphis, for advancedtraining in aviation specialties, for example, were near-ly all channeled into aviation supply and aviationoperations, crowding these two specialties while otherswere far short of the planned WM quotas. Others,upon arrival at Memphis were reclassified into fieldssuch as administration, which Colonel Bishop notedas . . unfortunate since they are denied advancedtraining and, having qualified for aviation school, theyare among the better qualified WMs. . . ."37 The Com-mandant reacted quickly with a letter to the com-

*In 1975 Colonel Bane returned to Headquarters as the Headof the Separation and Retirement Branch where she served untilher retirement in 1977.


manding officer of the Marine Aviation Detachmentat Memphis stating:

It is the Commandant's desire that Women Marines beassigned to a greater range of military occupational special-ties to form a more efficient mobilization base. In conse-quence, it is requested that Women Marines assigned to yourcommand for aviation training be assigned in the percent-ages indicated. .

A second example of strictly "sexist" assignmentswas the practice of using attractive, intelligent wom-en Marines in jobs that were more show than sub-stance. A number of WMs served in highly visiblepositions as receptionists in the Pentagon and it oftenhappened that the most capable were retained therefor inordinate periods of time. This worked to the dis-advantage of the individual woman Marine who, wheneventually transferred, found herself on a MarineCorps base as a staff noncommissioned officer withoutadequate experience to supervise, instruct, and coun-sel, let alone to drill a platoon or stand a duty watch.In the latter part of 1966, the Marine Corps was quer-ied on the prospect of establishing a new billet in theoffice of a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy.Colonel Bishop's comment was:

As desirable as these billets may be as "window dressing"for the Marine Corps, they have long been wasteful of themost capable and best appearing Women Marines. The workentailed in receptionists' billets offer no challenge to thecaliber of women assigned to them. Each time a replace-ment is needed unreasonable selectivity requires a long pa-rade of nominees to be submitted for the personal inspectionof the office concerned. It is considered that the Marine Corpsalready had an undesirable monopoly on receptionist billetsin the various Navy Secretary's Offices. it is recommendedthat the invitation to establish yet another billet bedeclined."

Overall, the plusses outweighed the minuses in thetraining and assignment of enlisted women in the yearsfollowing the Pepper Board. In 1972, Colonel Sustad,as Director of Women Marines, reported to Congressthat women could serve in 23 occupational fields; serv-ice in two of them, motor transport and band, wasrestricted to time of war. Women Marines were, in1972, as a matter of law and of Marine Corps policy,prohibited from the following 12 fields: infantry; fieldartillery; utilities; ccnstruction equipment and shoreparty; tank and amphibian tractor; ammunition andexplosive ordnance disposal; supply services; nuclear,biological, and chemical warfare; military police andcorrections; electronics maintenance; aviation ord-nance; and air delivery. Colonel Sustad went on to ex-plain that:

Marine Corps policy on the utilization of women permitswide flexibility and interchangability with male M nines.While 100 percent workability of this policy cannot be at-tained because of such factors as billeting, physical limita-tions, rotation base, or combat capability, it is recognizedthat basically a Woman Marine is qualified to serve in anylocation or in any billet if she possesses an appropriate andrequired ski11.40

At the time of her statement before Congress, enlist-ed women were actually assigned in 21 occupationalfields with 34 percent in administration, 12 percentin supply, and 5 percent in operational com-munications, the three fields of greatest WM con-centration.

New Woman Marine Units, Stateside

Coupled with new job opportunities came new ge-ographic assignments. In Director of Women MarinesStudy 1-64, Colonel Bishop recommended the open-ing of woman Marine companies at bases with amobilization requirement for women Marines, specif-ically, the Marine Corps Supply Centers at Barstow andAlbany. The Pepper Board reaffirmed the idea andexpanded it to include the Air Station at Kaneohe,Hawaii. Additionally, it recommended that womenstaff noncommissioned officers be assigned to MarineCorps Base, Twentynine Palms; Marine Corps Air Sta-tions at Yuma and Beaufort; the Marine Corps Air Fa-cilities at New River and Santa Ana; and, finally, itr.:oposed that WM sergeants and above, be assignedto ,tppropriate billets with the support and adminis-..n.,'AT sections of the various Marine barrackswerseas.41

Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow

On 13 January 1966, Prospector, the Barstow postnewspaper, announced the arrival of the first womanMarine to report for duty at the Supply Center since1946. Captain Ve- J. Smith was name-I supply opera-tions officer in Ser,-:es nivision. She became the ex-pert in residence in the planning for a company of 100women Marines due to be established when billetingarrangements were completed. The following month,First Lieutenant Wanda Raye Silvey assumed dutiesasdisbursing officer in the Comptroller Division."

Gunner, Sergeants Virginia Almonte and Lea E.Woodworth arrived it, June 1966, both assigned to theCenter's Adjutant office." First Lieutenant Rebecca M.Kraft, slated to be the first WM company commanderat Barstow, joined them a year later on 25 June 1967".

And so, the first WM Company in the 25-year his-

89


tory of the Supply Center was activated on 1 July 1967.It was also the first new WM unit to be establishedin 13 years and brought to 11 the number of majorMarine Corps commands with women's organizations.The first contingent of WMs, Lance Corporals SuzanneBryant, Sheryl L. Moore, and Christina M. Christopher,arrived on 17 July and were greeted by First LieutenantKraft and the company first sergeant, Gunnery Ser-geant Woodworth. Building 182 had been complete-ly renovated and outfitted with new furniture."

The company at Barstow was short-lived, beingdeactivated in August 1971 and designated as a pla-toon of Headquarters Company, Headquarters andService Battalion. The senior WM on board was there-after assigned additional duty as woman Marine ad-visor on the commanding general's special staff. From1967 to 1971, seven officers served as WM companycommanders at Barstow: First Lieutenant Rebecca M.Kraft, Captain Joan M. Hammond, First LieutenantDiane L. Hamel, Captain Alice K. Kurashige, FirstLieutenant Geraldine E. Peeler, Captain Vanda K.Brame,* and First Lieutenant Linda J. Lenhart."

Marine Corps Supply Center, lbany

Similar activity was taking place at Albany, Geor-gia. Private First Class Donna L. Albert, on 4 Febru-ary 1966, was the first WM to report to that post forduty. Her assignment, making a departure from thecustom of only stationing lo wer ranked women at lo-cations with a WM unit was permitted because shewas able to maintain a household with her husband,Private First Class Dennis M. Albert.47

Second Lieutenant Emma G. Ramsey, formerly en-listed, arrived on 29 July 1966, the first WM officerto serve at the center. She was followed shortly there-after by Master Sergeant Rita M. Walsh, making a to-tal of three.

Second Lieutenant Ramsey, officer in charge of themanpower utilization unit, found herself undertakingthe additional duty of commanding officer of the WMcompany then being formed. Working with MasterSergeant Walsh, she began the task of planning andpreparing for a fiill-strength company. Barracks wereremodeled, administrative support was arranged, anddirectives were drafted."

Apart from Second Lieutenant Ramsey and MasterSergeant Walsh, the initial company members arriv-

*Captain Brame was one of four women Marines to receive theNavy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism. See Chapter 15 foidetails.

ing in August 1967 were: Master Sergeant Bernice P.Querry, the new first sergeant; Corporals Margaret G.Wegener and Barbara A. Zimmer; Lance CorporalsDoris H. Pallant, Carrie M. Saxon, Marjorie W.Groht, Donna L. Correll, Cheryl L. Larison, RobinM. Holloway, Virginia Gonzales, Cathy L. Pierce, Bar-bara L. Bradek, and Rosemary Lamont; Privates FirstClass Kathleen A. Kisczik, Daryl R. Cessna, Linda A.Dewaele, and Gertrude Martin. Captain Sara R.Beauchamp arrived in September and was named thenew commanding officer."

At the formal activation ceremonies on 13 Septem-ber 1967, Sergeant Major of the Woman Marines Oui-da W. Craddock unveiled a cornerstone plaque on theWoman Marine Barracks. Colonel Bishop and Cap-tain Beauchamp assisted Albany's mayor, the Honora-ble Tames V. Davis, with the ribbon-cutting atBarrackb 71133.00 Dut, like the company at Barstow,the WM Company, Albany, enjoyed but a brief exis-tence. It was deactivated on 1 November 1972 andthe women became a platoon of Service Company,Headquarters and Service Battalion.51

Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe

The Pepper Board had recommended reactivationof a WM unit at the Marine Corps Air Station atKaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Approval was initially defer-red mainly because WM strength could not supportestablishment of this unit as well as new units at Bar-stow and Albany. Under the new policy permittingthe assignment of women on an individual basis tocommands where no WM unit or housing existed, twoofficers, Captain Manuela Hernandez and First Lieu-tenant Diane Leppaluoto were ordered to Kaneoheearly in 1966. By the end of the year, the decisionwas made to activate a company of 100 enlisted worn-en and two officers. Alterations began on a barracksand the company was formed in December 1967.52

WOmen Marines Overseas

In July t966 a decision was made to assign womenMarines to the western Pacific area. The purpose wastwofold: to free as many male Marines as possible forduty with committed Fleet Marine Force units and toprovide WMs with additional career incentives. Planswere made to send women to Camp Butler on Okina-wa; the Marine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan;and Headquarters, United States Military AssistanceCommand at Saigon, Vietnam. Each command wasqueried on the number of billets suitable for WMsand billeting space available.

90


141.7.:r

1 sat Anne Tallman (center), officer-in-charge of thefirst woman Marine contingent to awive on Okina-wa, stops to confer with members of her group uponarrival at Kadena Air Base in November 1966,

Women were asked to volunteer for the 13-monthtour and had to be recommended by their comman-ding officers. Those with less than 13 months to servewere required to extend or reenlist to cover the tourlength. Opportunities for enlisted women, privatethrough gunnery sergeant, were greatest for those inadministration, logistics, operational communications,telecommunications maintenance, supply, disbursing,data processing, informational services, photography,weather service, air traffic control, and aviation oper-ations. Officers, warrant throygh major, were eligi-ble for assignment to the Far East and were especiallyneeded in administration, communications, supply,disbursing, and legal services. WMs were ordered tothe Pacific area in increments to avoid a 100 percentturnover at the end of 13 months.53

Marine Corps Air Station, lwakuni

There was yeti, little resistance to the idea of assign-ing WMs to Vietnam. The enthusiasm on Okinawawas somewhat less. There was outright opposition tothe proposal at the M,.1-ine Corps Air Station at Iwaku-ni, Japan. The Commanding General, Fleet MarineForce, Pacific, Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak,had doubts about the plan based on the inadequacyof appropriate on-base recreational facilities and a lackof suitable off-base liberty areas. Colonel Bishop,when asked by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenmt Gener-al Leonard F. Chaprnan, Jr., to comment on the sub-ject, wrote:

;

Verbal and written objections expressed to date concern-ing the assignment of enlisted women to lwakuni implyzither that the prime consideration is the women's enjoy-ment of their tour or that their presence constitutes a seri-ous threat to the good order and discipline of their masculineassociates."

She advocated the weighing of adequate liberty fa-cilities against the chance for the women to makemeaningful contributions to Marine Corps personnelneeds under conditions of minor personal hardship,and continued, "This response was not beyond theircapabilities in the past."55 Taking up the matter ofthe female presence, she added:

Presumably, the local command has been able to main-tain sufficient disciplinary control over the masculine ele-ment to avoid undue unpleasantness for Navy Nurses,dependents of the other services, and civilian school teachersaboard the base.

The most telling argument against the assignment ofwomen to Iwakuni is not their ability to adjust to unuNttalor difficult circumstances but the negative attitude expressedat all levels of command in WestPac toward their presenceat Iwakuni. This attitude is hardly conducive to their wel-come reception 2. nd normal uneventful adjustment.56*

Colonel Bishop and the Sergeant Major of Wom-en Marines, First Sergeant Evelyn E. Albert, made atrip to WestPac to confer with the commands and toinspect the available barracks. At Iwakuni all the brief-ings were designed to discourage the plan. In responseto a question on the controversy, the former direcwrwrote in a letter to the History and Museums Divi-sion in 1977:

Controversial is an understatement of the assignment ofwomen to the Far East particubrly to Japan. Okinawa wasno great problem nor Vietnam, but the CO of the Air Sta-tion in Japan was unbelievable in his efforts to prevent this"catastrophe." (He made my trip interesting tho by havingme dragged through an assortment of bars and what notas an indoctrination to the horrors of the Far East. I stillhave a fan presented to me by an aging proprietress of oneof those establishments to show she bore no ill will to thewomen.)57

*"Interestingly, the senior Navy nurse [when queried by Gener-al Greene during a visit to lwakuni] adamantly opposed the as-signment of women Marines to the station without being able tojustify her opposition!

"This observation also applied to the CO of the Air Station! Bas-ed on an on-the-spot analysis it quickly became evident that WMsshot:Id be assigned to the station and I left .letermined to see thisdone, even if it became necessary to relieve the COa prospectwhich I communicated to him before my departure!" (Gen Wal-lace M. Greene, Jr., comments on draft manuscript, dtr. 2.3Elei.7)

9 1


Captain Marilyn E. Wallace became the firstwoman Marine to serve in the Far iiast, reporting tothe Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni on 15 October1966. Assigned as station disbursing officer, she wasbilleted in a BOQ housing Navy nursesP8 Five monthslater, on 23 March 1967, the arrival of the first enlist-ed women Marines raised the air station distaffstrength to seven. The WMs, Gunnery SergeantFrances J. Fisher, Staff Sergeants Carmen Adams andMary L. McLain, and Sergeants Elva M. Pounders,Patricia Malnar, and Donna K. Duncan were accom-panied on the last leg of their journey from Okinawato Japan by Major Jane L. Wallis, senior WM in theFar East."

At Iwakuni, Colonel William M. Lundin, stationcommanding officer; Lieutenant Colonel Robert W.Taylor, station executive officer; Sergeant Major J. F.Moore, station sergeant major; and First Sergeant K.L. Ford of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadronwere on hand to greet the women Marines and to takethem tn lunch. They were taken on a tour of the sta-tion ending with a welcome aboard gathering wherethey met the officers for whom they would work. StaffSergeant Adams wrote to the Director of Woman Ma-rines, "These Marines over here just can't seem to doenough for us."88 The WMs received thorough brief-ings on customs, laws, and Japanese religions. Inter-views were arranged with the Japanese press explainingthe work of the women Marines to dispel any notionsthat they were taking jobs away from Japanesewomen.81

The welcome accorded the WMs at Iwakuni in1967, in the wake of the bitter opnosition voiced atthe prospect of their assignment, was not unlike thereception given the first kegulars in 1948. Once thedecision was final and the pmence of women Marineswas a fait accompli, Marines, with few exceptions, ac-cepted the situation with good grace.

Ma,,ine Corps Air Station,Futema, Okinawa

Within days of Captain Wallace's arrival at Iwaku-ni in October 1966, First Lieutenant Anne S. Tallmanand nine enlisted WMs reported to Travis Air ForceBase, California, for transportation to Okinawa." Ar-riving at Kadena Air Force Base not far from Futemaon Saturday, 22 October, they were greeted by MajorJohn D. Way, administrative officer; Captain GeorgeA. Kinser, personnel officer; and Sergeant Major JohnW. Arnby, the facility sergeant major. Included in thefirst group were Sergeant Carol A. Kindig; Corporals

Joan A. Carey, San Crosby, Patricia Hurlburt, ElizabethTurner, and Ronelle Wuerch; and Lance CorporalsMaryann Burger, Suzanne Davis, and Diana Savage.First Lieutenant Tallman took up the duties ofinformational officer and the enlisted women were as-signed to operations, disbursing, supply, weather serv-ice, and communications."

The women Marines were attached to Headquartersand Headquarter,' Squadron. The senior WM officerfunctioned as the WM liaison to the commandingoffker of the Marine Corps Air Facility. When moreofficers arrived, the senior woman officer became, asan additional duty, the officer in charge of the WMs.She reported to the commanding officer of thesquardon and helped him with duty assignments, in-spections, and matters related to the distaff Marines.The officers and staff noncommissioned officers (dueto a lack of adequate space) lived in BOQ 217. Theenlisted women lived in a small barracks, ideally situ-ated behind the post exchange, and next to the swim-ming pool, theater, and gymnasium.84

Marine Corps Base,Camp Butler, Okinawa

The renovation of a barracks at Camp Smedley D.

BGen Ronald R. Van Stockum, assisted by Ma./ JaneL. Wallis, WM Company commatvier, Camp Butler,Okinawa cuts the birthday cake in November 19p.

><.c,"<<


HUOC-111kPli.Nor

' a1111.._,vt. .1

4la:. NMI HI at

.11711111011

'

tt,

Vaiaa

Between 1967 and 1973, 36 women Marines served in South Vietnam. Capt Elaine E.Filiins (left) and Sgi Doris Denton (right) tour Saigon in a cyclo on a rare afternoon off.

Butler delayed the arrival of WMs for a few months.The first aboard were Major Jane L. Wallis and SecondLieutenant Doris M. Keeler, reporting in on 10 De-cember 1966. Major Wallis, assistant base adjutant,was in addition officer in charge of the women Ma-rines. Second Lieutenant Keeler, formerly enlisted, wasassigned as communications officer.65

On Monday, 16 January 1967, a contingent of 18enlisted WMs arrived on Okinawa for assignment toCamp Butler and Futema. On hand to meet the ar-rivals were Brigadier General Ronald R. Van Stock-urn, Commanding General, FMFPac (Forward);Colonel Robert B. Laing, Sr., Futema Marine CorpsAir Facility commander; Colonel James A. Gallo, Jr.,Camp Butler executive officer; and Major Wallis, thesenior woman Marine on the island. The 9th MarineAmphibious' Brigade Band from Camp T Tansenserenaded the women during the welcoming ceremo-ny. The first enlisted women to be assigned at CampButler were Staff Sergeant Helen A.Zowd; Corporals

0

Kathleen Wright,* Sharon Lynn Bowe, Suzanne T.Guyman, Susan W. Blair, and Mary J. Andlott; andLance Corporals Linda C. (nee Jaquet) Beck, VirginiaEmaline Baker, and Brenda Ray Brown.66

At work ; adjutant's office, Major Wallis sawmuch of .orr ondence dealing with the op-por.ition of .oand toward the assignment ofWMs to Okinawa. Yet, the welcome the womenreceived was characteristically cordial. Major Wallis be-lieves the Marines were sincere as they performed smallacts of courtesy and cot.ideration beyond the routine.As an example, at the time it was unofficially accept-ed that the men of each unit had their own table atthe Staff Noncommissioned Officers Club, leaving thewomen SNCOs with literally no place to sit except the

*sergeant Wright became the first Camp Butler woman Marineto receive a Certificate of Commendation for outstanding perfor-mance of duty. The certificate was oresented by Major General JohnG. Bouker in February 1968.


bar. When Master Sergeant Sarah N. Thornton arrived,men from several of the units invited her to join theirgroup whenever she came to the club. The WMs fur-ther found that once on the job, they soon becameindispensable. Their work sections did not easilyrelease women on Saturdays or Mondays, makingweekend liberty trips difficult." It was a bittersweetcompliment.

Women Marines on Okinawa had a uniform pro-blem since they wore the two-piece summer cord dressall year and it was often quite cold. The raincoat didnot provide a satisfactory answer as it was too hot andsticky in the humid weather. Major Wallis and SecondLieutenant Keeler designed a g, 2n, V-necked cardi-gan swever that fit under the lapels of the uniform.The small standard green buttons normally worn onthe epaulets of the summer uniform were used on thenon-regulation sweater. It cost about $15 to have onecustom made, and Colonel Bishop gave permission towear it on Okinawa only."

WMs stationed at Camp Butler and Futema joinedtogether to celebrate Christmas in Japan in 1967.Major Wallis and one enlisted woman flew to CampFuji to check the facilities. The question was, "Could17 women live in one hootch (quonset hut) with onlyone shower?" They decided they certainly couldmanage for 72 hours. Marines moved out, doubled up,and turned over their hootch to the WMs. The medi-cal dispensary was made into quarters for the womenofficers and staff noncommissioned officers. In all, 25WMs spent the holidays at the Camp Fuji Range Com-pany. Time was spent climbing the slopes of Mt. Fuji,skiing, and ice skating, but the highlight of the tripwas a Christmas Eve party at the Seibi Yamanaka Or-phanage. The Marines, men and women, arrived ladenwith pots of spag tti and meatballs, orange soda,chocolate cake, an , gaily wrapped presents for the 51orphan boys. After the party the group returned toamp Fuji to carol and to decorate the tr:es in themess hall and the clubs. Late in the afternoon ofChristmas Day, the Marines enjoyed a family-styletraditional Christmas dinner."

February 1968 marked the 25th anniversary of thewomen Marines and Major Wallis' telt:.- was extendedto complete plans for a special celebration. It wasplanned to have WMs from all WestPac commandsattend, and a search was made to find as many form-er WMs as possible from among the dependents. Atthe last moment, the WMs From Victrigm c-Juld notleave the country due to the Tet offensive of 1968.

Women Marines from Camp Butler, Futema, andIwakuni gathered at Kadena's Airmen's Open Messalong with their guests. The traditional cake was cutby Major General John G. Bouker, who presented thefirst piece to Master Sergeant Thornton, oldest WMat the party, and the second to Lance CorporalMaureen McGauren, the youngest."

Women Marines in Vietnam

Companion to greater opportunity is greater 1,spon-sibility and for women in the Marine Corps in the1960s that meant service in the war-torn Republic ofVietnam. The announcement was made and planswere set in 1967 for one officer and nine enlisted wom-en to fill desk billets with the Military Assistance Com-mand, Vietnam (MACV), based in Saigon. Generally,they were to work with the Marine Corps PersonnelSection on the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces,Vietnam. The section provided administrative supportto Marines assigned as far north as the DemilitarizedZone (DMZ). Later, another officer billet was addedand Lieutenant Colonels Ruth J. O'Holleran and RuthF. Reinholz eventurally served as historians with theMilitary History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, MACV.

Care was taken to select mature, stable WMs whocould be expected to adapt to strange surroundingsand cope in an emergency. Interested women Marineswere asked to volunteer by notifying their command-ing officer or by indicating their desire to serve in Viet-nam on their fitness reports. There was no shortageof volunteers, but not all met the criteria. Then therewas a number of women who would willingly accept,but not volunteer for orders to a combat zone. Theo-retically, all Wisns who served in Vietnam were volun-teers in that nearly all had expressed their willingnessto go and none objected." When Master SergeantBridget V. Connolly was asked what made her volun-teer for duty in Saigon, she laughed and said, "Whovolunteered? I received my orders in the guard mail."She became a legitimate volunteer when her initialtour ended and she extended for an additional sixmonths."

The first woman Marine to report to Vietnam forduty was Master Sergeant Barbara J. Du'insky, whoarrived on 18 March 1967. After an 18-hour flight, shelanded at dusk at Bien Hoa, about 30 miles north ofSaigon. Travel was restricted after dark on the unse-cure roads, so she was billeted overnight at the air-field. The next morning she was taken by bus andarmed escort to Koeppler Compound in Saigon and

94

84

there her tour began with a security lecture. The brief-ing was not concerned with security of classifiedmaterial as one might expect, but with security in day-to-day living in Vietnam, such as recognizing boobytraps, and checking cabs upon entering to ensure therewas a handle inside. Arrival procedures were similarfor most WMs.73

At first, the enlisted women were quartered in theAmbassador Hotel, and later they moved to the Pla-za, a hotel-dormitory, two to a room. Women of otherservices and several hundred men called the Plazahome. By spring 1968, the enlisted women were movedto the Billings Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ), lo-cated near MACV Headquarters and Tan Son NhutAirbase.

Generally, the women officers were billeted in LeQui Don, a hotel-like Bachelor Officers Quarters(BOQ). Company grade officers were usually assign-ed two to a room; WMs and WAVES billeted together.


Like the Plaza and Billings BEQ, Le Qui Don Hotelwas air conditioned, but electlicity was a sometimething.

There we no Ling facilities in either the BillingsBEQ or the I,e. Qui Don BOQ. Most of the womencooked in their Lorin on hot plates or with electricskillets. When the power was out, they managed withcharcoal-grilled meals served by candlelight."

There were no laundry facilities, but for about $15a month, each woman hired a maid who cleaned herroom, and washed and pressed her uniforms. Beforeleaving the United States the women Marines werecautioned to bring an ample supply of nylons, sturdycotton lingerie, and summer uniforms. Nor only wrrrthese items scarce in the post exchange th4L cateredto male troops, but the maids were unch , hard onthem. Lieutenant Colonel Elaine E. i! r Da-vies) spoke of looking out her window ;naidlaundering her nylon stockings and lint.. ,, A creek

SSgt Ermelinda Salazar, nominated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxilialy Jo; w.1970 Unsung Heroine Award, recognizing her assistance to children of the St. ViucentDe Paul Orphanage, Saigon, is the subject of this painting by artist Cliff Young.

fl 5

P

4

,

F-1 4110Fri


by pounding them with rocks. The garments that sur-vived were a mass of torn, short elastic threads. Gir-dles and bras were short-lived "in the combat zone."75

Nylon hosic ry was a luxury. Women of some ser-vices were even excused from wearing them when inuniform, a privilege not extended to women Marines.Vietnamese women were fascinated by the sheer stock-ings and Lieutenant Colonel Vera M. Jones told ofwalking down the streets of Saigon and being startledby the touch of a Vietnamese woman feeling her stock-ings70

The women were advised to arrive with four to sixpairs of dress pumps for uniform wear because thestreets were hard on shoes and repair service was t,satisfactory. In the "Information on Saigon" ki,olciqprovided each woman before leaving the United Stateswas written, ". . . bring a dozen sets of heellifts. . . . Heels can easily be extracted with a pair ofpliers and new ones inserted with little difficulty.'"

For the most part the WMs worked in Saigon, buton occasion duty took them outside the city. In Janu-ary 1969, Captain Filkins, in a letter to the Directorof Women Marines, wrote:

In early December, Corporal Spaatz and I traveled to DaNang with nearly 100 SRB/OQRs [service record books/of-ficer qualification records] to conduct an audit of the ser-vice records of the men stationed in the north. The ArmyI Corps had been most kind in aiding us in our efforts toprovide administrative assistance to our widely scattered men.Corporal Spaatz is a fine representative for the WMs withher professional handling of the audit. It was obvious thatthe men enjoyed the unfamiliar click of the female highheeled shoes. The weather was on our side so we were ableto wear the dress with pumps the entire visit:"

When thc weather was unusually wet or when thecity was under attack, the women wore utilities andoxfords. In addition the Army issued field uniformsand combat boots to any woman required to wearthem for duty.

The Tet offensive of January-Febniary 1968, a large-scale enemy attack that disrupted the city, broughtsome changes to the lives of WMs in Saigon. At thetime enlisted women were still quartered at the Plazawhich received automatic weapons fire. Bus service tomany of the BOQs and BEQs was cut off, confiningthe women to their quarters.

Captain Jones was unable to leave the Le Qui Donfor a day and a half before bus service, with armedescorts, resumed. Excerpts of a letter from CaptainJones to Colonel Bishop told something of thesituation:

3 February 1968, It's hard to believe that a war is goingon around me, I sit here calmly typing this letter and yetcan get up, walk to a window, and watch the helicopters mak-ing machine gun and rocket strikes in the arca of thc golfcourse which is about three blocks away, At night, I lk inbed and listen to the mortar rounds going off. The streets,which are normally crowded with traffic, are virtually bare

. . MSgt Dulinsky, Cp1 Hensley, and Cpl Wilson finallygot into work this afternoon, Cpls Hensley and Wilson planto spend the night."

Excerpts from a letter from Master SergeantDulinsky elaborated:

9 February 1968. We are still on a 24-hour curfew, withJI iramis in utilities , , . MACV personnel (womcn includ-ed) were bussed down to Koeppler compound and issued3 pair of jungle fatigues and a pair of jungle boots.

Right now, most of us don't look the picture of "The NewImage." Whew! Hardly! I can't determine at night, if I'mpooped from the work day or from carrying around theseanvils tied to my feet called combat boots.

Our Young-uns (and me too inside) were scared; but you'dhave been proud of them. They turned to in the mess,cashiering, washing dishes, serving and clearing tables."

Although the Tet offensive kept the women fromattending the celebration of the silver anniversary ofthe women Marines in Okinawa, they were not withouta celebration. Thanks to a WAVE and male Marines,they had a cake in the office and the traditional cake-cutting ceremony.

The command expected each person to work 60productive hours a week. Time off was precious, andrecreational facilities were Bowling was apopular sport, and old American television shows werebroadcast a few hours each evening. The city was oftenunder curfew with the Americans back in their quart-ers by 2000 or 2200. Movies were available severalnights a week in some of the BEQs and BOQs. A mlm-ber of the women kept busy during their off-dutyhours by working at the Armed Forces Television Sta-tion, helping at various orphanages, and visiting Viet-namese families. Captain Jones, the only womanMarine who attended Vietnamese language school,taught English to a class of Vietnamese policemen.

Captain Filkins, interested in an orphanage forblind girls, solicited soap, clothing, linens, toys, andsupplies from the women Marine companies at home.In her letter she wrote, "They are rather confined intheir small, dark world of the orphanage so they seemquite thrilled when visitors come to see them . . . .

Many of these children are lucky if they are picked upand held for a few minutes each week.8'

.,A). 9 6


S. 4

4,4

4S, ,41...,44114 404

,

Vsn.

, ill 1

i /4.71 '116.- i li ; 1'1,11

LL

Z

rAssigned to administrative duties in Saigon, GySgt Donna Hollowell Murray, shown herein Tanh Anh, Vietnam, in 1970, gave time to work with children in outlying areas.

One woman Marine in particular, Staff Sergeant Er-melinda Salazar (later Esquibel), who touched the livesof Vietnamese orphans, was nominated for the 1970Unsung Heroine Award sponsored by the Veterans ofForeign Wars Auxiliary, and was immortalized in apainting by Marine artist Cliff Young. During her 15months in Saigon, Staff Sergeant Salazar essentiallytook over a MACV civic action project involving theSt. Vincent de Paul orphanage.

In a letter dated 10 Septemb- ;,59, to GunnerySergeant Helen A. Dowd, she to of her work withthe children:

I don't remember if I mentioned to you that I had beenworking with the orphanage supported by MACV. It is nota big oneonly 75 children ages from a few weeks old toabout 11 or 12 years of age. They are precious and quite lively.. . . This whole orphanage is taken care of by two Catholicsisters. . . . One of them is rather advanced in age (aboutin her 60's) and the other is quite young and active. Stilland all, Gunny, thc -e two souls work themselves to death.. . . The tvo sisters are Vietnamese who speak no English

9 7

at all. . . And me? I know a limited number of brokenphrases and words in Vietnamese. . . .

Since I've been working at the c rphanage, I've had to over-come much repugnance. There's a lot of sickness and dis-ease here in Vietnam. . . . So when I say the orphanage itdoesn't have the same connotation that it does back in thestates where the children are well fed . . . and healthy .forat least they have medical facilities and medicines availa-ble. These children have nothing! If the WM company iswondering about any projects for Christmas here is some-thing you can think about. Anything and everything isneeded.82

Determined that these children would have a par-ty, Staff Sergeant Salazar personally contacted Marineunits for contributions, arranged -2 site and bus trans-portation, enlisted interested people to help, andwrapped individual gifts for each child. Her interestcontinued after the holidays and in spite of 11-hourworkdays, six days a week, she was able to influenceother Marines to follow her lead in working at the or-phanage. Nominating her for the Unsung HeroineAward, her commanding officer wrote: "Her unusual


and untiring efforts to assist these otherwise forgot-ten children reflect great credit upon herself, the Unit-ed States Marine Corps, this command, and theUnited States."83

Staff Sergeant Salazar was awarded the Joint Ser-vice Commendation Medal for meritorious achieve-ment in the performance of her duties during theperiod 10 October 1969 to 10 January 1970 while serv-ing with the Military History Branch, Secretary JointStaff, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.In addition, the Republic of Vietnam awarded her theVic:rnamese Service Medal for her work wittl theorphans.

Women Marines in Vietnam normally numberedeight or 10 enlisted women and one or two officersat any one time for a total of about 28 enlisted wom-en and eight officers between 1967 and 1973. Theirletters and interviews reveal their apprehension beforearriving in Saigon, their satisfaction with their tour,and their increased sense of being a Marine.

Women Marines inMarine Security Guard Battalion

Traditionally, women Marines had not been assignedto the Marine Security Guard Battalion, commonlyreferred to a.- embassy duty. The primary mission ofan embassy Marine is to safeguard classified materialvital to the United States' interests and to protectAmerican lives and property abroad. In 1967 the firsttwo women officers joined the Marine 5ecurity GuardBattalion, not as guards, but as personnel officers. FirstLieutenant Charlene M. Summers (later Itchkawich)served with Company C, Manila, Philippines, andWarrant Officer Mary E. Pease was assigned to Com-pany D, Panama Canal Zone. The following year, Cap-tain Gail M. Reals reported to Company B, Beirut,Lebanon.84

Women Marines OverseasSummary

Opportunities for women Marines to serve outsidethe continental United States had been extremely

Sgt Doris Denton receives the Joint Service 'Commendation Medal from MajGen RichardF. Shaffer, USA, assistant chief of staff, , in Saigon, South Vietnam, on 5 March 1969.

I.

II

'T Z ":1

98


limited from World War II to 1966. Billets availablein Europe never accommodated more than nine or 10women, officers and enlisted. Until October 1966,Hawaii was the only location in the Pacific at whichWMs could serve. On 30 June 1966, 3.7 percent, or63 women Marines, 56 in Hawaii and seven at foreignlocations, were serving outside the continental limits.85On 30 June 1971, 9.3 percent, or 209 women were serv-ing in the following locations:"

Officer Enlisted

MCAF, Futema, Okinawa 3 20MCB, Camp Butler, Okinawa 6 37MCAS, Iwakuni, Japan 5 34FMFPac, Camp Smith, Hawaii 14 59MCAS, Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 9AFSE, Naples, Italy 1 1

EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany 1 3

MarDet, London, England 0 1

MAS NATO Brussels, Belgium 1 0MACV, Saigon, Vietnam 2 6MarSecGdBn, Hong Kong 1 0

TOTAL 39 170

99

The location of the billets and the numerical re-quirements change from time to time but the policyof expanded overseas assignments for women in theMarine Corps made during the years 1966-1972, fol-lowing the recommendations of the Pepper Board, haspersisted.

These years saw remarkable changes made in theutilization, training, and assignment of women Ma-rines and marked success in recruiting, officer procure-ment, wid retention efforts. The Pepper Boardreported its findings and recommendations to improvethe effectiveness of women Marines in 1965 at a timewhen the war in Vietnam demanded maximum ef-fort and performance of each Marine. Many questionedthe price tag that would accompany implementationof the study group's recommendations; others recog-nized the costliness cf inadequately trained and dis-illusioned Marines. Largely due to the leadership anduntiring efforts of the Commandant of the MarineCorps, General Greene; the chairman of the WomanMarine Program Study Group, Lieutenant GeneralPepper; and the Director of Women Marines, ColonelBishop, notable progress was made and the status ofwomen placed on a firmer footing than any time previ-ously in the history of thc Corps.

CHAPTER 7

Utilization and Numbers: Snell Committee, 1973-1977Strength, 1973-1977 New Occupational Fields Militaty PolicePresiding judgesBreaking the Tradition

BandsmenWomen Marines in the Fleet Marine Force Women in Command-1973-1977 Summary

There was, in the early 1970s, an increased aware-ness of the phenomenon called equal opportunity forwomen.1 It permeated the family, the schoolroom, bus-iness, religion, and the military. In all fairness, laws,customs, and prejudices notwithstanding, a case canbe made for the advantageous position of servicewom-en compared to women in education, business, andindustry. There were, however, recognized shortcom-ings which had to be dealt with. The advent of theall-volunteer force and the national women's libera-tion movement were leading to increased use of wom-en in the military. On 1 September 1972, the Chiefof Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.,recommended a plan tailored to meet a goal statedas "allowing women an equal opportunity to con-tribute their talents and to achieve full professionalstatus i I the Navy."2 The Marine Corps had no suchplan.

One week later, the Secretary of Defense, MelvinR. Laird, directed the services to develop by 30 Novem-ber 1972 detailed equal opportunity/affirmative actionplans far minorities and servicewomen. As a result,the Deputy Chief of Staff (Manpower) of the MarineCorps, Lieutenant General Ormond R. Simpson, pro-posed an ad hoc committee to be chaired by ColonelAlbert W. Snell. The committee was tasked with de-velving a plan of action, objectives, and milestonesfor a program to increase equal opportunity for wom-en Marines.

The membership of Colonel Snell's committeevaried from time to time but included representativesof the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1; Deputy Directorof Personnel; Director Division of Reserve; and Direc-tor Women Marines. Included were LieutenantColonel Jenny Wrenn and Major Barbara E. Dolyak.At the initial, formal meetings, the committee estab-lished the goal to "increase the effectiveness and utili-zation for all women Marines to fully utilize theirabilities in support of Marine Corps objectives." Fivespecific objectives identified to accomplish the goalwere:

a. To identify and eliminate all discrimination based solelyon sex.

b. To ensure to women Madnes equal opportunity for as-

signment to and within noncombat occupational fields.c. To provide the opportunity for women Marines to ob-

tain technical and professional schooling at all levels.d. To provide equal opportunity to women Marines for

progression and advancement through duty assignments.e. To ensure equal economic opportunity for women

Marines?

It happened that the Office of the Assistant Secre-tary of Defense (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Cen-tral All:Volunteer Task Force on the Utilization ofMilitary Women, headed by Colonel Helen A. Wil-son, USMCR, published a separate but related studyin. December 1972. This report specifically recora-mended that the Marine Corps:

(1) Intensify its recrukMg efforts for enlisted women.(2) Open additional job specialties to women.(3) Take action to reduce attrition rates to a level more

comparable to that being experienced by the other services.(4) Advise . . . after six months the results achieved in

(1), (2), and (3) above and how these results affect its FY1974 plans for female military strength in Marine Corps!

A further consideration by the Snell Committee wasthe report of a task group chaired by the Judge Advo-cate General of the Navy to review the portion of Ti-tles 10 and 37 of the United States Code whichdiffecent'ated between the treatment of men andwomen.

Taking all into consideration, the Snell Committeeidentified 17 separate tasks needed to attain its ob-jectives. A background position paper containing the17 tasks was then staffed to appropriate Headquartersagencies for comment. Colonel Margaret A. Brewer wasgiven the job of reviewing the comments, summariz-ing the recommendations, and making appropriatemodifications.

The recommendations that evolved included severalconcerning promotion boards that would require legis-lative action. Most, however, challenged the MarineCcdps' policies and regulations that barred womenfrom occupational fields or schools based solely on sex.The fields of logistics, military police and corrections,and aircraft maintenance, all closed to women, weresingled out as possibilities for immediate action whileall other noncombat fields would be studied to de-termine their appropriateness for women Marines. Two

89

90

LCp1 Brenda Hockenhull, in 1972 the first woman Ma-rine to graduate from the Test Instrument Course, Al-bany, Georgia, examines a piece of electronicequtPment with fellow student, LCPI William Day.

of the most unorthodox ideas presented were the planthat a pilot program be established to assign womento stateside Fleet Marine Forces and the recommen-dation that:

. the prohibition in the Marine Corps Manual whichlimits women officers to succeeding to command only atthose activities which have the administration of WomenMarines as their primary function be eliminated.5

According to Lieutenant Colonel Barbara Dolyak,a member of the Snell Committee, it came as a sur-prise when the Commandant approved all recom-mendations on 14 November 1973. On the final pageof the report, General Robert E. Cushman, Jr.,penned, "O.K. let's move out!"

Strength, 1973-1977

In April 1973 a goal was set of 3,100 women Ma-rines by 30 June 19777 This represented a 30 percentincrease of women's strength and completely disregard-ed the traditional figure of one percent of total Ma-rine Corps enlisted strength. Subsequently, the targetdate was moved up to 1 January 1976. During thesummer of 1976, the Commandant, General Louis H.Wilson, Jr., responding to requests from commandersfor additional women, to the improved effectivenessof women in the Corps, and to the realities of the all-volunteer force, approved an additional increase in thesize of the woman Marine force.8 The change wasplanned to be implemented over a six-year period be-ginning I. October 1976, with a recruiting goal for theyear of 1,700 women or 164 over the current annual

101


input. Beginning with -fiscal year 1978, in October1977 the Corps aimed to recruit 2,500 women annu-ally, Then in March 1977, appearing before a HouseArmed Services subcommittee, General Wilson madethe surprise announcement that the Marine Corps ex-pected to have 10,000 women in its ranks by 1985.0Incremental increases were planned based on logisti-cal limitations related to uniform supplies and billet-ing space rather than on need or availability ofqualified applicants. In 1975 18 percent of all womenwho enlisted in the Marine Corps had attended col-lege and surne 112,3 baccalaureate degrees."' in 1977,both recruiting and officer procurement quotas wereeasily met with many fine young women being turne,iaway. On 30 June 1977, the strength of the active dutywomen Marines was 407 officers and 3,423 enlistedwomen for a total of 3,830.

The reenlistment and retention rate for women im-proved to the point where in 1974, the rate of reten-tion for first-term WMs bettered that of male Marines,9.9 percent to 7.9 percent. In 1975, it was 10.4 per-cent for women compared to 7.9 percent for the totalMarine Corps.', No one facter is responsible for theimproved recruiting and retention of women. Thf: in-dications point to a generation of women awakenedto new horizons, improvements in the woman Marineprogram brought on by the Pepper Board and theSnell Committee, and the positive action taken by. theCommandants to publicize to all Marines the role ofwomen in the Marine Corps.

New Occupational Fields

The Snell Committee had recommended that theMarine Corps regulations and policies not governedby law be reviewed to revise or eliminate those whichdiscriminated solely on the basis of sex without rationaland valid reason, ,nd that all noncombat MOSs beexamined to determine which could be made availa-ble to women. Since a task analysis of all noncombatoccupational fields was already underway at Head-quarters and would not be completed for several years,it was further recommended that certain fields beopened immediately as a sign of good faith. Forofficers, logistics, military police and corrections, andaircraft maintenance were suggested, and for enlistedwomen, the same three fields plus utilities and elec-tronics. Because of some disagreement and in view ofthe ongoing study of all noncombat MOSs, only logis-tics and military police and corrections were approvedfor off-lc:1-s and utilities and military police and cor-rections for enlisted women.

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL COMMII la, 1.973-1977

The final breakthrough, dropping all barriers ex-cept those grounded in law, was made on 15 July 1975when the Commandant, General Wilson, approvedthe assignment of women to all occupational fieldsexcept the four considered combat-related, infantry,f 03), artillery (08), armor (18), and flight crews (75).Management limitations, preservation of a rotationbase for male Marines, equal opportunity regardlessof sex for job assignments and promotions, need foradequate facilities and housing for WMs, and availa-bility of nondeployable billets, of necessity, affectedthe number of women assigned to some fields, butthis was truly a decisive change.12

Military Police

Records indicate that there were five women witha military police MOS in 1952 but a search of therecords failed to reveal who they were or what dutiesthey performed. It is likely that they were former WRssince the policy after 1948 had beer2 not to assign wom-en to this field.

The Corps' first known post-World War II militarypolicewoman, in January 1974, was Lance CorporalHarriett F. Voisine, a WM who had a bachelor ofscience degree in criminology with a major in policescience and administration. She had worked with thePolice Department in Westminster, California, beforeenlisting in July 1971 and, after recruit training, servedfor two and one-half years in the Provost Marshal Of-fice at Parris Island. Taking courses on her own injuvenile delinquency; vice and narcotics; criminal law;and arrest, search, and seizure procedures, she was a

Sgt Karen Cottingham, a trained telephone switch-board repairman, checks the level of battery add inthe standby power source, at the Marine Corps Base,Twentynime Palms, California, on 4 February 1977.

11it

91

PFC Regina T. Musser, first woman Marine tankmechanic, works on the optic unit of a tank turretwhile assigned to the Tracked Vehicle MaintenanceUnit at Camp Pendleton, California, h; 1974.

natural candidate for the military police field whenit was finally opened to women Marines 13 Lance Cor-poral Voisine, given on-the-job training by the recruitdepot's MFs, was used on the desk, on traffic controldetails, and on motorized patrols.

Two women Mar;nes, Privates M. B. Ogborn and J.E Welche!, were the first to attend the seven-week/ dray Police School at Fort Gordon, Georgia, gradu-ating in April 1975.14 Private Mary F. Bungcayo, whograduated from the same course the following monthwas assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station, CherryPoint, for duty. In a 1977 interview, Corporal Bung-cayo stated that the met some male opposition at first,but no restrictions. She worked on the desk and onpatrol; she responded to fires and flight emergencies;and she stor d guard on the gate. Corporal Bungcayo,who joiner. the Marine Corps with the guarantee ofmilitary ç.lice work, believed that on the job she wasgiven fly same responsibilities as the male MI35.15

Seconi Lieutenant Debra J. Baughman, the firstwomai :ifficer in the military police field, was assignedto the Provost Marshal Office at Camp Lejeune aftergraduation from the 35th Woman Officer Basic Coursein March 1975. She entered the field with a degreein corrections but no experience. At Camp Lejeuneshe was assigned as platoon leader for a platoon of MPsand in the opinion of Colonel Valeria F. Hilgart, thebase G-1, "She did a topnotch job."10

92

1stLt Debra J. Baugplatoon at Marine C

The next two officers to entertary police, were Second Lieuteand Judith A. Cataido. Neithcperience but both had majoretthe police science field in collegthree attended the Military FolicCourse at Fort McClellan, Alabarthe 5803 MOS. After graduatilSecond Lieutenant Krusa reporassistant operations officer forOffice and Second LieutenantCherry Point for assignment asof the Traffic Investigation, Trafand Identification Section. Secotman returned to Camp Lejeunofficers had received more exterMOS to include attendance atsity's Traffic Institute at Evanstl


nan o cer in the military police field, inspects herp Lejeune, North Carolina, in the summer of 1975.

mili- On the subject of police work for women, SecondKrusa Lieutenant Cataldo, in March 1977, wrote:ce ex-

Speaking for myself, I love the field. It is a constantlyy andchanging challenge. Twenty-five male MPs work for me and

76 all I am given a great deal of responsibility. I feel that after thetation initial testing and proving period I have been fully accept-mally ed. I would recommend the field to other women trained

1976, in it as it is still growing and developing professionally.. . . It frequently demands 24 hour duty (PMO duty officer)is thefive days per month and proficiency with various weapons.

arshal ... For women interested in the police field it offers a greated toharge

Presiding Judgesi Passaugh- There were seldom more than one or two womenthree Marine lawyers on active duty at one time, and it wastheir news when in 1970, First Lieutenant Patricia Murphy

riive-- was named a certified military judge. But in 1974, itwas Captain Eileen M. Albertson, second woman to

103

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL COMMIllEE, 1973-1977 93

be certified a military judge, who became the first topreside in a courtroom. A graduate of EloomsburgState College and the Marshall Wythe School of Lawat the College of William and Mary, she served in theMarine Corps Reserve for a six-year tour before goingon active duty. She served nine months in Judge Ad-vocate General School for military lawyers at Charlot-tesville, Virginia; 14 months on Okinawa as prosecutorand foreign claims commissioner; and some monthsas defense counsel at Quantico."

As a judge, Captain Albertson was praised by hercolleague, Captain David A. Schneider, who said, "Iwould give her the highest complimentI'd call hera professional. She shows that she is more interestedin justice and fairness than formality or speed . . . ."20

Her former commanding officer, Colonel Joseph R.Motelewski, commented bluntly, "She is one of thefinest lawyers I've ever worked with."21

In an effort to attract persons of needed skills, theMarine Corps inaugurated a program of direct Reservecommissions for those who met the criteria. ReserveMarine Major Sara J. Harper, a judge of the MunicipalCourt of Cleveland, Ohio, entered the Corps as a law-yer and served a number of tours on active duty overa four-year period. Then in 1977, she was appointeda military judge by General Louis H. Wilson, inceremonies in his office?2

Breaking the Tradition

Improved educational level of women recruits, achanged attitude of society toward the role of work-ing women, especially in technical and professionalfields, and an openmindedness in the Corps broughton by the Pepper Board and fostered by the Stu 11Committee, and finally the Commandant's key ckci-sion in July 1975, combined to increase the assign-ments of women to a greater variety of occupationalfields. For example;

In November 1973, Second Lieutenant Patricia M.Zaudtke was assigned as one of the first two WM mo-tor transport officers.23

In June 1974, Captain Shirley L. Bowen was the onlywoman and the first woman ?4.arine to graduate fromthe 34-week Advanced Communication OfficerCourse."

Private Mary P. McKeown made history at the Ar-my's Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen,Maryland, when she became the first WM to attendthe Metal Body Repair Course. Her classroom in-struction included practical work in gas welding, ex-terior finishing of metal bodies, glass cutting, and

s,.

Capt Eileen M. Albertson, .first woman Marine mili-tary judge to preside in a courtroom, administered theforeign claims section and acted as trial counsel at theCamp Smedley D. Butler Law Center in 1972.

instruction in inert gas metal welding techniques.25First Lieutenant Dian S. George, in 1975, was the

first woman Marine to be assigned to the inspcaor-instructor staff of an all-male Reserve unit, Head-quarters and Service Company, Supply Battalion, 4thForce Service Support Group, at Newport News, Vir-ginia. Previously she had served as the assistant SASSYofficer at Cherry Point, North Carolina. SASSY is theacronym for Supported Activity Supply System, whichwas, at the time, a new computerized way of keepingtrack of all Marine Corps equipment. Thus it was notmerely coincidental that First Lieutenant Georgefound herself at the Newport News unit, the firstReserve company to have the SASSY system, one whichtied into the computer at Camp Lejeune. During drillweekend she worked on the organization and super-vision of the training program which included com-puter programming and key punch operations skills.In addition she served as personnel, public relations,and recruiting officer on the staff headed by Lieu-tenant Colonel Robert J. Esposito. For the lieutenant,being in an all-male outfit was not entirely new sinceshe had particip ited in the 1974 pilot program per-mitting women to serve in the Fleet Marine Forces.26

Private First Class Cathy E. Smith was the first wom-an Marine to attend the Water Supply and PlumbingCourse at Camp Lejeune. The training which beganon 14 July 1975 was coacerned mainly with waterpurification, i.e., supplying fresh water to Marines inthe field.27

104


On 28 January 1977, Sergeant Deborah A, Rubel,a mechanic in the fuel and electrical shop, MotorTransport and Maintenance Company, 2d MaintenanceBattalion, Force Troops, 2d Force Service SupportGroup, was named Force Troops 2d FSSG Marine ofthe Quarter, high praise for a woman serving in theFMF in a nontraditional job.28

Second Lieutenant Jo Anne Kelly became, in Janu-ary 1977, the first of four women in her occupationalfield to qualify for the 7210 MOS, Air Defense Con-trol Officer. She finished initial training at Twenty-nine Palms in August 1976 and then reported to theMarine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, where she com-pleted the required number of live intercepts in tac-tical flight missions?8

On 9 January 1977, three WiMs, Sergeants ConnieDehart and Cynthia Martin, and Corporal GenevaJones, were reported to be the first women to earn theirwings while serving as flight attendants on the C-9BSkytrain. After a two-week familiarization course atthe McDonn,dl Douglas School, the women's dutiesincluded loading baggage and cargo, and servingmeals. In an interview in March 1977, Sergeant Jonesindicated that there was no resentment shown by maleMarines with whom she worked, but at least one lieu-tenant colonel was uncomfortable about her work as

Sgt J. S. Burke, a tractor-trailer driver with BaseMaterial Battalion, Camb Pendleton, California, ad-justs the chains of her rig on 11 February 1977.

74,

e

105

he ordered her out of thc cargo compartment andloaded his own baggage.3°

Private First Class Pamela Loper, the first womanMarine to hold a tractor-ttAler license at Camp Le-jeune since World War II, was described in April 1977by Lieutenant Colonel John F. Drummond, base mo-tor transport officer, as ". . . a much better driver thansome uf our experienced men." Private First Class Loperdrove a large tractor-trailer rig, known as a "semi" or"18 wheeler." She obtained her license after passingtests on handling the vehicle and hooking up and un-hooking the trailer."

Private First Class Katie Jones Dixin, Headquartersand Maintenance Squadron-32's first WM jet mechan-ic, worked on jet engines and components whichMAG-32's squadrons sent to its power plant for repair.Extensive schooling prepared her to do the type of in-termediate maintenance that the squadrons were notauthorized to perform."

Private First Class Gail Faith Morise, first enlistedwoman to attend the 12-week Automotive MechanicsSchool at Camp Lejeune, was also the first WM to beassigned to Cherry Point's Motor Transport Division."

Bandsmen

Well before the final verdict was in on opening newoccupational fields to women, an old one becameavailable once more. Uncil 1973, the musical MOS5500 was designated for wartime duty only. WomenMarine bandsmen were a rare sight after the demobili-zation of Camp Lejeune's renowned MCWR band ofWorld War II. In 1967, Colonel Bishop reported thatCorporals Donna L. Correll and Marjorie W. Grohthad joined the Marine Corps Supply Center band atAlbany and played in ceremonies on 10 November."These two Marines, members of the first group ofWMs to report to Albany, played the clarinet andtrumpet and were believed to be the only women per-forming with a Marine band at the time. In 1969,Lance Corporal Judy A. Tiffany volunteered on a part-time basis as a cymbal player with the newly formedDrum and Bugle Team at the Marine Barracks, Treas-ure Island, California. And then, in 1971, five WMs,Corporals Sue Redding and Nancy Wright, Lance Cor-porals Sue Deleskiewicz and Joan Mahaffey, and Pri-vate First Class Martha Eveland became the first WMmusical unit since World War II when they formedthe WM Drum Section of Treasure Island's Drum andBugle Team.35

Private Jay C. Clark was issigned the 5500 MOS int7.il.aruary 1973 white in recluit training ac Parris ldand.

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL COMMITTEE, 1973-1977 95

PFC Katie J. Dixon, H&MS-32 mechanic, safety wiresthe fuel control of an A-4 Skyhawk power Plant inthe squadron's powerplant section, Marine Corps AirStation, Cherry Point, North Carolina, in 1977.

She was assigned to the post band and later sent toBasic Music School in Little Creek, Virginia. Uponcompletion of the six-month course, she served in thebands in Hawaii and at the Recruit Depot at San Die-go, California.

The famed U.S. Marine Band of Washington, D.C,however, remained an all-male bastion until 1973,when, due to a critical shortage of certain in-strumentalists, the band sought and received per-mission to enlist womenP° Elizabeth A. Eitel, an oboistand University of Montana student, became, in April1973, the first woman to audition and to be accept-ed. Before she graduated and subsequently enlistedon 30 July, another young woman, Ruth S. Johnson,a University of Michigan graduate, joined the bandon 16 May, becoming its first woman member. Likeall members of the band, the women were appointedto the rank of staff sergeant and were not requiredto attend recruit training. Gunnery Sergeant Johnson,in 1977, was the Marine Band's principal Frenchhornist.37

At first there were several conditions imposed bythe band. The women, for example, were to wear themale bandsmen uniforms. Colonel Margaret A. Brew-er, Director of Women Marines, satisified that this new

opportunity was available to women, prudently offeredno opposition. It was soon obvious that the men'strousers were ill-fitting and difficult to tailor for thewomen, so new uniforms, following the traditionalpattern but proportioned for the female figure, weredesigned. Eventually long skirts were added to thewardrobe. The WM hat posed some problems, espe-cially in wet weather as it required careful blockingto keep in shape. The band had a white vinyl modeldesigned and asked Colonel Brewer for her opinion.With its gold emblem, red cap cord, and semi-shinyfabric, she found it unattractive at first, but agreedto a test period. The vinyl hat not only looked finewhen worn during performances, but it solved themaintenance problem. Recognizing the practicality ofa hat that can withstand rain and snow, the white vinylwas later copied for use by women MPsP°

By July 1977, the Marine Band counted in its ranksthe following 10 women musicians:3°

Gunnery Sergeant Gail A. Bowlin fluteGunnery Sergeant Elizabeth A. Eitel oboeStaff Sergeant Elnora Teopaco Figueroa violinStaff Sergeant Michelle Foley oboeGunnery Sergeant Carol Hayes violaGunnery Sergeant Ruth S. Johnson French hornStaff Sergeant Denna S. Purdie celloStaff Sergeant Linda D. Stolarchyk celloStaff Sergeant Vickie J. Yanics violinStaff Sergeant Dyane Wright bassoon

Women Marines in the Fleet Marine Force

The Snell Committee reconimended that a pilotprogram be established to assign women to statesidedivision, wing, or force service regiment headquartersin noncombat rear echelon billets such as disbursing,data systems, administration, etc. General Cushman,Commandant of the Marine Corps, approved the con-cept on 14 November 1973.4° In February 1974, a mes-sage was sent to FMF commanders notifying them ofa yet-to-be published change in policy which wouldpermit the assignment of women to FMF billets in-volving service support, aviation support, or commu-nication occupational specialties that would notrequire them to deploy with the assault echelon of thecommand if a contingency arose. The legal restrictionsthat women not be assigned duty in aircraft that areengaged in combat missions nor on vessels of the Navyother than hospital ships and transports were included.

The 2d Marine Aircraft Wing and the 1st MarineDivision were designated as the commands to par-ticipate in a six-month pilot program, and they were

106

96

t

`{L

r _

jt BArvl

DRUM $ BUGLE

TEAM

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946.1977

.

40tV/ A

ATV

First woman Marine music unit since 1945 was the drum section of the Marine Barracks,Treasure Island Drum and Bugle Team, 1970-1971: (left to right) Cpls Sue Conley andNancy Wright, LCp1 Sue Deleskiewicz, PFC Martha Eveland, and LCp1 Joan Mahaffey.

provided information on the grade and MOSs of thewomen selected for FMF assignments. The messagestated, "These Marines will be joined on the rolls of,and administered by, the headquartas indicated.Their duties will be consistent with the requirementof the billet to which assigned."41 This simple state-ment, referring to Marines without the usual modifi-er, women, bespoke an important change in attitude.As an adjunct to the pilot program, all FMF com-manders were asked to identify billets within theirheadquarters considered suitable for women Marines.

Originally, 13 women were selected to take part inthe experiment: seven to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wingand six to the 1st Marine Division. Actually, nineWMs, four officers and five enlisted women, were as-signed to the wing. They were:First Lieutenant Maralee J. JohnsonFirst Lieutenant Dian S. GeorgeSecond Lieutenant Vicki B. TaylorSecond Lieutenant Margaret A. HumphreyGunnery Sergeant Sharyl E. SheftzSergeant Charlene K. Wiese

Corporal Pamela S. ScottCorporal Eva J. LugoLance Corporal Marsha A. Douglas

In an interview published in the Windsock, theCherry Point newspaper, in July 1974, Corporal Scottsaid, 'At first I heard there might be some problemsbecause men didn't want women in the Wing, buteveryone here has been helpful, and I haven't had anyproblem at all."42 Sergeant Wiese, accounting analystwith the comptroller section, 2d Marine Aircraft Wingsaid, "There was a lot of apprehension between my-self and the Marine I was working with, but it's gonenow and things are great."43 Others commented onthe changes brought by being administratively at-tached to the wing rather than Woman MarineDetachment 2, a small unit where everyone kneweveryone else.

The six women assigned to the 1st Marine Divisionat Camp Pendleton were Captain Karyl L. Moesel, FirstLieutenant Maria T. Hernandez, Second LieutenantMary S. Burns, Gunnery Sergeant Esther F. Peters, Ser-

IP 7

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL COMMITTEE, 1973.1977

gcant Judith A. Alexander, and Sergeant Lynn J.Powell.

At thc end of the six-month experimental period,in November 1974, thc Commanding General of the1st Marine Division, Brigadier General William L.McCulloch, reported that, ". . the WM5 havemanaged to assimilate necessary knowledge of FMF-peculiar systems to allow thcm to bc assets to theirrespective sections"44 and, he continued:

It is this command's interpretation .. that WMs assign.cd to FMF commands are deploylble to advanced areas aslong as they are not deployed with assault echelon . andarc, therefore, not necessarily bound to rear echelon .billets . . This command enthusiastically supports assign-ments of WMs to CONUS FMF commands and foresees noinsurmountable problems associated with program. .4 ssign.ment of WMs would provide soutce of talent and criticalskills and would ease skill shortages within the FirstMARDIV."

The Commanding General, 2d Marine AircraftWing, Major General Ralph H. Spanjer, in his assess-ment of the pilot program, noted that the nine WMs

GySgts Ruth Johnson (left) and Beth Eitel (right), firstwomen members of the U.S. Marine Band, frequentlyperformed with the Band's Woodwind Quintet.

97

were rapidly assimilated into thc wing staff, and noproblems were observed in military courtesy, appear-ance, or bearing. The physical fitness testing had bccnconducted by thc senior woman officer withoutdifficulty and with notable success. Hc continued thatthc small number involved precluded any effect ondeployment and during field exercises, thc women Ma-rines had a positive effect on thc headquarters by re-maining in garrison and continuing the dailyadministrative routine. Finally, hc submitted:

Thc pilot progr: m of assigning Womcn Marines to 2d Ma-rine Aircraft Wing has thus far bccn successful in terms oforientation, capabil4 and performance. Realizing the prac-ticality of assigning Woman Marines to CONUS Fleet Ma-rine /bite Commands, it is felt that the program should becondnued."

The commanding general of FMFPac, on thc sub-ject of women in ConUS RAF commands, wrote: "Thisheadquarters regards utilization of women Marines inFMF commands both feasible and desirable provid-ing such assignment does not adversely affect combatreadiness. . . ." And he offered the recommendationthat:

. . . Marine Corps cducadon and training programs bcmodified to:

1. Increase emphasis on FMF-related instruction and train-ing for womcn Marines, to include extension school coursesand, if possible additional quotas to intermediate and highlevel schools.

2. Incorporate into Human Relations and Leadership train-ing consideration of the role of women Marines in the FMF."

As part of the pilot program, the commanders ofthe division, aircraft wings, force troops, and force serv-ice regiments identified rear echelon billets totaling75 officer and 450 enlisted that could be filled bywomen without requiring them to deploy with the as-sault. echelon. The billets included supply, disbursing,communications, intellivIct, administration, datasystems, and legal speciaEes. When new MOSs wereopened to women by the 1975 decision, even moreFMF billets were considered suitable for womenMarines.

Women in the 1st Marine Division were featuredin an article published in the Los Angeles Times inSeptember 1976. Among those mentioned were Se-cond Lieutenant Michele D. Venne, combat engineerofficer, who was the first woman officer to attend Com-bat Engineer School and finished first in her class;Lance Cr.yoral Victoria Carrillo, a plumber and watersupplyman who, at the time, was the only woman

1 0 8


water purification expert in the Marine Corps; SecondLieutenant Carol Sue Lamb, the only female motortransport officer in the FMF, who was serving as assis-tant division motor transport officer and later servedas a division supply group platoon commander; Cor-poral Cynthia Robinson, an electrician, who performedduties such as pole line construction and the string-ing of power lines; Second Lieutenant Laura A. Hull,headquarters battalion adjutant; and Lance CorporalKimberly Greene, only woman coxswain in the Ma-rine Corps. Lance Corporal Greene, who grew up onNarragansett Bay in Rhode Island, practiced herseamanship in the Corps by handling a 58-foot land-ing craft which could carry up to 40 combat-loadedMarines for an assault on an enemy beach.

There were at the time, 42 women in the 1st Ma-rine Division, and their commanding officer, Lieu-tenant Colonel Robert D. White, confessed that whilethe obvious problems such as restroom facilities andbilleting were nettlesome, they were not difficult: Thewomen Marines lived in motel-like BEQs with theirmale colleagues, since it was thought that segregatedbarracks would run counter to unit integrity.

The men found that women tend to keep theirquarters better policed, but Colonel White soonlearned that:

. . . there is a greater sense of urgency from the womenwhen equipment, such as washing machines, fails. The wom-en seem to be more conscious of how they look in uniform. . . and when it comes to wearing sidearms which mightmake a hippy woman look hippier, an option of uniformis allowed. They can wear either skirts or utility outfits."

Anticipated problems resulting from men andwomen living in the same barracks did not material-ize as the division men seemed to take a protectiveattitude toward the WMs. Barracks and office languagewas noticeably improved, but the feminine presenceapparently caused little resentment on that score, sinceLieutenant Colonel White was quoted as saying, "Thedivision is more fun with the girls?'"

The women unanimously endorsed FMF assign-ments for WMs. Lance Corporal Debora Pederson, acorrespondence clerk in the headquarters battalion ad-jutant's office, said, ". . . at Pendleton, we are treatedas Marines, not specified as women Marines."50 FirstLieutenant Venne found senior officers dubious whenshe was assigned as a division engineer, responsiblefor equipment used in bridge building, grading roads,and other construction projects associated with com-bat. But the skepticism was because she was a lieu-tenant and not because she was a woman.

In July 1977, there were 610 women Marines serv-ing in the FMF, 96 officers and 514 enlisted women.5'The policy to assign them only to stateside organiza-tions was still in effect, but individual exceptions hadbeen made where FMF commanders overseas had spe-cifically asked for women Marines.

Women in Command

The Marine Corps Manual, from 1948 until 1973,laid down the rule that women could command onlythose units that were predominantly female. At leastone exception was made when Captain Jeanne Flem-ing was assigned as the commanding officer of Com-pany B, Headquarters Battalion, Marine CorpsSchools, Quantico, from July 1956 until September1958. The company consisted of all officer studentsat Quantico, less those attending The Basic School.Her duties were primarily administrative, but it wasquite unusual, nevertheless, for men to report in andfind a woman commanding officer. One of them wasMajor Albert W. Snell, later to head the Ad Hoc Com-mittee in 1973.

After approving the Snell Committee recommen-dation that women be permitted to command unitsother than woman Marine companies, General Cush-man announced the new policy at a press conferencein southern California in December 1973. He added,as a side comment, that, indeed, Camp Pendleton wassoon to make such an assignment. According to thewoman destined to become the Marine Corps' firstwoman commander of a nearly all male battalion,Colonel Mary E. Bane, the general's pronouncementwas news to the command at Camp Pendleton. Thepress picked up on the Commandant's statement im-mediately and all other topics of his news conferencewere forgotten.

Colonel Bane, who had been filling a colonel's billetas an assistant chief of staff for personnel services, wasinformed by the Assistant Chief of Staff (Manpower),"You have been selected to sacrifice, Evie."52 The dayfollowing the Commandant's announcement, thecommanding general, Brigadier General Robert L.Nichols, named Colonel Bane to be CommandingOfficer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, MarineCorps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. The furorwas astonishing. In less than 24 hours, she had tochange her telephone to an unlisted number. She hadspent a sleepless night answering calls from the me-dia, women's liberation organizations, cranks, andfriends. In a short time she received over 300 letters,

109

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL COMMITTEE, 1973-1977 99

Capt Kathleen V. Ables takes command of a predominantly male unit, Supply Compa-ny, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, in 1975.

both congratulatory and abusive. There were requestsfor autographed photographs and an 80-year-old re-tired Navy chief petty officer wrote to General EarlE. Anderson, Assistant Commandant, and asked fora set of Colonel Bane's first lieutenant bars. Mail camefrom Germany, Vietnam, Korea, and the Philippines,and from such diverse sources as the American NaziParty and the National Organization of Women. Infact, the letters continued to arrive two years after sheleft the command.

Headquarters and Service Battalion was a unit of1,700 Marines, including a woman Marine company.Colonel Bane's immediate staff, the executive officer,Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Topping, and the bat-talion sergeant major, were all very supportive. She,herself, felt unprepared for the billet and resented be-ing assigned because of sex rather than qualifications.In due time the commotion subsided, and businessat the battalion went on as usual. Eleven months later,Brigadier General Paul Graham assumed commandof Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, and reas-signed Colonel Bane for, in her wards, ". . . preciselythe same reason for which I was assigned because Iwas a woman."53 He just did not want a woman as thecommanding officer of a headquarters battalion. Infact, he did not want a woman in a colonel's billet andColonel Bane, who had held the responsible positionof an assistant chief of staff and had been a battalioncommander for 11 months, was reassigned as the basehuman affairs officer, a major's billet."

When Captain Kathleen V. Abbott Ables took com-mand of Supply Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms,California, on 7 March 1975, there was none of thehoopla that accompanied Colonel Bane's ap-pointment. It was, just the same, an historic event,a woman in command of a predominantly male com-pany. Inoking back, Major Ables was not certain whatprompted the battalion commander to assign a womanto the job. The billet was open, and she was the nextsenior captain in the battalion. She wrote, "Theprevailing attitude was that it was my job as a cap-tain, and that I could and would handle it profes-sionally."55

The company first sergeant, Gayle R. Heitman,made it known to the NCOs and SNCOs that he hadworked with Captain Ables before and their express-ed fears were unfounded. Only the company clerk, asergeant, had real difficulty accepting a woman com-manding officer, and he went to the battalion com-mander several times, in vain, to ask for a transfer.

In the beginning, as might be expected, inspectionswere the cause of some concern. Personnel inspectionshad been held without weapons at Supply Companyso that when Captain Ables arrived on the scene shemerely had to learn the details of male uniform regu-lations and personal appearance standards. As forquarters inspections, it was not difficult to respect theprivacy of Marine shift workers who were apt to besleeping or relaxing in the barracks during the daysince the battalion was billeted in motel-style roomsrather than in open squadbays. First Sergeant Heit-man would knock and if there was no answer, he would

110It'. I

100

unlock the door and go in. If the room was empty,Captain Ables followed him in to inspect. The proce-dure was reversed in the women's BEQ. Male Marineslearned something about a woman's idea of a cleanbarracks. In a 1977 letter, Major Ables wrote:

BEQ inspections caused some heartburn in the companyfor about a month after I became commanding officer. Withtwo of us inspecting, a large number of previously undetecteddiscrepancies were found. One morning, we arrived at onerocm to find one of the occupants leaning over a table witha cloth in his hand. I made some comment about makingthe final touchup, and he replied, "Yes, m'am. We hear you'rea real stickler on dust."56

Nonjudicial punishment is always unpleasant butwith a woman commanding officer could be awkwardas well, depending upon the nature of the offense.One case involved language that neither the accusednor the witnesses wanted to use in front of a lady. Arelatively simple solution was found: the offendingstatement was written out and all parties read andsigned it.

Five months after taking over Supply Company,Captain Ables was assigned as commanding officer ofher second and larger nearly all-male company, Head-quarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battal-ion, which consisted of about 330 men and 40 women.Again, the first sergeant, Gene A. Lafond, was a keyto a successful tour. Integrated battalions and com-panies such as this one gave rise to some interestingadjustments, notably in the area of physical training.In this instance, the battalion organized a competi-tive seven-mile conditioning hike. The course includ-ed a climb over hills behind the main camp, butbecause the WMs did not have adequate boots for thecross-country portion, a seven-mile road march wasplanned for them to be lead by Captain Ables. Thebattalion commander had arranged to take her com-pany himself. The women's platoons from each com-pany were combined to form a single WM unit and

n


scheduled to hike on the day before Captain Ables'Headquarters Company.

Having finished her portion of training, CaptainAbles was challenged by her husband, Major CharlesK. Ables, to lead her own company the next day. Sheadmitted that it was a struggle to run-walk to keepfrom straggling. It happened that she was not onlynot the last to complete the course, but she helpedto push a Marine over the finish line, and Headquart-ers Company won the competition. Afterwards, it wasdecided that future company hikes would be conduct-ed with men and women participating together, main-taining unit integrity.

An interesting aspect of Captain Ables' experienceas a commanding officer is the fact that her husbandwas a member of her command, no doubt a uniquesituation in Marine Corps history.

In addition to the command tours of Colonel Baneand Captain Ables, other assignments evidenced somechange in philosophy and policy. In 1974, LieutenantColonel Annie M. Trowsdale was assigned as execu-tive officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squa-dron, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, and SergeantMajor Eleanor L. Judge was named sergeant major ofHeadquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MarineCorps Air Station, Cherry Point. Gunnery SergeantFrances Gonzales, in 1975, became the first sergeantof Casual Company, Headquarters and Service Bat-talion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.57

197 3-1977 Summary

The Snell Committee report, approved in Novem-ber 1973, challenged the Marine Corps to take a newlook at its use of womanpower, and the zero draft sit-uation for military services demanded it. Combinedwith the women's movement, changing attitudes inAmerican society, and successful recruiting in termsof quality as well as numbers, these factors added upto a role of increased importance to be played by wom-en in the Marine Corps.

CHAPTER 8

Reserves After KoreaDeactivation of the WR PlatoonsWoman Special Enlistment ProgramStrength

Women Reserve OfficersFormal Training for Women Reservists

Following the Korean War, the Woman Marine Or-ganized Reserve program was reestablished and ex-panded. The extraordinary success of the original 13platoons activated in 1949-1950 and mobilized by Au-gust 1950 demonstrated the wisdom and practicalityof the plan to maintain a trained cadre of women. Ac-cordingly, when the Reservists completed their tourof duty and the Korean emergency neared settlement,Headquarters set an objective of 18 wom.:n's platoonshaving a strength of two officers and 50 enlisted wom-en each.

Their mission explicitly was ". . . to provide trainedwomen reservists to meet initial mobilization needsof the Marine Corps." To this end, each of these post-Korean platoons was assigned a specialty determinedby mobilization needs. The original plans called forunits trained in administration, supply, classification,and disbursing. In 1953, First Lieutenant Margaret A.Brewer, a future Director of Women Marines, or-ganized a communication platoon of 10 officers and47 enlisted women in Brooklyn, bringing the total upto 19 WR units. Later, a 20th platoon .was activatedin Miami, Florida. Unlike the pre-Korea Reserve pro-gram, these women not only participated in formalspecialty training at their home armory, but they at-tended summer training at Marine Corps posts andstations.

The WR platoons were attached to the parentReserve unit and came under the command of themale commanding officer. Women officers were desig-nated as platoon leaders and assistant platoon lead-ers, but were commonly referred to as thecommanding officer and executive officer by the wom-en members. Active duty women Marines, one officerand one or two enlisted women were assigned to theinspector-instructor staff to assist the Reserve platoonleader.

The women's platoon was responsible for its owninternal administration, recruitment, adherence torank and military occupational specialty distributionof the members, training, and mobilization state ofreadiness. Additionally, to make up for the increasedwork of the parent unit caused by the WR platoon,

the women were directed to assume part of the ad-ministrative work of the male organization.

Forty-eight two-hour training sessions per year wererequired. Training of the WRs took several forms: basicgeneral military information for women with no pri-or service; refresher courses for former servicewomen;and formal classes in the unit's specialty. Summercamp was the highlight of the training program, notonly because of the benefit of the classes, but becauseit provided military experiences (e.g., squadbay accom-modations, restrictive liberty hours, liberty cards,standing duty watches, field night, barracks inspec-tions, male drill instructors, mess halls, and reveille),unknown and impossible to acquire at the home ar-mory. For some of the inexperienced Reservists, unac-customed to military routine, the overnight changefrom civilian to Marine was jolting. They learnedquickly that a merely clean sink was not good enoughand that returning from liberty a few minutes late wastantamount to a calamity. As a rule, liberty at sum-mer camp expired at 2200 for women below the rankof corporal and some of these lower ranking Marinescarried an alarm clock in their purse to avoid beinglate.2

The annual two-week training period included com-bat demonstrations, gas mask drill, classes, par-ticipation in a parade or review, as well as softballgames and picnics with the regular WMs. At each postwhere women Reservists trained, a Woman Reserve liai-son officer was assigned to coordinate the unit activi-ties. She conducted the annual pretraining conferencein the spring, attended by inspector-instructors andthe platoon officers, and she assisted the unit duringthe actual training session.

At home, the Reservists enlarged the intended scopeof the program with numerous recreational and pub-lic relations activities. Rifle, bowling, and softballteams were the rule. The WR platoons participatedin parades on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, andin celebration of local holidays. They were asked toattend movie premieres in the days when John Wayneand Marine Corps movies were common; and theyhelped the Marine Reserve Toys for Tots campaign bylaundering and mending doll clothes, wrapping gifts,

112

101


and posing for publicity photographs. It was not un-usual for enthusiastic women Reservists to spend sever-al evenings a week at the armory rather than therequired two hours?

The first post-Korea WR platoon to be establishedwas the Woman Marine Classification Platoon, 2d In-fantry Battalion, in Boston, which was activated on13 January 1952:1 "Boston's Own" was so successful thaton 16 November 1955 it was redesignated a companywith an authorized strength of three officers and 103enlisted women. At the ceremony in honor of the firstWoman Marine Reserve company, the unit was award-ed two recently won trophies, the Katherine TowleTrophy given each year to the Woman Reserve platoonattaining the highest percentage of attendance at an-

nual field training and the Commanding Officer'strophy annually awarded to the best Woman Marineplatoon attending summer training at Parris Islandbased on scholastic standing, percentage of atten-dance, and military bearing. The platoon had alreadymade history as the first to win the Ruth CheneyStreeter trophy for attaining the highest percentageof combined officer and enlisted woman attendanceat drill periods during 1952, a feat repeated in 1953.To the already impressive collection, the Boston Reser-vists added the National Women Reserve Rifle TeamTrophy?

A list of the 20 post-Korea, WM platoons in theOrganized Reserve showing their dates of activation,and the names of the platoon leaders upon activationappears as a table on page 103:6

Future brigadier general, 1stLt Margaret A. Brewer (seated secondfivm left), was inspector-instructor, WM Communication Platoon, 2d Communications Company, Brooklyn, NewYork. Capt Mary E. Roach (seated third from left) was the platoon commander in 1954.

11 3

RESERVES A1.1 ER KOREA 103

WM Classification Platoon, 2d Infantry BattalionBoston, MassAchusetts

WM Administrative Platoon, 3d Infantry BattalionSt. Louis, Missouri

WM Administrative Platoon, 5th Infantry Battalion

Detroit, Michigan

WM Classification Platoon, 2d 105mm Howitzer Battalion

Los Angeles, California

WM Classification Platoon

1st Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company

Fort Schuyler, New York

WM Classification Platoon, 9th Infantry Battalion

Chicago, Illinois

WM Supply Platoon, 2d Depot Supply BattalionPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

WM Classification Platoon, 10th Infantry Battalion

Seattle, Washington

WM Disbursing Platoon, 2d Depot Supply BattalionPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

(deactivated 1Dec55)

WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion

Tampa, Florida

WM Classification Platoon, 1st Eogineer Battalion

Baltimore, Maryland

WM Administrative Platoon, 1st 4.5-inch Rocket Battalion

Dallas, Texas

V/M Administrative Platoon, 4th Infantry Battalion

Minneapolis, Minnesota

WM Supply Platoon, llth Infantry BattalionCleveland, Ohio

WM Supply Platoon, 7th Infantry Battalion

San Bruno, California

(later moved to 1st Antiaircraft Artillery, Automatic Weapons

Battalion, San Francisco, California)

WM Disbursing Platoon, 13th Infantry Battalion

Washington, D.C.

WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st 155mm Gun BattalionDenver, Colorado

WM Communications Platoon, 2d Communications BattalionBrooklyn, New York

WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st Communications Company

Worcester, Massachusetts

(formerly at Philadelphia)

WM Supply Platoon, 10th Automatic Weapons Battery

Kansas City, Missouri

WM Administrative Platoon, 2d 105mm Gun Battalion

Miami, Florida

13Jan52 Captain Olive P. McCatty, I&I, served as intetim

platoon leader.

13Feb52 Captain Leontone A. Meyer

GMar52 Major Evelyn J. Greathouse

25M:4,52 Captain Christine S. Strain

17Apr52 Major Mildred D. Gannon

24Apt52 Captain Mary R. Jason

24Apt52 First Lieutenant Florence E. Lovelace

1May52 Captain Virginia B. Strong

22May52 Unknown

27May52 Captain Margaret E. Meyers

12Aug52 Major Betty F. Coy

30Aug52 Captain Hazel C. Tyler

5Sep52 Captain Florence I. Haasarud

2Dec52 Captain Bernice V. Catp:nter

28Feb53 Captain Marjorie J. Wooln.nn

28Apr53 Captain A. Taylor

28Apr53 Second Lieutenant Marilyn J. Standage

19Nov53 Captain Janet M. Lowrie

1Dec53 First Lieutenant Marjorie B. MacKinnon

7Mar54 First Lieutenant Virginia A. Hajek, I&I, served

as interim platoon leader; Major Helen A.Wilson, platoon leader

31Jul55 First Lieutenant Mabel A. Pauley


Deactivation of the WR Platoons

As a result of fiscal limitations and a desire to in-crease male enlisted strength to meet mobilization re-quirements, the Reserve Structure Board, meeting inMay 1958, recommended the deactivation of the WRplatoonc. Two units, Kansas City and Tampa, had al-ready been deactivated, leaving only 18 in 1957. Atthe time of the proposed dissolution of the platoonsthe total strength was 29 officers and 618 enlistedwomen as opposed ro an authorized strength of 34and 687. The strength of the WR platoons had peakedin 1955 with 35 officers and 664 enlisted womenMarines?

The undersigned does not coocur with the recommen-dation of the Reserve Structure Board that the Woman Ma-rine Reserve units be disbanded and the membership in theOrganized Marine Corps Reserve units be restricted to malepersonnel, or to the arguments given to support such arecommendation.

The board report emphasized the decreasingstrength of the platoons since 1955 and the cost in-volved in training women. The point was made thatthe same amount of money would support 200 addi-tional six-month trainees (male). Lieutenant ColonelElsie E. Hill, Head of the Women's Branch, Divisionof Reserve, took exception to the report and on 14 May1958 submitted her views which were:

She continued:

Inasmuch as the statement is made that a strength of45,000 is sufficient to provide all of the initial requirementsfor desired augmentation of the Fleet Marine Force uponmobilization it is assumed that numbers of trained person-nel become of paramount importance. From just the stand-point of numbers alone, it becomes obvious that 600 womenis a larger number of trained personnel than the 200 six-month trainees. . .

She argued that the 600 women could be used foradministrative support during the early stages ofmobilization, thus releasing a like number of Regu-lars who, she wrote. ". . . are not only highly trained,but at the optimum of training." Referring to the is-sue of the $200,000 spent each year on the women'sprogram, she pointed out that in 1957, two womenhad to be enlisted for a net gain of one, while fivemen had to be enlisted to produce the same result.

Lieutenant Colonel Hill concluded that to continuethe organized program for women was the only eco-nomical course to follow. As might be expected, theDirector of Women Marines, Colonel Julia E. Ham-

115

blet, the one person most directly responsible for theactivation of WR platoons, did not agree with theboard's recommendations and added the comments:

The basic problem appears to the undersigned to boildown to the following: which viOl be more important in thearly stages of mobilization approximately 600 tra;ned or

partially trained administrative r crsonnel or a somewhat less-er number of potential combat Marines in various stages oftraining. It is believed that it would be impossible to mobi-lize a Selected Reserve of the size indicated . . . in the timecontemplatedwithout prior or simultaneous augmentationof administrative personnel at Mobilization Stations, JointExamining and Induction Stations, District Headquartersand Processing Centers. It is my belief that the male ad-ministrative personnel in the Organized Reserve will be n-ed-ed in the numbers available in the FMF and other operatingforce units with an early deployment schedule, and that thewomen will be needed as part of the required immediateadministrative back-up. . .

The women's protests notwithstanding, it was decid-ed to disband the units and to allow 227 women Reser-vists (one half of one percent of the authorizedstrength of thc Organized Reserve) to remain in a drillpay status, affiliated with male Reserve units.") Therewas a great deal of bitterness on the part of womenReserv.Fts who had faithfully served in the Reserve foras many as 11 years. Retired Lieutenant Colonel MaryE. Roddy recalls hearing the news of deactivation whileshe was at summer training with her platoon at SanDiego. The Dallas women wcre finishing up an 'en-joyable and profitable two weeks and she was reluc-tant to tell them of the impending disbandment ofthe program. On the night before leaving for home,she broke the news so that she would be the first totell them. A final inspection at deactivation ceremo-nies for the unit was held at the Dallas Naval and Ma-rine Corps Reserve Training Center on Saturday, 27September 1958. Joining Major Roddy for the inspec-tion was Lieutenant Colone Joe B. Griffith, Jr.,commanding officer of the 1st 4.5-inch Rocket Bat-talion."

At first there was spirited competition for the covet-ed 227 billets but by 1967 the number of women par-ticipating in a paid status with the Organized Reservedwindled to two officers and 74 enlisted women.12 Be-tween 1958 and 1967 there was no Reserve programfor WMs.

Woman Special Enlistment Program

An outgrowth of the Woman Marine Program StudyGroup of 1964 (General Pepper Board) was the crea-tion of an Ad Hoc Committee in 1966 to study Reserve

RESERVES AFI ER KOREA 105

training for women Marints. This committee recom-mended the creation of three women's pl,:toons, andthe enlistment of women without prior ;,-...rvice whowould be sent to Parris Island for a 10-week periodof training (an adaptation of the six-month trainingprogram in effect at the time for male Marines)."

The platoon idea was quickly discarded as being tooexpensive and too restrictive geographically. The Direc-tor of Wemen Marines, Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, didnot approve of the plan to train Reservists at Parris Is-land due to the lack of space at the Woman RecmitTraining Battalion. So, it was not until 10 June 1971,nearly four years after the submission of the commit-tee report, that the Woman Marine Special EnlistmentProgram was established in the Marine Corps Reserve.Marine Corps Order 1001R.47 provided for an initialquota of 88 women to be recmited and enlisted byOrganized Reserve units (ground and aviation). Thesewomen, integrated with platoons of regular WMs,received ten weeks of active duty. Training of varyingperiods was offered after compktion of basic training.

Reservists then returned home and attended regulardrills and training periods with their units for the re-mainder of a three-year enlistment."

From that time on, the assignment and utilizationof women Reservists paralleled that of the Regulars.In 1973 when the Commandant approved a pilot pro-gram to assign women Marines to division, wing, andforce service regiment headquarters based in the Unit-ed States, women Reservists moved into those unitsin the Organized Reserve. By May 1976, one and one-half percent (i.e., 30 officer and 400 enlisted billets)of the members of the 4th Marine Division/Wing werewomen."

In the year in which the prohibition which limitedwomen officers to succeeding to command only ofunits made up primarily of women was lifted, 1973,the way was opened for women to command ur-ganized Reserve units. One of the first to do so wasMajor Jeanne B. Botwright Humphrey, CommandingOfficer, Truck Company, 4th Service Battalion, Erie,Pennsylvania.

LtColJoe B. Griffith, Jr., and Maj Mary E. Roddy CO)`.1duct inspection at the deactivationceremony in 1958 of the Wl? Platoon, 1st 4.5-inc1 Rocket Battalion, Dallas, Texas.

116

106

Strength

As early as 1948, a strength goal for women Ma-rines was set at one percent of the authorized enlist-ed strength of the Marine Corps even though the lawallowed for a maximum of two percent. The samefigures dictated the number of women allowed to par-ticipate in the Reserve. In 1967, Public Law 90-130 re-moved the percentage restrictions and has allowed fora steady increase in the number of women Marines,Regular and Reserve. In 1975, the Director of the Di-vision of Reserve, Major General Michael P. Ryan, act-ing on a request from the Commanding General, 4thMarine Division, stated that it would be possible andadvantageous to increase the number of women to fivepercent of the authorized strength of the OrganizedReserve. But due to the desirability of an incrementalrate of growth, he asked that the ceiling for fiscal year1976 be increased to three percent. This translated into1,937 women.16 By 1977, ahead of the schedule, a max-imum of five percent was authorized. Actual figureson 30 June 1977 were 40 officers and 668 enlistedwomen in the 4th Marine Division and 4th MarineAircraft Wing.

Women Reserve Officers

There remained the perplexing problems of pro-viding adequate training for women Reserve officers.While organized units were willing and often anxiousto join enlisted women, most of whom had ad-ministrative skills, few units could find a place for theofficers, especially if they were above the rank of cap-tain. Major General Ryan encouraged the male unitsto join women officers.* Believing that the mostprofitable training comes from experience in an or-ganized unit, he took positive steps to make this op-portunity available to the women. In 1976 a messagewas sent from Headquarters Marine Corps to the Com-manding Generals, 4th Marine Division and 4th Ma-rine Aircraft Wing authorizing them to exceedauthorized officer strength by joining WM officers innumbers not to exceed five percent of total authorized

*The positive attitude of Major General Ryan was based uponhis personal knowledge of the utilization of WRs in World War 11.He estimated that at least 18,000 women would be needed againin an emergency, and he believed in the importance of their train-ing. This tends to support a contention of Colonel Hamblet, thatthe men who served in World War II recognized the contributionof the WRs and that as these men retired, women Marines receivedless and less consideration.

1 7


officer strength. Since these are combat-ready units,the women could not be included in their mobiliza-tion plans, but upon mobilization would be reassignedindividually to base units to replace male Marines whowould in turn augment the Reserve units. WomenReservists who had been openly critical of the lack ofmeaningfil training opportunities found reason foroptimism 'n the message and especially the final para-graph which put teeth into the plan and read:

As the majority of available WM officer assets are in theadministrative and supply fields, this is an opportunity forindividual commanders to improve administrative and supplyefforts.

Request this headquarters be advised of results of this pro-gram. &quest you reply no later than 31 December 1976)7

Formal Vaining for Women Reservists

Beyond unit training, increased numbers of wom-en Reservists received orders to formal technical andprofessional schools. In 1971, four years after the firstRegular woman officer entered the midlevel Amphibi-ous Warfare School at Quantico, Major Patricia A.Hook and Captain Elizabeth D. Doize were assignedto Phase I of the shortened Reserve version of thatcourse. Major Hook returned to Quantico the follow-ing summer to complete Phase II and became the fffstwoman Reserve officer to graduate from the ReserveOfficers' Amphibious Warfare Course. In 1973, Lieu-tenant Colonel Patricia A. Meid and Major Hook at-tended the special Reserve course offered by theCommand and Staff College, becoming the firstwom-en Reservists to do so.18

The most dramatic manifestation ofa change in at-titude and policy resulting in broader and unusual op-portunities for women Reservists was the assignmentof the military occupational specialty of air deliveryto Private Beth Ann Fraser. Having joined the Reserveunder the Special Enlistment Program, her three-yearcontract provided for initial recruit training at ParrisIsland followed by specialist training. In Private Fraser'scase, that meant three weeks at the Army AirborneSchool ("jump school") at Fort Benning, Georgia.

She graduated with Platoon 9A, Woman RecruitTraining Command, on 15 November 1976. Even be-fore her basic training began she had been preparingherself for the physical rigors of jump school by run-ning two miles several days a week. At Parris Islandshe performed extra physical training and unlike theother women, she VI o r e combat boots and utilities dur-ing the required nrn.

RESERVES MIER KOREA 107

Private Fraser entered the Airborne School on 16November where the training included physical con-ditioning, practicing parachute landing falls, towerjumps, and finally actual jumps from an airplane. Thechief instructor at the airborne battalion, Master Ser-geant D. W. Fischer, described Fraser as ". . . physi-cally strong, a bit above average, with lots of espritde corps."19 Her platoon sergeant, Sergeant First ClassThomas Rowe, said of her, "We don't often get wom-en through here who are in such good physical shapeor have her 'can do' attitude. She is definitely represen-tative of what I think a Marine stands for?'" PrivateFraser attributed her success to the Marines of herhome unit of whom she said, "Those guys reallyhelped. They had me running, pulling-up, sitting-up,the works."21

To demonstrate the Corps' pride in her ac-complishment, Brigadier General Jack M. Frisbie,commanding general of the 4th Force Service SupportGroup, not only attended Private Fraser's graduationbut also promoted her to private first class. Addition-

ally; her former drill instructor from Parris island, Ser-geant Kathy A. Potter, made a special trip tocongratulate the first woman Marine to graduate fromArmy Airborne School.

Private First Class Fraser returned to her Reserveunit, the Beach and Port Operations Company, Head-quarters and Service Battalion, 4th Force Service Sup-port Group in San Jose, California, to serve theremainder of her contract. Her MOS is an exampleof the type of rear echelon duty thaecan be performedby women, delivering supplies by air. Since she gradu-ated. several women Regulars have attended the sameschool.

The cited examples, Major Humphrey, commandingofficer of a truck company; Private First Class Fraser,assigned to air delivery; and the number of WMs serv-ing in organized units along with male Marines, tes-tify to a more total integration of werlen into theMarine Corps Reserve and the recognition of theirpotential value as a source of trained Marines in theevent of war or national emergency.

118

CHAPTER 9

Recruit TrainingMissionThe Training ProgramArrival at Panic IslandThe Daily RoutineRecruit Regulations

The Drill Instructor-Recruit Evaluation and AwardsWM ComplexCommand Reorganized

Enlisted women Marines begin their service at theMarine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. The wom-en's battalion had been known, at different times, asthe 3d Recruit Training Battalion, the Woman RecruitTraining Battalion, and the Woman Recruit TrainingCommand. Boot camp has varied in length from sixto 10 weeks, but certain things remain unchanged. Theschedule is rigorous; the drill instructors seem biggerthan life; and for the recruit, no matter a hat moti-vated her to enlist, on graduation day, being calleda Marine is enough.

Mission

Woman recruit training has been designed ". . . toproduce a basic woman Marine who is able to func-tion effectively in garrison and instinctively practicethose traits that distinguish her as a Marine." Thespec:fic objectives of recruit training were listed in 1976as:

a. SelfdiscrPline. A state of discipline which assures respectfor authority; instant willing obedience to orders and theself-reliance to maintain or improve those traits that distin-guish a Marine.

b. Military Skills. To teach individual proficiency in select-ed basic military skills.

c. Physical Fitness. The ability to maintain physical fit-ness, endurance, and weight-distribution.

d. Military Bearing. The ability to properly wear and main-tain uniforms and practice personal hygiene.

e. Esprit de Corps. To instill the spirit of comradeshipamong all Marines for each other and the Marine Corps?

Fundamentally, they differ very little from the aimsset by Captain Henderson and her staff in 1949.

The "joining Program

Originally, recruits completed a six-week course con-sisting of basic military and administrative subjects.By 1949, when the 3d Recruit Training Battalion wasactivated, Marines had become accustomed to the ma-ture WR of World War II who entered the Corps withcertain basic skills, and it was hoped especially bythe men that this short course would produce awoman Marine ready to take her place in nearly anyMarine Corps office. At first the recruits were at least

20 years old and as a rule they had some business ex-perience. After the age limit was lowered to 18 yearsand the requirement of a high school diploma wasdropped in 1950, a longer period of training wasdeemed necessary.

Major Beckley, Commanding Officer, 3d RecruitTraining Battalion in 1951, asked that boot camp belengthened to eight weeks and that instruction ingroup living, character guidance, career guidance, andtyping be added to the program.3 Her recom-mendation reflected the frustration felt by the wom-en Marines who had entered the service during WorldWar IL Confronted with a younger recruit probablyaway from home for the first time, motivated moreby a sense of adventure than a sense of patriotism, andunaccustomed to the discipline of even a civilianjob they worried about the qualifications of the "newbreed:'

In a letter to Colonel Towle, Major Beckley describedthe problem of finding suitable assignments for wom-en with low mental scores or who had had little careertraining. Conceding that the women consistentlyscored higher on intelligence tests than male recruits,nevertheless, she observed:

Male recruits who have low GCT scores can be fitted intomany types of work and prove most valuable. Women Ma-rines are automatically restricted in performance of heavymanual duties. They fill billets involving "white collar" workwhere at least average ability, a neat appearance, and mili-taty bearing are requisites:4

The discovery in one platoon of three women who list-ed their civilian occupations as sheepherder, gill netfisherman, and motorcyclist strengthened her case formore careful screening and a change in recruittraining.5

Colonel Towle endorsed the basic proposal, but be-cause of her great interest in advanced training added:

It is assumed that inclusion in the proposed revised train-ing program of basic typing for all recruits, as outlined. . . will not be taken as indicative that evety woman Ma-rine is a potential typist or preclude assignment to the ClerkTypist School in cases where such further training is con-sidered desirable and necessaryP

120

109

110

The newsix to eigi

Sincevaried frgram chGeneralat that telementsfour wee]tary indotional tbelonginvision, cCourse. 1Barbara jorder tomand froto give th

MEN MARINES, 1946-1977

:

ing in 1950.

ng into the relative free-t personnel.°

ed one of the major pro-aduate woman recruits.traditionally moved frominfantry training with an

ion, the woman normallypermanent personnel sta..al at her new command,s as difficult for the wom-: woman herself.3rocedures Course was in-boot camp was not quite

:d event that it had been.d on the parade groundistration building, and itt of recruit barracks. Thethe new graduates were

RECRUIT TRAINING 111

granting of base liberty from 1700 to 2400 on week-days and 1145 to 2400 on weekends, reveille at themore civilized hour of 0600, and a work day that end-ed at 1630.1°

Chief Warrant Officer Ruth L. Wood, who had beena teacher before joining the Marine Corps in 1943, washead of the new administrative course which includ-ed 44 hours of typing, and classes in the Marine CorpsDirective System, business English, spelling, cor-respondence, publications, security of military infor-mation, office etiquette, and the duties of areceptionist. On the small, hand-picked staff wereTechnical Sergeants Lillian J. West and Eileen P. Phe-lan, both former school teachers, and Technical Ser-geant Grace A. Carlelater Sergeant Major of WomenMarineswho had had civilian experience as an in-structor.11

The dual training programfirst boot camp andthen the General Office Procedures Coursewas notentirely satisfactory in that it took a considerableamount of administrative work to transfer the won:en from recruit to student status, and more im-portantly, it shortened the screening and observationtime. Since only recruits could be separated by an ap-titude board, the disposition of marginal and proh1,students became particularly difficult. Thus in 19Lieutenant Colonel Hill, then Commanding OfficeWoman Recruit Training Battalion, asked that the10-week dual program be combined into a nine-weekcourse of two phases, with the important proviso thatthe women remain in a recruit status and under the

supervision of the recruit company staff during theentire period.12

The second major program change in Marine Corpswoman recruit training was the introduction in 1967of the Image Development Course, part of a largerplan to teach grooming to recruits, officer candidates,and permanent personnel. The decision to adopt thisprogram was based on three premises: first, the im-provement of the woman Marine image would en-hance the prestige of the WM program in the eyes ofthe public and within the Marine Corps; second, thatemphasis on the feminine aspects of a servicewoman'slife would counteract the unappealing impression ofmilitary service and therefore improve recruitment;and finally, that heightened self-confidence and poisewould reflect advantageously on the duty performanceof the woman Marine.

Lectures of this sort had always been a part of wom-an Marine training, but the new approach to teach-ing techniques of proper makeup, hair and nail care,wardrobe selection, posture, wig selection and care,social etiquette, wearing the uniform, and groomingpractices involved a personal program to meet the in-dividual's needs. It was designed to enhance eachwoman's poise and social grace. To start the effort on

sound footing, 20 women Marines, officer and en-were trained at the Pan American World Air-

ways Imernational Stewardess College. They vouldserve as instructors. Beautifully decorated, pro4ssion-ally outfitted grooming facilities were installed atQuantico in 1967 and at Parris Island in 1970.13

The 'Peanut suit," a one-piece seersucker exercise uniform with drawstring bloomers heldover from World War II and in the system until 1960, is worn by women recruits.

t22


IMPTI

lsat Patricia Watson, recruit platoon commander, takes daily inspection in 1956.

The Image Development Course, which fluctuatedfrom 12 to 31 hours in length was conducted in amorerelaxed manner than other phases of recruit trainingand proved to be a popular addition to the schedule,particularly from the recruits' point of view. One ofthe most important parts of the course covered theproper application and reapplication of cosmeticsthroughout the day. The recruits were inspected as be-fore, but in addition to the shine on the shoes, pressof the uniform, and police of the barracks, they hadto be concerned with their makeup. The naturallookappropriate makeup for a career womenwasemphasized as the proper standard.

The finale of the course was an evaluation periodheld several days before graduation. Selected Marines,dependents, and civilians from the depot were invit-ed to participate at a social hour and recruits werejudged on their poise, courtesy, and appearance. Theguest list changed but traditionally included, amongothers, a senior officer and his wife, several staff non-commissioned officersstudents and stafffromRecruiter's School and the Personnel AdministrationSchool, a chaplain, and a medical officer. Individualgrades were not given, but obvious problems and weakareas were noted and when necessary the recruit wasgiven additional help.14

The course, as may be expected, was not whole-heartedly received at all levels. Generally speaking, thewomen drill instructors were less enthusiastic than therecruits and the command. Primarily they objected tothe requirement for DIs to wear makeup while onduty. According to Sergeant Major Judge, who was firstsergeant of Recruit Company, and Master SergeantBridget V. Connolly, who as a staff sergeant was a DI

during the initial stages of the program, there wassome muttering in the ranks. First Sergeant Judge,who had never before worn eye makeup, told the com-manding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'Holle-ran, that if her family could see her they would callher a "hussy."15 In Staff Sergeant Connolly's view, itwas an added burden on the drill instructor who hadto be up, dressed, and in the recruit barracks before0500 to be expected to appear in full makeup. It alsomeant, of course, that she could not freshen up quicklyduring the day." Despite these difficulties, there wasgeneral agreement that the Image DevelopmentCourse improved the appearance and poise of wom-en Marines and achieved its intended goals.

The third major change in women's recruit train-ing involved the forming period and occurred in 1968.In order to give drill instructors time off to rest them-selves physically and to prepare themselves mentallyto make the transition from working with a graduateplatoon to another platoon of new recruits, the ini-tial processing was put in the hands of other mem-bers of the permanent personnel unit. This teamwelcomed the new arrivals and supervised the multi-tude of details incidental to preparing recruits furtraining. Only on the first scheduled training day didthe DI meet her recruits.17

As they have for years, the majority of recruits ar-rived during the night. Under the new procedures,they were offered a snack, and shown to their alreadymade-up bunk. Overhead lights were kept offto avoiddisturbing other sleeping recruits. The latercomerswere allowed to sleep to the very last minute in themorning, getting up only in time to eat before themess hall secured. While it had been proven that

123

RECRUIT TRAINING

recruits react more quickly and assimilate instructionsbetter when they are less tired and less frightened, oldways die hard, and veteran DIs believed that some-thing was lost in the way of initial discipline. The form-ing period, while still a difficult adjustment forcivilians, was planned to instill a positive attitudetoward Marine Corps training at the onset.'8

krival at Parris Island

These forming period procedures of 1968 bear lit-tle resemblance to those remembered by women Ma-rInes who attended boot camp from 1949 to 1968. In1949, recruits arriving by train were met by the DIsat Port Royal, South Carolina. In later years, the ter-minal point of a rail trip was Yemessee, about 26 milesfrom Parris Island. Unfortunately, the most lasting im-pression for many of these women arriving from north-ern states was the segregation of "white" from"colored" on the train south of Baltimore and at thestation at Yemessee. Major Joan M. Collins remem-bered that in 1953, on the way to boot camp, a Puer-to Rican recruit, Sunny Ramos, was sepanited from hergroup and asked to sit in a compartment by herself.The women protested, but the conductor told themnot to make any trouble.")

Women arriving by train were usually taken by busalong with male recruits to the recruit depot. If a male

Women recruits spent long hours in the classroommastering administrative subjects. GySgt Frances A.Curwen teaches a typing course in the early 1960s.

113

DI was on hand at the station he normally succeededin scaring the life out of the women, even if he totallyignored them and directed all his attention at themen. Lieutenant Colonel Gail M. Reals rememberedthat she and one other woman were the only femaleson board a bus driven by a civilian who amused him-self all the way from Yemessee to Parris Island askingthe young women why they had done such a foolishthing and personally guaranteeing that they wouldregret it.20

As a rule, the bus delivered the male recruits firstand at each stop the women witnessed the traditionalbrusque ceremony of the DI greeting his recruits forthe first time so that by the time they arrived at thewomen's battaliu:..., they feared the worst.

The "worst" for the women recruits meant rush andpressure. Most recruits, tired and apprehensive, arrivedafter midnight, made up their bunks, dropped intobed, and then awoke at 0500 With the lights blazingand the duty NCO shouting, "Hit the deck." For sever-al days they were kept busy with administrative taskssuch as endorsing orders, filling out forms, and writ-ing their autobiography. They received shots, a PX is-sue, and an initial clothing issue normally utilitiesand exercise suits. Time was spent sewing name tagsin their clothes, hemming the utility slacks, and learn-ing how to give a Marine Corps shine to their oxfords.Until black shoes were adopted in 1964, groups ofrecruits were taken outdoors to dye the issue browna darker cordovan shade. For many women Marines,the first "chewing out" was brought on by spilling shoedye on one of the new uniforms.

Women Marines who were impressed by the "sharp"appearance of the recruiter in her attractive dress blueuniforms were invariably let down when, during form-ing, they received their clothing issue. A hold-overfrom World War II that remained in the system until1960 was the exercise suit of tan seersucker a one-piece bloomer outfit with a matching buttoned frontskirt appropriately nicknamed "the peanut suit." TheWorld War II bib overalls, white T-shirt, and long-sleeve jacket made up the utility uniform until themid-50s, but the most unpopular items, by far, werethe heavy cotton lisle hose worn by WMs in traininguntil 1968, and the very practical oxfords.*

These shoes, with their two-inch Cuban heels were,for obvious reasons, known as "grandmas." In the 1950s

*See Chapter 14 for a discussion of woman Marine uniforms,1946-1977.

V cl

124

11;

- .i"t

"

A HISTORY (

-

-

!ecrldts display issued clothing for a "junk on the bunk" ins,

:rn, lower heeled oxford was adopted forain types of work, and until the old sup--I out, each recruit-was issued one pair ofand was then taken by bus to Mickey'sle nearby city of Beaufort to purchase the-which WMs naturally called "Mickeys."of military courtesy were instilled dur-

ing period. In order to give practice inruits were required to be covered at allmtdoors. For a number of years, recruitsyet been issued a uniform cap were in-

ear a civilian hat or scarf, even if only go-)thes line behind the barracks, and so itmmon to see a WM dressed in a peanutttly covered by a flowered scarf, render-I salute.

The Daily Routine

Ily, women recruits bounded from their), ate breakfast, policed the barracks, andnorning inspection. The daily inspectionsistructors varied that is, personnel, bar-)ox, or clothing rack but always includ-

125

ed general groonoon meal ancwere devoted tcletter writing. Fsalutes in frontin close order diassigned to theing the watch fieille. Classes wi

Liberty, for nthen only to recIn the 1970s, asrine program, aservices, and in (status to the eilimited libertyrecruits were atholidays from iior to graduatiorof final week 1:

On one niglrest field nigEspections (whic

RECRUIT TRAINING

drill instructor through all levels of the command upto the battalion commander) was spent in furious ac-tivity scrubbing and shining every inch of the barracksand neatly arranging locker boxes and clothing racksto conform to regulations. A clean white towel foldedlengthwise in even thirds and a clean white wash clothfolded evenly in half and centered over the towel weredisplayed at the end of each bunk. In the squadbay,bunks and locker boxes were lined up exactly, and inthe laundry, irons were arranged as precisely as Ma-rines in formation. In preparing for inspections, therecruit learned a lesson of lasting value; she learnedthe importance of team work, because the platoonpassed or failed as a unit. Inspecting drill instructorsand officers had their individual methods of showingdispleasure, but few were more effective then the tech-nique of tearing up poorly made bunks and gather-ing all the gear left "adrift" and displaying it in thecenter of the squadbay.

The outdoor equivalent of "field night" is the"garden party." New recruits who found garden partyon the schedule were often genuinely disappointedto find rakes, clippers, and lawn mowers where theyexpected barbecue grills and hot dogs. It was one ofthe mischievous pleasures of the DI to shout, "Put on

115

your peanut suits, ladies; we're going to have a gardenparty." Over the years, only the uniform changed; thegarden party still translated into mowing, clipping,and trimming.

For all of the nonstop activity of a recruit's day, itended on a serene and peaceful note. A custom trac-ed to the early 1950s was the singing of "The Lord'sPrayer" at taps. Colonel Hamblet, when she was Direc-tor of Women Marines, visited Parris Island and laterwrote:

. . having heard of a custom that had developed in theWoman Recruit Company, I returned to hear taps.

The bugle notes sounded:Day is doneGone the sunFrom the lakesFrom the hillsFrom the sky

All is wellSafely rest

God is nighOne by one lights in the barracks went out. At other Ma-

rine bases a hush would then fall. But here, as the last noteof the bugle faded in the distance, came not silence but thesound of voices in song.

They started softly in the Senior Platoon area on the se-cond deck (floor) of the barracks, were picked up by another

The vertical dryers, rectangular ironing tables, and stationary ironing boards found ina typical woman Marine barracks laundry room were well used during recruit training.

126a

116

platoon topside. then by the recruits on the first deck. Thesong swelled in volume as each group joined in, filling thedarkened barracks and spilling over into the street outside.

From their bunks the women recruits were singing "TheLord's Prayer". They sang spontaneously, their young voices,untrained and unrehearsed, blended in reverence. They werenot required to sing. They did so because they chose to. Ithad become their tradition, a new group learning by listeningto the others.22

Recruit Regulations

The recruit regulations published in 1949 scarcelychanged over the years. There was a proper, establishedprocedure for nearly every activity; deviations from thenorm, no matter how minor, were not acceptable. Arecruit immediately learned that she did not rise be-fore reveille nor sit on, rest on, or get into her bunkbefore taps. Bulletin boards were to be read severaltimes daily and she initialed everr roster on which hername appeared. She moved quickly, but did not runin the passageways; came to attention whenever some-one other than a recruit entered the squadbay; andcalled "gangway" while backing up to rhe bulkheadwhen someone other than a recruit approached.23

Only clean clothing, with all buttons buttoned, zip-pers zipped, and buckles buckled could be displayed.The one exception was a pair of untied oxfords andthe unbuttoned raincoat to facilitate a hasty exit incase of fire. Unauthorized personal items were stowedin the luggage room. Keys, clothing, cosmetics, shoepolish, or notebooks left lying about were depositedin the "lucky box" and could be claimed only afterthe hapless recruit admitted her carelessness to her DI.

Mail call was the highlight of a recruit's day unlessshe received contraband items from well meaning fa-mily and friends. Packages were opened in front ofwitnesses and any food, candy, or gum was returnedto the sender, thrown away, or donated to the RedCross.

Smoking was limited to designated areas at speci-fied times; drinking beer or hard liquor was taboo;borrowing, lending, or giving clothing away was for-bidden; and hair was rolled only at prescribed times.Neat, clean, and orderly was the rule. Laundry bagswere washed, bleached, starched, and ironed frequent-ly. Singing in the laundry was encouraged, but talk-ing was prohibited. That these seemingly irksomeregulations remained virtually unchanged for so longa time testified to their effectiveness in teaching dis-cipline, respect for authority, and the value ofteamwork.


The Drill Instructor

These recruits arc entrusted to my care. I will train themto the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartlydisciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines,thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and Country. Iwill demand of them, and demonstrate by my own exam-ple, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality andprofessional skill.

The Drill Instructor's Pledge24

The drill instructor was the key to recruit trainingand was directly responsible for the training, physicalfitness, discipline, welfare, and morale of her recruitsand her junior drill instructors. The assignment wasconsidered by many enlisted WMs to be the most ex-hausting, frustrating, yet satisfying job in the MarineCorps. Her role and responsibility resembled that ofthe male DI, but her training and the evolution ofher title moved along a different path.

Until 1976, with one short-lived exception, womendid not attend Drill Instructor School and those in-volved in recruit training were officially called platoonsergeants or platoon leaders. WMs, themselves, un-officially consistently used the more familiar term ofDI.

Competent, mature, willing noncommissionedofficers in excellent physical condition and with im-peccable military records were essential to the conduct

Recruit learns to shine shoes from drill instructor.

Ng

,sto

k:

RECRUIT TRAINING

of recruit training. Due primarily to the small num-ber of women Marines and proportionally fewer NCOs,and a reluctance to 'release women from their primaryoccupational specialty for periods of two years normaltour length for a DI there persisted a shortage ofwomen DIs. Colonel Barblra J. Bishop, when she wasDirector of Women Marines, 1964-1969, tried in vainto come to a mutually acceptable arrangement withthe assignment branch at Headquarters whereby theywould notify her of the impending transfer of seniorenlisted WMs. Then, if DIs were needed at Parris Is-land, Colonel Bishop proposed to fill those vacancieson a priority basis. Her plan met with opposition andfor many years much of the burden of training was

117

carried by a group of NCOs who served two and insome cases three tours of duty at the Woman RecruitTraining Battalion.25

The policy had normally been to assign a staff non-commissioned officer as the senior DI with sergeantsor corporals as junior DIs, but, it was not uncommonin the early 1950s to have lower rated women in thesejobs. The process of selection from 1949 until 1976was to order NCOs to the women's recruit battalionfor screening by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, the bat-talion commander, the recruit company commander,and perhaps a battalion screening board. Having satis-factorily moved through this chain, a prospective DIbegan on-the-job training and was in a probationary

"Welcome to the Pig Pen." A drill instructor tore up the squadbay and left this messagetaped to a chair for her recruits after an unsatisfactory inspection in the early 1960s.

MT-1, Vir"..i14°.

128

y

'144

RECRUIT TRAINING

quired to qualify with the M-16 service rifle or the .45caliber pistol, but they fired them for familiarization.At graduation, the women graduates, in place of thetraditional DI hat, were presented with scarlet epau-lets, worn by WM DIs since 1970.31

The DI was in direct control of the recruits in herplatoon and shouldered the greatest responsibility intheir training. For many years, the senior drill in-structor was required to be with her platoon at alltimes during the first three weeks of training. In thelate 1960s, this requisite was.eased somewhat and herpresence was necessary at key times like clothing issueand inspections and at all periods of instruction wherethe recruits' health or physical well being was involved,such as physical fitness and swimming classes. Moreroutine events could be supervised by the junior drillinstructors.32

In reality, the recruit was seld, nil out of view of herDIs. One of the team was in the squadbay before rev-eille and again after lights out. While her chargesslept, the DI examined the next day's schedule, madenotes about the number of required uniform changes,checked transportation arrangements, filled out evalu-ation forms, and wrestled with administration mat-

119

A drill instructor wearing scarlet epaulets in place ofthe traditional male DI hat calls cadence for recruitsdressed in the blue utility uniform in the 1970s.

A three-mile run concludes _the fitness test taken by recruits at Patris Island in 1974.

130

120

ters andrecruit, sland shin(and endeshe was aacceptedvery littleporal Corling pacethe 4 plasatisfacticmade upet Connoof Corpotin 1977.

The evlscreen recand to rec


,,......y.......*"'"',,,.,,,411.1.41111111116

s, Recruit Company commander, ties three streamers, symbols of train-'o the Platoon lA guidon. SSgt M. M. Gruetzemacher looks on in 1965.

; of her recruits. Like theand iron several uniformsDI the day began at 0430;ht. With rare exceptions,mmitted to her task andaro years, she would have31 of the early 1950s, Cor-'rote of her tour, 'A gruel-n reward. At least one ofHonor Platoon, and therd work come to fruition133 Master Sergeant Bridg-. Colonel Gail Reals, two, were still on active duty

7 and Awards

Is program was meant tolas basic women Marines; performance. The criter-

1 3 1

ia used to judge the women was much the same asit was in 1949, but a more sophisticated system ofawards evolved. Individually, recruits were graded inthree main areas: academic, performance, and atti-tude. The first was the easiest to document as it wasa numerical value based on the results of objective ex-aminations. Performance and attitude marks are bynature subjective and so were derived from a compo-site of the entire siaffs contact with the recruit, withemphasis on inspection results, drill aptitude, physi-cal fitness, weight control, image development, andleadership ability.34

In one way or another, the guidon, a flag with theplatoon's designation carried by the platoon guide,had long been associated with the platoon's perfor-mance. New platoons normally had been identifiedby a bare guidon staff. After successful completion ofspecified inspection or milestone, pennants were ad-ded with appropriate ceremony. The gold guidonmarked the junior platoon or series, and for some time

RECRUIT TRAINING 121

had to be earned by passing the junior DI's inspection.The scarlet guidon had nearly always been awardedby the senior DI after a satisfactory formal inspection,which in 1977 was scheduled for the third week intraining. Traditionally, poor platoon performance wasnoted by the command to furl the guidon, the ulti-mate sign of the DI's displeasure.

Colorful streamers, symbols of excellence, were ad-ded to the WM guidon staff for the first time in March1968, when First Lieutenant Vera M. Jones, thenRecruit Company commanding officer, presentedthree streamers to Platoon 1-A for achievement inswimming, drill, and physical fitness.35 Streamers in1977 were presented in recognition of exceptional pla-toon performance in the areas shown in the chart else-where on this page.

The Marine Corps emblem, most visible outwardsymbol of a Marine, had normally been given as anaward rather than an unearned right to be taken forgranted. Sometime in the 1950s the practice of issu-ing emblems along with the uniforms was stopped andthe recruit had to pass the Recruit Company com-mander's inspection before she received the highlyprized "globe and anchor." The emblem ceremony, be-ginning in 1966, had become a part of the gradua-tion day events. At a company formation early in themorning, each graduate held her emblems in hergloved hand and the company commander and DIspersonally affixed them to her uniform.35

The American Spirit Honor Medal, highest availa-ble individual distinction, was given to the recruit whodisplayed, to a high degree, outstanding leadershipqualities best expressing "The American Spirit" ofhonor, initiative, and loyalty and who set an examplein conduct and performance of duty. The award, con-sisting of a medal and ceitificate, was made availableby the Citizens Committee of the Army, Navy, andAir Force through the Department of Defense. Arecruit who won the American Spirit Honor Medal was

svOl'

Vi

Lt Vera M. Jones awards the Marine Corps emblem,visible symbol of a Marine, to recruits who have pass-ed the company commander's inspection in 1965.

automatically designated the Honor Graduate or Out-standing Recruit* and additionally received theLeatherneck Award and the Dress Blue UniformAward.

Private Mary E. Gillespie, in October 1950, was thefirst woman Marine to be awarded the American SpiritHonor Medal.37 The uncommon excellence associat-ed with this medal was underscored by the fact thatseveral years could pass without a recommendedrecipient.

The Honor Graduate, known in the past as the Out-standing Recruit of the platoon, was the woman whohad demonstrated the desirable attributes of a Ma-

*The terms Honor Graduate and Outstanding Recruit have beenused interchangeably.

Area ColorPhysical Fitness Test goldAcademic redDrill greenChief DI Inspection purpleSeries Officer Inspection light blueCO, WRTC Inspection blue

The chart is based on the 1976 WRTC SOP. Streamer colors

Criteria95 percent platoon performance85 percent platoon performance250 points75 percent platoon performance80 percent platoon performance85 percent platoon performance

and criteria have varied slightly over the years.

132it


fields were found. Two buildings remained. No. 900,formerly the mess hall, later a craft shop, and No. 903,which housed the senior series of WM recruits. Thejunior series was billeted in the WM complex, builtwithin view of the old area.

Suggestions had been made to rehabilitate and air-condition the World War II barracks, but the publicworks officer found that the cost would exceed 50 per-cent of the replacement value of the buildings. Con-sequently, at a meeting on 27 July 1967 the DepotDevelopment Board directed that an entire new com-plex for WMs be programmed at Parris Is1and.4°

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on 26 Janu-ary 1973 and construction was begun. For two yearsthe women Marines watched patiently across the field.Finally on 8 February 1975, they made the big move.4'The new complex, completely self-contained, wasdesigned to house Parris Island's permanent womenpersonnel as well as the women recruits. In actuality,increases in strength of WMs resulted in the reten-tion of the old barracks for recruits. By the time thecomplex was opened, plans were already underway foran addition.42

Among the facilities included in the WM complexwere a fully equipped gymnasium, headquarters areasfor the battalion and recruit company, a dining facili-ty, storage areas, a conference room, four classrooms,a laundromat, clothing issue area, sickbay, tennis

courts, volleyball court, and television and telephoneson each level of the three-story barracks. Thc struc-ture was built in a square, leaving a central courtyardarca open with the flagpole in front of the battalionheadquarters. Permanent personnel enjoyed a patiowith a fountain, rooms of one to three occupants, andnew, motel-like furnishings. Beds replaced metalbunks, closets replaced lockers, and the women wereallowed to decorate their rooms with colorful bedspreads, rugs, flowers, photographs, and other personaltouches. Recruits in 1977 still lived in austere, albeitmore modern and comfortable, squadbays.

Command Reorganized

The Woman Recruit Training Battalion became theWoman Recruit Training Command on 28 May 1976when Headquarters Company was disestablished. Con-sistent with Marine Corps-wide policy at the time, per-sonnel assigned to Headquarters Company wereadministratively transferred to the command underwhich their work section fell, but remained billetedin the WM complex. Thus reorganization efforts com-pleted a full cycle. In February 1949 the 3d RecruitTraining Battalion, under Captain Henderson, con-sisted of one company of 50 recruits and the 15 WMsto train them. In May 1976 Woman Recruit TrainingCommand, once again embodied only a recruit com-pany, but of 300 recruits and 32 WMs to train them.

CHAPTER 10

Officer TrainingLocation Training Program Traditions Awards 1973-1977 Towards Total Integration

Second Platoon, Company C, BC 3-77

Marine officer training, conducted at Quantico, Vir-ginia, is the sum of the precommissioning officer can-didate course and the postcommissioning basic course.From 1949 to 1973 the women trained separately fromthe men, under the auspices of a women's unit, calledat various times: Woman Officer Training Detachment(1949-1955), Women Marines Training Detachment(1955-1958), Women Marines Detachment(1958-1965), and Woman Off cer School (1965-1974).Customarily, a woman lieutenant colonel, heading afemale staff, was responsible for the administrationand training of the students. From 1949 to 1954 theWoman Officer Training Detachment was under thecontrol of The Basic School for matters pertaining totraining, and under Headquarters Battalion, MarineCorps Schools for all else.* The name was changed toWomen Marines Training Detachment in 1955 and theG-3, Marine Corps Schools, took over the responsi-bilities formerly held by The Basic School.

For nearly two years, until 17 December 1958, thewoman Marine company, Company D, made up of thepost troops was ix component of Headquarters Battal-ion. Then the Women Marines Detachment was acti-vated, a two-part women's unit composed ofHeadquarters Company and the Woman Officer Train-ing Class. The name changed once more in 1965 tothe Woman Officer School and the training functionscame under the cognizance of the Marine Corps Edu-cation Center, but the woman Marine company re-mained a part of the unit.

Organizationally, the most significant change cameon 12 June 1973 when the Woman Officer School wasdesignated a school under the Education Center, andnot a command. The former commanding officer,Lieutenant Colonel Carolyn J. Walsh, became thedirector and the functions of the woman Marine com-pany were transferred to Headquarters Battalion wherethey first began in the clays before Korea. On 20 De-cember 1974, the Woman Officer School was disestab-lished; the training of candidates became the

*The command at Quantico was reorganized in 1968, and thetitle was changed from Marine Corps Schools to Marine Corps De-velopment and Education Command.

responsibility of the formerly all-male Officer Candi-dates School; and the newly commissioned womenlieutenants moved to The Basic School at Camp Bar-rett, an outpost of the main command at Quantico.

Location

Women Marine officers lived and trained from 1948to 1973 in the southeast corner of the base in an areabordered on one side by the Potomac River and onanother by the town of Quantico. The commandingofficer and her staff moved from Building 3091 acrossfrom the mess hall to 3094 down the street and backagain. For almost the entire period, candidates werequartered in Barracks 3076. Suitable billeting spacefor the women once commissioned always posed aproblem as the choices were limited. Some classes ofstudent officers remained in the same barracks, liv-ing in open squadbays as they had as candidates;others moved to Building 3091 where semiprivaterooms were available, if there were not too many staffnoncommissioned officers on board. A few classes werequartered at the Cinder City BOQ, which in later yearsbecame the base Hostess House.

This perplexing problem was brought on by thesmall number of classes involved. Never did more thantwo classes of officer candidates train in one year, andmore often there was only one. Since the billetingspace was vacant for as much as six months of the year,it was not economical to set aside quarters for the wom-en lieutenants comparable to the BOQs enjoyed bythe men.

The WM area at Quantico was nearly self-contained:barracks, mess hall, small dispensary (when officer can-didates were on board), drill field, and classroom. Earlyclass(!s, at least until the mid-1950s, received their uni-form issue in the sweltering hut behind the barrackswhile later groups were bused mainside to the cloth-ing warehouse.

Whenever available, the air-conditioned classroomsof Breckenridge or Geiger Halls were used rather thanthe uncomfortable barracks classroom. LieutenantColonel Emma H. Clowers, twice commanding officerof the training detachment, wrote:

125

136

126

*tat

Paus

PANE

0.411graENVN I

I rto geor andentwe eitheirall fl

Agaiany larfnot onldates, 1making

Judgijustmerin the ti


nemLiwzomst _MOM UMERWIIIN1111113.1.11111WWWIIMILIC5 sew Ow NM lawMr MN MI NISMrSIMIIIINE MEM Von NMUm11.1111121,1111/1110111111111101212MEM NM NM111111.11111111MilintommumErn ors rim

IIIINN111111111111111111111

11111111111111111.

NNE '

t,A4411

, ,ifi ,t /1 ..?' , , ,---

'''',q.,1/4,1;417;1"::''S;1:,'; ' '' '1.-

:ve21::''

1,41., '11,,, vtin!.;,-.;-,` s'`,. ' 1

. .! .. , ii . ' i

1 :

+-11

duates arrive at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginth, insummer training program with the Women Officers Training

checked in by staff member WO Ruth L. Wood are (left to3. Moroney and Mary L. Vertalino, and June E. Palmer, Joanre, Helen L. Fiocca, Jean M. Byrnes, and Antoinette S. Willard.

ril 11

111BEN

and yes, foughtin the barrackse the Warn stu-tining. And howask School, withclassrooms, with

litigated againstmale programs

mber of candi-ound schedule,

mizational ad-)arallel changeslut that did not

generally happen. With only one exception, the train-ing of women lieutenants was done on a schedule of12 weeks' candidates training and six weeks' basiccourse from 1949 until 1962. In 1951, because of theKorean War and the critical shortage of Marines, thebasic course was shortened to four weeks. The 12 weeksprecommissioning portion did not vary for the 13-yearperiod. It was divided into a junior and senior coursewith college sophomores eligible to attend the firstsix weeks, and college seniors and graduates complet-ing the entire course in one summer. The sophomorewho successfully made it through the junior phase wasthen able to return another summer to finish thesenior phase. College graduates and former enlistedwomen were commissioned and continued on to thebasic course located in the same area, and conductedby the same staff as the candidate training.

OFFICER TRAINING 127

Several changes were made from 1962 to 1973 whichresulted in a shortened candidate course varying fromseven to 10 weeks and a lengthened basic course ofup to nine weeks.

Duting the initial stages of training, the daily rou-tine, candidate regulations, and course material wasnot significantly different from what was found inrecruit training. The most obvious dissimilarities werethe assignment of officer platoon leaders at Quanticoversus the women platoon sergeants at Parris Islandand the liberty granted to candidates.

At Quantico, the goal was twofold: first, to producea basic Marine and develop her leadership potential.Secondly, the candidate course was considered ascreening process, a place to observe each potentialnew woman officer. To this end, officer candidates wereallowed a measure of freedom in the form of libertyone or two nights a week and on weekends. Those withgood sense used it wisely. Additionally, candidateswere given a number of leadership assignments, dutieswhich set each woman apart from the group and which

demanded, in their execution, the use of good judge-ment, initiative, and force.

After commissioning, during the phase of trainingoriginally known as the Woman Officer Indoctrina-tion Course (WOIC) and in 1962 changed to theWoman Officer Basic Course (WOBC), the lieutenantswere given extra doses of freedom and responsibility.They arose, not at reveille, but in time to accomplishtheir chores and be ready for inspection at the appoint-ed minute. At night, they turned in not at lights out,but in time to get sufficient rest to prepare them fora day of training. Classroom lectures and demonstra-tions emphasized their role as a leader and much timewas spent in problem-solving seminars, often chairedby the commanding officer. The second lieutenantsaccompanied the regularly assigned duty officer on hertours, took personnel and barracks inspections, anddelivered prepared lectures to their classmates.

TraditionsTraditions of the type seen at recruit training never

developed around either the officer candidate course

"Hitting the beach" are members of the Women Officers Training Class at the MarineCorps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, during an amphibious landing exercise in 1959.

138


Officer candidates Play volleyball behind the barracks at Quantico in the early 1950s.

or the basic course. Again, numbers may be a factor.With only one class in session at a time, there was noopportunity for a junior platoon to emulate a seniorplatoon. The staff members closest to the candidates,the platoon leaders, and instructors, seldom workedwith more than one platoon. At Parris Island, on theother hand, the drill instructors, both senior andjunior, graduated one platoon and immediately pickedup another. There was a thread of continuity unknownat Quantico.

There were, however, two occasions generallyremembered by officers commissioned in the 1950sand 1960s. The first was the WOTC picnic held justbefore graduation, and highlighted by the students'impersonations of staff members. The second was theofficial call made by the lieutenants at the home ofthe commanding officer.

A long-standing military custom held that each of-ficer, upon arriving at a new base should call, formally,on his commanding officer. Protocol dictated that thevisit be made in civilian clothes with a hat (althoughsome authorities called for the dress uniform); the visitshould last precisely 20 minutes; and the proper num-ber of engraved calling cards had to be deposited ina waiting tray. Until the 1970s the tradition was rigidlyadhered to at the Quantico women's detachment. Itgave the second lieutenants an opportunity to prac-tice the procedure and gave the commanding officer

1 39

a chance to see the young officer in a somewhat for-mal social situation.

Officer candidates were advised to bring a hat totraining, but not many complied. The few hats per

Dls were the only male members on the staff of theWoman Officer Candidate School. In this 1955 pho-tograph the drill instructor shows a candidate theproper distance she must maintain while marching.

OFFICER TRAINING

platoon made many calls on the commanding officer.The students were scheduled -to call in small groupsand as one contingent left, their hats were passed onto those waiting outside. The commanding officer,meanwhile, greeted each guest, with a straight faceand an inner smile. White gloves, often in short sup-ply, were sometimes doled out one glove per student,each one trying to hold the single glove as inconspic-uously as possible.

At the call, drinks were offered and although a se-cond was suggested, the lieutenants were expected torefuse and to bring the call gracefully to a close. Some-times the commanding officer would tactfully help,but often the young women were on their own to ex-cuse themselves, say goodbye, and drop their cards asif they did that sort of thing every day. As awkwardas the new officers felt, it probably never occurred tothem that at times the commanding officer was equal-ly uneasy. Colonel Hamblet recalled her tour at theWoman Officer Training Detachment in 1951 whenshe presided at the formal calls in her suite at thesenior officers' BOQ, Harry Lee Hall. Major DorothyM. Knox, the executive officer, was there to help andthe two, somewhat apprehensively, awaited the arrivalof the second lieutenants. The meeting got off to a

129

poor start when one of the guests was asked if shewould like to remove her coat, and she answered shewas not wearing oneshe had on a coat-styled dress.2

By the 1970s, the calls became far more casual, evenreplaced by group cookouts at the home of the com-manding officer. When the training of women officerswas integrated with the male officers, large groupsmade calls in dress uniforms at one of the officers'clubs on the base.

Awards

Awards for honor graduates of the officer candidateand basic courses have varied with none standing outin the manner of a tradition. The Marine Corps As-sociation has from time to time given wrist watchesor dress emblems to the candidate finishing first inher class. The Women Marines Association, for someyears, presented the honor woman with a statuette ofMolly Marine.

1973-1977

The Woman Officer Candidate Course and Wom-an Officer Basic Course underwent numerous stylis-tic but no philosophical changes for 25 years. It mustbe said that women officers were being prepared forthe limited duties they were allowed to perform. The

Officer candidates shared a messhall with the permanent personnel of the 1VM Com-pany. The future lieutenants could be identified by the "OC7pins worn on their lapels.

1

140

I 1.1e=VI:R,

A


4

I ki 1

Navy nUrse Mattie!' innoCulates Officer CandidateNancy A. Carroll in the woman Marine dispensary atMarine Corps Schools, Quantico, in October 1957.

expanded role played by women in the Corps in theyears after the Pepper Board, increased interest incareers even by married women officers, improvedretention, and unprecedented procurement success,all led to some new thinking about the training ofwomen. It also happened that in 1972 the Comman-dant of the Marine Corps, General Cushman, direct-ed the Marine Corps Development and EducationCommand at Quantico to convene a panel to studythe programs and goals for the education of Marinesto determine if they, in fact, supported Marine Corpsneeds.3 The results, submitted on 31 May 1972 by thechairman, Colonel William E Saunders, Jr., includedthe recommendation that when facilities permitted theWOBC and The Basic School should be merged intoa single command and male and female officer can-didates be trained in a single course. The action wouldmean the disestablishment of WOS and the activa-tion of a woman Marine company in HeadquartersBattalion, MCDEC.4

Regarding the section of the study pertaining to thewomen's schools, the Commandant, on 20 February1973, approved the idea to relocate WOBC to CampBarrett when facilities would allow and the integra-tion of portions of the instruction given by the twoschools. He specifically stated, "The disestablishmentof the Woman Officer School is not anticipated."5 Hisfinal words, "The study.. . . will have far-reaching im-pact on shaping Marine Corps professional and aca-

The major part of the candidate's day was spent in the classroom. The women picturedhere wearing the two-Piece seersucker uniform and cotton lisle hose are members of thefirst p0-World War IP Woman Officer Training Class held at Quantico, in 1949.

'At

4,4.241

4

141.


,

Candidates board a "cattle car' for weekly swimming class at Quantico in late 1950s.

demic education in the future,"8 proved prophetic forwomen Marines.

Lieutenant General Robert P. Keller, CommandingGeneral, MCDEC, finding the operation of WOS asa separate entity to be inefficient, transferred the com-pany of women Marines from the cognizance of WOSto Headquarters Battalion as Company B on 11 June19737 The next day WOS was disestablished as a com-mand and redesignated as a school within the educa-tion center, and its commanding officer became thedirector.

Concurrently, the administration but not the train-ing of women officer candidates was placed under thecontrol of the Director of the Officer CandidatesSchool. The 32d Woman Officer Candidate Class(WOCC) was entered into the records as Company W,with both WOS and the Officer Candidates Schoolperforming the administration. On 13 August 1973,the academic section of WOS moved to The BasicSchool and two days later the newly commissionedofficers of the 32d WOBC moved into quarters atGraves Hall, Camp Barrett.8 From that time untilJanuary 1977 the women officer students were trainedin separate, independent companies, receiving selectedacademic and leadership instruction from The BasicSchool staff. Course curriculum varied in length from10 to 12 weeks.

Closer ties were made with the Officer Candidates

School when the reporting date for the 35th WOCCwas scheduled so that its graduation date would coin-cide with that of the 90th OCC on 20 December 1974.The two separate classes shared related training, par-ticipated in a combined parade on 19 December 1974

Future BGen Margaret A. Brewer, then a captain, in-spects o cer candidates at MCS, Quantico in 1959.

^4,-

142

Lea


at Brown Field, and graduated together the follow-ing day. Once again, to save personnel and to avoidduplication of training effort, the CommandingGeneral, MCDEC, had recommended that WOS bedissolved, suggesting 20 December, graduation day ofthe 35th WOCC, as a target dateP Accordingly, WOSwas disestablished and the WOCC and the WOBCwere mainvained as separate courses under the direc-tion of the Officer Candidates School and The BasicSchool respectively.

Towards Total Integration

At The Basic School, Company L (Lima Company),became the company of student women officers. In _1976 Major Barbara E. Dolyak, in the course of beingbriefed for her duties as company commander, ques-tioned the differences in training given male and fe-male officers. At the time, WOBC was 12 weekscompared to 26 weeks for the men's basic course. Justas she was wondering, "Why can't the women do itn'll)the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Wil-son, published White Letter No. 5-76 on the subjectof Women Marines, and addressed it to all generalofficers, commanding officers, and officers in charge.nIn it he stressed the fact that increased opportunities

In order to pass the swimming qualification test all1960s women officer candidates were required to jumpfrom the high platform into the pool at Quantico.

143

Daily personnel inspection was held in officer can-didate barracks at Quantico, Virginia, in 1960s.

for women demanded positive leadership and manage-ment action on the part of commanders relative totheir assignment, training, utilization, and welfare. Hesuggested that the requirement for separate women'sunits be reviewed, and continued, "In the same view,commanders who are responsible for the conduct ofprofessional schools should review curricula to ensurethat the training offered prepares Marines to lead, ir-respective of sex.'1 2

The promulgation of the White Letter promptedColonel Clyde D. Dean, Commanding Officer at TheBasic School, to discuss its possible ramifications withMajor Dolyak. And so, at this time, the summer of1976, the thought of combined training for men andwomen officers was in the serious talking stage. Itgained momentum with the arrival in August of thelieutenants of the 38th WOBC, several of whom hadcompleted totally integrated Naval Reserve Officers'Training Corps (NROTC) in college. In Major Dolyak'swords, "These women were ready to go." 13 They wereenthusiastic and like a good many women of theirgeneration, they expected a more integrated trainingprogram.

During a talk to the students of TBS, the Com-manding General of MCDEC, Lieutenant GeneralJoseph C. Fegan, Jr., was questioned by the womenon their abbreviated course. They were not satisfiedwith the answer. Later, participating in a combinedfield exercise which required carrying but not firing


a weapon, the women were incensed when they wereissued rubber rifles.

Coincidentally, Lieutenant Colonel Edward M.Mockler, at The Basic School, was conducting a reviewof the program of instruction for male lieutenants.Traditionally, the mission of the school had been to:

... educate newly commissioned officers in the high stan-dards of professional knowledge, esprit de corps and leader-ship traditional in the Marine Corps to prepare them forduties of a company grade officer in the Fleet Marine Force,with particular emphasis on duties of a rifle platoon com-mander."

However, in 1976, only 18 percent of the newlycommissioned male officers were classified as infan-try officers, and in 1977 the projection was to be only12 percent. The remaining 82 percent were assignedto aviation, combat support, and combat service ele-ments, all of whom exist solely to support the infan-try unit. Plans were being made to shorten the maleofficer basic course from 26 weeks to 21 weeks and to

create an advanced infantry officer course as follow-on training for those assigned an infantry MOS. In thisway, all male officers, sharing a common educationand mindful of the interdependence between com-bat and support units, would be better prepared tolead the Marines under their command.

In the course of staff briefings on the reduced syl-labus, Major Dolyak posed the incisive question, "Ifit is essential that male Marine lawyers and supplyofficers share this commonality of experience with theinfantryman, why isn't it important for the women?" 5Lieutenant Colonel Mockler responded, "You've gotme, I don't have a logical answer.""

In Lieutenant Colonel Dolyak's view, that was theturning point in the training of women officers. Herquestion was mulled over and discussed but not im-mediately acted upon.

The Basic School carried through with the proposalfor a 21-week course, briefing first Brigadier GeneralPaul X. Kelley, Director of the Education Center and

Future Col Vea J. Smith (left), then an o cer candidate, takes a sailing lesson from LtPatsy A. Twilley, shown hoisting the sail at the Quantico docks in the summer of 1957.

_

-461.4.46

,

7,4;1

44 4

134

Va

Grooming instructor, Lt Ruth Walsh (later Woidyla)conducts class in personal makeup for newly com-missioned women officers at Quantico, in April 1969.

then Lieutedant General Fegan on 20 October 1976.The plan was sent to the Commandant in earlyNovember 1976, and on the 24th it was approved inconcept. The possibility of a combined male/femaleclass was not yet broached in either briefings or cor-respondence.

During November and December, The Basic Schoolstaff reviewed the new 21-week syllabus with an eyetoward a combined class. With this in mind, MajorDolyak visited the United States Naval Academy andthe Army's combined Officer Candidates School atFort Benning, Georgia, to discuss lessons they hadlearned in the process of integrating training. Then,on 20 December, Lieutenant General Fegan wrote theCommandant of his intention to conduct a pilot con-solidated male/female Basic Course beginning withBasic Class 3-77 (BC 3-77) on 4 January 1977.'7 TheCommandant's White Letter 5-76 was referenced asthe basis for an evaluation of the training at TBS. Theconclusion drawn was that the 60-day course for wom-en was not comparable to the 105-day course offeredmale officers. General Fegan reasoned:

In order for the woman officer to provide the Marines un-der her command with knowledgeable, professional leader-ship, it is considered that she, too, must develop an awareness

145


and understanding of such fundamental subjects as the FleetMarine Force, Marine air-ground task forces, and the fieldenviron men t.'

Timing was crucial. WOBC-39 was scheduled to be-gin in two weeks on 4 January and there would notbe another class of women until August. Quantico in-tended to move quickly and needed waivers of Ma-rine Corps policies that prohibited women from firingthe rifle and pistol for qualification and from par-ticipating in field exercises. There was never any in-tent to train women for combat, but, rather, ". . . toprovide each woman officer with . . . commonalityof origin, experience, and education in order tobroaden her perspective and make her a more effec-tive leader of those Marines placed in her charge',"

In reply to General Fegan's letter, the Commandantstated his commitment to preparing women for theirincreasing duties and responsibilities associated withtheir support role. But, he added, ". . . in conductingthe pilot program, due consideration must be givento the noncombatant role of women and to the phys-iological differences between men and women."2°Regarding weapons and tactics skills, guidance dictatedan emphsis on orientation, familiarization, and defen-sive training.

The fact that the women lieutenants had notreceived comparable physical conditioning during the

Officer candidates prepare for inspection with a coinand a ruler. Blankets pulled tightly enough to allowthe coin to bounce and an eight-inch top sheet foldare two marks of a properly made military bunk.

11.

ttir

135

,

;sic Schoolpril 1977.

rting arms, land navi-iications, and combatre divided into groupske remaining five male1, Company C (Charlie3 male and 22 female[ajor Guy A. Pete, Jr.77 TV show based ondetectives, 2d platoon

ingels."

conditions, the wom-ce in leadership posi-fatoon sergeants, squadthem heretofore out-

:n and developing thedealing with problemseviously, women lieu-


tenants took over male-dominated sections withouthaving this experience to fall back on.

Like thousands of male lieutenants before them, theWMs took part in the Basic School Landing Exercise(BaScoLEx) in which a company of student officersstorms ashore on Ons low Beach at Camp Lejeune dur-ing a practice amphibious assault. To their consterna-tion the women were bused from Quantico to CampLejeune while the men made the trip by sea. The lawforbade their service on board ship, so when at 0900,20 April 1977, about 200 male lieutenants swept acrossOns low Beach, they were confronted by the 2d Pla-toon (women) and the 5th Platoon (men) playing therole of inland aggressors.

The new twist to the BaScoLEx prompted a num-ber of remarks of a sexist nature from the men. A fewsaid the women should not be in the field at all.Others thought it unfair that the law prevented themfrom taking part in the entire exercise. Most of themen, at any rate, seemed to support the women's ef-forts and liked to see them do well in the field.

The platoon commander, Captain Austin, ac-knowledged some prejudice in the company, but shealso cited a contradictory incident which had occurredthree days before the BaScoLEx. "We all completeda 12-mile forced march and 4-m1 -Ile explained."Following the run, a male lieuter. as thecompany's worst chauvinist, gave us a smile and theokay sign. We felt accepted."2'

There were some problems at the outset, most ofwhich were expected. The women tended to strageeand bring up the rear on the long marches, but even-tually made it. Some suffered stress fractures of thelower leg just as the women at the military academieshad. A woman lieutenant on crutches was not an un-familiar sight. As the pilot program progressed, em-phasis on conditioning was stressed during scheduledperiods of physical training and by the midpoint ofthe program the female officer students were able to

keep up with their male counterparts during fieldproblems, conditioning hikes, and company runs.22

One factor that had not been anticipated and thataffected training to a degree was the intense and con-tinuous interest of the news media. Initial stories wereexpected, but not 21 weeks of interminable coverage.It became tiring for the women, distracting for themen, and a source of resentment dividing the sexes.Charlie Company found itself on the front page of Thenshington Post and in newspapers around the world.Brigadier General Kelley was questioned repeatedlyon the purpose of the combined training. He summedup the prevailing philosophy, saying:

Our decision is based on a firm conviction that our youngwomen officers must be informed on all facets of our Corps,to include rigors of field environment, if we expect themto fulfill the broad variety of tasks we have and will assignto them in our Fleet Marine Force.23

The members of the history-making 2d Platoon,Company C, BC 3-77 were:24

Second Lieutenant Linds L. BelangerSecond Lieutenant Christine A. BensonSecond Lieutenant Patricia P. BlahaSecond Lieutenant Diana C. DaySecond Lieutenant Mary A. DevlinSecond Lieutenant June M. DignanSecond Lieutenant Colleen M. FlynnSecond Lieutenant Robin C. GarrettSecond Lieutenant Megan A. GillespkSecond Lieutenant Gayle W. HanleySecond Lieutenant Georgia J. JobuschSecond Lieutenant Bonnie J. JosephSecond Lieutenant Rosa K. KnightSecond Lieutenant Janie D. LoftisSecond Lieutenant Bonnie L. MacPhersonSecond Lieutenant Jennifer J. MartellSecond Lieutenant Ann M. MilinovichSecond Lieutenant Angelica V. RitscherSecond Lieutenant Judith C. ShawSecond Lieutenant Gloria M. StottlemyreSecond Lieutenant Jo Ann Taylor

CHAPTER 11

Administration of WomenSupervision and Guidance of Women MarinesBarracksDaily RoutineDisapline

The Woman Marine Company was long a standardunit on posts and stations wherever WMs served. Itwas Colonel Towle's expressed policy that no womanMarine would serve alone and that a woman officerwould be assigned wherever enlisted women were lo-cated., Since it was bothersome to arrange billetingfor a small number of women, it naturally evolved thatwomen were only assigned to bases that could utilizeand support a sizable number and where women couldbe organized into a single WM unit. Women Marineshave long been considered an integral part of the Ma-rine Corps, and the WM company was fitted into theexisting command structure. For administrative pur-poses all WMs were carried on the rolls of the Wom-an Marine Company, which normally was part ofHeadquarters or Headquarters and Service Battalion.The table of organization of a typical WM companyindicated only the personnel required to commandand administer it: the commanding officer, the ex-ecutive officer, the first sergeant, clerks, and a policeand property NCO. The strength of the company boreno relation to the table of organization as the womenmaking up the company were filling other authoriz-ed billets throughout the base.

There has been a certain amount of confusion overthe name of WM units. Colonel Hamblet, when shewas Director of Women Marines, settled the issue in1958, drawing attention to the variety of titles in ex-istence. She cited such examples as Women MarineCompany, Headquarters and Service Battalion, CampPendleton; Women Marines Detachment Two, MarineCorps Air Station, Cherry Point; and Woman MarineCompany, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Ma-rine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. In the interestof uniformity, it was decided to use the words "Wom-an" with an "a" and "Marine" without an "s" in thetitle designations? Once in a while the WM compa-nies were given letter namesmost often CompanyD, which lent itself to the nickname, "Dolly Compa-ny?' In one instance, at Pearl Harbor in 1952-1956, thewomen Marines were Company A no recorded nick-name. At Marine Corps air stations, the women wereorganized into a detachment, which was a squadron-level unit. In these cases, the table of organization

called for a sergeant major rather than a first sergeant.

Administratively, this plan of grouping all WMs intoone company while they worked throughout the com-mand, differed from the organization of male Marineswho were attached to a company within the same bat-talion for which they worked. For the male Marine,his work supervisor and his company commander werein the same chain of command; for the WM, her worksupervisor could belong to one battalion while hercommanding officer belonged to another. A cooper-ative spirit among commands was absolutely essentialsince often the interests of the work supervisor andthose of the commanding officer clashed. Leave andliberty, for example, were granted by the command-ing officer, based upon a written release by the worksupervisor. Company duty assignments, inspections,and barracks field nights infringed on women's workresponsibilities and vice versa. On matters of dis-cipline, if a work supervisor put a woman on report,it was handled not within his chain of command, butthrough her wmpany and, when necessay, battalion.

In spite of these areas of potential conflict, the sys-tem worked relatively smoothly from 1948 until 1974when an emphasis on a "total Marine Corps" broughtinto question the need for separate women's com-mands. An ad hoc committee met in 1973 and madea number of proposals which opened new career op-portunities for women in the Marine Corps and alsorecommended changes in policies that tend to set thewomen apart as if a separate entity. As women movedinto more and more previously all-male fields, com-manders challenged the tradition of woman Marinecompanies. From posts and stations came the sugges-tion to disband the units and to treat the women asall other Marines. The Commandant's White LetterNo. 5-76 also addressed this matter:

With the achievement of more complete integration ofwomen, the requirement for separate women's units shouldbe reviewed. Positive benefits can be derived from assign-ing women Marines administratively to their duty units. Dur-ing transition periods, you may find it desirable to establishadditional duty billets for a woman officer or staff noncom-missioned officer to work as "Special Assistants" in provid-ing guidance relative to woman Marine matters?

8

137

ADMINISTRATION OF WOMEN 139

a separate platoon, and thought was being given tointegrating the women into the male platoons.4

At Quantico, things were handled differently.. Af-ter the deactivation of the WM company in 1976 wom-en Marines from 11 Marine Corps Development andEducation Center units lived in three barracks. Thatfall it was decided to put the women under one roofagain and a new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters was reno-vated for them? This system paralleled the one in ex-istence in 1977 at Cherry Point where the WMdetachment was deactivated on 31 December 1974.The women were administratively transferred to thevarious squadrons and the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing,but they remained in the same barracks they hadpreviously occupied. Under this arrangement, a wom-an NCO was responsible for the barracks, its cleanli-ness, maintenance, and security. She checked womenin and out, held linen call, and prepared duty rosters.On a three-month assignment, she was away from herregular job for that length of time?

These barracks NCOs, like Corporal Kay Frazier atTwentynine Palms in 1975, Staff Sergeant SandraHoolailo at Quantico, and Sergeant Carol Fox at Cher-ry Point in 1977 found that they were involved in manyareas formerly handled by women commandingofficers or first sergeants. Disputes between room-mates, personal problems, and work dissatisfactionwere some of the matters brought to the NCO. In-fractions of barracks regulations and the preparationof duty rosters still required coordination between thebattalion or squadron maintaining the barracks andthe duty units of the women.

Sergeant Fox, who was stationed at Cherry Pointwhen WMD-2 was active, and who carried the colorsat the deactivation ceremonies, compared both sys-tems. In her view, the women had more esprit andwere a closer unit when under one command. Thecommanding officer and first sergeant Icnew the wom-en personally and were interested in them as in-dividuals. Since the deactivation of the detachment,Sergeant Fox felt that unit pride had virtually disap-peared; the barracks was no longer a scrupulously cleanshowplace; WM activities, like picnics or ball games,were nonexistent; and the women never paraded ormarched as a unit. She particularly recalled the spiritand pride they had felt in the past after events suchas IG inspections.7 Private First Class Katie Jones Dix-on and Lance Corporal Judith Coy, interviewed atCherry Point were, on the other hand, quite satisfiedwith the arrangement and voiced no complaints.8

One found, in 1977, senior WMs, officer and en-listed, who were unsure of the merits of the newer wayfor two reasons: first, deactivation of WM companieseliminated the primary source of command experiencefor company grade officers; and second, the WM com-pany was a source of group spirit and pride for thewomen Marines. A not uncommon sentiment was thatwomen would never truly be accepted as Marines bymale Marines, and therefore they needed some visi-ble unit to identify with. Othersmost often juniorWMs saw the deactivation of WM companies as asign that women Marines were truly Marines and nota separate corps.

An offshoot of the deactivation of WM companieswas the new experience for women having male com-manding officers and the novel experience for themencommanding women. Staffs of mixed genderwere no longer unusual, and male Marines were notapt to suffer fits of apoplexy when reporting in andfinding the company clerk or executive officer wear-ing a skirt.

Colonel Margaret A. Brewer, the Director of Wom-en Marines during this period of change, when askedif she thought that the venture of integrating womeninto male units was successful, answered that muchdepended upon the quality of the leadership. Wherethe commanding officers took positive steps to inte-grate the women and to make them feel welcome, thesystem worked? Women Marines told her that theyfelt more like Marines like they belonged. More im-portantly, the men took the trouble to learn aboutWMs, their regulations, concerns, and problems. Ithappened less frequently that male Marines called onWM officers and SNCOs to handle the routine mat-ters involving women: uniform discrepancies, poorwork habits, and lapses in military courtesy. Some "oldsalts" discovered that the presence of a few WMs hada beneficial effect on behavior, language, and dis-cipline of the entire unit.

Supervision and Guidanceof Women Marines

A long-standing tradition, wherever WM com-panies were found, was that all women Marine officersand staff noncommissioned officers regardless of theirassignment, accepted some responsibility for the com-pany. The commanding officer naturally had theprimary responsibility of administration, discipline,training, morale, and billeting of the enlisted WMs,but all company grade officers, SNCOs, and NCOsstood WM company duty; took their turn giving lec-

fkl 4.1

150


tures on the training schedule; were apt to be assignedas platoon leaders; and attended all company-sponsored athletic and social happenings. Every WMsecond lieutenant left Quantico well indoctrinatedwith the idea that the health, happiness, performance,and appearance of all WMs junior to her were mat-ters of her concern, and the same theme was reiterat-ed in all phases of NCO training.

Colonel Towle set the example in the very begin-ning when, in 1949, she invited all newly integratedWM officers to her apartment for tea. LieutenantColonel Munn remembers the care with which theydressed hat and gloves and in 1977 reflected onhow wise it was of the colonel to bring them alltogether, even though they worked throughout theHeadquarters.

Colonel Harnblet, who succeeded Colonel Towle asDirector of Women Marines, believed that senior wom-en Marines, officer and enlisted, in their relationshipwith juniors, should be concerned with the "total" per-son and her development. The receptions that wom-en Marines customarily gave for the Director when shemade her annual visit were a part of this philosophy.The purpose was not only to give the women and theDirector an opportunity to meet informally and lookeach other over, but it was an enjoyable way to learnsomething about entertaining, extending invitations,making introductions, and carrying on social conver-sations. In most cases, the work supervisors and theirwives were invited and in Colonel Hamblet's view, itwas beneficial for them to see the WMs in their ownenvironment often leading to a better understand-ing between the sexes.

To be sure, not all the women wanted to get involvedin these affairs, but gentle persuasion and a little well-directed leadership on the part of the commandingofficer and the first sergeant worked wonders. Veryoften, younger women were uncomfortable with theprospect of entertaining senior Marines and this ac-counted for their apparent disinterest. When the partywas over, obviously a success, and when the womenreceived the compliments of the invited Marines andtheir ladies, they were in Colonel Hamblet's words,tl.

. pleased as punch."

All women staff noncommissioned officers took anactive role in the supervision and guidance of youn-ger WMs. They were considered a vital link betweenthe commanding officer and her women, spottingpotential problems and alert to changes in mood andmorale. During the 13-year period between the time

r.. r

1 51

postwar enlistment was opened to nonveterans in Janu-ary 1949 until World War II WMs began to retire in1962, there existed a group of staff noncommissionedofficers, older and more experienced, who felt a realobligation to the younger Marines. Due to the fact thatthere was no recruiting of women from 1945 to 1949,and because the WMs Were at least 20 years old whenthey enlisted during the war, the age difference wasquite pronounced. First Sergeant Schultz remembersthat when the enlistment age was lowered to 18, theofficers and NCOs felt a real obligation to ". . . theseyoungsters."' °

Women Marines who served in the 1950s and early1960s tell many anecdotes that attest to thc concernof these SNCOs for the WMs junior to ,them. Onename often mentioned was that of Master SergeantLucretia E. Williams, retired in 1976, a supply NCOwho was known to buy items for the barracks and messhall out of her own money. When the WMs sched-uled ball games or hikes, she often arranged for cooldrinks and then carried the large thermos jugs to thefield herself." Colonel Hilgart remembers a time asthe commanding officer of WMD-1 when a snafu heldup a check meant to pay for a WM ball team trip andMaster Sergeant Williams appeared at the companyoffice with a personal check for over $200.12

Another woman remembered by many is MasterSergeant Catherine G. Murray who on 30 November1962 became the first enlisted woman Marine to trans-fer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve at the comple-tion of nearly 20 years of service. Master SergeantMurray could be found in the barracks every Sundaymorning rousing up all the Roman Catholics and driv-ing them to Mass. Returning with one group from theearly service, she gathered up more for the next one.All women with obvious Irish or Italian names werepresumed Catholics and taken to church. Major JoanCollins, as an enlisted WM at Quantico, was a mem-ber of Master Sergeant Murray's "Volunteer" groupthat helped the nuns prepare the altar at nearby St.Francis parish in Triangle, Virginia. A Lutheran withan lrish name, she nonetheless spent three consecu-tive Saturdays cleaning and arranging altar cloths.'3

Warrant Officer Eileen R. Scanlon relates anotherstory that typifies the relationship of these women tothe WM company. On a bitter cold day in January1961, the women Marines of Henderson Hall marchedin President Kennedy's inaugural parade. The wom-en having been instructed to dress warmly, layeredflannel pajamas, woolen bermuda shorts, and whatever


else they could fit under their uniforms. Not able towear boots in a parade, they wore woolen socks cutoff at the top so as not to show above the oxfords. Butsimple advice was not enough. Before leaving the bar-racks, all the SNCOs went through the squadbays in-specting each woman to ensure she had carried outthe instructions."

Several factors have combined to change the roleplayed by women officers and staff noncommission-ed officers in the supervision and guidance of womenMarines and the very personal concern evidenced inthe incidents related above is now relatively rare. Inthe late 1960s, as a result of recommendations madeby the Woman Marine Program Study Group, wom-en SNCOs were allowed to move out of the barracks,and more officers were given permission to move offbase, making them far less accessible.15 Attrition wasmuch higher in the 1950s and 1960s before the changein regulations which allowed women with children toremain on active duty, thereby causing a shortage ofolder, mature SNCOs. Finally, the World War II WMsbegan to retire in 1962 and the women Marines lostthis nucleus of officers and noncommissioned officerswhich for many years felt a special motherly respon-sibility to new WMs and to the success of the WMprogram.

Barracks

Marines have never disputed the philosophy thatmen are different from women. But even acknowledg-ing th;s or expecting it in no way lessened the initialjolt ra a male "old salt" the first time he set foot ina WM barracks. Women are vitally concerned withtheir living areas, they spend more time in their quart-ers, and they have needs unique to the distaff com-munity.

Colonel Streeter and her officers in World War IIrecognized these things early on and even in the midstof a war felt it was important to insist upon certainamenities for the women. A guest lounge became stan-dard. One room, usually furnished with comfortablechairs, sofa, TV (later), and record player was set asideto greet and entertain male guests. The regulationsregarding proper attire and behavior were quite strict:Marines, men and women, had to dress in full uni-forms or comparable civilian clothing. For the wom-en, sportswear, shorts, or slacks were definitely notconsidered appropriate for the guest lounge.

Very often the barracks boasted a sewing room, hairdryers, refrigerators, and some cooking equipment.Adequate laundry appliances were the subject of nosmall number of memoranda from the Director's

Early in the 1950s women were issued a dresser and permitted to display one stuffedanimal per bunk as shown in this photograph taken at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

152

142

"1, .,


'gka

..

."r

In the 1970s, a move from less military to more feminine and personalized decoratingwas allowed in the WM barracks. Colo7ful bed spreads as pictured here were popular.

office. It had to be explained that women, as opposedto men, do not send personal clothing to commerciallaundries and therefore needed more washingmachines, dryers, and ironing boards than governmentspecifications allowed. There was some feeling amongWMs of that era that, in the end, the men's barrackshad been improved and better equipped as an out-growth of the women's insistence on nicer living con-ditions.

Barracks life in the days of the open squadbays of-fered little privacy, so whenever possible, the com-manding officer would set aside a "quiet room." It wasa place to read, to study, to write letters, or to cry:it helped fulfill a woman's need to just be alone. Forprivacy's sake another distinguishing mark of the dis-taff barracks took holdthe fence. Discreetly, a fencehid from public view the dainty unmentionables dry-ing on the clothes line while at the same time provid-ing a spot for sunbathing.

Where the WMs excelled at making a squadbay ahome was in the decoration of their individual areas.Before the Department of Defense regulations requir-ing more space and privacy were published in 1973,most Marines were quartered in open squad roomsoutfitted with double metal bunks, lockers, and lockerboxes.'6 Wooden dressers were a concession to thewomen, and normally had to be shared. Much in-genuity went into the arrangement of the furnitureto form cubicles, thereby assuring a measure of priva-cy to the several occupants.

A persuasive commanding officer could often talkthe battalion commander and S-4 into pastel coloredpaint a very radical innovation in the 1950s. Coloredrugs, bedspreads, and towels; perfume bottles, pray-er books, and photos on the dressers; and finallystuffed animals on the bunks were all privileges even-tually won, but often not easily. To keep some sem-blance of order, the company regulations specified how


many items per dresser, and how many stuffed dollsby size per bunk.

Understandably, many male Marines had a difficulttime adjusting to this desecration of a barracks. Be-fore long, however, the idea gained remarkable accep-tance, and at most posts and stations the WM barrackswas a mainstay on the itinerary of visiting dignitaries.

Daily Routine

Life on board a Marine base in 1977 would havebeen only vaguely familiar to the WM of 1949 or even1959. The most obvious difference would have focusedon the barracks building itself, apt to be motel-likewith outside entrances for each room or hotel-like withrooms opening on a long passageway. Closets anddressers would have replaced lockers and locker boxesand the metal double bunks would have becomeunknown items of the past. Reveille would still cometoo soon, but would be more likely to be announcedover a public address system than by means of a bugle.

WMs, until the mid-1950s, held an outdoor forma-tion at rollcall each morning, summer and winter, inutilities. Since then rollcalls have become less :,nd lessregimented and are generally taken by an NCO vviththe Marines standing by in their areas.17

Mess halls, once furnished with long tables andbenches, have become known as dining facilities andfeature restaurant-style tables and chairs. Mandatorychow formations for the morning and evening mealsare all but a memory since 1960. The requirement towear a uniform to the mess hall was eased to allowcivilian clothing first on weekends, then for the even-ing meal, and finally for all meals. In 1977, at Hen-derson Hall, appropriate attire for the dining facilitypermitted neat, but not frayed jeans and excluded onlyshorts, halters, tank tops, and physical trainingoutfits.' 8

Liberty cards and liberty logs also had joined "OldCorps" lore by 1970. Before that time all Marinessigned out with the barracks duty NCO, and each was

By 1975 at a few bases women were assigned motel-like looms as the one pictured here.

154


closely inspected to see that he or she was properlydressed. WM company regulations generally went astep further. At most commands women Marines couldnot sign out on liberty after a certain time, perhaps2130 or 2200, and liberty often expired within an hourafter the service clubs closed. Cinderella liberty, as itwas called, and the motherly concern of command-ing officers, served to challenge the inventiveness ofthe women who found some ingenious ways to circum-vent the rules.

The WM of 1977 walked out of the barracks at will.Dressed in slacks, she did not find it necessary to provethat she was going to participate in an active sport.Shorts did not have to be covered by a modest skirt,and wearing jeans was not strictly limited to car wash-ing in the immediate vicinity of the barracks. She wasexpected to be back on time by reveille, but beyondthat she was largely her own boss.

Discipline

Regulations regarding apprehension, arrest, restric-tions, and confinement, from a technical standpointhave been equally applicable to all Marines, however,philosophical and practical consideration have dictatedunequal enforcement. The differences primarly in-volve investigative procedures and confinement poli-cies. Since women did not have a military obligation,there was a tacit agreement that the best interests ofthe Marine Corps were served by removal of habitualoffenders. WMs who just could not adjust to militarylife, who caused more work than they produced, andwho had a negative effect on command morale anddiscipline were, when possible, administratively dis-charged. The Marine Corps expeditious discharge pro-gram, which was initiated in 1975 to improve thequality of personnel serving in the Corps, was basedon much the same idea.

The interrogation of women poses problems forboth civilian and military police. In order to protectwomen from abuse and at the same time to protectthe police from false accusations, authorities usuallydemand the attendance of a woman witness duringthe questioning. It had been Marine Corps policy torequire on these occasions the presence of a womanofficer or mature staff noncommissioned of-ficersenior to the woman being interrogated whocould counsel and advise the suspect. The accusedcould waive this privilege as long as it was done in writ-ing and before a woman officer or her own command-ing officer.

For a time it was planned to train enough womeninvestigators so that each post and station would haveavailable a capable officer or NCO to assist the provostmarshal when necessary. There was no intention to as-sign these women to any sort of police duty. SecondLieutenant Marjorie E. O'Hanlon and Ruth F. Rein-holz were the first two women Marine officers to at-tend Provost Marshal General's School InvestigativeOfficers Course at Camp Gordon, Georgia, from 6 Julyto 2 September 1953. The two-month class coveredsurveillance techniques, photography, fingerprinting,and interrogation. The women were well trained butthe idea backfired. No one, not even their best friends,trusted the new investigators, and after sending womenMarines to several more classes, the project wasabandoned.19

There always existed a reuctance to confine wom-en, and policy prohibited the use of brigs and guard-houses for them. Those guilty of civil crimes could besent to civilian prisons. Women who rated confine-ment as a result of a court martial were more apt tobe restricted to the barracks and fineda punishmentthat did not require posting a guard.

When WM companies were routine, and if the of-fense was serious, women could be confined in the bar-racks. A number of barracks had a room set asidespecifically for that purpose. It was sparsely furnish-ed, had a door with a small window, and could belocked from the passageway. The conacment or awoman Marine in the barracks invariably affected themorale of the entire unit. Gualds were posted aroundthe clock causing many extra duty assignments for theNCOs; meals had to be brought in; and merely pass-ing the locked door was unnerving to the others.2°

With the disbandment of WM companies and theresultant loss of appropriate barracks, confinementposed additional problems. Punishment had notnecessarily been diminished; on the contrary, policychanges have allowed a more liberal use of civilian jails.In 1977, a woman Marine convicted by a court mar-tial could face restriction plus a fine or detention inan approved civilian prison depending Upon thejudgment of the commanding officer.

Based on the number of courts martial per totalstrength, the woman Marine disciplinary rate was lessthan one percent?, Although there have been fewcases, each one is disproportionately magnified dueto the very rarity of occurrence and the lingeringhesitancy to confine women.

155

CHAPTER 12

PromotionsPublic Law 90-130Enlisted Promotions

By law women officers had always been selected forpromotion under a different process and by separateboard action from their male colleagues. The provi-sions of the Armed Forces Integration Act of 1948 helduntil 1967 when certain restrictions were lifted.'

For 20 years women in the Marine Corps as well asthe other Services could aspire to no higher perma-nent rank than lieutenant colonel. Additionally, thenumber of women allowed to serve in the grades ofmajor and lieutenant colonel was rigidly limited bythe number of regular women officers on active duty.As the women officers who integrated in the 1948-1950period moved into the field grade ranks, two thingsoccurred: it became irksome to them to stagnate foryears in one rank as the male officers passed them by;and the upper ranks were virtually closed until themid-1960s when these women became eligible to re-tire. During these years, women were selected for pro-motion by a separate board convened to consider allwomen officer ranks. The limited duty officer pro-gram, a major opportunity open to male enlisted Ma-rines to achieve commissioned rank, was legally closedto women Marines.

Warrant officer status has been available to womenand the early history of the first women Marine war-rant officers is told in a letter from CWO-4 Ruth L.Wood:

Of course the biggest event for me was being selected forwarrant officer. On 14 April 1952 we took the 3-hour ex-amination. I believe there were about 57 women applicants,and Lillian Hartley (Disbursing) and I (Administration) werethe two lucky ones selected. We took the same exam themen did, at the same time, which included making deci-sions on questions whether to dig a one-man or a two-manfox hole, when to retreat from an air strip and by whoseauthority, etc.! A couple of years later when the Marine Corpsdecided to select another woman warrant, the Testing andEducation Unit at Quantico called me, as I was stationedat QuantIco, to say they couldn't find a copy of the "wom-en's main" and were quite astonished when I told them wetook the men's exam. They proceeded to make a separateexam for the women.

Lillian Hartley was stationed at HQMC so she receivedher warrant soon after selection. Mine didn't come so Col-onel Hamblet called HQMC to ask about it as she wantedto assign me as adjutant and instructor at the Women Of-ficer Training Detachment there before the next class be-

gan. At the time, Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet was thecommanding officer of the detachment and not Directorof Women Marines. When they told her the delay in mywarrant was due to the break down of the "fancy typewriter,"she suggested they write it in longhand if necessary to getit down here! It soon came typed, but not in the "fancytype."

Lillian Hartley's and my date of rank was 13 June 1952,but in the "Blue Book" (Combined Lineal List of Officerson Active Duty) I was listed first for some reason, with aman next, and then Lillian Hartley, so I am the senior wom-an warrant officer. Three years later we made CWO-2. Thatsame year we had the opportunity to apply for permanentwarrant officer, and on 16 Dec 1955 the list came out show-ing we had been selected over again with a permanent dateof rank of 1 July 1954, and Lotus Mort was selected witha permanent date of 14 Dec 1955. Margaret Robertson wasselected in 1956, Alice McIntyre in 1957, Elaine Freemanin 1958, and Mary Thompson in 1959, none in 1960, thenone a year for some time thereafter.

When on 1 Jan 1961 I was the first woman promoted toCWO-4, they made a big event of it (altho I had been thefirst CWO-2 and CWO-3 also so it was quite logical!), andI made permanent CWO-4 on 13 June 1967.2

A change was made in the warrant officer programin 1975 when for the first time women warrant officersattended the Warrant Officer Basic School with theirmale counterparts.

Public Law 90-130

The first signifkant change in law directly affectingservicewomen occurred when Congress enacted Pub-lic Law 90-130. In a colorful ceremony in the EastRoom of the White House, President Lyndon B. John-son on 8 November 1967 signed into law the bill giv-ing women officers in the armed forces equalopportunity for promotion with their male colleagues.Present at the signing were servicewomen and formerservicewomen, including directors and former direc-tors of the WAC, WAVES, WAF, Women Marines, thethree Nurse Corps, and three Women's Medical Serv-ice Corps. High-ranking male officers were there aswell, including members of the Joint Chiefs of Sta.ff.

The Marine Band, which normally plays at Presiden-tial ceremonies, relinquished the stage for the occa-sic ,n to the 14th U.S. Army Band, the only all-womenofficial band in the Armed Forces. The United Statesflag and the flags of the various services were carried

156

145


1411 ilI V 11,pilifi, ')-.

1

(

1011P af , )1 ,1,vtm;Iv,i,INIW07,;11

'' -r;lrfi4Itl..1111/11$11,04`;{14c,

f

\tl. I 'Mlir 40 1:`,1%;)" iii!ii'llli A,1/A.0,,p/ i

hl i

f

/II

'1 1 i 1,111i I I li, 1

10111111:,.,1,,,,11:i;l!PII111; '

iq PI V

WO Lillian Hatiley, one of the first two women Marines to be promoted to wanant officer,receives congratulations from Col Katherine A. Towle, 1FM Director, on 7 August 1952.

by a color guard of enlisted women, .and the Presi-dent entered the East Room through a cordon of 50women from all branches of the Services, including12 women Marines.

Heading the list of Marines present at the ceremo-ny was General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., then Com-mandant. Four of the five women who had heldappointment as Director of Women Marines were inattendance: Colonels Ruth Cheney Streeter, Julia E.Hamblet, Margaret M. Henderson, and Barbara J.Bishop. Sergeant Majors Ouida Craddock and RosaHarrington topped the roster of enlisted women Ma-rines at the historic ceremony.3

Significant among the President's remarks was thestatement that:

Our Armed Forces literally cotIld not operate effectivelyor efficiently without our women . . So, both as Presidentand as the Commander in Chief, I am very pleased and veryproud to have this measure sent to me by the Congress.4

15

This long-awaited law repealed the legal limitationson the number of women in the Armed Services andalso removed some, but not all, of the assignment andpromotion restrictions. There were still certain legallimitations such as the prohibition against the ap-pointment of women as limited duty officers, the le-gal limitations on the promotion of women officersto flag and general officer rank in the Navy and Ma-rine Corps, and the differences in the criteria for theinvoluntary separation of male and female officers whowere not selected for promotion. In the Marine Corps,a male first lieutenant or captain was involuntarilyseparated if he was considered as having twice failedselection for promotion to the next higher grade.Historically, due to the upper rank promotion restric-tions for women, a female first lieutenant or captainwas not involuntarily separated until she had complet-ed seven or 13 years of commissioned service, respec-tively, and was not on a promotion list.

The law also precluded female commissioned of-

PROMOTIONS 147

ficers in the Marine Corps from competing for pro-motion with male officers. This restriction combinedwith the smaller numbers of women officers made itdifficult to maintain an equitable rank structure. Asa result, women officers by the 1970s were sometimespromoted earlier than their male contemporaries. Inorder to achieve comparability, a goal was set to slowdown the women's promotions and to "age them ingrade." A selection board was not convened in 1976to consider women for the rank of colonel nor in 1977to consider selections to lieutenant colonel. In somecases, as a result, a few women served more time ingrade than average.

Although the law required selection boards for maleand female Marine officers, women since August 1974had been selected for promotion by the same board

membership as the men with the addition of a wom-an officer. If that woman officer was a colonel, she alsoserved as a member of the male officer selection board.

The law further precluded the selection of a wom-an officer to flag and general officer rank in the Navyand Marine Corps although there was a provkion fortemporary appointment as a rear admiral or brigadiergeneral while serving in specific billets.5

On the positive side, PL 90-130 allowed for per-manent promotions to colonel for women. In April1968, some six months after it was enacted, selectionboards were convened at Headquarters Marine Corpsto select Regular and Reserve women lieutenant col-onels for promotion. Colonels Towle and Hambletwere called from retirement to sit on these boards. TheDirector of Women Marines, Colonel Barbara Bishop,

, Lotus T. Mort, third woman Marine to be appointed a permanent warrant o cer, receivesher new insignia from Col Julia E. Ham blet (left), Director of Women Marines, andLtCol Pauline B. Beckley, in a ceremony at Headquarters Marine Corps, in January 1956.

158


and Lieutenant Colonel Jeanette Sustad, formerDeputy Director of Women Marines, were the firstRegular women officets selected for permanent pro-motion to the grade of colonel. Of the six Reserveofficers selected, two, Lieutenant Colonel Hazel E.Benn, deputy head of the Special Services Branch atHeadquarters, and Lieutenant Colonel Ruth H. Broe,special projects officer for the Division of Information,were serving on active duty. The four remainingReserve colonels were Lieutenant Colonels Mary L.Condon, Helen A. Wilson, Dorothy R. Dietz, and Ril-da M. Stuart.°

Enlisted Promotions

For the most part, promotions for enlisted womenin the Marine Corps were made under the same poli-cies and by the same boards as for the men. Exceptin scattered individual cases, there has never existedthe dissatisfaction or charges of sex discrimina-tionvoiced either by WMs who felt held back or bymale Marines who thought the women to befavored that was evident in the case of officer pro-motions.

The notable exception was the first sergeant and ser-geant major program opened by the Marine Corps in1955. At first only male Marines were eligible and theDirector, Colonel Hamblet, fought the exclusion forthree years. In a report dated 21 September 1956 af-ter noting the defined duties of the first sergeants andsergeants major, she reasoned that all of them applyequally to men and women Marines. She continued:

Paragraph 4 g, however, denies the program to womenon the basis that the "senior NCO present must have thecapability of leading the unit in a combat, or other typesituation.

It is felt that it is uniealistic to deny the first ser-geant/sergeant major program to women on thc basis thatthey cannot supervise a unit in the field nor lead a unit incombat. The mission of male Marines, officer and enlisted,is preparedness for combat; however, we do not refuse tocommission women officers because they cannot lead com-bat platoons nor do we fail to promote enlisted women fromprivate to master sergeant because they cannot serve "in thefield."

Attention is invited to the fact that women Marines didattend First Sergeants School, were designated first ser-geants/sergeant major, and did wear the distinctive insigniaof those ranks during World War H; consequently, a prece-dent for the appointment of women Marines to first ser-geants/sergeant major definitely exists?

Recognizing the futility of her cause at the time,Colonel Hamblet made two practical recommenda-

tions that were in the realm of possibility. She askedthat the:

. . . first sergeant/sergeant major program be opened towomen Marines in event of national emergency when notonly would the increased strength and billets in the wom-en's program justify their selection, but undoubtedly wom-en would, as they did during World War H, replace malefirst sergeants/sergeants major who were ordered to combatduty.8

and that:... the policy be continued that women's units will have

billets designated for first sergeants/sergeants major and thewomen assigned to these billets will hold the billet title whileso serving even though they are not authorized the disdn c-five insignia.°

Two years later, on 20 November 1958, she per-sonally brought her case to the Commandant, GeneralPate, and on the following day she submitted a reportof the conversation to the chief of staff. She wrote:

The pros and cons of selecting women Marines for thepermanent rank of sergeant major and first sergeant to fillsergeant major and first sergeant billets existing within thewomen's program were discussed. The Commandant and theundersigned were in accord that because of the limited num-ber of these billets (probably 3 sergeants major and 10 firstsergeants) it would not be in the best interests of the Ma-rine Corps to select women to these ranks and restrict theirassignment to the few billets in the women's program. In-stead, it would appear more advantageous to have thewomenfilling these billets have the rank, pay, title, and insigniawhile so assigned. It vas agreed that the selection ofwom !en for these billets would rest with the Director of WomenMarines.10

The brevet system discussed by the Commandantand Colonel Hamblet materialized when MarineCorps Order 1421.6, dated 3 May 1960, was publish-ed ailowing for temporary appointments to first ser-geant. and sergeant major for women. They were notconsidered to be promotions as the women eligiblefor them had to be master gunnery sergeant in orderto move into the sergeant major slot or master ser-geants to become first sergeantsactually comparablepay grades.

These top-rated enlisted women held the appoint-ment, wore the appropriate chevrons, and received fullpay and the privileges of the rank as long as they werein the designated billets and reverted to their perma-nent rank on transfer out of the jobs. At the time,there were three sergeants major billets: the senior en-listed women at the Woman Recruit Training Battal-ion at Parris Island; the Women Marines Detachmentat Quantico; and in the office of the Director of Wom-en Marines. There were 10 first sergeant spots, one at

PROMOTIONS

CWO4 Ruth L. 'Food, the first woman Marine to achieve that grade, has her insigniaof rank pinned on by Col Clifford P. Quilici and Col Charles E. Dobson, in 1966.

each of the existing women Marine companies whichwere then located at: Headquarters Marine Corps;Quantico; Norfolk; Cherry Point; Camp Lejeune; ParrisIsland; San Diego; Camp Pendleton; El Toro; andFMFPac, Hawaii."

By modern standards, the policy appears restrictive,but, in fact, the brevet system was adopted to protectthe women. The policies governing assignments ofwomen at the time prohibited them from serving inthese billets in male organizations. Had the appoint-ment been permanent, the 13 women would havebeen limited to these billets, thereby restricting theirpotential utilization and at the same time, preclud-ing others from serving as sergeants major and firstsergeants.

As it turned out, for a number of years, there wereso few women master gunnery sergeants that it wasnot until December 1964 that a woman Marine eligi-ble for a sergeant major appointment reported to ParrisIsland. Sergeant Major Doris Derrick was the first WMto be authorized the chevrons, pay, and privileges in-herent in the title of Sergeant Major, Woman RecruitTraining Battalion.'2

149

Women who served in the temporary positionscould, upon retirement, ask for a permanent ap-pointment to first sergeant or sergeant major as ap-propriate, providing they had performed satisfactorilyin the rank for at least a year.

The brevet system was in effect for 12 years. Sur-prisingly, the suggestion that women be promoted per-manently to the top enlisted ranks came from a man,the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Joseph W.Daily. In a memorandum to the Commandant dated1 November 1971, the sergeant major stated:

It is realized that billets for Women Marine First Ser-geants/Sergeants Major are few. However, I feel the Wom-en Marines are treated unfairly, not being able to competeon the same promotion system as Male Marines. This sub-ject was brought up as an agenda item at the SNCO Sym-posium. The vote was 95 percent in favor for WomenMarines to be promoted to First Sergeant/Sergeant Majorthe same as Male Marines. It was surprising to learn the num-ber of Male Marines who were unaware of the fact that Wom-en Marines were not promoted the same as males in thosetwo ranks.13

Furthermore, the Sergeant Major endorsed the idea

ne to achkve that grade, has her insigt,ci and Col Charles E. Dobson, in 196

Women who served in the tempoicould, upon retirement, ask for a p(pointment to first sergeant or sergeantpropriate, providing they had performe(in the rank for at least a year.

The brevet system was in effect forprisingly, the suggestion that women bemanently to the top enlisted ranks cam,the Sergeant Major of the Marine CoriDaily. In a memorandum to the OMIT1 November 1971, the sergeant major

It is realized that billets for Women Maigeants/Sergeants Major are few. However, I fen Marines are treated unfairly, not being abon the same promotion system as Male Mariiject was brought up as an agenda item at theposium. The vote was 95 percent in favoiMarines to be promoted to First Sergeant/Sithe same as Male Marines. It was surprising to Iber of Male Marines who were unaware of the fen Marines were not promoted the same as rtwo ranks.13

Furthermore, the Sergeant Major end

160NI.. 44..


of women filling these positions in male units as hecontinued:

If Women Marines were ever promoted in First Ser-geant/Sergeant Major, they could fill other billets as theyare now interchangeable in many jobs with Male Marines,This would also help the Woman Marine become moreprofessional in the T.4irst Sergeant/Sergeant Major billet.

It is strongly recommended that Women Marines be giventhe same opportunitr as Male Marines in our promotion sys-tem and that it should commence with the Fiscal Year 1972Board. . .14

A debate on the issue ensued finding the Directorof Women Marines, Colonel Sustad, opposed due tothe short time given WMs to consider career alter-natives. Directives at the time allowed male gunnerysergeants to indicate on their fitness reports theirpreference for promotion to either master sergeant orfirst sergeant the selection having a bearing on theirfuture assignments. Colonel Sustad recommendedthat action be deferred until a study could be con-ducted to determine whether a permanent system orthe brevet system was actually best fitted for womenMarines.' 5

In due time, the colonel was on the side of perma-

nent promotions, and her stand received timely sup-port by way of a memorandum signed by Roger TKelley, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manpower andReserve Affairs, directing the Services to eliminate in-equities. On 31 July 1972, the Commandant of theMarine Corps approved the selection ofan unlimitednumber of women Marines as designated sergeantsmajor and first sergeants. The new policy was im-plemented by the E-81E-9 promotion board alreadyin session, having convened on 18 july.le

Apart from the particular designations as sergeantmajor and first sergeant, the ninth pay grade wasopened to women in the spring of 1960 when Geral-dine M. Moon became the first and only WM at thetime to hold the rank of master gunnery sergeant. Shewas promoted to that rank in April 1960 by CaptainValeria F. Hilgart, commanding officer of Woman Ma-rine Detachment 1, El Toro.17 Master Gunnery Ser-geant Mary G. Vaughn, believed to be the first blackwoman Marine E-9, received her promotion warrantfrom Lieutenant General John N. McLaughlin, Com-manding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, inHawaii in April 1977.

CHAPTER 13

Marriage, Motherhood, and Dependent HusbandsMarriageMotherhoodDependency RegulationsThe Military CoupleMarine Wife, Civilian Husband

Right from the start, Colonel Towle had to fieldquestions from newspeople insinuating that the Ma-rine Corps was against matrimony for women Marines.Tactfully, she, and then later, her successors, ColonelsHamblet and Henderson, assured the reporters thatMarines certainly were not antimarriage. The laws,Department of Defense regulations, and Marine Corpsregulations of the time supported their statements:marriage was indeed acceptable; husbands and chil-dren, however, posed some problems. Generally, it canbe said that from 1948 Until 1964 a woman Marinecould marry, and almost immediately ask for a dis-charge; the acquisition of natural, adopted, foster, orstepchildren under 18 years of age, in fact requireddischarge. Husbands were not considered dependentsunless they were actually dependent upon the wife formore than 50 percent of their support.

Mam'age

Under the policy in effect from 1949 until the Viet-nam War, enlisted WMs who married could ask foran administrative discharge based solely on marriage.Providing they had completed one year of their en-listment beyond basic training, they were dischargedfor the convenience of the goverment. Regular officerswere eligible for release two years after their appoint-ment. During the Korean War, regulations were morestringent, but were relaxed immediately after theemergency.' This liberal view toward discharges andrelease from contractual obligations reflected society'snegative attitude toward working wives. Needless tosay, it contributed to instability in the WM program.

With changing values, a manpower crisis in the1960s, and a need to improve the attrition rate of wom-en Marines, Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, by then theDirector, led the fight to tighten the rules. ColonelBishop reasoned that women must honor their enlist-ment contract. To make it easier, husbands and wives,whenever possible, would be stationed at the same ornearby bases. A joint household policy was put intoeffect on 14 July 1964 which stated:

A married enlisted Woman Marine may be dischargedat her written request, provided she is not stationed at orsufficiently close to the duty statioh o. residence of her hus-

band to permit thc maintenance of a joint residence, andprovided she meets all of thc following conditions,

a. A transfer request to the same or nearby duty stationor place of residence of her husband has been submittedto the Commandant of the Marine Corps and has beendenied.

b, Thc separation of husband and wife has exceeded 18months.

c. The enlisted woman is not %crying on an extension ofenlistment or reenlistment entered into subsequent tomarriage.

d. The enlisted woman has completed 24 rrfonths of ser-vice subsequent to completion of a service school if the lengthof school was more than 24 weeks,

A married woman Marine officer does not become eligi-ble for separation or release from active duty, simply be-cause of her marital status, until she has completed herperiod of obligated service (3 years),2

In August of the following year, 1965, due to thedemands of the Vietnam War, discharges based uponmarriage were suspended regardless of place of resi-dence. Then, once again, on 31 October 1966, thejoint household policy was reinstated.

The desired effect of these new regulations tolengthen the service of many WMs was realizedalmost immediately. The rate of discharges for reasonsof marriage was dramatically reduced from 18.6 per-cent in fiscal year 1964 to 6.3 percent in fiscal year 1965and, finally, to 2.3 percent in fiscal year 1966.3

Motherhood

A study group in 1943 meeting to discuss propos-ed regulations governing the discharge of womenstated:

It is believed that pregnancy and motherhood Oso factointerfere with military duties. . . , Granting of maternityleave would result in having ineffectives; replacement couldnot be procured while the woman remained on the activelist; and the mother of a small child would not be readilyavailable for reassignment. Necessary rotation of duty as-signments would require the family unit to be broken upfor considerable periods of time, or at least until the hus-band made the necessary provisions to establish the homeat the mother's new duty station . . It is believed thata woman who is pregnant or a mother should not be a mem-ber of the armed forces and should devote herself to theresponsibilities which she had assumed, remaining with herhusband and child as a family unit:,

162

151

152

q;.70


In 1971 a change in regulations allowed natural mothers to continue on active duty ser-vice. Capt Joan Collins, company commander, reenlists pregnant GySgt Donna Murray.

This sort of reasoning, typical of the times, formedthe basis for Marine Corps regulations on the subjectuntil 1970. The rules were very strictly enforced, andany responsibility for children forced the separationof a woman Marine from the service.

The first step toward a more liberal view was takenin the fall of 1970 when Headquarters announced thata WM who is the stepparent of, or who has personalcustody of, or adopts, a child could ask to stay on ac-tive duty. Each case had to be reviewed, taking into

163

consideration such factors as length of service, perfor-mance record, ages and number of children involved,and the commanding officer's evaluation of the situ-ation. Waivers were granted if it could be determinedthat parenthood would not interfere with the Marine'sjob.5

On 12 August 1970, Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad,Director of Women Marines, startled the women at-tending the Women Marines Association Conventionin Philadelphia by predicting the possibility of allow-

MARRIAGE, MOTHERHOOD, AND DEPENDENT HUSBANDS 153

ing natural mothers to continue on active duty. It was,in fact, due to her personal efforts that many of thelong-standing regulations were set aside. Times hadchanged, women had changed, mores had changed.It was 1970 and women no longer accepted the oldorder as dogma.

Colonel Sustad invested a great deal of her timelocating and attempting to gain acceptance of this viewat Headquarters. Colonel John L. Ostby of the LegalDivision was her trusted advisor and mentor, supply-ing her with facts, legal interpretations, and whateverammunition she needed to get by each stumblingblock. Certain that success was within reach, ColonelSustad kept at least one Reserve officer's separationpapers in staffing lost in the administrative maze--until the regulations were changed allowing for a morefavorable disposition of her caseP

And, change did come in 1971 when a waiver poli-cy for natural mothers was tested. Again, each case wascarefully considered by Headquarters and women withgood records who were able to show that they couldadequately care for the child were allowed to remainon duty:" Gunnery Sergeant Frances L. Gonzales, thefirst WM to take advantage of the program, nevermissed a day of work other than annual leave and thetravel time involved with her transfer at the timeP Lieu-tenant Colonel Carolyn Auldridge Walsh, the firstofficer to remain on active duty after having a child,lost little time as well. Colonel Sustad credits the posi-tive example of these first cases with helping to calmthe fears of some, but not all, of the opponents to theideaP

Women who had been discharged from the MarineCorps for pregnancy took new hope, and some askedto be allowed to return. Major Mary Sue StevensLeague, separated in March 1970 because of pregnancy,was one of these former WMs who suught to regainher commission. On 24 January 1972, she was giventhe commissioning oath in the Marine Corps Reserveby her husband, Lieutenant Commander William C.League, a Navy chaplain, in ceremonies at the MarineBarracks in the Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth, Vir-ginia. She reportedly was the first woman Marine toregain her commission after becoming pregnant andbeing separated.")

The Department of Defense in 1975 published in-structions which precluded the involuntary separationof servicewomen on the sole basis of pregnancy. Ma-rine Corps Order 5000.12, dated 16 July 1975, speci-fied that WMs who are pregnant may, upon request,

be discharged or retained on active duty if otherwisequalified. Women who chose to remain in the Serv-ice were cautioned that parenthood did not entitlethem to special treatment or consideration in duty as-signments, and commanding officers had the obliga-tion to initiate action for discharge in cases wherewomen failed to carry out their duties after the birthof the child."

Pregnant WMs could wear civilian clothes when theuniform no longer looked appropriate. The seeming-ly unlikely prospect of a regulation maternity outfitwas under study by the military services and later ap-proved.

Under normal circumstances, and based upon theadvice of a medical officer, a pregnant servicewomanwas expected to lose no more than 10 weeks of dutyfour before delivery and six after. If the mother want-ed more time off, for reasons other than medical, shecould ask for annual leave. A 1977 study showed thateven with time off for maternity leave and other strictlyfemale matters, servicewomen lost much less time thanmen because of their lower incidence of absencewithout leave, desertion, and drug- and alcohol-relatedproblems.12

Finally, in respect to the demands of both mother-hood and her job, if a Marine asked to remain on duty,but later found it impossible to do justice to herresponsibilities, she could ask for an administrative dis-charge.

In early 1949, when the policies were being for-mulated that would eventually cause the discharge ofall pregnant servicewomen, Rear Admiral Clifford A.Swanson, Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Sur-gery, Department of the Navy, stood alone in an at-tempt to protect the careers of women in the military.Taking a somewhat radical position, one not even es-poused by the leading military women of the day, hewrote:

Inasmuch as pregnancy is a normal biological phenome-non in women in the military age group it must be assumedthat the possibility that women entering the regular mili-tary service become pregnant was recognized by Congresswhen reference (a) [Women's Armed Services Integration Actof 1948] was enacted. It would appear to this Bureau thatthe apparent purpose . . . was to afford women an oppor-tunity to enter into and remain in the military service asa career and that the subject proposed regulation is incon-sistent with this apparent purpose of the Women's ArmedServices Integration Act of 1948.

In connection with the foregoing, it cannot be presumedto be the policy of the military service to regard either theinstitution of marriage or the raising of a family with dis-favor. However, it is recognized that if such personal interests

164


seriously interfere with military duties, or if female militarypersonnel desire to give up their military career voluntarilyin order to raise a family.. . . it would be desirable to havemeans available whereby such personnel can be expeditiouslyseparated from the service. Aside from these considerationsthere would appear to this Bureau to be no reason for ter-minating the service of personnel who are pregnant but phys-ically able to perform their duties. . .

Admiral Swanson made specific recommendationsregarding time off, maternity leave, and discharges,and while the regulations published 27 years later arenot precisely his, the philosophy is unmistakable.

Dependency Regulations

In a report to the House Armed Services Commit-tee on 6 March 1972, Colonel Sustad wrote:

Title 37 contains different criteria for defining dependentsof men and women military members. This results in aninequality of treatment between the married military manand the married military woman. It also causes a differencein treatment between the military man married to a civilianand the military man married to a military woman.

To this simple statement of fact, she added her per-sonal view, "The present law is clearly unfair to themilitary woman. In recent years this inequity has be-come the primary complaint among women in the Ma-rine Corps."14

The question of dependency had long been an ir-ritant causing ever increasing dissatisfaction to thosewho found themselves adversely affected by the lawand policies. When women first entered military ser-

Chaplain (LCdr) William C. League, USN, pins leaves on his wife, Ms% Mary Sue League,the first woman to regain her commission after being separated for pregnancy. Joiningin the ceremeny are Maj Nannette I, Beavers, USMCR (second from right), and hermother, Mrs. Leola A. Beavers (far right), a World War I Marine, on 24 January 1972.

IG5

, ;, r""--AM.,'

P". IN"..*" r

MARRIAGE, MOTHERHOOD, AND DEPENDENT HUSBANDS 155

vice, the traditional American family concept was thatof a unit financially supported by the male member.For many years, women accepted the inequities withonly a minimal amount of grumbling; but few, if any,considered challenging the law until the era of wom-en's rights approximately 1970.

The Military Couple

For WMs married to servicemen the problems fo-cused on quarters and the basic allowance for quart-ers (BAQ) normally provided to members of theArmed Forces with dependents. Since the Marine wifein a military family received military pay, she was notconsidered a dependent. It then followed that the hus-band was entitled only to the lower BAQ providedto members without dependents. Furthermore, if thehusband was assigned to sea duty, field duty, FMFduty, or combat, where presumably adequate quart-ers were furnished him, even the without-dependentsallowance was denied to him as it was denied to allof the bachelors. The wife was not entitled to any al-lowance for quarters unless she was a major or above,and unless there was no available space for her in theBachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ).

Put into effect, this policy financially penalized notonly WMs, but their service husbands. The experienceof two lieutenants stationed at Camp Lejeune in themid-1960s is typical of the inconvenience causedmany. Since there was at Camp Lejeune a BOQ forwomen with plenty of available space, the WM lieu-tenant, although married, was assigned a room. She,therefore, was not entitled to a monetary allowance.Her Marine husband, because he was married, was notrequired to live in the BOQ, but since his wife wasa Marine, he was paid BAQ at the rate of a single man.They rented a house together and she merely ignoredthe assigned quarters. When the husband left for asix-month Mediterranean cririse, his entitlement to anallowance stopped and they were left with two alter-natives: maintain the house anyway or put their fur-nishings in storage ar their own expense for sixmonths, and have the wife move into the BOQ. Theykept their house.

As to public quarters for families on board a base,when they were Ade, only the husband was eligi-ble, and the s,:cj.1-e,11,,nt was based upon his graderegardless of wit° was senior.

Marx,' WifeCivilian Husband

During the legislative hearings that preceded thepassage of the Women's Armed Services Integration

Act of 1948, much attention was paid to the questionof military women with civilian husbands. There was,in the minds of many, a real fear of an army of indi-gent mencamp followers, in effectwho would takeunscrupulous advantage of the largesse of the UnitedStates Government and military wives. The ensuinglaws, Title 10 and 37 of the United States Code, laiddown specific tests of dependency which were inter-preted for 25 years to mean that a civilian husbandwas not the dependent of his military wife unless hewas dependent upon her for more than 50 percent ofhis support due to total and permanent mental orphysical disability. The ramifications were considera-ble, and especially difficult for young Marines whoupon discharge enrolled in college while their Marinewives continued on active duty.

The civilian husband had no type of identificationcard and hence had to obtain a visitor's pass each timehe came on the base, and could not, of course, go tothe service club, post exchange, ic commissary, or useany recreational facilities such as the swimming pool,golf course, or theater unless accompanied by his wifeas her guest. Additionally, he was not entitled to med-ical care. The couple was not eligible for family hous-ing, travel and transportation allowances for thehusband, dislocation allowance, overseas station al-lowances, or a family separation allowance.16

Because of a quirk in commissary regulations whichused the term "authorized agent" rather than "depen-dent," occasionally local authorities ruled that civilianhusbands could, with a special pass, shop for grocer-ies. Other times, under stricter interpretations, theman was given a pass that only allowed him to accom-pany his wife into the store and help her carry out thepurchase, but not to shop on his own. Most often, thecivilian husband was not allowed to enter the com-missary at all. The Armed Services Exchange Regula-tions, on the other hand, specifically limited the useof post exchanges to dependents, thereby summarilybarring all civilian husbands of servicewomen.16

Lieutenant Colonel Clowers, perhaps the only wom-an Marine officer of her time to be married to a civilianhusband for the majority of her career, was never per-mitted to live on board a Marine base with her hus-band. In fact, although she was always permitted todraw the single quarters allowance, she lived underthe constant threat of being assigned quarters in aBOQ and losing that entitlement. In 1956, the colonelwas ordered to Parris Island to take command of theWoman Recruit 'Raining Battalion and she was advised

166


of the commanding general's desire that all battalioncommanders live on board the base. The Quarter-master General at Headquarters, however, tuled thather husband absolutely could not live with her on baseexcept for visits of a maximum of 30 days since he wasnot dependent on her due to mental and physical in-competence. In the end, the dilemma was solved bycancelling Lieutenant Colonel Clower's orders to Par-ris Island, and sending her instead to Quantico to com-mand the Women Officers Training Detachment.

The first major change in interpretation of the lawcame on 3 July 1972 when it was ruled that a hus-band could be considered a depeP:dent when thereis sufficient evidence to establish his dependence onhis service wife for over half of his support withoutregard to his mental or physical capacity to supporthimself. Thus, a student husband, for example, if hisveteran's benefits did not make up more than 50 per-

cent of his support, became eligible for an iden-tification card and the attendent privileges.

Women Marines, as all married servicewomen, stillresented the narrow interpretation of the term "de-pendent" since wives of servicemen were automaticallygranted all privileges regardless of their financial, phys-ical, or mental status. Morale was significantly raisedin the female ranks therefore, when on 14 May 1973,in the Frontiero vs. Richardson case, the SupremeCourt ruled that servicewomen were eligible for allbenefits, privileges, and rights granted servicemen un-der the same circumstances. Furthermore, former orretired servicewomen could file claims for retroactivepayment of with-dependents quarters allowances forperiods of active duty during which they were mar-ried but not receiving the increased allowances.19 Thesingle, major complaint of WMs at the time of theruling was thus resolved.

CHAPTER 14

UniformsThe Beginnings of Change, 1950The Mainbocher Wardrobe, 1950-1952After Mainbocher

Grooming and Personal AppearanceUtilities

A composite of the 1943 Marine Corps Women'sReserve uniform regulations with several changes madeduring World War H was published on 30 April 1945as Uniform Regulations, US. Marine Women'sReserve, 1945.1 These regulations remained in forceuntil 1952 when newly ti.Fi.fned uniforms were in-troduced. When women joined the Regular MarineCorps in November 1948, the subject of uniforms wason their minds since fashions had changed, mostnoticeably skirt lengths. From short knee-length styles,hems dropped to midcalf with the coming of the "NewLook." Male Marines responsible for supplies andmoney were unshakeable. There would be no new uni-forms until the wartime stocks were depleted.

Generally, women Marines, officer and enlisted,wore identically styled uniforms of the same fabric.This was not true of male Marines. Women officerswore green, detachable epaulets on the shoulder strapsof summer uniforms and had additional dress uni-forms. For dress, officers wore gilt and silver-coloredemblems traditionally worn by Marine officers whilethe enlisted women wore the gilt emblems of enlist-ed Marines. Both wore the bronze eagle, globe, andanchor on their service uniforms. While the verticalaxis of the hemisphere paralleled the crease line of thejacket collar for officers, it was worn perpendicular tothe floor for enlisted women. Coats, caps, shoes,gloves, handbags, and mufflers were the same for allranks. Enlisted women wore the same large chevronsas the men.

Winter Service: The winter service uniform consistedof a man-tailored jacket and straight-lined skirt madeof forest green serge. A long-sleeved khaki shirt withfour-in-hand necktie, green cap, brown shoes andgloves, and bronze metal buttons completed the out-fit. A heavy green overcoat or khaki trenchcoat withdetachable lining, and a red wool muffler were wornwhen needed. All women Marines were required tomaintain a pair of plain black galoshes, boots, or rub-bers to fit the oxfords.

Officer Winter Dress: Women Marines did not havea dress blue uniform until 1952. During World WarII and the seven years following, officers turned thewinter service uniform into a dress uniform by ex-

changing the khaki shirt for one of white and the khakinecktie for one of forest green. Enlisted women hadno comparable dress outfit.

Summer Service: The summer service uniform wasa two-piece green and white seersucker or plisse dress.It was V-necked and was fastened with green plasticbuttons. The jacket came in both short and longsleeves. The traditional dress cap in matching green,with white cap cord and bronze buttons, or a garri-son style cap in the same shade was worn with the sum-mer service uniform. Shoes, oxfords or pumps, werebrown. When the trenchcoat was worn, a white rayonmuffler was required.

Officers' uniforms were distinguished by greenshoulder boards worn over the regular epaulets andheld in place by the shoulder strap button and rankinsignia.

Summer Dress: Perhaps the favorite uniform ofWorld War II WRs was the short-sleeved, V-neckedwhite twill uniform worn with gilt buttons on the jack-et and cap, dress emblems, and white pumps. The stif-

fly starched uniform never failed to evokecompliments. Enlisted women Marines were disap-pointed when a white uniform was not included inthe new 1952 wardrobe. It was discontinued becausemale enlisted Marines had no equivalent uniform.

Officer Summer Dress: Officers had three summerdress uniforms: the one worn by the enlisted womenwith the green shoulder straps, summer dress "B," andsummer undress "C." The latter two were made ofwhite twill, worsted, or palm beach fabric. Both wereworn with a short-sleeved white blouse, and withouta necktie or shoulder strap. The "C" uniform was long-sleeved and collarless. On these two uniforms the dressuniform emblems were worn, not on the collar asusual, but on the epaulet, three-fourths of an inchfrom the armhole seam. The insignia of rank was thencentered between the ornament and epaulet button.Lieutenant Colonel Nita Bob Warner rememberedthat even a lieutenant looked like a four-star generalwith so much metal on her shoulders.2

Handbags, Shoes, and Hose: There was only onehandbag, a brown, rough textured leather purse witha spring closure and shoulder strap. It was always worn

168

157

158

Ft

eed.ww.iw ate silf

_

Issued uniform items and gear, cleaned, ironed, andlabeled are displayed according to regulations for a"junk on the bunk" inspection in the early 1950s.

over the left shoulder, leaving the right arm free tosalute, and until 1952 the strap could be worn eitherover or under the epaulets of coats. A green cover andstrap were added for wear with the summer service andsummer dress uniforms.

Women Marines wore smooth leather oxfords orpumps in dark brown, dark russet, or cordovan colorwith the service uniform. The pumps, with heels be-tween one and one-half and two and one-half incheswere trimmer! with a flat bow. Similar white pumpswere prescribed for wear with the summer dressuniforms.

Full length, beige stockings were worn with all uni-forms. Mesh and seamless hose were prohibited, andcotton hose were worn in ranks. When, during WorldWar II and immediately after, nylon, rayon, and silkstockings were rationed, some women in the otherServices used leg makeup, but the Directors of theWomen Marines remained firm. Women in the Ma-rine Corps would wear stockings, but never with morethan three runs.3

Utilities and Exercise Suits: During World War II,WRs had covert slacks which could be worn for cer-tain duties. The most common work uniform, however,

1G9


was the olive-drab, cotton utility uniform. The trous-ers were topped by a bib front and long crossed strapsin back. A short-sleeved, matching shirt was worn un-derneath, and a long-sleeved jacket over all. Enlistedwomen stenciled their rank on the shirt and jacketsleeves.

The exercise suit was a light beige, seersucker, one-piece bloomer outfit covered by a front-buttoned skirt.Known as the peanut suit, because of the color andthe crinkled appearance, it was issued until the late1950s.

Grooming, Handkerchiefs, and Unmentionables:During this period, the regulations specified that, ifworn, lipstick and nail polish would harmonize withthe color of the red cap cord on the winter service cap.The same rule applied in the summer, even thoughthe red cap cord was stored out of sight for the sea-son. Rouge, mascara, and hair tints, if used, had tobe inconspicuous. It was nearly impossible for a womanto color or bleach her hair since it had to be the colorindicated on her identification card. Hair could touch,but not cover, the collar.

The woman Marine winter service "A" uniformis modeled by TFC" Sgt Mary Ann Kennedy, in 1952.

UNIFORMS

NIMI

Officer summer dress "A" adorned 2dLt MarcellaJ.Greene in 1950. Emblems are worn on the epaulets.

Slips and girdles were required in uniform. At thetime, the regulations did not specify color or style.Handkerchiefs could be khaki when the khaki shirtwas worn, otherwise, they had to be white.

The Beginnings of Change 1950Formal Evening/Mess Dress Uniforms

Officers: A new uniform was added in November1950 when the famed designer, Mainbocher, design-ed a formal evening dress uniform for Colonel Towle.She wore it, the first time, to the Marine Corps Birth-day Ball on 10 November, held at the Sail Loft of theNaval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C.

Tall and stately, Colonel Towle wore the uniformbeautifully, and Major Harry D. Elms, a member ofthe Uniform Board at the time, remembers that Main-bocher was much taken with Colonel Towle's appear-ance and demeano0 When she suggested to thecouturier that the uniform fit too closely, Mainbochertold her "Just remember, Colonel, when you drink amartini, do not eat the olive."5

Patterned after the full dress uniform of the men,Colonel Towle's uniform consisted of a midnight bluemess jacket with a straight, formal skirt slightly flaredat the hem, over a tailored blouse of white silk,trimmed at the waist with a scarlet silk cummerbund.The jacket, which bore an even dozen gilt buttons,

159

six on each side, was worn open. Its scarlet collar andthe cuffs of the sleeves were adorned with gold andsilver bullion embroidery in the form of oak leaves andacorns.

A broad, square-lipped tie was worn at the neck,held with a siker ring bearing the Marine Corps of-ficer's dress ornament.

Colonel Towle's insignia of rank, the eagle, was em-

Col Katherine A. Towle poses in the evening dresssuggested for women officers. The uniform designedby Mainbocher was patterned after the evening dressuniform of the men. It was officially adopted one dayprior to the Marine Corps' 175th birthday celebration.

s 170


broidered in silver bullion on the shoulder tabs. Alsoin silver and gold bullion were small replicas of theMarine insignia on the collar points. The headpiecewas a scarlet wool tiara, also embroidered. ColonelTowle carried a small, envelope-style handbag of herown on which she pinned her insignia of rank. A cloakwas not designed so she borrowed a male officer's boatcloak for the occasion. Newspaper accounts spoke ofthe stunning ensemble and dazzled guestsP

The evening dress uniform was initially intendedto be worn by women officers at state and diplomaticfunctions, but its manufacture presented some pro-blems. The original had been made, in the mannerof high fashion, expressly for Colonel Towle. There wasno pattern to be adopted for general use. All the em-broidery had been done by hand by an Italian wom-an in New York City and mass production was out ofthe question?

When Colonel Hamblet became Director of Wom-en Marines in 1953, she had a similar uniform madeup by Rienzi in Philadelphia. She selected a softer,more feminine shirt with a pleated front to concealthe buttonsP She felt, however, that the new unifiprmfit her poorly, so Mainbocher was commissioned tomake another and she subsequently gave the Rienziuniform to Colonel Henderson, her successor. WhenColonel Hamblet left for Naples in 1959, it was dis-covered that there was no sample woman's cloak at theMarine Corps Uniform Board, so she left her own be-hind. The third Director of Women Marines, ColonelHenderson, borrowed the cloak on the occasions whenshe wore the evening dress uniform. Between 1950 and1964, only two evening dress uniforms for women weremade: one for Colonel Towle and the other for ColonelHamblet?

Colonel Henderson was not completely satisfiedwith the tiara. To begin with, the scarlet color was notbecoming to the redheaded Director. During her te-nure a black tiara was made optional, a uniformmodification that caused no concern since only theDirector was required to have the formal dress outfit.When asked by the President of the Uniform Boardfix comments on the evening dress uniform, she sub-mitted:

TiaraIt is suggested that an attempt be made to slight-ly redesign this tiara. As it is presently designed, the wearerhas difficulty in keeping it on her head. In addition, theextreme points on the tiara makes the wearer feel as if shehad wings or horns on her head depending upon hermood.")

The tiara was not redesigned. When in 1964 even-ing dress uniforms finally became available to all of-ficers, a plain unembroidered one in keeping withtradition was made for company grade officers. Fieldgrade officers still wore the tiara decorated with goldbullion embroidery. Finally, in 1973, to the pleasureof some, and the dismay of others, it was deleted asa uniform item.

In 1964, Major Jenny Wrenn, on her own initiative,designed an evening dress uniform that resembled along, formal, evening suit. It was much less compli-cated than the Mainbocher model. Master SergeantBarbara Jean Dulinsky made the sketches which weresent to the Marine Corps Supply Depot at Philadel-phia for evaluation. The Marine Corps tailors madea uniform, of Major Wrenn's design, for the Directorof Women Marines, Colonel Barbara J. Bishop."

The Wrenn uniform included a white mess dressjacket, as well as the midnight blue evening dress jack-et, both trimmed with a scarlet collar. The collar ofthe field grade model was lightly embroidered. Rankinsignia and Marine emblems were the standarddetachable type rather than of embroidered gold bul-lion. A short skirt was added for less formal occasionsand a plain black envelope style handbag was carried.Shoes were black suede or fabric.

In November of 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson waselected President, the Presidential Inaugural Commit-tee asked for Marine field grade officers to act as mili-tary aides during the Inaugural events. For the firsttime, two women were nominated, LieutenantColonels Wrenn and Mary E. Bane. Since neitherowned the requisite evening dress uniform, the Ma-rine Corps tailors in Philadelphia again made up theWrenn-designed uniform. There was little time be-tween the election and the Inauguration, so the wom-en had to make several quick round trips toPhiladelphia and at the very last moment the uniformswere delivered to them in Washington by staff car. Un-fiDrtunately, the beautifully tailored uniforms were notworn for the intended occasion as the women officerswere assigned to less fiDrmal functions, a reception forthe governors and a distinguished ladies reception atthe National Gallery of Art to which they wore theirdress blues.,2

By 1966, the pattern and a kit of fabric and find-ings was available to women officers. Due to the smallnumber involved no manufacturer was interested inmaking the uniform, so each had to find a willingtailor. It was not an easy task because the pattern and

UNIFORMS 161

Col Barbara J. Bishop, the Direcior of Women Ma-rines, wears the officer mess dress umiorm with a shortblack skirt, a red cummerbund, white gloves, andwhite jacket trimmed with scarlet collar, in June 1964.

specifications resembled a technical manual. The kitcost between $70 and $100, depending upon rank.The tailoring could run an additional $500.

Staff Noncommissioned Officers: On 11 May 1972,the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Cush-man, approved a recommendation of the UniformBoard that an experimental staff noncommissionedofficer evening/mess dress uniform be made for, andtested by the Sergeant Major of the Women Marines.It was styled after the officer uniform with a fewmodifications. There were no shoulder straps, nor col-lar or cuff ornamentation. The sleeves were finishedwith the uaditional peaked cuffs. Since male staff non-commissioned officers had no corresponding formaluniform, it was decided to forego the long skirt. Thedress insignia of grade, gold on scarlet, was sewn onthe sleeves. Gilt Marine Corps emblems were worn.

Sergeant Major June V. Andler was the first to wearthe test uniform. She introduced it at the MarineCorps League Banquet on 11 August 1972 in Ana-heim, California, and at the Woman Marine Associa-tion convention a week later in Hawaii. She took iton inspection trips and modeled it for the WMs atParris Island, El Toro, Camp Pendleton, San Diego,Hawaii, and, of course at Headquarters Marine Corps.The response was enthusiastic and the uniform wasapproved on 30 May 1973. Subsequently, long skirtsbecame very stylish and acceptable at even casual af-fairs, a fashion change that prompted the MarineCorps to add a long skirt to the staff noncommissionedofficers' evening dress uniform on 13 September 1976.

The Mainbocher Wardrobe, 1950-1952

The Commandant, General Clifton B. Cates, want-

SgtMaj June V. Andler, Sergeant Major of WomenMarines, is photographed in 1972 wearing the staffnoncommissioned officer evening dress uniform withshort skirt, red cummerbund, and miniature medals.

162

ed dress blue uniforms for the women Marines. In thefill of 1950 well-known American designers were con-tacted, and First Lieutenant Ben Alice Day (laterMunn), a World War II supply officer, and CaptainHarry Elms of the Uniform Board personally inter-viewed couturiers including Hattie Carnegie andMainbocher.13 Mainbocher was the unanimous choiceof the Uniform Board, Quartermaster General of theMarine Corps, and the Director of Women Marines.The Chicago-born designer, most expensive of theworld's dressmakers, was not very interested, but hisenormous respect for Colonel Towle prevailed and heaccepted. Lieutenant Colonel Munn believes his lackof enthusiasm stemmed from the fact that when hedesigned the World War II WAVE uniform he was notpaid the one dollar stipulated in the contract andwould have liked it as a remembrance. When the newWM uniforms were finished, Lieutenant Day and Cap-tain Elms made a point of presenting him a frameddollar bill, the price agreed upon.

Mainbocher, once involved, asked to do an entirenew wardrobe, redesigning the current uniforms to bemore feminine and more becoming. Further, he want-ed to work with the accessories, to include chevronsand service stripes, which he found too large and outof proportion for women. One item he did not changewas the cap which Mainbocher said was the most at-tractive hat worn by women of any service.

He not only designed the uniform but coordinatedmanufacturing and fabric selection. He personally su-pervised every run at the manufacturers, since at thetime quality control was not yet a standard businesspractice.

Lieutenant Day and Captain Elms visited his ele-gant salon in New York bringing with them photo-graphs of the male Marines' complete wardrobe as wellas historical prints of old Marine Corps uniforms.Working with these and aware of Marine Corps tradi-tions and standards of appearance, he produced a blueuniform, winter and summer service uniform, rain-coat and overcoat for all WMs along with new chevronsfor the enlisted women and a white uniform for theofficers.

When interviewed by the press, Mainbocher ex-pressed his theories on feminine uniforms thus:

Whether a woman is wearing a custom designed suit ora uniform, she should look feminine. That was the thoughtI kept in mind while working on the Marine uniforms, andit was quite a job, considering all the traditions that hadto be incorporated in the design."


The final designs, approved on 27 December 1951,went into production, with the exception of theofficer's white uniform. Mainbocher supervised all fit-tings and was a meticulous taskmaster not only of histailors, but of the women Marine models. With aglance, by the drape of the uniform, he could tellwhether or not a model was wearing a girdle and slip.He never 'allowed his fashions to be worn withouteither item no matter how thin and svelte the wearer.When all was ready, a formal presentation was heldon 28 August 1952 in the auditorium of the MarineBarracks, 8th & I Streets, Washington, D.C. The Com-mandant sent invitations to a selected guest list in-cluding all the Marine Corps general officers in thearea. At the showing, each model was escorted by amale Marine in comparable uniform. Colonel Towlemodeled her formal evening dress ensemble.

Sergeant Mary Ann Kennedy modeled the summeruniform, a one-piece shirtwaist dress of green andwhite striped nylon-dacron, with a matching long-sleeved jacket. The jacket worn over the short sleeveddress had a nipped-in waist and its collar, epaulets,and cuffs were outlined in green piping. The accom-panying overseas cap was of the same fabric. Washingease and wrinkle resistance were the chief features ofthe new summer fabric.

Sergeant Lois King modeled the forest green sergewinter uniform. The fitted jacket featured sleevesfinished with the traditional peaked cuff. A six-goreskirt, an entirely new pale green cotton broadclothskirtwaist, and an ascot-shaped forest green necktiecompleted the outfit.

Technical Sergeant Margaret Babcock introduced thenew dress blue uniform of a design similar to the greenserge. Inspiration for the trim was provided by a printof an 1859 Marine officer's overcoat. Scarlet piping em-phasized the collar and shoulder detail of the bluejacket, traditional Marine bracket-shaped cuffs hadthree gold buttons. Chevrons for the enlisted womenwere gold on scarlet. A short-sleeved, action-backeddacron shirtwaist was worn with a blue, ascot-shapedtie.

Sergeant Patricia Norman modeled the lightweight,green raincoat of nylon and rayon. It featured asquared-off collar rather than points, bone buttons,and a full belt.

Sergeant Jo Anne Monette wore the forest greendouble breasted overcoat of kersey. Of a modified prin-cess design, a box pleat held in by a belt gave fullnessin the back.

173

UNIFORMS 163

eer-,e

Designed by Mainbocher in 1952, new uniforms are modeled on the lawn of the Nation-al Capitol by PFC Margaret Keefe and Sgts Margaret Dill and Jo Anne Monette.


The fashion show over, the guests attended a sun-set parade followed by a reception at Quarters 1 host-ed by the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps,Lieutenant General Gerald C. Thomas and Mrs. Tho-mas.'s This was the same General Thomas who, as theDirector, Plans and Policy Division in 1946, opposedso steadfastly the integration of women into the Regu-lar Marine Corps. ,

The new uniforms were well received and a modelin dress blues was featured on the cover of Parade, theSunday picture magazine, on 31 August 1952.

Mainbocher was willing to design a utility uniformbut since there were plans for a standardized utilityuniform among the services, his offer was declined.Rather, Headquarters Marine Corps had the bib over-alls redesigned. The bib was removed and the olivegreen slacks were made of the male Marines' utilityfabric. The aim was to keep it simple. The overseascap was redesigned slightly to follow the new dacronone which fit the women better. To get a manufac-turer to accept such a small order, it was appendedto a much more lucrative order for men's uniforms,a ploy often used in procuring WM uniform items.

Male Marines at Headquarters became uncommonlyinterested in the ne-. uniforms, not because of stylebut due to the new fabrics. Dupont Corporation senta team of scientists to demonstrate the properties ofdacron, a new material at the time. It was a pure, fire-proof fabric and the men were greatly impressed. Theycould picture its usefulness for men's uniforms to savelaundry expense and for combat purposes. When firstintroduced this particular dacron was used to makefirehoses.

Eventually the World War II uniforms were declaredobsolete; old summer uniforms could not be worn af-ter December 1956, winter uniforms after June 1957.

Officers' Dress White Uniform: Main bocherdesigned a white uniform at the time he did the newwardrobe in 1952. Distribution was delayed until 1958due to difficulty in obtaining a suitable wash-and-wearfabric that would remain white. The uniform wasstyled after the winter service uniform, and worn withthe same white short-sleeved dacron shirt prescribedfor the dress blues. A bright blue-green cap, ascotshaped tie, and white pumps completed the outfit.At first, a green cover was worn over the brown hand-bag, just as was done in World War II. When thebrown handbag was later replaced by a new style, asmall envelope-styled purse was adopted for certain

dress uniforms. When carried with the whites, it was,of course, slipped into a blue-green cover.

The white uniform is worn only by officers, in keep-ing with Marine Corps tradition. During World WarII, enlisted WRs had a dress white uniform while themen did not. Conversely, the men had a dress blueuniform while the women did not.

After Mainbocher

The Mainbocher wardrobe was the only large-scaleuniform change for women Marines. His theories ondressing military women have proved sound since atleast two of his designs, the dress blue and winter serv-ice uniforms, have remained virtually unchanged forthe 25 years from 1952 until this writing. Ensuingchanges came piecemeal and usually were directed byeconomy rather than style.

The Department of Defense plan to standardize cer-tain items and fabrics made their impact on WM uni-forms in the early 1960s.

Summer Uniforms 1961-1977: There was no mid-dle ground for the acceptance of the one-piece dress.Either a woman liked it or did not. For those who werelong- or short-waisted, the summer uniform with itsband at the waist was nearly impossible to alter proper-ly. But the fabric was all it was touted to be. After wear-ing and caring for the easily wrinkled seersuckeruniform which by custom was starched so that a skirtcould stand at attention, unsupported on the liun-dry room floor, the women Marines found the dacrondress to be truly carefree. One could wear it all day,get caught in the rain, and still look fresh. Unfor-tunately, the fabric became scarce and expensive andthe Marine Corps had no choice but to consider amaterial shared by the other servic-s since the increasedquantity ordered reduced the price. Colonel MargaretM. Henderson remembers that one of her most dis-appointing days as Director of Women Marines wasone when she had to acquiesce on the fabric for thesummer uniforms.'6

In 1962, a dacron-cotton cloth used by the Wom-en's Army Corps was approved for use by women Ma-rines. Logistically, it became very complicated sinceuniforms of mixed fabric could not be worn. The dress,jacket, and cap had to match, and supplies availablefor each issue to recruits varied from one item toanother and from one size to another. When the fabricwas again changed to polyester-cotton, more confu-sion resulted.

In 1966, an entirely new two-piece dress made ofthe same polyester-cotton, corded, green-and-white

UNIFORMS 165

visor, without gold embroidery. In 1969, the regula-tions were broadened and officers could wear the dresscap on an everyday basis except when in formation.This privilege was extended to staff noncommissionedofficers in 1971.

Coats: In time the nipped-in waist and full-pleatedback of the Mainbocher coat went out of style. Fur-thermore, the complicated styling, and excess fabricmade it expensive to manufacture. It clearly did notflatter short, stocky figures. In 1966 Mario Mariani,the Marine Corps' designer, introduced a straight-lined, serge overcoat styled after the civilian coats invogue at the time." By the winter of 1967, as old stockswere depleted the new overcoat was issued to recruits.

Shoes: In 1954 the bows on the brown dress shoesbecame optional except that they could not be re-moved from the issue pumps. By 1962, long after theybecame socially acceptable, women Marines were al-

; lowed to wear seamless hose as an optional item, but

'_ --

A green dacron raincoat worn with the winter red woolscalf is modeled by Cpl Carla J. Sacco in 1959.

striped material was approved. Recruits began toreceive it in July 1967. The old-style uniform becameobsolete and could no longer be worn after 1 July 1972.Women officers did not wear rank insignia on theirnew summer caps. Because male Marines continuedto wear rank ornaments on their garrison caps, thisdifference for the women caused a certain amount ofconfusion. Marines who failed to salute were justifiedin their claim that it was difficult to recognize wom-en officers. On 20 October 1971, the rank insignia offi-cially was reinstated on the women officers' caps.

Another change involving summer uniforms wasseen in 1966 when women officers were authorized towear the summer dress cap, a bright green version ofthe winter service and dress blue cap, as an optionalitem when on leave or liberty. When worn with sum-mer uniform, bronze buttons and insignia were wornrather than gilt buttons and dress insignia. Field gradeofficers, if they elected to wear the dress cap with theservice uniform, were lequired to wear one with a plain

The green utility uniform with rank stenciled on thesleeves is worn by Sgt Mary A. Kennedy in 1952.

166

never in fotmation. The regulation was reversed in1965 when hose with seams became optional andcould not be worn in formation. Finally in 1966, snag-proof, run-resistant stockings of inconspicuous meshwere authorized. In January 1971, the color of hoseto be worn with dress blues changed from everydaybeige to a gray, smoke shade.

The cotton hose worn by WRs in World War H andfor years by WM recruits and officer candidates wereuniversally unpopular. Because of the extreme heatand strenuous schedule followed at both training com-mands, the absorbent property of cotton stockings waslong considered to be a health and comfort feature.Civilian women, upon arriving at Parris Island orQuantico and seeing staff members wearing the un-becoming lisle hose were disbelieving that anyone

The woman officer white dress "A " uniform with agreen tie, purse, and field grade gold embroideredhat, is modeled by Maj Adele Graham in 1971.


younger than a grandmother would allow themselvesto be seen in public in such an item. It was not anunwelcome announcement that Colonel Bishop madein the Woman Marine Newsletter, Winter 1968, whenshe wrote:

A traditional article of clothingnot altogether ap-preciated by the recruits wearing themwill be obsoletewhen the current stock of cotton hose is exhausted. The oldlisle or cotton hose were a necessity for WRs when nylons"went to war". . . . Discarded years before by other women'sservices, the Marine Corpsalways long on tradi-tion became the "sole user" of cotton hose. At some fu-ture date this year, Women Marine recruits may have "lighter"pocketbooks and tender feet, but higher morale and trim-mer limbs."'

Umbrellas: All Marines know that umbrellas are nota military item. There is a theory that several armiesof old who carried umbrellas went down in defeat be-cause they were more concerned with keeping dry thanwinning the battle. Women Marines had a plastic covercalled a havelock that fit over their cap and a hoodthat matched their raincoat, but there was always somequestion about wearing them without the outer coat.The havelocks were difficult to procure and tore easi-ly; the rainhoods were not authorized with the over-coat. Clearly, many WMs wanted an umbrella. In1972, the Commandant authorized WMs to carry anall-black, plain, standard or folding umbrella as anoptional item. The announcement included the cau-tion to carry the umbrella in the left hand so that sa-lutes could be properly rendered. They were notpermitted in formation. A story circulated thatColonel Sustad, Director of Women Marines, in hereffort to have the umbrella adopted as a uniform item,slipped the proposal through the Commandant byasking him to approve a red umbrella to harmonizewith the red cord. He was said to have replied, "Ab-solutely not! They'll carry a black umbrella:' therebysanctioning its use. When asked about the story,Colonel Sustad disclaimed it saying, "I would neverhave been so fresh with the Commandant.""

Handbags: When black accessories became man-datory, and women of all services adopted a singlehandbag, WMs lost the rough-textured leather bagfor a black vinyl model. In 1970 regulations changedto permit the individual option to carrying the hand-bag over the left shoulder as usual or with a shorten-ed strap, over the arm. A woman sergeant major asked,"How can you stand at attention for morning colorswith a handbag over your arm?" The question remainsunanswered.

UNIFORMS

Grooming and Personal Appearance

The grooming and personal appearance of womenMarines changed slowly. World War II regulationsprevailed for nearly 30 years. Bright red lipstick, "Mon-tezuma Red," created by Elizabeth Arden for the WRs,and later Revlon's "Certainly Red" were the only shadessold at post exchanges that catered to WMs. The policywas clear: lipstick had to harmonize with the red capcord of the blue and green caps and the scarlet trimon the formal evening dress uniform, even when thewearer was in the green and white summer uniformor dress whites. In 1971, the regulations were relaxedto allow others shades of iipstick in the summer. Ex-tremes of lavender, purple, white, or flesh color re-mained prohibited. Nail polish, if worn, had toharmonize with the lipstick or be colorless.

Hairstyles and Wigs: The first major change to hairstyles and color regulations came in 1970 when specifichairstyles were not prohibited as long as they werefeminine and allowed for the proper wearing of thecap. One reason for the change was the popularity ofthe Afro hairdo worn by young black women. It alsoaccommodated chignons and twists. Hair tints andbleaches were no longer taboo but were required toharmonize with the person's complexion and colortone. Natural looking wigs were permitted as long asthey conformed to regulations.

Lingerie: Girdles and light-colored, full-length slipswere the modest underpinning of WMs for 30 years.Paula W. Sentipal remembers that when she report-ed to boot camp in 1950 she was so thin that witha girdle on her uniform could not be taken in enoughto fit her, so she was ordered to buy a larger girdlethat would nnt hold her in.20 Bras were one unmen-tionable that dui not have to be mentioned. Until thewomen's liberation movement made going bralessfashionable in the 1970s, it was never an issue. Theuniform regulations of 1976, in the spirit of the times,stated:

Adequate undergarments to include support garmentsshall be worn to ensure the proper fit, appearance, andopaqueness of the uniform. The conservative appearance ofthe uniform shall be maintained and undergarments shallnot be conspicuously visible.21

Hem lengths: The style of the uniform was able towithstand fashion changes from 1952 to 1977, but hemlengths were as controversial for servicewomen ascivilians. When the Mainbocher wardrobe was issued,the regulations specified that skirts would be of a con-ventional sweep and length, approximately mid-calf.

167

The green and white striped two-piece summer ser-vice dacron uniform with black handbag and pumpswas worn by officers and enlisted women in the 1970s ,

By the early 1960s, fashion dictated shorter skirts, butregulations persisted. At one point, LieutenantColonel Elsie E. Hill, Commanding Officer, WomanRecruit Training Battalion, wrote to the Director ofWoman Marines, Colonel Henderson, and asked forguidelines since she agreed with the women 0.1at". . . we look like a bunch of hicks from the sticks.2Women's fashions being fickle, Headquarters did notwant to give specific rules that would necessitate print-ed changes as skirts went up and down, so in 1963,following the phrase "midcalf' a parenthetical guide-line was added that read, "(adjusted to current stylesbut not extreme)."23 At the same time, the Director's

168 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINilS,

offict passed the word informally that two inches be-low the knee was officially considered acceptable. Inmore than one women Marine company, skirt short-ening parties were held under the watchful eyes of staffnoncommissioned officers and officers, who, on theirknees and using the width of two fingers as a measur-ing device, passed judgement on the length of uni-fotm skirts, dresses, and coats.

Skirts continued to rise to the mini-length, and allservices except the Marine Corps relented. In a Inm-an Marine Newsletter of 1970, Colonel Bishop wrote:

comentional sweep and length is currently interpretedas mid-knee, i.c., between tne top of the knee and the bot.torn of the knee. Since the skirt can be worn anywhere be-tween tl.e top of the knee and the bottom of the knee, thisallows for some flexibility so that the individual can wearher skirt the length that is most becoming to her.

No doubt the young WMs hoped for more flexibilitysince civilian skirts were being worn 4 to 6 inches abovethe knee, but the message from the top woman Ma-rine clearly marked the limits.

The 1976 regulations called for knee-;7ngth skirts,not more than one inch above the top of the knee capnor one inch below the bottom of the knee cap. Alas,as the order was being piinted, civilian skirts were backdown to mid-calf, completing the full cycle.

Utilities

The hastily designed green utilities available in theearly 1950s were not beautifirl, but they served theirintended purpose as a work uniform. Unfortunately,they were part of the woman Marine wardrobe whenmost WMs were working th offices. Wearing utilitieswas vigorously discoutaged except when considered ab-solutely essential because the effect was too masculine.Great pains were taken to keep them out of view andit was an unwritten law that photographs of WMs inutilides were not to be published. The standardiza-tion of uniforms by the four services resulted in a corn-

79

mon blue utility outfit, dark blue slack3, cap, andsweater, ary! a light blue shirt. Recruits received thenew blue utilities in July 1.967 and the green ones werenot permitted after July 1971. The new uniform, whilemote feminine in appearance, was never truly accept-ed by WMs because it made them loek like WAVEsand was not durable. Even male Marines who werechauvinistic about keeping the Marine Corps for menfound the blue uniform offensive and decided thattiny preferred their womcn Marines to look like Ma-rines. At first, the black insignia of service was worn(r: ie blue cap but the dark color lacked contrast andthe gold emblem was adepted on dr utility cap in1910.

The blue utilities were threadbare by the time awoman graduated from boot camp and commandersmade their dissatisfaction known to Headquarters.With women Marines subject to assignrnent as heavyequipment operators, welders, and to similar oc-cupations, a more functional work uniform was need-ed. On 22 September 1975 the Commandantauthorized as an inmirn measure, a supplementaryallowance of male utilhies to women to bc worn un-dc:r restricted con&tions depending upon their job.24Wear-testing of several styles began in an effort to finda suitable uniform to replace the blue, which by 1975had been abanckned by all the other services. In June1977, General Wilson approved the wearing by wom-en of the: male camouflaged field uniform. Combatboots replaced the black oxfords and cushion-sole sockstook the place of anklets for WMs at work in certainjobs and in training.25

Consistent with an age when male/female roles wereless dearly defined, there appeared to be less urgencyto 11:nye that service women were feminine. Photo-graphs of the jet mechanics, welders, and officer can-didates wearing utilities were taken and published andonly the older officers and staff noncommissionedofficers were scandalized.

CHAPTER 15

Laurels and liaditionsLegion of MeritNavy and Marine Corps MedalBronze Star MedalJoint Service Commendation Medal

Dominican RepublicWM AnniversaryWomen Marines and Mess NightMolly MarineWomen Marines Association

Worr 2n Marines recognized for meritorious per-formance and bravery have been awarded many of thesame medals, ribbons, and letters of appreciation andcommendation presented to male Marines under simi-lar circumstances. The highest decoration, at this writ-ing, worn by women in the Corps is the Legion ofMerit. A few are privileged to wear the Navy and Ma-rine Corps Medal, Bronze Star, and the Navy Com-mendation Medal, and a number have been awardedthe Joint Service Commendation Medal and the NavyAchievement Medal.

Legion of Merit

Following a tradition set in World War II, the Legionof Merit, the Navy's fifth ranking decoration, fallingimmediately below the Silver Star and conferred onindividuals ". . . who have distinguished themselvesby exceptionally meritorious conduct in the perfor-mance of outstanding services. . . ." has been award-ed to all Directors of Women Marines. Their citationsunderscore the particular challenges faced by each one,and read consecutively, they trace the history of wom-en in the Maririe Corps through the stages of organi-zation, expansion, and total integration.'

Only one woman Marine, other than the Directors,was the recipient of the Legion of Merit. Upon retire-ment in May 1975, Colonel Hazel E. Benn, Head,Educational Services Branch, was cited for her workin formulating educational programs for both officersand enlisted Marines?

Colonel Benn's career was unique in that as a Reserveofficer on active duty, she worked for 24 years at theame job. She was the Marine Corps' expert on edu-

cation and as new programs developed, her responsi-bilities increased. A member cf the second officercandidate cbss at Mount Holyoke College in 1943, sheserved as a personnel/administrative officer in WorldWar II. Following the war, after receiving a graduatedegree in education, she worked for the Navy os aneducation specialist, and in 1951, was asked to returnto the Marine Corps. A principal architect of the Serv-iceman's Opportunity College, she helped to developthe concept that rc,moved the traditional academic bar-

fier in the areas of residency, transfer of credit by ex-amination, and acceptance of service schools andservice experience for academic credit, thereby easingthe road to college degrees for countless MarinesPColonel Benn was among the first women Marines tobe promoted to colonel in 1968, only months afterthat rank was opened to women.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal, ranking eighthin precedence between the Distinguished FlyingCross and the Bronze Star and the Naval Service'shighest recognition for heroism not involving combathas been awardec to four women Marines. Staff Ser-geant Barbara 0. Barnwell, first woman ever to winthe medal, was decorated on 7 August 1953 by Ger:t.ralLemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., Commandant of the MarineCorps, for saving a Marine's life in the Atlantic Oceanoff Camp Lejeune. A Marine since May 1949, she wasattached to the staff of the Inspector-Instructor, 1stAir and Naval Gunfire Lialvin Cornpanv at FortSchuyler, New York, at the time of the incident:1 Hercitation reads:

Hearing a cry for help from a man struggling in the heavysurf some 50 feet outward from her position while she wasswimming in deep water approximately 120 yards from theshore, Sergeant Barnwell immediately swam to the rescueand, although severely scratched on the arm and repeated-ly dragged beneath the surface by the drowning Marine, se-cured a hold on him and commenced to swim to the beach.Despite the treacherous undertow which constantly carriedher outward from the shore, she bravely maintained her holduntil she had reached shallow water and, assisted by alifeguard, succeeded in bringing the unconscious man tothe safety of the beach. By her exceptional courage, daringinitiative and selfless efforts on behalf of another in face ofgrave peril, Sergeant Barnwell was directly instmracntal insaving the Marine's life and upheld the highest traditionsof the United States Naval Service.5

Staff Sergeant Barnwell struggled for 20 exhaustingminutes to rescue Private First Class Frederick Hernan-dez Roman. Once she saw that artificial respirationwas successful and that file man was going to live, shewalked away without even giving her name. Roman'swas, after all, the third life she had saved. When she

'to A 8

169

170

In 1955, Maj HazelEducation andInfonPersonnel Departm6Legion of Merit uponing innovative educ

SSgt Barb,dal on 7 .the Attar,

170

In 1955, Maj Hazel E. Benn, USMCR, was head ofEducation and Information Section, Special Services,Personnel Department, HQMC. She received theLegion of Merit upon retirement in 1975 for formulat-ing innovative educational programs for Marines.


herself was only a child of 11 she saved a seven-year-old from drowning. Later, at 16 she brought a youngwoman safely to shore.

In addition to the medal presentation in the Com-mandant's office, Staff Sergeant Barnwell was honored,along with six male officers, at a retreat ceremony atthe Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. It was the firsttime that a woman was so honored!'

Gunnery Sergcant Dorothy L. Kearns became thesecond woman Marine in history to receive the Navyand Marine Corps Medal when itwas presented to herby Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, Director ofWom-en Marines, on 25 June 1963 at a parade at the IwoJima Memorial in Arlington? The award read:

For heroic conduct on the morning of 5 February 1961while serving with the United States Marine Corps Recruit-ing Station, San Francisco, California. Hearing cries fromhelp emanating from an upstairs apartment in the samebuilding in which she resided, Gunnery Sergeant Kearns im-mediately rushed to the assistance of a woman who was be-ing attacked with a knife by a mentally deranged man. After

SSgt Barbara 0. Barnwell (third from left) was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Me-dal on 7 August 1953 by Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., for saving a Marine's life inthe Allan* Ocean off Camp Lejeune. Director Col Julia E. Hamblet (right) attended

LAURELS AND TRADITIONS 17 I

pulling the assailant from the victim, disarming him, andforcing him away, she rendered first aid to the victim andattempted to calm the attacker. She then telephoned thehospital which, in turn, notified the police. While GunnerySergeant Kearns was admitting the police at the apartmentbuilding entrance, the deranged man again armed himselfand succeeded in inflicting fatal wounds upon the victimas the police were entering the room. By her courageous andselfless efforts in the face of grave personal risk, GunnerySergeant Kearns upheld the highest traditions of the Unit-ed States Naval Servire.6

A World War H Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Kearns haLlbeen one of the women retained at Headquarters Ma-rine Corps after the war, serving continuously untilher retirement in May 1966.

First Lieutenant Vanda K. Brame (later Bresnan),serving at the Marine Corps Officer Selection Officein Dcs Moines, Iowa, was awarded the Navy and Ma-rine Corps Medal for thwarting the holdup of a blindman's shop on 10 April 1970. Having Iunth in the Fed-eral Building Lunch Shop, the pc-tite lieutenant sawa man taking money from an unattended cash draw-

GySgt Dorothy L. Kearns is presented the Navy andMarine Corps Medal by Col Margaret M. Henderson,Director of Women Marines, in 25 June 1963 c,:ierno-nies, for rushing to the assistance of a woman beingattacked with a knife by a mentally deranged mon.

1 stLt Vanda K. Brame was presented the Navy andMarine Corps Medal by BGen Harry C. Olson, Com-manding General, Marine Corps Supply Center, Bar-stow, California, on 24 November 1970, for heroismin thwarting the holdup of a blind mart's shop in Iowa.

er while an accomplice stood guard. The citationdescribing her heroic reaction read:

Immediately realizing that the owner was unaware of theattempted robbery and helpless to defend his property, FirstLieutenant Brame unhesitantly, and without regard for herown safety, pursued, seized, and threw the thief to the floor.The accomplice became unnerved by her aggressive actionand fit: .. The thief succeeded in breaking away, but hediopped the stolen money as he attempted to escape on foot.She continued to pursue him and attracted the attentionof several onlookers who joined the chase and apprehendedthe man after he had run teveral blocks. It was through hercourageous and heroic determination in the face of dangertLat the handicapped owner was saved from bodily harmand personal loss, and the thief was captured, placed in thehards of the police, and finally identified as a potentiallydangerous met of narcotics. First Lieutenant Brame's heroicacaon reflected great credit upon herself and upheld thehighest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United StatesNaval Service?

Brigadier General Harry C. Olson, CommandingGeneral, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow,presented the medal to Lieutenant Brame, then com-manding officer of the Woman Marine Companythere, at an awards and retirement parade on 25November 1970.10

Lance Corporal Sheryl L. Young received the highestnoncombat decoration for heroism in June 1977 forher part in freeing a mother and two small childrenfrom a wrecked car moments before it exploded. On15 October 1976, while students at the Legal Services

W, 182

172

LtI.a

School at Ca_a companion,walking in ttto the intersegulfed in flanoccupf rits onand both Maxthe victimsarrivedP

Brigadier Cthe Judge ActMarine Corpshalf of the Pr,ing rescue. I-1

Upon arrivside, which Itbile, Lance CIown safety anunhesitatinglthe victims ftHer courageosonal risk untgreat credit utions of theService!'

172 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARIN:..j, 1946-1977

0

.041. ir

1."

,

Lcpl Sheryl L. YoUng was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Medal by BGen RobertJ, Chadwick, Director, Judge Advocate Division, in June 1977, for her part in freeinga mother and two small children from a wrecked car moments before it exploded.

School at Camp Pendleton, then Private Young anda companion, Private First Class Thomas J. Maue, werewalking in town when they heard a crash. Runningto the intersection, they heard cries from an auto en-gulfed in flames. Private First Class Maue removed theoccup- ats one by one, handed them to Private Young,and both Marines administered first aid and comfortedthe victims until the poi .;.e and fire departmentsarrived."

Brigadier General Robert J. rreAdwick, Director ofthe Judge Advocate Division, presented the Navy andMarine Corps Medal to Lance Corporal Young on be-half of the President of the United States for the &r-ing rescue. Her citation read:

Upon arriving at the scene of a traffic accident in Ocean-side, which left three pinned in a burning automo-bile, Lance Corporal Young, with complete disregard for herown safety and fully aware of the personal dangers invol. .cl,unhesitatingly assisted her Marine companion in re,ovingthe victims from the vehicle before the gas tank exploded.Her courageous and prompt actions in the face of great per-sonal risk undoubtedly saved three lives; thereby reflectinggreat credit upon herself and upholding the highest tradi-tions of the Marine Corps and the United States NavalService.12

." C..)

183

Bronze Star Medal

The Bronze Star, with combat "V," awarded to per-,sons who have distinguished themselves by heroic ormeritorious achievement or service in connection withmilitary operations against an armed enemy, has beenawarded to three women Marine officers, all of whomserved in Vietnam. The first recipient, Captain ShirleyE. Leaverton, served as the Marine Corps Officer inCharge, Marine Corps Personne: Section, on the staffof the Commander, Naval Forces, Vieinam, from April1970 until 1971. Serving as Historians, Military His-tory Branch, Secretary, Joint Staff; United States Mili-tary Assistance Command, Vietnam, LieutenantColonel Ruth J. O'Holleran and later LieutenantColonel Ruth F. 1, r:inholz were also maded theBronze Star Meda1.13

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Women Marines recognized for superior perfor-mance on joint staffs, especially for duty in Europeand in Vietnam, have often been awarded the JointServicc Commendation Medal. The first recipient,Captain Elaine I. Primeau, who was fatally injured inan automobile accident while on duty on the staff of

LAURELS AND TRADITIONS 173

the Commander in Chief, U. S. Forces, Europe, wasdecorated posthumously in the spring of 1964.14

Dominican Republic

The first woman Marine to be assigned attache du-ty coincidentally became the first to serve under hostilefire. Staff Sergeant Josephine S. Gebers (later Davis),intelligence specialist and administrative assistant a)the Air Force attache, reported to Santo Domingo inJuly 1963. During the turmoil that followed the over-throw of the government in April 1965, Staff SergeantGebers was offered the opportunity to leave with theAmerican women and children but chose to remainat her post. She assisted in the evacuation and then,in addition to her duties, took charge of the commis-sary to ensure equitable distribution of available sup-plies; prepared food armed with only an electric frypan, a toaster, and a hot plate; brought meals to theambassador twice daily; and took turns at the embassyswitchboard.15

At the outbreak of the revolt, rebels surrounded theembassy complex and the staff was confined for near-ly 10 days until the 6th Marine Expeditionary Unitlanded. In a letter to Staff Sergeant Joan S. Ambrose,dated 7 May 1965, Staff Sergeant Gebers wrote:

I have been living in the Attache office, sleeping on thefloor, chair or anything I can grab, fixing chow for thc at-taches and male clerks etc., running across the street withmessages as the telephones were out under gunfire, wan-dering around in the dark .. . no electricity or water, every.thing was out. Almost all the Americans here have investedin freezers and we all lost hundreds of dollars of frozen foods.I managed to get back to my apartment in time to give allmy frozen food to my Dominican neighbors, so I don't fedit was a total loss. My apartment is located in a neutral zoneand has not been the center of activity. My landlord andneighbors are watching my apartment so no ot e can loot it.

Joannie, I still can't believe dl that has happened. TheErst day, the Marines landed of course, was quite a thrilland all so excidng. They drove in in trucks, jeeps, tanks,LVTs, etc. and scattered into their positions all around theembassy. Of course that night and for a few days following,

SSgt Josephine S. Gebers, who later was authorized to wear the Armed Forces Expedi-tionary Medal and Combat Action Ribbon as a resull of hostile action in the overthrowof the Dominican Republic government in April 1965. reads the Commandant's MarineCorps birthday message on 10 November 1965, at the U.S. Enthassy, Santo Domingo.

)) 3:

184


,141-t,-1-

A,

Vt.Vto

ti

4..5e. 'a 4

'.:"

o,. "4ty.1....111101 v`ak

Capt Elaine T. Carville, company commander, serves cake to TSgt Mary Quinn on the8th anniversary of the Women Marines, 13 February 1951, at Marine Corps Schools.

it wasn't so thrilling as we were being fired on by nearbysnipers.0

On 1 September 1966, in a ceremony in his office,General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., presented the JointService Commendation Medal to Gunnery SergeantGebers, then administrative chief to the Comman-dant. Additionally, she was authorized to wear theArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal and later, theCombat Action Ribbon reportedly the first WM todo so. First Sergeant Josephine Gebers Davis remain-ed on active duty until August 1971.'7

WM Anniversary

The tradition began on 13 February 1944 whenmuch was made of the first anniversary of the entryof women into the Marine Corps. Mrs. Franklin D.Roosevelt, wife of the President; Acting Secretary ofthe Navy Ralph A. Baird; the Commandant of the Ma-rine Corps, General Vandegrift; and Colonel Streeterheaded the list of dignitaries at a ceremony conduct-ed at Fort Myer, Virginia.18 Since then, the anniver-sary of the women Marines has been the subject of

some controversy at times celebrated with muchen-,:ouragement and at other times purposely neglected

the upper levels at Headquarters in an effort to en-%rage all Marines to acknowledge one birthday, the

10th of November. To further complicate the issue,die women who served in World War I questioned the.1;e of 1943 as a point of reference. Colonel 16w1e wrotea memorandum ou the subject in 1951 stating:

The formation of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve ofWorld War II was officially announced by die CMC, GeneralThomas Holcoml- on 13 February 1943, ,inder the provi-sions of the Naval eeserwe Act of 1938, as amended. It isthat anniversary which :s recognized each year by womenwho served in World War II; hence the Eighth Anniversary,13 February 1951,"A

During World War II and immediately after, thecelebration of the occasion was an effective way to raisemorale, Iv. p up the interesz of former \VMs, and ingeneral to enhance the prestige of women in the serv-ice. Celebrations have -;aried according to local cus-toms, but normally included a cake-cutting ceremonyattended by the commanrUng general, the battalioncommander, and all WMs, officers and enlisted, at the

1 8 5

LAURELS AND TRADITIONS

noon meal at the mess hall; formal messages from theCommandant and the Director of Women Marines;a women Marine color guard to raise the flag; and anevening party, often a formal dance. A sizable num-ber Of male Marines took up the habit of joining thewomen in celebrating the anniversary. Long after heretired, former Commandant General Greene con-tinued to call the Director of Women Marines on 13February to wish her a "Happy Anniversary.,,2o

Mrs. John B. Cook, wife of Brigadier General Cook,said that she never can forget the date of the WM an-niversary since it coincides with her wedding anniver-.sary. Twice the battalion commander of womenMarines, the general made it a point to celebrate theirmutual anniversaries together. Mrs. Cook remembersthat one 13 February in Philadelphia, when he wasnot commanding women Marines, the general tookher to a restaurant for dinner, but as soon as the mealwas finished, he said, "Well, let's go the club and havea drink with the WMs."21

Colonel Randolph McC. Pate, Director of Divisionof Reserve during the post-World War H period, in-augurated the tradition of giving red roses to theDirector of Women Marines on.13.Fe? ruary one foreach year being commemorated. Major Hamblet, as

Woman Marine anniversary cake prepared by the MessHall, Camp Pendleton, California, in February 1966.

-

175

Director of the Women's Reserve, received the firstbouquet. Later, when the Director became a memberof the Commandant's staff, each succeeding Comman-dant continued the custom.22 Sometime in the 1970s,as emphasis on a separate anniversary for womenwaned, Colonel Sustad received the last bouquet ofred roses from General Cushman.

In addition to the roses, for many years, the Com-mandant sent a formal message to all women Marinesto mark the special day. On the occasion of the eighthanniversary of the founding of the Women's Reserve,General Cates, then Command an, , wrote gallantly toColonel Towle:

It was a proud day in the annals of the Corps when thewomen joined us in 1943. Your record of achievement sincethen well merited the permanent recognition of Women Ma-rines, The filling of your ranks by Regulars and Reserves sinceth_ nutbreak in Korea has greatly aided our Corps to attainnew glories. All ranks in the Corps join me today in a fondsalute to out "lady Marines."23

In 1953, Headquarters encouraged all commandsto promote, celebrate, and publicize the observance,but in 1954, the Chief of Staff directed that nothingshould ". . . emanate from this Headquarters in con-nection with the 11th anniversary of the women Ma-rines, 13 February 1954."24 Two years later, theCommandant, General Pate sent a similar message tothe Director which stated:

I have directed no specific Marine Corps-wide observanceof the 13th Anniversary of the service of women in our Corps.This was for the sound and satisfying reason that WomenMarines are now a completely integrated part of our Corps.I felt certain that as a permanent and integral part of ourCorps and sharing alike in all our traditions, our WomenMarines would consider a separate celebration to be inap-propriate.

However, I cannot let this occasion pass without ex:en-ding a greeting to you as the representative cf all WomenMarines. I should also like to congratulate you on the splen-did manner in which you are discharging this responsibility.

My very best wishes to you and all Women Marines forthe future.25

The local celebrations continued, nevertheless, andGeneral Pate relented by resuming the habit of send-ing greetings to all women Marines in the ensuingyears.

Apparently, when General David M. Shoup becameCommandant the propriety of the observance wasagain questioned. Colonel Henderson, the director,prepared a year-by-year study of the celebrations andconcluded with the thoughts:

186


OvAL

,

vAY'iv

1-744N,e4figi

--48,11'

,

,OZ

The women Marines of Camp Pendleton are aided in celebrating their 28th anniversaryat the traditional cake-cutting ceremony by Col Emil J. Radics, base chief of staff Fromleft are PFCs Julia Krauss and Brenda Baker, Col Radics. and Maj Georgia Swickheimer.

It is my personal belief that the Women Marines thinkof 13 February 1943 not as a birthday, but as the date whichcommemorates the opportunity given them to become a partof the Marine Corps and to share in all its traditions. Be-cause of this belief and their esprit de corps, I recommendthat they continue to celebrate their anniversary.

I know that it will please every woman in the Corps tohave a personal message of recognition from the Comman-dant and make her prouder than ever of being a womanMarine."

And so it went until the question was settled onceand for all in 1974. file Commandant made knownthat in the future only 10 November would be ac-knowledged by a CMC message. Colonel Brewer,Director of Women Marines, agreed with the theorythat, with ". . . increased effectiveness in the utiliza-tion of women Marines as an integral part of the Corps,it is appropriate and timely to discontinue the prac-tice of publishing 'WM Anniversary' messages by the

Commandant and the Director of Women Marines."27Referring, however, to the wide reaching changes inpolicy approved by the Commandant in 1973, she rea-soned that a final message would be an excellent wayto reemphasize the increased opportunties for wom-en Marines and to announce the discontinuance of thetradition." General Cushman, therefore, in the finalanniversary message, said:

With ,.ich passing year, we Marines working together willmeet the challenges of the future, willing and able to ful-fill our responsibilities as the "Nation's Force In Readiness."

In recognition of the role of the women members of ourCorps in fulfilling this mission, and since all Marines shareone Birthday, it seems appropriate to recognize your achieve-ments for this, the last time, as a separate, special occasion.i:ccordingly, we pause today to reflect ri the day 31 yearsago when women became members of our Marine Corpsteam ready to meet all challenges."


The tradition of giving red roses, one for each year,to the Director of Women Marines on .13 February waskgun by Col Randolph McC. Pate, post-World WarII Director of Reserve. Col Jeanette I. Sustad receivesthe bouquet of roses from the Commandant, GenLeonard F. Chapman, Jr., in the early 1970s.

Women Marines and Mess Night

For a number of years, it was generally understoodthat formal mess nights were for men only.3° Womenofficers did not expect to be included and indeed theywere not. As women were assigned to more and morebillets outside the WM program, the situation becameincreasingly awkward, and on rare occasions, they wereinvited to take part in the ancient social custom. Thefirst woman to attend a mess night was probablyColonel Helen A. Wilson.*

*"In August, 1957, while on active duty for training at the Ma-rine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, to atrend the US. Marine CorpsReserve Administrative Course, I toc.k part in a formal mess night.The announcement was made that I was the first woman in historyto participate in thy- ancient and solemn ceremony. For me, it wasalmost a terrifying experience, having been direly warned :..nd in-criminated by my fellow Marines as to the solemnity of the occa-sion. They coached me and warned me of the deep significance ofa formal mess night, and the importance of my role on this auspi-cious occasion. My memorized speech dissolved into a few halting(but sincere) phrases memorializing the important event itself, andthe Marine Corps. After the meat was declared "fit for human con-sumption," e feast began, the wine flowed freelyand glasses wereraised in countless toasts, each more fervent than the last. Then,as I quivered . my turn came Gentlemen a toast to the Directorof Women Marines!"which was by then most enrhusisticallyreceived. In my "memento box" I still have the cigar they gave methat night, carefully wrapped and labeledand unsmolted!" ColHelen A. Wilson comments on draft manuscript, dtd 1Jan80.

The date of the first formal mess night sponsoredby a WM unit is known-12 February 1970. Tocelebrate the 27th anniversary of the women Marines,officers of the Women Marine Recruit Training Bat-talion, Parris Island, and the women officers of theneighboring Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort,gathered at the officers' club and followed the time-honored procedures under the direction of MajorRoberta N. Roberts (later Patrick), Madam President.Madam Vice, the junior officer present, was Chief War-rant Officer Bertha Peters Billeb, who had been oneof the original staff members wher, the battalion wasactivated in 1943, and later in 196) 'iecame the firstSergeant Major of Women Marines.

The battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jen-ny Wrenn, invited the guests of honor, Major Gener-al Oscar F. Peatross, Commanding General, MarineCorps Recruit Depot, and Colonel Richard J. Schriver,Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station. Inhis remarks, General Peatross praised the women fortheir patriotism. He said:

You have no obligation to serve in the military. You arenot subject to the drait or to any other impetus to serve ex-cept your own patriotism and desire to serve your countryand fellow man. You must be counted as the most patrioticamong the citizens of our nation?'

Subsequently, the most frequent WM-sponsoredmess nights occurred at The Basic School, Quantico,when the training schedule precluded a joint affair.With the complete integration of women into the Bas-ic School program in 1977, scheduling problems dis-appeared and separate mess nights along with them.At all commands where women now serve, they taketheir place at formal mess nights along with their malecolleagues.

Molly Marine

"Molly" is the nickname of a statue which has stoodat the intersection of Elk Place and Canal Street indowntown New Orleans, Louisiana, since it was origi-nally dedicated on the Marine Corps Birthday in1943.32 Originally cast in marble chips and granite be-cause of wartime restrictions, Molly had becomeweather beaten. In 1961, a local committee decidedto erect a monument to women who had served inall branches of the service in all wars, but, they propos-ed to erect their monument on Molly's beachhead, andremove the statue of the woman Mnine.

Molly's many friends blocked this action: Headingthe long list of her benefactors was Mr. Frank Zito,

.A


Jr., former State Commandant, Marine Corps League,Louisiana, who pledged that Molly would be bronzedand placed on a new pedestal. Thus, Mr. Zito estab-lished the Molly Restoration Fund for her refurbishing.

During the ensuing controversy, it was pointed outthat New Orleans was the site of the first statue of awoman in the United States, that of Margaret Haugh-ery, erected in 1884; that the first statue of a womanin uniform anywhere in the world was Joan of Arc,in her armor, in Orleans, France; that New Orleanswas the nan-iestake of Orleans, France; and that there-fore, it was appropriate that Molly Marine, the firststatue of a woman in uniform in the United States,should remain in New Orleans.

At the 1964 national convention for the Women Ma-rines Association and the Marine Corps League, bothorganizations unanimously passed resolutiois pledg-ing support to the restoration project. The MarineCorps Reserve Officers Association added its aid witha Support the Restoration of Molly Marine resolutionpassed by the national delegates in 1966 at Houston,Texas. Through the efforts of the New Orleans CajunChapter of the Women Marines Association, and lo-

cal friends of the Corps, a full-scale drive was launchedfor the final completion of Molly.

After many years of working and waiting, Mollyreceived her new dress. She was taken from her postto be returned dressed in her new bronze finery whereshe awaited her unveiling which took place during theWomen Marine Association National Convention, 29June-1 July 1966.

On hand for the occasion, as personal repreFentatheof the Commandant, was Brigadier General EdwardH. Hurst, Director, Marine Corps Landing Force De-velopment Center, Quantico, who as a major in 1943had been the commanding officer of the Marine Train-ing Detachment, Naval ReL2rve Midshipmen School(WR), Northampton, Massachussetts, and later thecommanding officer of the Officer Training School,MCWR, Camp Lejeune; Colonel Barbara J. Bishop,Director of Women Marines; and Gunnery SergeantHelen Hannah Campbell, USMCR, President, Wom-en Marines Association. Many of Molly's benefactorswere at the ceremonies to see the culmination of theirefforts in the restoration.

The original inscription, which read:

LtCol Jenny Wrenn, Commanding Officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, ParrisIsland, presides at the first Mess Night sponsored by a woman Marine unit, in 1970.

89


:

1\1A. P.. F.

11}F.P 3

1;!.

Molly Marine, mo4u;,7,:lit i Orleans, dedicated to women who served as Marines.

r 190


Dedicated by the People of New OrleansTO THE WOMEN OF AMERICA

In the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reservefor recognition of the patriotic service

rendered their country10 November 1943

was changed to:

Molly MarineNovember 10, 1943

FREE A MARINE TC) FIGHTREDEDICATED JULY 1, 1966 IN HONOR OF

WOMEN MARINES WHO SERVE THEIR COUNTRYIN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS

OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Women Marines Association

The Women Marines Association (WMA) traces itsorigin to a 1923 dream of a couple of World War Iveterans, Florence Miller and Louise Budge, who triedwithout success to organize the "Girl Marinc Vete-rans."33 The idea lay dormant for years until a hand-ful of members at large met at the first WMAconvention in Denver in 1960. The founders who laidthe groundwork for the unofficial organization of

women Marines were headed by Reservc Major JeanDurfee and included former WRs Marion A. HooperSwope, Mary Jeane Olson Nelron, June F. Hansen, LoisLighthall, Ila Doon, -le Clark, and Barbara Kees Meeks.Colonel Margaret M. lenderson, the Director ofWomen Marines, al irNIded the convention and gaveher support and encouragement.

A constitution was adopted, setting forth WMA ob-jectives and providing for biennial conventions, na-tional officers and directors were ekcted; and theattendees returned home to mount a vigorous mem-bership campaign which netted approximately 350charter members by February 1961. Shortly thereafter,the first issue of a quarterly newsletter, WMA Nounr,,ments appeared. Subsequent conventions wc;e neldin Cleveland, Saint Louis, New Orleans, San FL -ris-co, Philadelphia, Honolulu, Galveston, and it-the nation's bicentennial birthday, in Bostolfirst time in WMA history, the women wereby a Commandant of the Marine Cows,Robert E. Cushman, Jr., at the 1974 lexas rnLLi.inp.The WMA is the only national organization operi ex-clusively to women who serve or have servcd as Unit-ed States Marines.

CHAPTER 16

The Sergeants Major of Women MarinesBertha L. PetersEvelyn E. Albert Ouida W Criddock Mabel A.R. Otten June V Andler Grace A. Carle

With the publication of MCO 1421.6 in April 1960,three WM sergeant major billets were designated, oneof which was marked for the senior enlisted womanin the office of the Director of Women Marines. Thesystem at that time provided for the temporary ap-pointment to sergeant major of women already in theninth pay grade, master gunnery sergeant. The firstwoman to be promoted to master gunnery sergeant,Geraldine M. Moran, was stationed at El Toro whereno billet for a WM sergeant major existed. The secondwoman to be selected for the top enlisted pay gradewas Bertha Peters (later Billeb), who at the time wasin the Director's office. Promoted on 18 January 1961to master gunnery sergeant, Peters coincidentally be-came eligible and was appointed as the first SergeantMajor of Women Marines.

Officially, no special provisions were made for thebillet, but much ceremony and publicity attended theappointment. Colonel Henderson strongly believedthat an experienced staff noncommissioned officer,through close liaisan with enlis:.ed WMs in the field,could provide the Director with valuable insightswhich would help in the development of meaningfulpolicies concerning women Marines. She enhanced theprestige and position of the sergeant major most nota-bly by taking her on trips to inspect women Marineunits. The top enlisted WM visited the women on thejob and in their barracks. She spoke to work supervi-sors and the WM company staff. Back at Headquart-ers, she made public appearances and she was theexpert in residence on enlisted women Marine matters.

Selection of the succeeding sergeants major wasdone by a special board convened at Headquarters.The senior member was a woman officer and theDirector of Women Marines was an advisor. Theguidance given board members describing the desira-ble qualifications specified:

1. In personal appearance, an outstanding representativewoman Marine I-Jr her age and grade. Feminine in man-nerism and person; impeccable in uniform and knowledge-able in presenting an appearance in civilian clothingappropriate to any social occasion.

2. Poised and mature in military presence; socially awareand approachable; tactful and capable of achieving a nicely

balanced relationship with officers, senior staff NCOs, andpersonnel of lower pay grades, mcn and women,

3, Possessed of an excellent ability to communkate oral-ly and in writing; particularly well qualified to speak be.fore a sizable audience.

4, A Marine Corps career of widest possible experience,particularly in regard to billets in the women's program andin contrast to assignments limited solely to duty in her MOS.Consideration cbuId bc given to her performance in herOF and to the past selection for such other assignments as

,auctoi, recruiter, DI, or as 1stSgt/SgtMaj.:

Six women were eventually designated through 1976as Sergeant Major of Women Marines. They are:

Sergeant Major Bertha L. Peters (Billeb)-18)an1961-13Nov1963Sergeant Major Evelyn E. Albert 13Nov1963-1Dec1966Sergeant Major Ouida W. Craddock-1Dec1966-1Aug1969Sergeant Major Mabel A. R. OttenlAug1969-30Apr1972

Bertha L. Peters, Sergeant Major of Women Marines18 January 1961-13 November 1963.

192

181

182

Evelyn E. Albert, Sergeant Major of Women Marines13 November 1963-1 December 1966.

Sergeant Major June V. Andler-30Apr1972-30Apr1974Sergeant Major Grace A. Cade-30Apr1974-300ct1976

Sergeant Major Bertha L. Peters

Sergeant Major Bertha L. Peters (Billeb) of Wasco,California, having been recruited by Lieutenant Col-onel Lily H. Gridley (who was still in a WAVES uni-form) in San Francisco, was enlisted in the MarineCorps Reserve on 5 March 1943 and entered trainingon 19 April 1943 in the second recruit class of WRsat Hunter College in New York. She served on con-tinuous active duty at Headquarters Marine Corps inthe Division of Aviation throughout World War II. r'10 Novembei 1948 she was one of the first eight e__ -

listed WRs to be sworn into the regular Marine Corpsby General Clifton B. Cates.

In February 1949, she was transferred to Parris Is-land where she became the Battalion Chief Clerk furthe newly organized 3d Recruit Training Battalion.Upon the discharge of MSgt Elsie Miller, the Battal-ion Sergeant Major, GySgt Peters assumed the dutiesof Sergeant Major. Stthsequently she was assigned asSergeant Major of the Woman Marines Officer Train-


ing Command, Quantico; First Sergeant, Company A,Pearl Harbor, and in 1955 once again, as SergeantMajor, Women Recruit 'Raining Battalion. In 1959 shewas selected and assigned to the senior enlisted wom-an Marine billet, Office of the Director of \Woman Ma-rines. She was selected for promotion to mastergunnery sergeant in 1961 and redesignated as sergeantmajor. She became the first Sergeant Major of Wom-en Marines. After her marriage in 1962 to GunnerySergeant William N. Billeb she joined her husbandat Quantico and was assigned for the st..cond time asSergeant Major, Women Officers Training. In 1966 af-ter her husband had been promoted to warrant officer(temporary) she accepted promotion to warrant officer(temporary) and was transferred to her third tour ofduty ...vith the Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Par-ris Is!2sid, where she was assigned to the billet of Bat-talion adjutant. In 1970 the Billebs, bothcommissioned officers, reverted to their permanentranks. Master Gunnery Sergeant Bertha Billeb wastransferred to MCB, Camp Pendleton. She was 'redesig-nated tu permanent sergeant rnajnr in 1972 when allwomen Marines who held that rank were given per-manent warrants. At this ,ime the Billebs were the onlyhusband-wife sergeant major team in the MarineCorps. In 1973, Sergeant Major Bertha Billeb, beingthe first woman to complete 30 years' continuous ac-tive duty, was retired with honors at MCB, Camp Pen-dleton. She requested and was placed on the retiredlist as a commissioned warrant officer.

Sergeant Major Evelyn E. Albert

Sergeant Major Evelyn E. Albert assumed the as-signment as Sergeant Major of Women Marines, Head-quarters Marine Corps, on 13 November 1963. She wasthe second woman to hold that billet since its crea-tion in April 1960.

A 1943 graduate of Wagner College, Staten Island,New York, with a BA degree in English, SergeantMajor Albert enlisted from her native New Jersey inApril 1943, following the call to active duty of the Ma-rine Corps Women's Reserve in February. She was inthe third class of WRs to train at the Naval TrainingSchool at Hunter College prior to the transfer of theWR training to Camp Lejeune. One of the first WRsassigned to Camp Lejeune, she served there until July1943, when she was transferred to the Marine CorpsAir Station, Cherry Point.

While at Cherry Point, she was temporarilydetached to the Aerological School Training Unit atthe Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey. Upon

THE SERGEANTS MAJOR OF WOMEN MARINES 183

completion of school, she was promoted to corporaland returned to Cherry Point as an aerographer. Sheremained there until the general demobilization ofthe Marine Corps Women's Reserve in December 1945.On her return to civilian life, she completed the Ex-ecutive Secretary Course at Berkley School in New YorkCity.

In July 1948, Staff Sergeant Albert enlisted in theInactive Reserve and, following the 1948 Worlif I'sArmed Forces Integration Act, enlisted in the U.S. Ma-rine Corps and returned to active duty. She was thefirst woman Marine to serve as a receptionist to theSecretary of Defense. She served n this capacity untilDecember 1951 under Secretaries Louis A. Johnson,George C. Marshall, and Robert A. Lovett.

After serving as a recruiter for a few years she at-tended Personnel Administration School at Parris Is-

land and upon graduation she was assigned to MarineCorps Schools, Quantico, as first sergeant of the Wom-an Marine Company.

From December 1958 until December 1960, Albertserved on the staff of Commander in Chief, AlliedForces, Southern Europe, Naps, Italy, where she waspromoted to master sergeant. She then served as Ser-geant Major, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Par-ris Island, and duL4ig this tour was promoted to firsergeant in February 1961. In October 1963, she wasdetached from her duties and reported to Headquart-ers as Sergeant Major of Women Marines. At the endof her cour she was transferred to the Marine CorpsAir Station Facility, Santa Ana, where she was promot-ed to master gunnery sergeant. From January 1968 un-til her retirement in December 1969, she served withthe Awards Unit, Force Adjutant Section, FMFPac.

Ouida W. Craddock, Sergeant Major of Women Marines, 1 December 1966-1 August1969, is congratulated at the appointing ceremony by Gen Wallace M. Greene, Jr.

184 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 19464977

Sergeant Major Ouida V Craddock

Ouida Wells Craddock was born in Haskell, Okla-homa, and grew up in Oakland, California. DuringWorld War II she enlisted in the U.S. Marine CorpsReserve at San Francisco and served on active duty asa private first class in San Francisco and El Toro untildischarged in April 1946.

She reenlisted in July 1949 and was integrated intothe Regular Marine Corps in August 1951. Assignedto active duty, she served as electric accountingmachine operator, and later, noncommissioned officerin charge, Civilian Payroll and Fiscal Accounts,Machine Records Section, San Francisco, California.She was promoted to staff sergeant in June 1952 andto technical sergeant in May 1953.

From August 1953 until July 1954, Sergeant Crad-dock served at Headquarters as assistant projects plan-ner, and later, as supply accountant. She attended theRecruiters School, then was transferred to the 12th Ma-rine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District, San Fran-cisco, where she served as "WM recruiter fromSeptember 1954 until October 1958.

She returned to Parris Island and joined the Wom-an Recruit Training Battalion, serving as recruit pla-toon sergeant. She attended NoncommissionedOfficer Leadership School at Quantico and then wasassigned duty as chief drill instructor back at the Wom-an Recruit Company, serving in that capacity from Au-gust 1959 until September 1960.

For the next three years she saw duty with the Wom-an Marine Company at Camp Smith, Hawaii. Sheserved first 2S project planner and later became thefirst woman to be designated as a data processing in-stallation chief. While serving in Hawaii, she waspromoted to master sergeant in January 1962.

In January 1964, Sergeant Craddock returned toHeadquarters and was assigned as operation analyst,Operation Management Branch, Data Processing Di-vision. Transferred in February 1965, she was assignedduty once again as iecruiter in San Francisco. Whilethere, she was selected as the top ranking noncom-missioned woman Man'ne in the Corps, with the rankof sergeant major. At the time of her selection she wasthe senior enlisted woman in the data processing field,and was the first woman to be promoted to the seniorpay grade from outside of the administrative field.

Sergeant Major Craddock served as Sergeant Majorof Women Marines until she retired on 2 August 1969.

Sergeant Major Mabel A. R. Otten

Sergeant Major Mabel Annie Rosa Otten becamethe fourth Sergeant Major of Women Marines inceremonies held at Headquarters on 1 August 1969.Born in Centerville, Illinois, she graduated from DupoCommunity High School. She enlisted in the MarineCorps Reserve during the national emergency on 16May 1944, in St. Louis, Missouri, and received recruittraining at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.

During World War H, she served at the Depot ofSupplies in San Francsico, in Hawaii, at Mare Island,and again at the Depot of Supplies, San Francisco.While stationed in San Francisco, she was dischargedas a sergeant following demobilization of the MarineCorps Women's Reserve in August 1946.

In April 1947 , she reenlisted in the Marine CorpsReserve and in November 1948 integrated into theRegula, Marine Corps. Following her return to activeduty, Staff Sergeant Otten served in the disbursingfield at Headquarters from April 1948 to October 1951and at Cherry Point from October 1951 to June 1954,where she was promoted to master sergeant on 1 June1952. Master Sergeant Otten completed Recruiters

Mabel A. R. Otten, Sergeant Major of Women Marines1 August 1969-30 April 1972

I-177p , t

41;4,

THE 'SERGEANTS MAJOR OF WOMEN MARINES 185

School in August 1954, then served on recruiting dutyat South Charleston, West Virginia.

In October 1957, she became disbursing chief atQuantico and in March 1960 was assigned duty as S-3operations chief at the Woman Recruit Training Bat-talion at Parris Island serving there until June 1962.

For the next seven years, she served as disbursingchief consecutively at Camp Lejeune, Treasure Island,and at Futema in Okinawa. She was promoted tomaster gunnery sergeant on 1 August 1967 andreturned to the United States in June 1969.

Sergeant Major Otten served as Sergeant Major ofWomen Marines until she retired on 30 .1..prit 1972.

Sergeant Major June V Andler

Sergeant Major June (Judy) V. Andler became thefifth Sergeant Major of Women Marines on 30 April1972. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, she graduated fromSt. Paul High School in 1940. She enlisted in the Ma-rine Corps Reserve on 9 March 1944 and receivedrecruit training at Camp Lejeune. During the war, sheserved at Quantico and at Headquarters Marine Corps.

In 1948; she integrate I into the Regular MarineCorps and in February 19,',9 was transferred to Parris

June V Andler, Sergeant Major of Women Marines30 April 1972-30 April 1974

,!

8

Grace A. Carle, Sergeant Major of Women Marines30 April 1974-30 October 1976

Island as one of the original members of the staff ofthe 3d Recruit Training Battalion. She served there un-til September 1952, first as battalion chief clerk, thenas a drill instructor. While at Parris Island, she com-pleted the Personnel and Administrative Course in1950.

Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pen-dleton, California, she saw duty as Chief Clerk, OfficerPersonnel Section and, later, served as an investigatorin the Base Provost Marshal's Office. During this as-signment, in 1953, she attended the Non-commissioned Officers Leadership School at 'CampLejeune and the Criminal Investigation Course atCamp Gordon, Georgia. For the next 28 months, shesaw duty as administrative chief of the Woman Ma-rine Company at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii.

Promoted to gunnery sergeant in December 1959,during the same month she was assigned to El Toroand subsequently served as administrative chief ofWoman Marine Detachment One. From April 1962until November 1963, Gunnery Sergeant Andlerserved, successively, as First Sergeant, Woman OfficersCandidate Class, and Administrative Chief of Wom-an Marines Detachment at Quantico.

196


Following this assignmmt, she returned to CampPendleton for duty as noncommissioned officer incharge, Officer Personnel Section, Marine Corps Base,and later as administrative chief of Headquartets Regi-ment. She was promoted to master strgeant in June1966, and that September, became S-3, opera-tions/special subjects instructor for the Woman RecruitTraining Battalion at Parris Island.

Transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot atSan Diego, she served from April 1969 until February1970 as First Sergeant, Woman Marine Company. Shewas promoted to first sergeant on 1 May 1969. Uponpromotion to master gunnery sergeant on 1 February1970, she became the Headquarters and Service Bat-talion administrative chief.

In January 1971, Master Gunnery Sergeant Andlerassumed duty as Personnel Chief, Marine Corps Com-munications Electronics School at Twentynine Palms.While serving in this capacity, she was namcd the fifthSergeant Major of Women Marines.

Completing 30 years of continuous active duty, Ser-geant Major Andler retired on 30 April 1974.

Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle

Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle became the sixth andlast Sergeant Major of Women Marines in ceremoniesheld at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., on 30April 1974. Born in Yankton, South Dakota, shegraduated from Pender High School, Pender, Nebras-ka, in 1940. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in April1943 and was a member of the last regiment trained

'CR(

at Hunter College, New York. During World War II,she saw service at Headquarters Marine Corps and inHawaii. She was released from active duty in Novem-ber 1945.

The all-woman Volunteer Training Unit which shejoined in 1948 became thc nucleus of the WR Pla-toon, 13thlInfantry Battalion and was mobilized in1950 at the beginning of the Korean War. Before leav-ing for San Francisco, she, along with others in theplatoon, was ordered to the home armory for twoweeks active duty during which the women helped thernen to pack and to get their paperwork in order. Ini-tially, she served in San Francisco as a Reservist andthen integrated into the Regular Marine Corps in1951.2

Other duty assignments took her to El Toro, ParrisIsland, Camp Pendleton, and to New Orleans, as as-sistant to the woman officer selection officer. Sheserved as first sergeant of the Woman Marine Com-panies at Camp Lejeune and on Okinawa. At the timeof her selection as Sergeant Major of Women Marines,she was Sergeant Major, Woman Officer School,Quantico.

At the 'end of her tour as Sergeant Major of Wom-en Marines, a woman Marine mess night was held atthe Sheraton Hotel on 29 October 1976, an occasionattended by women Marine officers and enlisted, fromall East Coast posts. The next day, upon retirement,she was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal andhonored at parade at the Marine Barracks, 8th andI Streets, Washington, D.C.

An era ends as the last Sergeant Major of Women Marines, Grace A. Carle retires atceremonies held at Marine Barracks, 8th and I, rashington, on 30 October 1976.

1

e:ee

CHAPTER 17

The Directors of Women MarinesKatherine A. TowleJulia E. Hamb letMargaret M. HendersonBarbara J. BishopJeanette I. Sustad

Margaret A. BrewerThe Position

Colonel Katherine A. Towle

Originally of Vermont stock, Colonel KatherineAmelia Towle was born in Towle, California, a lum-ber mill hamlet in the Sierras founded by hcr grand-father. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1920 at theUniversity of California at Berkeley with honer; in po-litical science and received her master's degree therein 1935. Prior to 13 February 1943, she had served suc-cessively as an assistant in the admissions office at theUniversity of California; resident dean and headmis-tress of Miss Ronsom and Miss Bridges School for Girlsat Piedmont, California; a teaching fellow in politicalscience at the University of California; and senior edi-tor of the University of California Press.,

On 15 March 1943, she accepted an appointmentas captain in the Marine Corps Reserve with rank asof 24 February. Having never attended basic trainingof any sort, Colonel Towle in later years laughinglyremarked that she was not even a 90-day wonder. Af-ter six clays of indoctrination with the Division ofReserve at Headquarters Marine Corps, CaptainTowle was assigned as a staff offices (WR) with theTraining Brigade, Marine Training Detachment, U.S.Naval Training School, Bronx, New York.

When the WR battalion was established at CampLejeune in June 1943, she was transferred ther..: andbecame the senior Marine Corps Women's ReserveSchool officer and assistant executive officer. In thatposition, she promoted to major on 2 February1944, and in September of that year she became Col-onel Streeter's assistant at Headquarters Marine Corps.

She remained at Headquarters, was appointed alieutenant colonel on 15 March 1945, and succeededColonel Streeter as Director nine months later on 8December. A colonel by virtue of her billet, she spenther remaining months in the Marine Corps directingthe demobilization of the women Reservists and lay-ing plans and policies for a postwar Marine CorpsWomen's Reserve.

On 14 June 1946, tertain that all World War II WRswould be released within a few months, ColonelTowle returned to the Berkeley campus as assistantdean of women. For her meritorious wartime service,

she carried with her the Letter of Commendation withribbon by the Secretary of Navy and a letter of ap-preciation from Geneial Alexander A. Vandegrift, theCommandant of the Matine Corps.

When Congress provided for Regular componentsof women in the Armed Forces, General Clifton B.Cates, then Commandant, asked Colonel Towle todirect the new Regular women Marines. She returnedto Washington as one of the first 20 women Regularofficers and became the first Director of WomenMarines.

Recruit and officer training programs were organiz-ed and a gradual buildup of women in the RegularMarine Corps began. At the same time, 13 women'splatoons welt established in the Marine Corps Or-ganized Reserve, Colonel Towle was particularly proud

Col Katherine A. Towle, Director of Women Marines18 October 19484 May 1953

.47

198

187

THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES 189

Colonel Towle frankly answered that there were vary-ing degrees of enthusiasm but with one or two excep-tions the feminine presence had been taken with goodgrace. The day after the interview was published nearlyevery general officer at Headquarters stopped by heroffice, poked in his head, and asked, "You didn't meanme, did you, Colonel?" The Colonel replied, "Oh no,sir, of course notr but by the end of the day neithershe nor her administrative assistant, LieutenantColonel Kleberger, could keep a straight face as theparade by her office continued,4

On 1 May 1952, Colonel Towle was retired underthe statutory age provision of the Women's ArmedServices Integration Act of 1948 which required retire-ment for colonels at age 55. A special sunset paradehad been held in her honor the evening before at theMarine Barracks in Washington, D.C., and for the firsttime in the history of the famous barracks, a platoonof women Marines joined the contingent of Marineswho passed in review. Upon retirement, the colonelwas awarded a Letter of Commendation from theCommandant of the Marine Corps and a Legion ofMerit from the President of the United States.*

Colonel Julia E. Hamblet

The third Director of the Marine Corps Women'sReserve and the second Director of 'Women Marineswas Colonel Julia Estelle Hamblet, called Judy by herfriends. Born in Winchester, Massachusetts, ColonelHamblet attended the Hartridge School in Plainfield,New Jersey, and graduated from Vassar College in 1937with a bachelor of arts degree.5 The first woman Ma-rine to be afforded the opportunity to attend gradu-ate sc:lool while on active duty, she earned a masterof science degree in public administration at OhioState University in 1951. Appropriately, her thesis wasentitled, "The Utilization of Women in the MarineCorps."

Colonel Hamblet worked for the U.S. InformationService in Washington, D.C., from 1937 until 1943when she became the first woman from the nation'scapital to join the Marine Corps. Her motive for en-tering military service, like thousands of Americansduring those critical days, was a patriotic desire to doher part. Her reason for choosing the Marine Corps

*C&onel Towle returned to the University of California at Ber-keley as the dean of women and associate dean of students. Latershe filled the very demanding post of dean of students during thefamous free speech movement and anti-war demonstrations on theBerkeley campus.

it

Col Julia E. Hamblet, Director of Women Marines1 May 1953-2 March 1959

was less noble; with one brother in the Army andanother in tilt- Navy, she wanted to remain impartial.

Graduating from the first woman officer trainingclass on 4 May 1943, she, along with several of herclassmates, was commissioned a first lieutenant. Cap-tain Towle, then senior woman officer on the staff atthe Marinc Corps Training Detachment in the Bronx,personally selected Lieutenant Hamblet to fill thebillet of adjutant of that unit. She served in that postat Hunter College and later at Camp Lejeune whenthe Women's Reserve schools were transferred there inJuly 1943. Her subsequent tours during World WarII included six months with the Marine Corps Wom-en's Reserve Battalion at Camp Lejeune, first as adju-tant and then as executive officer; adjutant andexecutive officer, Women's Reserve Battalion, CampPendleton; commanding officer, Women's Reserve Bat-talion, Quantico; assistant for the Women's Reserve onthe staff of the commanding general at Quantico; andfinally commanding officer, Aviation Women's ReserveGroup 1, Cherry Point. For her services during WorldWar II, she was awarded a letter of commendation.

In a distinguished career marked by numerousachievements, one stands out as having the most directimpact on the entire Marine Corps. As a major and

!3kj 200


the Director of the postwar Women's Reserve,1946-1948, she was responsible for maintaining the in-terest of the WRs during those critical years and fororganizing the WR platoons, all of which were readywhen the Korean War erupted.

The year of graduate work was followed by a tourof duty in Honolulu as the assistant G-1, FMFPac. Lieu-tenant Colonel Hamblet was the first WM to returnto Hawaii since the departure of the WRs in 1946. Inless than a year, she was assigned as officer in chargeof the Women Officer Training Detachment atQuantico.

On 1 May 1953, she assumed the position of thesecond Director of Women Marines, again succeeiiiigColonel Towle, who was retiring. Only 37 years old,she was the youngest director of women in the armedservices. Colonel Towle, in praising her successor said,"She has had practically every type of duty a womanMarine officer can have. I have followed her militarycareer since her assignment as my adjutant. She hasbrains, ability, personality, and looks." Colonel Ham-blet held the post of Director until March 1959, longerthan any other woman.

Col Margaret M. HendersonDirector of Irlomen Marines

2 March 1959-3 January 1964

itrrs7PrC5q,

Legal provisions at the time prohibited women,other than the Director, to 5 er%e in the rank of col-onel, so Colonel Hamblet reverted to her permanentrank of lieutenant colonel and was then transferredto Naples, Italy, where she served as military secretaryto the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, SouthernEurope. Before leaving, her friends feted her with a"demotion" party which featured a large cake deco-rated with an eagle flying away.

Lieutcnant Colonel Hamblet, uncommonly at-tractive and poised, became a favorite among the serv-icewomen at Naples. When the enlisted women gaw.a New Year's party in 1961 to which many officers,American and foreign, were invited, she was the onlywoman officer to accept. "In fact," said Sergeant MajorJudge, a WM in Naples at the time, "she was the onlywoman officer to give us the time of day. She was sogracious; she didn't just come to say hello, she stayedand had a good time. No one forgot that. It was men-tioned for a long time by the WAVEs and the WACs."7

In April 1962, Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet wastransferred to Parris Island, where she was comman-ding officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, un-til her retirement on 1 May 1965. Colonel Hambletwas awarded the Legion of Merit and according toregulations, upon retirement she was reappointed tothe rank of colonel, the highest rank in which sheserved.

Colonel Margaret M. Henderson

Colonel Margaret Henderson became the fourthDirector of Women Marines on 2 March 1959, suc-ceeding Colonel Hamblet. Born in Cameron, Texas,Colonel Henderson earned a bachelor of business ad-ministration degree from the University of Texas in1932 and taught in the secondary schools of Lubbock,Texas, before her enlistment in the Marine Corps in1943.8

After completing the Marine Corps Women'sReserve Officer Training School at Mount Holyoke,Massachusetts, she was commissioned a second lieu-tenant in the Reserve on 29 June 1943. LieutenantHenderson began her career as a general subjects in-structor at the Marine Corps Women's Reserve Schoolsat Camp Lejeune and was later assigned as officer incharge of the Business School, Marine Corps Institute,Washington, D.C. In later years, Colonel Streeterwrote:

As this was a teaching job, it was natural enough for herto be Ysigned w bu it soon became evident thv hercapacity was far ga:, f.:r Ian this job would give he: oppor-

THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES 191

tunity to develop. Unfortunately, she was doing it so wellthat her Commanding Officer would not let her be trans-ferred! Willie and I put our heads together and she finallywheedled him into letting Margaret go to a better job, whereshe promptly showed her fine qualities?*

The "better job" was that of executive officer, Ma-rine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion, Camp Lejeune.On 14 June 1946, Captain Henderson was releasedfrom active duty.

She went home to Lubbock where she taught atTexas Technological College for two years. Selected tobe one of the first 20 Regular woman Marine officers,Captain Henderson returned to the Marine Corps inDecember 1948.

Her academic and professional background madeher the obvious choice to head the embryonic 3dRecruit 'Raining Battalion. Interviews with officers andenlisted members of the original staff confirm the wis-dom of the assignment. From Parris Island, MajorHenderson was transferred in 1950 to the Division ofPlans and Policy at Heack9uarters Marine Corps where,in addition to her regular duties, she was concernedwith developing personnel and assignment policies forthe newly integrated WMs. She played an importantrole in the return of women Marines to posts and sta-tions during the Korean War.

During subsequent tours she served consecutivelyas commanding officer, Woman Officer TrainingDetachment; assistant G-1, Marine Corps Base, CampPendleton; and as head, Women's Affairs Section, Di-vision of Plans and Policy at Headquarters MarineCorps.

As Director of Women Marines, Colonel Hender-son worked to establish the billet for Sergeant Majorof Women Marines, since she believed that enlistedwomen would speak more freely to the Sergeant Ma-jor than to the Director. Sergeant Major Bertha L.Peters (later Billeb), already assigned to the Director'soffice since June 1959, was elevated to the new posi-tion of Sergeant Major of Women Marines in January1961.

Completing her tour as Director in January 1964,and, once again a lieutenant colonel, she was assign-ed as assistant G-1, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, SanDiego. Colonel Henderson, reappointed to the rankof colonel, received the Legion of Merit, by the com-manding general, Major General Bruno A. Hoch-

*Willie, referred to by Colonel Streeter, was Major CorneliaD. T. Williams, World War II detail officer.

Col Barbara J. Bishop, Director of Women Marines3 January 1964-31 January 1969

muth, at a parade marking her retirement on 31January 1966?

Colonel Barbara J. Bishop

Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, the fifth Director ofWomen Marines, was born in Boston, schooled inEverett, Massachusetts, and graduated from YaleUniversity in January 1943 with a bachelor of fine artsdegree.,0

She enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 February1943, just five days after the public announcement ofthe new Women's Reserve program. Colonel Bishopreceived her Marine officer training as a member ofthe second officer candidate class at Mount Holyokeand was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on1 June 1943.

Throughout World War II Lieutenant Bishop helda variety of command and administrative assignments:commanding officer, Marine Training Detachment atthe University of Indiana; executive officer, MarineAviation Detachment at the Naval Air Station in At-lanta, Georgia; commanding officer, Aviation Wom-


en's Squadron 21 at Quantico; and officer-in-charge,S&C Files, Division of Aviation, Headquarters, U.S.Marine Corps. She was released to inactive duty on10 November 1946 with the rank of captain.

During the next two years, Captain Bishop earneda master of arts degree at the University of Chicagoand was working toward a doctorate when, followingthe passage of the Women's Armed Services In-tegration Act, she returned to active duty, selected asone of the original 20 Regular women officers. Sheserved at Headquarters as officer-in-charge, S&C Files,until January 1952 when she went to Headquarters,Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in Hawaii.

In September 1953 she assumed command of theWoman Marine Company at Camp Lejeune, and wasreassigned to Headquarters in 1955 as head, Wom-en's Branch, Division of Reserve, with the additionalduty as Deputy Director of Women Marines. A lieu-tenant colonel, she returned to the field in October1956 for consecutive tours as commanding officer,Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island; andassistant G-1, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. InMarch 1962 she went to Europe, reporting for dutyin Naples, Italy, as military secretary to the Com-mander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe.

From Italy, she was once again assigned to Head-quarters, this time to succeed Colonel Henderson asthe leading woman Marine on 3 January 1964. Col-onel Bishop served as Director during a time of sweep-ing changes in programs and policies affecting womenMarines. When she was named Director there wereabout 1,500 WMs serving at 10 Marine Corps postsand stations throughout the United States and in afew overseas billets. Four years later, there were 2,600active duty WMs serving 25 posts and stations as wellas in Europe, the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, andthe Republic of Vietnam.

Colonel Bishop worked toward improving the liv-ing accommodations of women Marines, increasingtheir assignment opportunities, and raising the rateof their retention. During her tour, women officersfor the first time were assigned to career militaryschools.

When Public Law 90-130 was signed by PresidentJohnson on 8 November 1967, removing certain res-trictions to the promotion to field grade of womenofficers, Colonel Bishop was among the first group ofWMs to be selected for promotion to the permanentrank of colonel. Therefore, she, unlike Colonels Ham-

blet and Henderson, retained her rank when she even-tually left the position of 'Director of Women Marineson 31 January 1969.

Colonel Bishop, whose last assignment was con-gressional liaison officer to the Senate, retited inNovember 1969 and was awarded the Legion of Meritduring ceremonies held in the office of the Comman-dant of the Marine Corps, General Leonard F. Chap-man, Jr. Colonel Sustad, her successor, presentedColonel Bishop a citation lauding her for her serviceto the women in the Marine Corps. The unofficialaward was signed by all active duty WM officers andwas given in recognition of personal efforts on theirbehalf.

Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad

Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad, sixth Director of Wom-en Marines, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, andraised in Tacoma, Washington. She earned a bachelorof arts degree in sociology at the University ofWashington in Seattle in 1943.11 On 8 May of thatyear she enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve,received officer training at Camp Lejeune, and wascommissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on 27 De-cember.

Her first assignment was special services liaisonofficer, at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point.Subsequently she served as field operations officer atthe Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Facility, Oak Grove,North Carolina, and assistant communications watchofficer at the Marine Corps Air Station in Ewa,Honolulu. She returned to inactive status on 17 De-cember 1945.

Following demobilization, she spent a year in gradu-ate study at the University of Minncsota and later wasemployed as a veterans counselor by the U.S. Employ-ment Services in Tacoma. Upon passage of the Wom-en's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, sheaccepted a Regular commission as a first lieutenantand reported to Headquarters in December.

Transferred to Parris Island the following month, shewas assigned as executive officer of the newly formed3d Recruit Training Battalion. From May to July 1950,she served temporarily as the executive officer of theWoman Officer Training Detachment at Quantico.The Korean War brought changes to the WM assign-ment policies, and she was one of the first to headwest to assume duties at Camp Pendleton. CaptainSustad became the adjutant of the Marine Corps Base,perhaps the first postwar WM to be so assigned; andupon activation of the first post-World War II WM

THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN M

Col Jeanette I. Sustad, Director31 January 1969-31 Jar,

Company at Camp Pendleton, Ixing officer, serving in that capacit

The first woman Marine officety in Europe, she served in the StBranch, Headquarters, United Stmand, Frankfurt, Germany. Aftimajor in July 1953, she becamebranch and in the spring of 19 !quarters was moved to Paris, Franctinued her assignment there.

Upon her return to the Uniteber 1954, she served consecutivetive officer, Woman Recruit TrainIsland; officer-in-charge, ProcunHeadquarters, 9th Marine Cor]Chicago; assistant to the executiofficer, G-1 Division, Headqu.Corps; and as operations officer,cation Center, Quantico.

Lieutenant Colonel Sustad bec;Deputy Director of Women Marirat Camp Pendleton serving as the1968, she was one of the first Reg

Marines

193

f a bc 'promoted to thc rank of colonel after promo-Lion rcstrictions wcrc lifted by Congressional legis-lation.

Colonel Sustad was named Director of Women Ma-rines in 1968, the same year shc celebrated hcr 25thanniversary as a WM, and shc assumed thc top poston 1 February 1969. Widcr assignment and trainingopportunities materialized under the guidance ofColonel Sustad, and she worked to cither change orto set aside many outmoded regulations regardinggrooming, marriage, pregnancy, and dependency.

Colonel Sustad retired on 31 January 1973. In thecitation accompanying her Legion of Merit was writ-ten, "She worked tirelessly for the welfare of each in-dividual under her purview . . ." a sentiment endorsedby many of the WMs who knew her."

Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer

Then-Colonel Margaret A. Brcwer, seventh and lastDirector of Women Marines, was the only post-WorldWar II woman to hold that position. She succeededColonel Sustad on 1 February 1973. Born in Durand,Michigan, shc received her primary cducation inMichigan but graduated from the Catholic HighSchool of Baltimore, Maryland, prior to entering theUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She received abachelor's degree in geography in January 1952 andwas commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in

st 1952. March of that year."

led du- Candidate Brewer attended the Woman OfficerControl Training Class as an undergraduate during the sum-n Com- mers of 1950 and 1951 at the time of the Korean War.

)tion to Although the policy was to offer Regular commissions

i of the to only a few women graduates of Officer Candidates

Head- School, and to release the remaining to inactive duty

,ad con- as Reserve officers, rumors were rampant during thesummer of 1951 that all would be retainedinvoluntarilyand undergraduates as candida Brew-

eptem- er would be ordered to active duty in enlis:ed status.execu- The scuttlebutt proved foundless and candidate Brewer

1, Parris returned to college to complete her last semester, ex-Branch, pecting to graduate in January and attend the Wom-)id pl

strict,ans

an Officer Indoctrination Course the following fall.She notified Headquarters of her graduation, and

Marine promptly received an unexpected set of orders to theps Edu- Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, where she served

as a communications watch officer until June 1953.Eulltime The personnel shortage was so acute that Lieutenant55. Back Brewer was assigned with -to more than 12 weeks ofin June officer candidate training. She attended neither the

Marines Woman Officer Indoctrination Course nor the Com-


munications Officers School. Plans were made to sendher to the WOIC in September, but when the timecame she had already successfully served as an officerfor six months and the command at El Toro declinedto release her.14

She was then transferred to Brooklyn to activate thepost-Korea WM Communications Platoon to be at-tached to the 2d Signal Company, USMCR. LieutenantBrewer served as the assistant inspector-instructor un-til late summer 1955. ROM September 1955 until June1958, in the rank of captain, she served as command-ing officer of the Woman Marine companies at Nor-folk, Virginia, and Camp Lejeune. During the 18months following, she was a platoon commander forwomen officer candidates at Quantico, during sum-mer training sessions, and a woman officer selectionofficer during winter and spring, with headquartersin Lexington, Kentucky. Transferred to Camp Pendle-ton in November 1959 for duty with the Commis-sioned Officers Mess, she was promoted to major inSeptember 1961. In April 1963 she returned to Quan-tico to serve as executive officer and later, as command-ing officer, of the Woman Officer School. From 1966to February 1968, Major Brewer was assigned to thePublic Affairs Office, 6th Marine Corps District, inAtlanta, Georgia, and she was promoted to lieutenantcolonel in December 1966.

Lieutenant Colonel Brewer served as Deputy Direc-tor of Women Marines at Headquarters Marine Corpsfrom March 1968 to March 1971. Reporting to Quan-rico, she assumed duty as special assistant to the Direc-tor, Marine Corps Education Center. Promoted tocolonel in December 1970, she became chief of theSupport Department, Marine Corps Education Center,in June 1972, and served in that capacity until she be-came the Director of Women Marines in February1973.

During her last weeks as Director, Colonel Brewerspoke enthusiastically, not only of the increased op-portunities for women in the Marine Corps, but of thenotable change in attitude on the part of male Ma-rines in positions of influence at Headquarters. Forseveral years she had devoted her energies to effectinga smooth transfer of responsibility for women in theMarine Corps to the agencies at Headquarters whereit rightly belonged. She confidently turned the reinsover, certain that these agencies had come to recog-nize women Marines as Marines.15 Cok;nel Brewer wasreassigned as the deputy director, Division of Infor-mation, Headquarters, Marine Corps on 1 July 1977.

General Brewer became the Marine Corps' firstwoman general officer when, on 11 May 1978, she wasassigned as the Director of Information, Headquart-ers Marine Corps, and appointed a brigadier general.

At the time there was no legal provision for the rou-tine selection and promotion of a woman to flag rankin either the Navy or the Marine Corps. Women could,however, be designated by the Secretary of the Navyfor the billet of a rear admiral or brigadier general.A woman officer so designated could be appointedto that rank while so serving. A Navy woman of thetime had previously been so appointed. A specialboard was convened at Headquarters to select theDirector of Information. Four women colonels wereconsidered.

The Position

As women became more accepted in the MarineCorps; as policies, law, and traditions were changed;as discriminatory restrictions fell; the position of theDirector of Women Marines evolved from one of nearlycomplete control to one of an advisory nature.Although technically they were always considered ad-visors, the early Directors, with the exception of

Col Margart A. Brewer, Director of iVomen Marines31 January 1973-30 June 1977

1 05

ME DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES 195

Colonel Streeter, were members of the Commandant'sstaff and were directly involved in recruiting, train-ing, uniforming, and assigning women Marines. Thecareers of senior officers and enlisted women weremanaged by the Director and all were personallyknown to her.

The Director's stated mission belied her real in-fluence. According to the Marine Corps Manual, "TheDirector of Women Marines advises the Commandantand staff agencies on all matters of policy and proce-dure concerning women in the Marine Corps and Ma-rine Corps Reserve The functions of the officer werelisted as:

(1) Initiates policies and makes recommendations on allpolicies and procedures affecting women initiated by otherdivisions and departments.

(2) Advises and makes recommendations on duty assign-ments of Women Marines.

(3) Advises cognizant staff agencies in the execution ofapproved policies affecting Women Marines.

(4) Visits and assists in the inspection of activities whereWomen Marines are stationed.

(5) Maintains liaison with directors of women in the otherArmed Services and with the Office of the Secretary ofDefense in connection with the Defense Advisory Committeeon Women in the Armed Services."

As a result of a reorganization of Headquarters Ma-rine Corps in October 1973, the Director was placedunder the cognizance of the Manpower Department,which encompassed the major areas of concern to her.Colonel Brewer spent increasingly more time trans-ferring the functions of her office to the appropriate

;

Headquarters departments. The 26th Commandant,General Louis H. Wilson, Jr., had directed that wom-en Marines were to be treated more truly as Marines;recruited, trained, and assigned as members of asingle and united Corps.17

The news that there would no longer be a Directorof Women Marines was made public on 16 June 1977and on that day Colonel Brewer reaffirmed her confi-dence in the planned disestablishment of the posi-tion."' The office created in 1943 and reinforced in1948 was to be disbanded at a time when the Corpsproposed to almost triple the women's strength of3,700. Only the Army would be left with a directorof women.

Ceremonies marking the dissolution of the Direc-tor's position were held on 30 June 1977 in the Com-mandant's office. Among the guests was retiredColonel Julia E. Hamblet, the woman who had heldthe position of Director of Women Marines longerthan any other, and who additionally had served asDirector of the Women's Reserve immediately afterWorld War H. General Wilson traced the history andaccomplishments of women Marines since World WarII, and he recalled the often-told story that whenGeneral Thomas A. Holcomb authorized the accep-tance of women into the Marine Corps, former Com-mandant Archibald Henderson's portrait fell from thewall. The 1977 Commandant gallantly added that ifsometime in the future, the announcement should bemade that there would no longer be women Marines,he hoped that his portrait too, would fall to the floor.

2os

Notes

INTRODUCTION

The primary source for material in this book is the Women Ma-rines files, 1918-1973, 7 boxes, Headquarters U.S. Marine CorpsRecords (RG 127-76-36, Federal Records Center, Suidand, Maryland),hereafter WMs HQMC Records; Office of the Director of WomenMarines files (Collections Section, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafterDir WMs files; Women Marines Research File, (Hist&Mus Div,HQMC), hereafter WM Research file.

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is derivedfrom: Postwar MCWR I file, box 3, WMs HQMC Records, here-after Postwar MCWR I file; Col Julia E. Hamblet interview withHist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Hamblet Interview.

1. Gen Gerald C. Thomas memo to CMG, dtd 300ct45 (Post-war MCWR I file).

2. Ibid.3. Maj Julia E. Hamblet memo to CMG, dtd 4Feb48 (File 1527,

Women Reserve & Regular, box 7, WMs HQMC Records).4. Col Ruth C. Streeter interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 31May77

(WM Research file).5. Col Ruth C. Streeter memo to Director of Personnel, Marine

Corps, dtd 29Aug45 (Postwar MCWR I file)6. Col Edward W. Snedeker memo to Director, Division of Plans

and Policies, dtd 10Dec45 (Postwar MCWR I file)

CHAPTER 1A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom: File 2385-50-30, Organizations, Central Files, HQMC, here-after Organizations file; Postwar MCWR I file; liamblet interview;Muster rolls, Company E, 1st HqBn, HQMC, 19Apr46-31Jan47 (Ref-Sec, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC); Scrapbook loaned by Col Julia E. Ham-blet to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Hamblet scrapbook; LtGolMary J. Hale interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 14Dec77 (Oral HistCollection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Hale interview; Per-sonal papers loaned by LtGol Emma H. Glowers to Hist&MusDiv,HQMC, hereafter Glowers papers; Scrapbook and papers loaned byDorothy M. Munroe to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Munroescrapbook; The Reserve Bulletin, Division of Reserve, HQMC, here-after The Reserve Bulletin; WM Research File.

1. ChiefNavPer ltr to CMG, dtd 27Feb46 (Postwar MCWR I file).2. CMC ltr to ChiefNavPer, dtd 12Mar46 (Organizations file).3. Gen Gerald C. Thomas memo to CMG, dtd 19Nov45 (Post-

war MCWR I file).4. Col Joseph W. Knighton memo to CMG, dtd 13Mar46 (Or-

ganizations file).5. Gen Gerald C. Thomas memo to CMG, dtd 15Mar46 (Or-

ganizations file).6. CMC ltr to Col Randolph McG. Pate, dtd 28Mar46 (Postwar

MCWR I file).

7. Board to recommend policy for administration of postwarMCWR, HQMC, dtd 17Apr46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

8. Col Joseph W. Knighton memo to Gen Allan H. Turnage, dtd15May46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

9. Cited from Joy Hancock, Lady in the Navy (Annapolis: NavalInstitute Press, 1972), p. 223, hereafter Hancock, Lady in the Navy.

10. Stevenson, Burton Egbert, The Home Book of Quotations:Classical and Modern (New York: David, Mead & Co., 1958), p.2298.

11. Col Katherine A. Towle memo to Director of Personnel, dtd6May46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

12. Col Katherine A. Towle memo to Director of Personnel, dtd14Jun46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

13. Headquarters Memorandum No. 50-1946, dtd 7Aug46, Subj:Retention of WRs on active duty (Postwar MCWR I file).

14. Admin Div, CMC office memo to multiple addresses, Subj:Retention of WRs on active duty until 30Jun47 (Postwar MCWRI file).

15. Gen Alexander A. Vandegrift ltr to Maj Julia E. Hamblet,dtd 14Jun46 (Hamblet scrapbook).

16. Maj Julia E. Ham blet ltr to Gen Alexander A. Vandegrift,dtd 25Jun46 (Hamblet scrapbook).

17. CMC ltr to Maj Julia E. Hamblet, dtd 3Jul46 (Ham bletscrapbook).

18. Maj Julia E. Hamblet memo to Director, Division of Reserve,dtd 80ct46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

19. Headquarters Memorandum No. 80-1946, dtd 160ct46, Subj:MCWR, policies for administration of (Postwar MCWR I file).

20. Maj Julia E. Hamblet memo to Director, Division of Reserve,dtd 80ct46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

21. The Reserve Bulletin, Mar47.22. Hale interview.23. Maj Julia E. Hamblet ltr to Capt Emma H. Hendrickson, dtd

16Dec46 (Clowers papers).24. Maj Julia E. Hamblet kr to former WRs, dtd 9Jan47 (Mun-

roe scrapbook).25. Letter of Instruction 1397, dtd 9Jan47.26. "Be a Marine And a Civilian Too," undtd Marine Corps Reserve

pamphlet (Munroe scrapbook).27. Capt Constance Risegari-Gai Itx to finmer WRs, undtd (Mun-

roe scrapbook).28. VTU 1-1 (WR), Notices for the week of 12Nov47, undtd (Mun-

roe scrapbook).29. VTU 3-1 admin records 1947-57, loaned by Bertha Santos

to Hist&MusDiv, hereafter Santos papers.30. The Reserve Bulletin, Nov47 and Dec54.31. Santos papers.32. PAU 4-1, The Marine Corps Reserve -A History (Washing-

ton: Division of Reserve, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1966),p. 130.

33. LtGol Ben A. Munn ltr Hist&MusDiv, dtd 26Jan77 (WMResearch file).

197

207


34. CMC report to Sec Nav, Subj: MarCor Per Plan for Fiscal Yr49,dtd 18Jul47 (Postwar MCWR I file).

35. The Reserve Marine, Apr47.36. Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., memo to Gen Gerald C. Tho-

mas, dtd 17Apr47 (Postwar MCWR I file).37. Ibid.38. Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., memo to CMC, dtd 23Apr47,

with CMC endorsement (Postwar MCWR I file).39. Maj Julia E. Hamblet memo to Director, Division of Reserve,

dtd 29Apr47 (Postwar MCWR I file).40. Director of Aviation memo to CMC, dtd 27May47 (Posrwar

MCWR I file).41. Gen William T. Clement memo to CMC, dtd 29May47 (Post-

war MCWR I file).42. AdminDiv, Office of CMC memo to multiple addresses, dtd

9Jun47 (Postwar MCWR I file).43. Gen Gerald C. Thomas memo to CMC, dtd 11Jun47, with

CMC endorsement (Postwar MCWR I file).44. WMs HQMC Records.45. CMC icr to former WRs, dtd 270ct47 (Munroe scrapbook).46. Our World; A National Magazine fir the People of Tupper-

ware, Jan77, p.5 (WM Research file).

CHAPTER 2WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES LEGISTATION:

PUBLIC LAW 625

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom: Hearings -WR Bill file (Dir WMs file), hereafter WM Billfile; Postwar MCWR I file; File 1527 Women Reserve & Regular file(Dir WMs file), hereafter Res&Reg file; and P.L. 625, 80th Congress.

1. Hancock, Lady in the Navy, p. 223.2. Col Katherine A. Towle statement before the House Naval Af-

fairs Committee on H.R. 5915, undtd (WR Bill file).3. House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee, U.S. Con-

gress, To Amend the Naval Reserve Act of 1938, As Amended, Soas to Establish the Women's Reserves on a Permanent Basis, andfir Other Purposes, House Report 226, 79th Congress, 2nd Ses-sion (Washington, 1946), p. 3335.

4. Ibid, p. 3334.5. Maj Julia E. Hamblet memo to Director, Division of Reserve,

dtd 29Apr47 (Res&Reg file).6. Senate Committee on Armed Services, U. S. Congress, A Bill

to Ertablish the Women's Army Corps in the Regular Army, ToAuthorize the Enlistment and Appointment of Women in the Regu-lar Navy and Marine Corps and the Naval and Marine Corps Reserveand for Other Purposes, Hearings on S. 1103, S. 1527, and S. 1641,80th Congress, 1st Session (Washington, 1947), p. 10.

7. Ibid., p. 13.8. Ibid., p. 68.9. Col Joseph W. Knighton memo to Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd,

Jr., dtd 8Jul47 (Res&Reg file).10. Director, Division of Plans and Policies mcmo to CMC, Subj:

Reg WMs, proposcd program for (Women's Reg Service & Dischargefile, Dir WMs file).

11. Capt Ira H. Nunn, USN, ltr to CMC, dtd 13 Feb48 (WR file).12. Woman Veteran, Apr48 (Women Veterans file, Dir WMs file).13. Cited from Hancock, Lady in the Navy, p. 231.14. Mrs. Ruth Streeter hr to CMC, dtd 4Aug47 (Res&Reg file).

I

CHAPTER 3GOING REGULAR

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom: WMs HQMC Records; The Reserve Bulletin, 1948-1949; WMResearch File; Old Studies Matters Women Marines, box 3, WMsHQMC Records, hereafter Old Studies; Clowers papers; PersonalPapers, copies, donated by LtCol Doris V. Kleberger to Hist&MusDiv,HQMC, hereafter Kleberger papers; Hamblet interview; Col Mar-garet M. Henderson interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd Oct76 (OralHist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Henderson in-terview; LtCol Elsie E. Hill interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd30Apr77 (WM Research file), hereafter Hill interview; Hale inter-view; LtCol Elaine T. Carville interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd1May77 (WM Research file), hereafter Carville interview; PaulineRiley Wilson interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 1Apr77 (Oral HistCollection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Wilson interview;SgtMaj Ruth Ryan interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 24Mar77 (WMResearch file), hereafter Ryan interview; lstSgt BerthaJ. Schultz in-terview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 10F677 (Oral Hist Collection,Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Schultz interview; SSgt Jack W.Draughon interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 24Mar77 (WM Researchfile), hereafter Draughon interview; lstSgt Esther D. Waclawski inter-view with Hist&MusDiv dtd Nov76 (WM Research file), hereafterWaclawski interview.

1. Col Katherine A. Towle, Women in the Marine Corps draft(File, Mission of Women Marines, box 3, WMs HQMC Records).

2. Hamblet interview.3. Katherine A. Towle, Administration and Leadership (Berkeley:

The University of California, 1970), pp. 122, 138-139.4. Ibid., p. 139.5. DP&P Study No. 12785, dtd 4Dec47 (Organizations file).6. DirWM Study No. 1-48, dtd 29Nov48 (Old Studies).7. CMC ltr to all enlisted women and former enlisted v:omen,

MCWR, dtd 15Jul48 (Munroe scrapbook).8. CMC Itr to all officers and former officers, MCWR, dtd 12Jul48

(File, Requirement for WM, box 7, WMs HQMC Records).9. DP&P Study No. 179-48, dtd 2Nov48 (File Women Reserve

& Regular, box 7, WMs HQMC Records).10. DP&P Study No. 152-48 (File, Requirement for WM, Box 7,

WMs HQMC Records).11. DirWM Study No. 1-48, dtd 29Nov48 ;Old Studies).12. Reserve Bulletin, Nov48.13. Ruth Cheney Streeter, History of the Marine Corps Women's

Reserve (Washington, 6Dec45), pp. 31-32.14. Ibid., p. 52.15. DP&P Study No. 171-48, dtd 200ct48 (File, History of the

Office of the Dir WMs, box 5, WMs HQMC Records).16. Reserve Bulletin, Dec 48.17. Waclawski interview.18. WM Research file.19. Henderson and Hill interviews.20. Clowers papers.21. Col Katherine A. Towle mcmo to LtCol Jackson, dtd 22Nov48

(File, Reindoctrination Training-WMs, USMCR to USMC, box 7,WMs HQMC Records).

22. Schultz interview.23. Wilson interview.24. Hamblet interview.25. Ibid.

208

NOTES

26. Clowers papers.27. Col Katherine A. Towle hr to MajGen Leroy P. Hunt, chd

23Dec48 (File A1/8, Reserve, Division of, box 8, WMs HQMCRecords).

28. Marine Corps Memorandum No. 7-48, dtd 16Nov48 (File1300, Assignment & Distribution 1944-1956, box 3, WMs HQMCRecords).

29. DILWM Study No 1A-1949, undtd (Old Studies).30. Ibid., wpd, 17Mar50.31. Col Kath :rine A. Towle comments on proposed General Order,

dtd 26Sep49 (File 1412, Promotions, box 5, WMs HQMC Records).32. DirWM Study No 1-48, dui 29Nov48 (Old Studies).33. Henderson interview.34. Hale interview.35. Muster Roll, 3d Recruit 'Raining Bn, Parris Island, S.C., Feb49.36. Henderson interview.37. Hq, MCRD, PISC, Post General Order, Subj: 3rdRTB, Or-

ganization of, draft (File P. 11/2, Recruit Training, box 5, WMsHQMC Records).

38. Henderson, Hale, Ryan, and Schultz interviews.39. Ryan interview.40. Draughon interview.41. Ibid.42. Reserve Bulletin, Feb49.43. Parris Island Boot, 26Feb49.44. Ibid., 16Apr49.45. Henderson interview.46. khultz *:nterview.47. Hale interview.48. SSgt Ann Estelle Lamb's Case File (Manpower Department,

HQMC).49. Henderson interview.50. Schultz interview.51. Henderson interview.52. Henry I. Shaw, Jr., and kalph W. Donnelly, Blacks in the

Marine Corps (Washington: History and Museums Division, HQMC,1975), p. 57.

53. Reserve Bulletin, Apr49.54. Carville interview.55. Col Katherine A. Towle ltr to Doris V. Kleberger, dtd 30Mar49

(Kleberger papers).56. Muster Rolls, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Schools,

Quantico, Virginia, Jul49.57. Hill interview.58. Ibid.59. Quantico Sentry, 30Jun49.60. Hill interview.61. Reserve Bulletin, Oct49.62. Kleberger papers.63. Col Katherine A. Towle comments (Kleberger papers).64. Kkberger papers.65. Reserve Bulletin, Oct49.66. Kleberger papers.67. Hill interview.68. Ibid.

CHAPTER 4ME KOREAN WAR YEARS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom: Women's Organized Reserve Units, box 3, WM's HQMC

199

Records, hereafter WR Units file; File A 1/8 Reserve, Division of,box 7, WM's HQMC Records, hereafter DivRes file; File P 11/3-1,Organized Resetve, box 7, WM's HQMC Records, hereafter Or-ganized Reserve file; Colonel Valeria F. Hilgart interview withHist&MusDiv, dtd 23Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv,HQMC), hereafter Hilgart interview; Lieutenant Colonel Nita BobWarner interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd Mar77 (Oral Hist Col-lection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Judge interview; GySgtFrances Curwen Bilski interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 23Mar77(WM Research file), hereafter Bilski interview; Theresa "Sue" Sou-sa interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 31Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection,Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Sousa interview; Personal papersloaned by Lieutenant Colonel Pauline B. Beckley to Hist&MusDiv,HQMC, hereafter Beckley papers; Clowers papers; Scrapbook do-nated by MSgt Julia Bennke Stacy to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, here-after Stacy scrapbook; Munroe scrapbook.

1. Hamblet interview.2. WR Units file.3. Reserve Bulletin, Mar49.4. Ibid., undtd.5. DivRes file.6. Ibid.7. Ibid.8. Reserve Bulletin, Apr49.9. Wilson interview.10. Munroe scrapbook.11. Judge and Bilski interviews.12. Judge interview.13. Munroe scrapbook.14. Ibid.15. Organized Reserve file.16. MGySgt Rocita A. Martinez ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

18Apr77 (WM Research file).17. Frances M. Exum interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 13Apr77

(WM Research file).18. Organized Reserve file.19. Stacy scrapbook.20. Sousa interview.21. Warner interview.22. Kleberger papers.23. Hale interview.24. WR Units file.25. Director of WMs scrapbook (WM Research file).26. Carville interview.27. WR Units file.28. Beckley papers.29. WR Units file.30. The Reserve Marine (Division of Reserve, HQMC), hereafter

Reserve Marine, Jan51.31. SgtMaj Ethyl Wilcox interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 21Jan77

(Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).32. Mary Sue Mock Milton interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd

26Mar77 (WM Reserve file).33. Maj Mary E. Roddy interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 17Mar77

(WM Research file).34. WR Units file.35. Reserve Marine, Nov51.36. Beckley papers.37. Stella Uhorczuk ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 7Mar77

(WM Research file).

ens,2n9


38. Judge interview.39. Waclawski interview.40. WR Units file.41. Judge interview.42. Bilski interview.43. Old Studies.44. Pendleton Scout, 11Aug50.45. Waclawski interview.46. San Diego Chevron, 8Dt .50.47. Clowers papers.48. Warner interview.49. El Toro Flight jacket, 200ct50.50. Quantico Seutty, 10Nov50.51. Carville interview.52. Katherine Keefe interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

3Aug77.53. Cherry Point Windsock, 30Nov51.54. Kleberger papers.55. Anna Orlanda Hopkins ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

25Fcb77 (WM Research file).56. Hilgart interview, and Lieutenant Colonel Virginia Caley in-

terview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 17Feb77 (Oral Hist Collection,Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

57. Hilgart interview.58. Kleberger interview.59. San Diego Chevron, undtd.60. The Windward Marine, (Kaneohe, MCAS), 16Mai56.61. File P 11/2, Recruit laining, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, .

62. Hale interview.63. Ardella Wheeler Butts interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd 23Mar77 (WM Research file).64. Schultz inteeliew.65. Reserve 46, box 7, WMs HQMC Records.66. Colonel Mai garet A. Brewer i nerview with Hist&MusDiv,

dtd 30Dec77 (OrAl Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

CHAPTER 5UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963

Unless otherwise noted, the matilial in this chapter is derivedfrom: "Maximum Utilization ofWoro m in the Marine Corps," reportby Procedures Analysis Office, Nov51 File, Approved Policies onUtilization, Assignment of WMs since 1943, box 1, WMs HQMCRecords, hereafter Procedures Analysis Report Nov51; File 1300, As-signment & Distribution (1944-1956), box 3 WMs HQMC Records,hereafter Assignment file 44-56; File, Utilization of Women Ma-rines, DirWMs files, hereafter Util WMs file; File Utilization ofWomen, box 7, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Util of Womenfile; DirWM reports on Women on Active Duty By MOS compiledby Author on chart, Utilization Section, box 1, WM Research File,hereafter MOS Chart; "Enlisted Jobs in the Marine Corps WhichCan Be Performed By Women In the Event of Mobilization," a the-sis by Major Julia E. Hamblet, Ohio State University, 1951 (File 1951,box 1, WM Research file), hereafter Hamblet thesis.

1. Procedures Analysis Report Nov51.2. Newsclippings, unidentified, DirWMs scrapbook on Parris Is-

land, box 4, WMs HQMC Records.3. Administrative Officer memorandum to Director, Division of

Plans and Policies, dtd 12Dec50 (Assignment File 44-56).4. DirWM memorandum to Director, Plans and Policies, dtd

5Jan51 (Assignment file 44-56).5. II-Ad.

6. Procedures Analysis Report Nov51.7. Ibid.8. Ibid.9. Util WMs file.10. Marine Corps Memorandum Number 41-52, MOS's ap-

propriate for enlisted women Marines, dtd 17Apr52 (Util WMs file).11. MOS Chart.12. Sousa interview.13. MOS Chart.14. Hilgart interview.15. MOS Chart.16. MGySgt i:ocita A. Martinez ltr to Hist&MusDiv, dtd 18Apr77

(WM Response file, WM Research file).17. MOS Chart.18. Util WMs file.19. Asst Chief of Staff memorandum to Director, Plans and Poli-

cies, dtd 26Jan53 (Util WMs file).20. Head, Classification Section memorandum to Head, Detail

Branch, dtd 9Mar53 WMs file).21. Personnel Conirol Branch memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff,

G-1, dtd 26Feb53 (Util WMs file).22. Head, Classification Section memorandum to Head, Detail

Branch, dtd 9Mar53 (Util WMs file).23. Dir Personnel memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff, G-1, dtd

24Mar53 (Util WMs file).24. Asst Chief of Staff memorandum to Military Personnel Poli-

cy Division, Office of Asst SecDef, dtd 31Mar53 (File, Requirementfor WMs, box 7, WMs, HQMC Records).

25. Women's Armed Forces Integration Act of 1948.26. Hamblet thesis.27. Hainblet interview.28. Comments furnished by PIO for release by DOD to free-P.nce

writer, dtd 21Mar55 (Util WMs file).29. Lieutenant Colonel Gail M. Reals interview vith

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd SJan77 (Oral Hist Collection,Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Reals interview.

30. Glowers papers.31. LtCol Emma H. Clowers' Navy Commendation Citation (Man-

power Department, HQMC).32. Ryan interview.33. Bilski interview.34. DirWMs memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff, G-3, dtd

12May52 (File 1500, Training and Education, box 3, WMs HQMCRecords), hereafter Training file.

35. DirWMs memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff, G-3, dtd11Aug52 (Training file).

36. Camp Lejeune Globe, 23Jan53.37. Ibid., 8Jan53.38. Unit Diary, WM Co, MBCL, 8Jan-13Feb 53.39. MSgt Lillian J. West ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

22May77 (WM Response file, WM Research file).40. DirWMs memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff, G-3, dtd

7May54 (File 1510, Enlisted 'Training, Box 3, WMs HQMC Records).41. Camp Lejeune Globe newsclippings, undtd, loaned by GySgt

Frances Curwen Bilski.42. Carville interview.

210

NOTES

CHAPTER 6UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD,

1964-1972

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom: File 5300, WM Program Study Group, box 6, WMs HQMCRecords, hereafter WMPSG file; Notebook, Pepper Board BackupMaterial, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Pepper Board note-book; File, Study No. 1-64, box 6, WMs, HQMC Records, here-after Study 1-64 file; File, Major Accomplishments (Code AW)1967-1973, box 1, WM Research file, hereafter Maj Accomplishmentfile; Woman Marine Newsletters, box 2, WM Research file, here-after WM Newsletter, File, 1200 Classification and Designation, Box3, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Classificadon and Designationfile; File, Assignment & Distribution (1957-1971), box 3, WMsHQMC Records, hereafter Assignment & Distribution file; File 5200,General Management file, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, hereafterGeneral Management file; File, Assignment of WMs to West Fat,box 7, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter WMs to WestPac file; File,Assignment of WMs Overseas Box 6, WMs HQMC Records; LtColJane L. Wallis interview wifh Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 9Mar77,hereafter Wallis interview; Lt Col Vea J. Smith interview withHist&MusDiv, dtd 2Feb77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv,HQMC), hereafter Smith interview.

1. DirWMs comments on replies from MCBulletin 5312 of27Feb63, dtd 24Dec64 (WMPSG file).

2. Ibid.3. Col Barbara J. Bishop ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 31Jul77

(WM Response file, WM Research file).4. Study 1-64 file.5. Ibid.6. Ibid.7. CMC kr to LtGen Robert H. Pepper, dtd 3Aug64 (Pepper Board

notebook).8. Ibid.9. D!rector of Personnel memorandum to CMC, dtd 18Dec64

(Pepper Board Notebook).10. Ibid.11. Ibid.12. Ibid.13. DirWMs memorandum to CMC, dtd 2Dec65 (WMPSG file?14. Ibid.15. CMC handwritten comments on memorandum from Asst

Chief of Staff, G-1 to CMC, dtd 22Nov65 (WMPSG file).16. Maj AccomplL -tent file.17. Ibid.18. Ibid.19. Ibid.20. Ma) Accomplishments, 30Jun67 (Maj Accomplishment file).21. WM Newsletter, Spring 67.22. LtCol Lilkian H. Gridley official biography (RefSec,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).23. WM Newsletter, Spring 67.24. Dir WMs memorandum to Dir Policy Analysis Div, dtd

15Jan70 (File Miscellaneous White House/Ref Book Items/FactSheets, box 5, WMs HQMC Records), hereafter White House file.

25. DirWMs memorandum to Chief of Staff (AD), dtd 20Jan65(White House File).

26. Maj Joan M. Collins interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

201

dtd 7Jan77 (Oral Hist Collection Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafterCollins interview.

27. Maj Carol Vertalino Deliberto interview with Hist&MusDiv,dtd 25Apr77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

28. Maj Accomplishments, 30Jun69 (Maj Accomplishment file,.429. Dir WMs memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff, G-3, dtd

3Jan68 (File 1520, Officer Training, Box 5, WMs HQMC Records).30. Ibid.31. Asst Chief of Staff, G-3 memorandum to DirWMs, dtd 9Feb68

(Officer Training file).32. Dir WMs memorandum to Dir Policy Analysis Div, dtd

15Jan70 (White House file).33. Col Mary E. Bane interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

30Dec76 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC) hereafterBane interview.

34. Ibid.35. DirWMs memorandum to Dir Policy Analysis Div, dtd

22Aug66 (File 1080, Personnel, Box 5, WMs HQMC Records).36. WM Newsletter, Winter 67.37. DirWMs memorandum to Chief of Staff, G-1, dtd 7Jul66

(Classification and Designation file).38. CMC ltr to CO, MAD, NATTC, Memphis, Tenn, dtd 21Jul66

(Classification and Designation file).39. DirWMs comment, subj; Establishnient of WM billet in Office

of Dep Under Secretary Navy (Mpr), dtd 13Jan67 (Assignment &Distribution file).

40. Statement of Col Jeanette I. Sustad before the Special Sub-committee, House of Representatives. Dec69 (Laws and Legal Mat-ters file, box 5, WMs HQMC Recordsj.

41. Pepper Board notebook.42. Smith interview.43 Desert Dirpatch, Barstow, Calif., 21Jun66.44. Command Chronology, MCSC, Barstow, Calif, 30Dec67 (Ar-

chives, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).45. Prospector, Barstow, Calif., 21Jul67.46. Unit Diaries, MCSC, Barstow, Calif., 1967-1971 (RefSec,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).47. Public Info Office memorandum, MCSC, Albany, Ga., do-

nated by LtCol Vea J. Smith (Albany file, box 1, WM Research file).48. Albany Emblem, nMar69.49. Ibid., 18Aug67.50. Ibid., 9Feb68.51. Unit Diary, MCSC, Albany, Ga., Nov72 (RefSec, Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC).52. DirWMs input for CMC Ref Book Items, dtd 28Nov66 (Gener-

al Management file).53. WM Newsletter, Autumn 66.54. DirWMs report to Chief of Staff, dtd 16Sep66 (WMs to West-

Pac file).55. Ibid.56. Ibid.57. Bishop letter.

58. Command Chronology, MCAS, Iwakuni, Japan, 1Jul-31Dec66(Archives, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

59. Torii Teller, Iwakuni, Japan, 29Mar67.60. WM Newsletter, Spring 67.61. Torii Teller, 27Mar67.62. WM Newsletter, Autumn 66.63. Stars & StnPes, 230ct66.64. Maj Nancy A. Carroll ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

202

17Apr77 (Wm Response file, WM Research file).65. Wallis interview.66. Stars & Stripes, 19Jul67.67. Wallis interview.68. Ibid.69. Ibid.70. Ibid.71. Sustad interview.72. Connolly interview.73. Quoted from MSgt B. J. Dulinsky Itr to DirWMs, dtd

18Mar67, WM Newsletter, Spring 67.74. Quoted from Captain E. E. Filkins In. to DirWMs, dtd

16Aug69, WM Newsletter, Summer 68.75. Lieutenant Colonel E. E. Davis interview with Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, dtd 22Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).71. LtCol Vera. M. Jones interview with Hist&MusDiv, cite!

24Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).77. "Inftrmation on Saigon," booklet by DirWMs (File Women

Marines 'LEI Vietnm, box I, WM Research file).78. Quoted from Captain E. E. Filkins la to DirWMs, dtd 7Jan69,

WM Newsletter, Spring 69.79. Quoted from Captain Vera M. Jones Itr to DirWMs, dm?

0653, WM Newsletter, Winter 68.80. Quoted from MSgt B. J. Dulinsky Itr to DirWMs, dtd 917"..b68.81. Quotcd ftom Captain E. E. Filkins Itr to DirWns, dtd

15Auv68.82. Quoted florn SSgt E. Salazar kr to GySgt H. Dowd, dtd

10Sep69, W'M Newsletter, Winter 69.83. ComUSMACV msg to CMC, dtd Jun70 (WM Research file).84. Maj Charlene S. Itchawitch kr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

19Jan77 (WM Response file, WM Research file).85. Maj Accomplishment file, 30Jun67.86. Woman Marine Geographical Assignments, 30Jun71 (Assign-

ment & Distribution file).

CHAPTER 7UrALIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL

COMMITTEE, 1973-1977

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom Ad Hoc Committee on Increased Effectiveness and Utiliza-tion of Women in the Marine Corps File, box 1, WM Research file,hereafter Ad Hoc Committee file; Speeches and articles by DirWMs,notebook, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter DirWMs speech note-book; File, WMs in FMF, Pilot Program, box 1, WM Research file,hereafter WMs in FMF file; Bane interview; Maj Kathleen V. Ab-bott Ables Itr to Hist5cMusDiv, HQMC, dtd 7Jul77 (WM Responsefile, WM Research file), hereafter Ables kr; Biographies of WMsin the Marine Corps Band file, Box 1, WM Research file, hereafterMarine Corps Band file.

1..Ad Hoc Committee file.2. Quoted from Deputy C/S (Manpower) kr to Assistant C/S,

et. al., dtd 18Sep72 (Ad Hoc Committee file).3. Quoted from DirWMs memorandum to CMC, dtd 180ct73

(Ad Hoc Committee file).4. Senior Member, Ad Hoc Committee memorandum to Depu-

ty C/S (Manpower), dtd 3Jul73 (Ad Hoc Committee file).5. Recommendation No. 7, Report of Ad Hoc Committee (Ad

Hoc Committee file).


6. Report of Ad Hoc Committee (Ad Hoc Committee file).7. Remarks by Col Margaret A. Brewer, Defense Manpower Com-

dtd 15May75 (DirWMs speech notebook).8. Panic Island Boot, 9Jul76.9. Navy Times, 28Mar77.10. Col Margaret A. Brewer, "The Marine Team," Marine Corps

Gazette, Apr76.11. Ibid.12. Navy Times, 13Aug75.13. Capt Charles Barber, Provost Marshal, Parris Island memoran-

dum to Captain Weda, dtd 5Feb74 (WM Research file).14. Headquarters Marine Corps Hotline, Apr75.15. Cpl Mary F. Bungcayo interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd

21Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).16. Hilgart interview.17. 2dLt Judith Cataldo Itr to Hist&MusDiv, dtd 22Mar77 (WM

Response file, WM Research file).18. Ibid.19. Navy Times, 27Apr74.20. Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C., 9Jan75.21. Ibid.22. DivInfo news release no. DIS-145-C2-77 (WM Research file).23. MCRD Command Chronology, Jun-Dec73 (Archives,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).24. Quantico Sentry, 14Jan74.25. Twentynine Palms Ohrervation Post, 14Mar75.26. The Newport News (W.) Times Herald, 11Jul75.27. PIO, Camp Lejeune, N.C., news release no. 08-103-75, dtd

2Sep75.28. Camp Lejeune Globe 17Feb77.29. Beartfort Jet Steam, 21Jan77.30. Sgt Geneva Jones interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 21Mar77

(Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).31. Camp Lejeune Globe, Apr77.32. LCp1 Katie Jones Dixon interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd

21Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).33. Cherry Point Windsock, 12Jul74.34. WM Newsletter, Winter 68.35. SgtMaj Jaunal kr to Hist&MusDiv, dtd 1Feb77 (WM Response

file, WM Research file).36. Brewer interview.37. Johnson biography (Mar;ne Corps Band file).38. Brewer interview.39. Individual biographies, Women in the Marine Corps Band

(Marine Corps Band file).40. WMs in FMF file.41. CMC msg to FMF commanders, dtd 19Feb74 (WMs in the

FMF file).42. Cherry Point Windsock, 19Jul74.43. Ibid.44. CG, lstMarDiv msg to CMC, dtd 4Nov74 (WMs in FMF file).45. Ibid.46. CG, 2d MAW ltr to CMC, dtd 25Nov74 (WMs in FMF file).47. CG, FMFPac msg to CMC, dtd 300ct74 (WMs in FMF file).48. Los Angeles Times, 29Aug76.49. Ibid.50. Ibid.51. Capt K. A. Gordon interviews with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd 9Sep77 (WM Research file).52. Bane interview.

212

NOTES

53. Ibid.54. Ibid.55. Ables ltr.56. Ibid.57. Col Margaret A. Brewer, "The Marine Team," Marine Corps

Gazette, Apr76.

CHAPTER 8RESERVES AFTER KOREA

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom Files, Reserve 46, box 7, WMs HQMC Records, hereafterReserve 46 file; File 1510/6, Reserves, box 6, WMs HQMC Records,hereafter Reservt.; file; File P11/3-1, Organized Reserve, box 7, WMs,HQMC Records; File, Reserves after Korea, box 1, WM Researchfile, hereafter Res after Korea file; Sousa interview; MSgt Lama J.Dennis interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Dennis in-terview. (The author was I&I, WM Platoon, Boston, 1957-1958, andin 1975-1976 prepared two staff studies for the Division of Reserveon the training of senior Women Reserve Officers.)

1. Reserve Memorandum 2-52, concept of the Woman MarinePlatoons of the Organized Marine Corps Reserve, dtd 22Jan52(Reserve 46 file).

2. Dennis interview.3. Sousa interview.4. Reserve Marine, Feb52.5. Navy Times, 24Dec55.6. Roster of Platoons (Reserve 46 file).7. Reserve Structure Board, DivRes, dtd 6May58 (Res after Korea

file).8. LtCol Elsie E. Hill comments, dtd 14May58 (Reserve 46 file).9. DirWMs memorandum to Division of Reserve, dtd 16May58

(Reserve 46 file).10. DirWMs memorandum to Chief of Staff, dtd 30Jun58 (Reserve

46 file).11. LtCol Mary E. Roddy scrapbook loaned to Hist&MusDiv.12. DirWMs comments, dtd 28Jun67 (Reserve file).13. Women Marines Reservists, Ad Hoc Committee Report, dtd

13Sep67 (Res after Korea file).14. MCO 1001R.47, dtd 10Jun71 (Res after Korea file).15. DivRes talking paper, dtd 3May76 (Res after Korea file).16. MajGen Michael P. Ryan memorandum to CMC, dtd 23Jul75

(Res after Korea file).17. CMC msg to CG 4th MarDiv and CG 4th MAW (Res after

Korea file).18. LtCol Patricia A. Hook interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd Jun77.19. News clipping, dateline Ft. Benning, Ga. (Ref Card, WM

Research file).20. Ibid.21. Ibid.22. Ibid.

CHAPTER 9RECRUIT TRAINING

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom WRTB Order 5000.3B, SOP for recruit training, 15Apr63,loaned by SgtMaj Eleanor E. Judge to the Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

203

hereafter 50P63; WRTB Order P5000.3D, SOP for recruit train-ing, 15Sep71, loaned by Maj Joan M. Collins to Hist&MusDiv,HQMC, hereafter 50P71; MCRD Order P1510.26, SOP for femalerecruit training, dtd 20Dec76 (WM Research file), hereafter 50P76;File P11/2, Recruit 'Raining, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, here-after Recruit 'Raining file; File 1510, Enlisted 'Raining, box 3, WMsHQMC Records, hereafter Enlisted Training file; File 1103/1, NewWM Complex, Woman Recruit Training Command files, PISC, here-after WM Complex file; Hill interview; Judge interview; LtCol VeraM. Jones interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 24Mar77 (OralHist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC) hereafter Jones interview;Capt Nancy A. Davis interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd7Jun77 (WM Research file), hereafter Davis interview; CWO Vir-ginia R. Painter interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 22Mar77(WM Research File), hereafter Painter interview; MSgt Bridget V.Connolly interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 4Jan77 (OralHist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Connolly inter-view. (The author served as S-3, WRTB; commanding officer, RecruitCompany; and executive officer, WRTB from Oct61-Aug63.)

1. SOP76.2. Ibid.3. CO 3d RTB Itt to CMC, dtd 15Sep52 (Recruit Training file).4. CO 3d RTB ltr to DirWMs, dtd 31May51 (Recruit Training fde).5. Ibid.6. Col Katherine A. Towle, 2d endorsement on CO 3d RTB ltr

to CMC, dtd 15Sep52 (Recruit Training file).7. CMC msg to CG MCRD, PISC, dtd 18Aug52 (Recruit Train-

ing file).8. CMC ltr to CG MCRD, PISC, dtd 24Apr58 (Enlisted Train-

ing te).9. Leatherneck, Dec58, p. 35.10. Ibid., p. 38.11. Ibid., p. 39.12. CG MCRD, PISC, ltr to CMC, dtd 6Mar61 (Enlisted Train-

ing file).13. IVM Newsletter, 1967-1969 (WM Research file); Maj Accom-

plishments file 1967-1970.14. Input for DirWM newsletter from LtCol Jenny Wrenn, dtd

8Apr70 (WM Research file).15. Judge interview.16. Connolly interview.17. Input fot DirWM newsletter from LtCoi Jenny Wrenn, dtd

8Apr70 (WM Research file).18. Judge interview.19. Collins interview.20. Reals interview.21. SOP71.22. Quoted in Parade, 1958 (Hamblet scrapbook).23. S0P63; SOP71; S0P76.24. SOP76.25. Painter interview.26. 50P63; 50P71.27. Davis interview.28. Hill interview.29. Parris Island Boot, 100ct55.30. Hill interview.31. Parris Island Boot, 7May76.32. 50P63; 50P71; 50P76.33. Constance Shafter ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 4Mar77

(WM Research file).

k, 2.13

204

34. S0P63; SOP71; S0P76.35. Parris Island Boot, 16Mar68.36. Jones interview; Davis interview37. Parris Island Boot, 4Nov50.38. Marine Corps Gazette, Feb63, p. 74.39. Parris Island Boot, 40ct64.40. Public Works Officer ltr to CO WRTB, dtd 31Aug67 (WM

Complex file).41. CO WRTB hr to CG MCRD, PISC, dtd 9Feb75 (WM Corn-

pkx file).42. Jones interview.

CHAPTER 10OFFICER TRAINING

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom File, Woman Officer School, MCDEC, MCB, Quantico, 20December 1974, Disestablishment, WM Research file, hereafterWOS File; LtCol Barbara E. Dolyak interview with Hist&MusDiv,HQMC, dtd 13Sep77, hereafter Dolyak interview. (The author at-tended officer candidate training in 1953 and 1954, attended WOICin 1955, and served on the staff as supply officer and instructor in1957 and 1958. She served as instructor at WOS from 1965 until1970.)

1. Clowers papers.2. Hamblet interview.3. CMC ltr A03C5-ch, dtd 14Sep71, referenced in Col Williams

F. Saunders ltr to CG, MCDEC, dtd 31May72 (WOS file).4. CMC ltr to CG, MCDEC, dtd 20Feb73 (WOS file).5. Ibid.6. Ibid.7. CG, MCDEC ltr to CMC, dtd 160ct74 (WOS file).8. Ibid.9. Ibid.10. Dolyak interview.11. CMC ltr to multiple addresses, White letter No. 5-76, dtd

23Jun76 (WOS file).12. Ibid.13. Dolyak interview.14. basic School mission, quoted from briefing paper (WOS file).15. Dolyak interview.16. Ibid.17. CG MCDEC ltr to CMC, dtd 20Dec76 (WOS file).18. Ibid.19. Ibid.20. CMC ltr to CG, MCDEC, dtd 30Dec76 (WOS file).21. Capt Robin L. Austin, quoted in CamP Lejeune Globe,

28Apr77.22. CG MCDEC ltr to CMC, dtd 29Jun77 (WOS file).23. BGen Paul X. Kelley, quoted in Quantwo Sentry, 21Jun77.24. Cruise Book BC 3-77 loaned to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, by

LtCol Barbara E. Dolyak.

CHAPTER 11ADMINISMATION OF WOMEN

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom a compilation of information, oral, written, and taped,gathered by means of letters and interviews. All women Marines


interviewed for this history, active and former, were asked to com-ment on the subject of WM companies, barracks, and regulationsand the relationship between officers and enlisted women. Regu-lations vary from post to post so that the information presentedin this chapter is representative of most WM commands but notnecessarily all of them. In March 1977, the author visited the WMCompany, Headquarters Battalion, HQMC; the WM Barracks atCherry Point, and Headquarters and Service Company, Base MaterialBattalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

1. Col Katherine A. Towle ltr zo MajGen Leroy P. Hunt, dtd23Dec48 (File A1/8, Reserve, Division of, box 7, WMs HQMCRecords).

2. Col Julia E. Hambkt memo to Asst C/S G-1, dtd 14Nov48(File 5321 Allowances T/Os, box 6, WMs HQMC Records).

3. Gen Louis H. Wilson, White Letter No. 5-76, to all GeneralOfficers, all Commanding Officers, and all Officers In Charge, dtd23Jun76 (WM Research file).

4. Maj Gerald W. Sims interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,upon visit of author to Base Matedal Battalion, Marine Corps Base,Camp Lejeune, N.C., 22Mar77.

5. Quantico Sentry, 25Mar7 1.6. Sgt Carol Fox interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

21Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).7. Ibid.8. LCp1 Judith Coy and PFC Katie Dixon Jones interviews with

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 21Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection,Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Coy interview and D;xm interview.

9. Col Margaret A. Brewer interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd16Jun77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafterBrewer interview.

10. Schultz interview.11. Painter and Bilski interviews.12. Hilgart interview.13. Collins interview.14. CW0-3 Eileen R. Scanlon interview with Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, dtd 12Jan77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).15. Woman Marine Program Study Group, dtd 30Nov64 (WM

Research file).16. Paula Wiltshire Sentipal ltr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

24Jan77 (WM Research file).17. Lt Cathy A. Fremin interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd 20Jun77 (WM Research file).18. LtCol Ruth F. Reinholz intervie.v with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd 11Jan77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), here-after Reinholz interview.

19. Maj Ruth D. Woidyla interview with HiFt&MusDiv, HQMC,dtd 20Jun77 (WM Research file).

20. Ibid.

CHAPTER 12PROMOTIONS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter was derivedfrom File 1412, Promotions, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, here-after Promotions file; and Director of WMs Newletters 1966-1970.All women Marines interviewed for this history were asked to com-ment on promotion policies and their effect on careers and onmorale.

1. Public Law 90-130.

214

NOTES

2. CW0-4 Ruth L Wood hr to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 1Apr77(Response file, WM Research file).

3. Dir WMs Newsletter, Winter 68 (WM Research file).4. Remarks of the President upon signing H.R. 5894, Office of

thc White House Press Secretary (Promotions file).5. Col Margaret A. Brewer, "The Marine Team," Marine Corps

Gazette, Apr76.6. IT/Ms Newsletter, Spiing68 (WM Research file).7. Dir WMs comments on study to reevaluate the first ser-

geant/sergeant major program, dtd 21Sep56 (Promotions file).8. Ibid.9. Ibid.10. Col Julia E. Hamblet memo to Chief of Staff, dtd 21Nov58,

Subj: Report of conversation with the Commandant relative to thefirst sergeant/sergeant major program (Promotion file).

11. MCO 1421.6, dtd 3May60.12. Parris Island Boot, 19Feb65.13. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps memo to the Comman-

dant, dtd 1Nov71 (Promotion file).14. Ibid.15. Dir WMs comments, dtd 19Nov71 (Promotion file).16. Asst Chief of Staff memo to Deputy Chief of Staff, Man-

power, dtd 7Aug72 (Promotion file).17. News article undtd, Dir of WMs scrapbook (WMs HQMC

Records).

CHAPTER 13MARRIAGE, MOTHERHOOD, AND DEPENDENT

HUSBANDS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter was derivedfrom File 5730, Congressional legislative liaison, box 5, WMs,HQMC Records; file, Marriage-Dischargenransfers, box 3, WMs,HQMC Records, hereafter Marriage file; Dir WMs Newsletter,1966-1970, WM Research file; File, Miscellaneous (White House/RefBook items/Fact Sheet), box 5, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Miscfile; Col Jeanette I. Sustad interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,dtd 20Jun77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), here-after Sustad interview; Capt Katherine A. Gordon, interview withHist&MusDiv, dtd 29Jun77 (WM Research file), hereafter Gordonin terview.

1. Dir WMs comment, dtd 21Sep59 (Marriage file).2. P7Ms Newsletter, 16Aug66 (WM Research file).3. Ibid.4. Proposed Executive Order, Regulations Governing Discharge

from the Armed Forces of Women Serving under the Army-NavyNurses Act of 1947 and the Women's Armed Forces Integration Actof 1948 (Marriage file).

5. LtCol Margaret A. Brewer comments to Mary Ann Kuhn ofthe Wishington Daily News, dtd 10ct70 (Misc file).

6. Sustad interview.7. Gordon interview.8. Judge interview.9. Sustad interview.10. Maj Mary Sue League papers donated to the Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC (WM Research file).11. MCO 5000.12, dtd 16Jul75 (WM Research file).12. Office of the Asst SecDef (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and

Logistics) Background Study, Use of Women in the Military, dtdMay77 (WM Research file).

205

13. RAdm Clifford A. Swanson ltr to Office of the Judge Ad-vocate General, dtd 5Jan49 (Marriage file).

14. Col Jeanette I. Sustad remarks to Special Subcommittee onUtilization of Manpower in the Military, House Armed Services Com-mittee, dtd 6Mar72 (File Laws and Legal Matters, box 5, WMsHQMC Records).

15. Equal Opportunity Actions Affecting Military Women(1972-1976) (WM Research file).

16. B. J. Simmons, Jr., Department of Navy Bureau of Personnelmemo to Deputy Under Secretary of Navy (Manpower), dtd 13Mar68(File 5200, General Management, box 5, WM HQMC Records).

17. Clowers papers.18. Dir WMs memo to Head, Career Planning Branch, dtd

10Aug72 (File 5600, Publications, box 5, WMs HQMC Records).19. Equal Opportunity Actions Affecting Military Women

(1972-1976) (WM Research file).

CHAPTER 14UNIFORMS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom: Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Uniform Regulations U.S.Marine Corps Women's Reserve, 1945, dtd 30Apr45 (Marine CorpsHistorical Library, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Uniform Regu-lations, 1945; Marine Corps Manual, 1949, with all changes (Ma-rine Corps Historical Library, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC); Marine CorpsOrder P1020.34, dtd 2Jun61, with all changes to inchde MCOP1020.34C, dtd 12Mar76 (Central Files, HQMC), hereafter MCOP1020.34; PIM Newsletter, and Munn interview.

1. Uniform Regulations, 1945.2. Warner interview.3. Carville interview.4. Maj Harry D. Elms interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

Nov76, (WM Research file).5. Munn interview.6. Parris Island Boot, Nov50.7. Munn interview.8. Hamblet interview.9. DirWMs memorandum to Secretary-Recorder, Permanent Ma-

rine Corps Uniform Board, dtd 13Mar62 (Uniform notebook, box2, WM Research file), hereafter Uniform notebook.

10. DirWMs memorandum to President, Permanent Marine CorpsUniform Board, dtd 2Jul62 (Uniform notebook).

11. Col Mary E. Bane interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,Nov76.

12. Ibid.13. Munn interview.14. Newsclippings marked Journal, 31Aug52, otherwise uniden-

tified, donated by LtCol Munn (box 2, WM Research file).15. "The Premier Presentation of Women Marines Uniforms

designed by Mainbocker, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.,"28Aug52, program donated by LtCol Ben Alice Day Munn (box2, WM Research file).

16. Henderson interview.17. Patris Island Boot, 26Jan66.18. WM Newsletter, Winter 68.19. Col Jeanette I. Sustad interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd Nov76.20. Paula Wiltshire Sentipal interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd

Nov76.

215


21. MCO PI020.34C, dtd 12Mar76.22. Lt Col Elsie E. Hill ltr to Col Margaret M. Henderson, dtd

7Dec61 (File 1021, Clothing & Uniform, box 1, WMs HQMCRecords).

23. MCO PI020.34A, CI, dtd 4Nov63.24. MCB 1020, dtd 22Sep75 (Central Files, HQMC).25. Navy Times, 20Jun77.

CHAPTER 15LAURELS AND TRADITIONS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter was derivedfrom Laurels and Traditions Section, WM Research Notebook 3,box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Laurels file; WM Anniversaryfile, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Ann file; and Molly Ma-rine file, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Molly Marine file.

1. Director of WMs File, box 2, WM Research file.2. Col Hazel E. Benn's Legion of Merit citation (Manpowcr Dept,

HQMC).3. Col Hazel E. Benn interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 17Jan17

(Oral Hist Co(lection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).4. Leatherneck, undated 1953.5. SSgt Barbara 0. Barnwell's Navy and Marine Corps Medal ci-

tation (Manpower Dept, HQMC).6. Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald-American, 9Aug53.7. Navy Times, 17Jul63.8. GySgt D. L. Kearns Navy and Marine Corps Medal citation

(Manpower Dept, HQMC).9. lstLt V. K. Brame's Navy and Marine Corps Medal citation

(Manpower Dept, HQMC).i. Reidsville (N.C.) Review, undated (Laurels file).11. Oceanside (Calif.) Blveze, 18Nov76.12. ICpl Sheryl L. Young's Navy and Marine Corps Medal cita-

tion (Manpower Dept, HQMC).13. Capt Leaverton, LtCol O'Hollern, and LtCol Reinholz' Bronze

Star medal citations (Manpower Dept, HQMC).14. Leatherneck, Jul64.15. IstSgt Josephine S. Davis letter and papers donated to

Hist&MusDiv, dtd 14Dec76 (Response file, box 2, WM Researchfile), hereafter Davis papers.

16. SSgt J. Gebers ltr to SSgt Joan Ambrose, dtd 7May65 (Laurelsfile)

17. Davis papers.18. Headquarters Marine Corps photo No. 12358, dtd I3Feb44.19. Dir WMs memo to Col Dana C. Hart, dtd 7Mar5I (Ann file).20. Brewer interview.21. Mrs. John B. Cook telecon to Hist&MusDiv, dtd I8May77.22. Hamblet interview.23. Gen Clifton B. Cates ltr to Col Katherine A. Towle, dtd

13Feb51 (Ann File).24. Memo for file, unsigned, dtd 21Jan54 (Ann file).25. Gen Randolph McC. Pate ltr to Col Julia E. Hamblet, dtd

13Feb56 (Ann file).

26. Dir WMs memo to Chief of Staff, dtd 12Jan60 (Ann file).27. Dir WMS comment on proposed CMC message on the occa-

sion of the 3Ist anniversary of WMs, dtd 7Jan74 (Ann file).28. Ibid.29. Message from the Commandant, dtd I3Feb74 (Ann file).30. Parris Island Boot, 20Feb70.31. Ibid.32. Molly Marine file.33. WMA file, box 2, WM Research file.

CHAPTER 16THE SERGEANTS MAJOR OF WOMEN MARINES

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derivedfrom the official biographies of the sergeants major (File SergeantMajor, WM Research file).

1. Qualification for Sergeant Major of Women Marines (File Ser-geant Major, WM Research file).

2. Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle interview with Hist&MusDiv,dtd 15Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

CHAPTER 17THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES

Unless otherwise noted, the material for this chapter was der-ived from the official biographies of each of the Directors of Wom-en Marines and collected news articles filed under each one's name,Dir WMs File, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Dir WMs file;and Women Marines File, RefSec, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC. (Theauthor attended the ceremony marking the disestablishment of theDirector of Women Marines office on 30Jun77.)

1. Katherine A. Towle File (Dir WMs file).2. Oakland Tribune, I6May63.3. Hamblet interview.4. Munn interview.5. Julia E. Hamblet File (Dir WMs file).6. Boston Post, I9Apr53.7. Judge interview.8. Margaret M. Henderson File (Dir WMs file).9. Col Ruth C. Streeter, Tales of an Ancient Marine (privately

published), p. 56 (Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).10. Barbara J. Bishop file (Dir WMs file).II. Jeanette I. Sustad file (Dir WMs file).12. Col Jeanette I. Sustad's Irgion of Merit citation (Manpower

Dept, HQMC).13. Margaret A. Brewer file (Dir WMs file).14. Brewer interview, 30Dec76.15. Brewer interview, 16Jun77.16. Col Margaret M. Henderson briefing of Indonesian WAVE

officers, 20Nov63 (Speeches by Directors and CMC, box 2, WMResearch file).

17. Brewer interview, 16Jun77.18. Ibid.

216

Appendix A

Women Marines Strength, 1948-1977

DATE OFFICERS ENLISTED TOTAL30 June 4830 June 4930 June 5030 June 5130 June 52

30 June 5330 _bine 5430 June 5530 June 5630 June 57

30 June 5830 June 5930 June 6030 June 6130 June 62




8 159 16731 322 35345 535 58063 2,002 2,065

115 2,347 2,462

160 2,502 2,662163 2,339 2,502135 2,113 2,248113 1,634 1,747107 1,510 1,617

115 1,530 1,645123 1,703 1,826123 1,488 1,611117 1,495 1,612121 1,576 1,697

135 1,563 1,698128 1,320 1,448140 1,441 1,581,153 1,697 1,832189 2,122 2;311

228 2,555 2,780284 2,443 2,727299 2,119 2,418277 1,981 2,258282 2,066 2,348

315 1,973 2,288336 2,402 2,738345 2,841 3,186386 3,133 3,519407 3,423 3,830

207

Appendix B

Occupational Fields for Women OfficersOccupational fields in which women officers are eligible to serve, and percentages in each, as of 31December 1976.*

01 PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

NO.WOMEN

OFFICERS142

PERCENTAGEOF WOMEN

OFFICERS33.41

PERCENTAGEOF USMCOFFICERS

30.8002 INTELLIGENCE 18 4 23 9 4204 LOGISTICS 0 0 00 0 0013 ENGINEER AND SHORE PARTY 4 0 94 0 5614 DRAFTING, SURVEYING, AND MAPPING 0 0 00 0 0015 PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION 0 0 00 0 0021 ORDNANCE 0 0 00 0 0023 EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL 0 0 00 0 0025 OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 20 4 70 2 2226 SIGNALS INTEL/GROUND ELECT WF (s 0 00 0 0028 TELECOM MAINTENANCE 0 0 00 0 0030 SUPPLY ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS 6 59 2 2531 TRANSPORTATION 1 17 16.67

32 REPAIR SERVICES 0 00 0 0033 FOOD SERVICES 1 90 20.5134 AUDITING, FINANCE, AND ACCOUNTING 6 10.80 21.0035 maroR TRANSPORT 6 1 40 4 4140 DATA SYSTEMS 18 4 23 6 4741 MC EXCHANGE 12 2 82 44.4443 PUBLIC AFFAIRS 14 3 29 35.9044 LEGAL SERVICES 26 6 11 5 21

46 PHOTOGRAPHY 5 1.17 5 2649 TRAINING AND TRAINING AIDS 3 0 70 17.65

55 BAND 0 0 00 0 0057 NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL 0 0 00 0 0058 MILITARY POLICE AND CORRECTIONS 5 1 15 5 2659 ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE 1 0 23 0 7160/61 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 4 0 94 1 98

65 AVIATION ORDNANCE 0 0 00 0 0066 AVIONICS 0 0 00 0 0068 WEATHER SERVICE 3 0 70 21.43

70 AVIATION OPERATIONS 1 0 23 4 1772 AIR CONTROL/SUPPORT/ANTIAIR WF 9 2 11 1 61

73 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 13 3 05 13.4099 IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING MOS'S 34 8 00 3 01

03, 08, 18, 75not eligible for assignment

*(Source: WM Research file)

218

209

Appendix C

Occupational Fields for Enlisted WomenOccupational fields in which enlisted women are eligible to serve, and percentages in each, as of 31December 1976.*

01 PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION02 INTELLIGENCE04 LOGISTICS00 UTILITIES13 ENGINEER AND SHORE PARTY14 DRAFTING, SURVEYING, AND MAPPING15 PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION21 ORDNANCE23 EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL25 OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS26 SIGNALS INTEL/GROUND ELECT WF28 TELECOM MAINTENANCE30 SUPPLY ADMINISTRATION/SUPPLY31 TRANSPORTATION32 REPAIR SERVICES33 FOOD SERVICES34 AUDITING, FINANCE, AND ACCOUNTING35 MOTOR TRANSPORT40 DATA SYSTEMS41 MC EXCHANGE43 PUBLIC AFFAIRS44 LEGAL SERVICES46 PHOTOGRAPHY49 TRAINING AND TRAINING AIDS55 BAND57 NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL58 MILITARY POLICE AND CORRECTIONS59 ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE60/61 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE65 AVIATION ORDNANCE66 AVIONICS68 WEATHER SERVICE70 AVIATION OPERATIONS72 AIR CONTROL/SUPPORT/ANTIAIR WF73 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL98 U.S. MARINE CORPS BAND99 IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING MOS'S03, 08, 18, 75not eligible for assignment

*(Source: WM Research file)

NO. PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGEENLISTED OF ENLISTED OF ENLISTED

WOMEN WOMEN MARINES950 30.42 9 05

4 0 12 0 3322 0 70 1 8438 1 21 1 6331 0 99 0 37

5 0 16 1 5914 0 44 6 90

2 0 06 0 070 0 00 0 00

155 4 96 1 21

0 0 00 0 00166 5 31 4 11443 14.18 3 87

69 2 21 8 598 0 25 2 60

16 0 51 0 39139 4 45 8 17186 5 95 1 41

101 3 23 6 1875 2 40 12.02

53 1 69 15.19

91 2 99 16.9819 0 60 4 5247 1 50 14,7828 0 89 3 76

0 0 00 0 0090 2 88 2 12

1 0 03 0 0513 0 41 0 120 0 00 0 00

57 1 84 0 8122 0 70 7 2425 0 80 1 27

0 0 00 0 0015 0 48 1 8611 0 35 7 59

226 7 23 2 44

211

Appendix D

Women Marine Units, 1946-1977

Company E, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall,Arlington, Virginia; activated 19 August 1946; disbanded 31 May 1950

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Regina M. Durant 19 Aug 1946- Dec 1946Captain Elizabeth J. Elrod 31 Dec 1946-19 Dec 1948Captain Pauline B. Beckley 20 Dec 1948-31 May 1950

Officers carried on rolls of Company C, Headquarters Battalion; enlisted women carried on rollsof Companies D and E, Headquarters Battalion, according to their work section.

Company D, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Vir-ginth, activated 1 July 1952

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Hen-derson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, 20 May 1970; deactivated 4 August 1977

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Elaine T. Carville 1 Jul 1952-7 Jul 1953Major Jeanette Pearson 8 Jul 1953-2 Jun 1954Captain Joyce M. Hamman 3 Jun 1954-9 Nov 1954Second Lieutenant Elizabeth M. Faas 11 Nov 1954-1 Feb 1955Second Lieutenant Florence E. Land 2 Feb 1955-6 Mar 1955Second Lieutenant Valeria F. Hilgart 7 Mar 1955-19 Jan 1956Captain Virginia Caley 31 Jan 1956-31 Jul 1957Captain Patricia A. Maas 1 Aug 1957-9 Jun 1959First Lieuten2nt Dorothy A. Olds 10 Jun 1959-5 Jan 1960Captain Pa.tricia A. Watson 6 Jan 1960-25 Nov 1962Captain Carol J. Carlson 26 Nov 1962-31 Jan 1964Captain Gail M. Reals 3 Feb 1964-23 Dec 1966Captain Nancy J. Mackie 24 Dec 1966-13 Jun 1968Captain Melba J. Myers 14 Jun 1968-3 Jul 1968First Lieutenant Mary G. Nitsch 4 Jul 1968-23 Jul 1968Captain Jeanne A. Botwright 24 Jul 1968-1 Apr 1970Captain Charlene M. Summers 2 Apr 1970-23 Jan 1972First Lieutenant Karen I. Kelly 24 Jan 1972-7 Feb 1972Captain Joan M. Collins 8 Feb 1972-11 Jul 1974Captain Shelley B. Mayer 12 Jul 1974-18 Jul 1977First Lieutenant Cathy A. Fremin 19 Jul 1977-30 Aug 1977

213

220

214 A 1-IISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Woman Officer Training Detachment, Basic School, Marine Corps Schools, Quanti-co, Virginia: Captain Elsie E. Hill and staff attached to Headquarters Battalion; oper-ational control under G-3, Basic School. Unit activated only when class in sessionduring summers of 1949 and 1950. First class began 20 June 1949.

Woman Officer Training Detachment, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico,Virginia, activated 16 May 1952 as permanent unit under Basic School

Redesignated Women Marines Training Detachment, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Schools,Quantico, Virginia

Redesignated Woman Marine Detachment, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, 17 Decem-ber 1958

Redesignated Woman Officer School, Marine CorPs Schools, Quantico, Virginia, 16 Apny 1965Woman Officer School redesignatedas a school under the Education Center, Marine Corps Schools,

Quantico, Virginia 12 June 1973; disestablished 20 December 1974

COMMANDING OFFICERSCaptain Elsie E. Hill 20 Jun 1949-24 Sep 1951Captain Emma H. Hendrickson 25 Sep 1951-30 Nov 1951Lieutenant Colonel Julia E. Hamblet 16 May 1952-6 Apr 1953Major Dorothy M. Knox 7 Apr 1953-31 May 19.53Major Margaret M. Henderson 1 Jun 1953-10 Dec 1954Major Mary Janice Hale 11 Dec 1954-11 May 1955Lr,-zitenant Colonel Pauline B. Beckley 12 May 1955-10 Feb 1957Major Nita Bob Warner 11 Feb 1957-15 May 1957Lieutenant Colonel Emma Henderickson Clowers 16 May 1957-23 Mar 1959Major Nita Bob Warner 24 Mar 1959-1 May 1959Lieutenant Colonel Dorothy M. Knox 2 May 1959-11 Jun 1962Lieutenant Colonel Doris V. Kleberger 12 Jun 1962-16 Jun 1965Major Margaret A. Brewer 17 Jun 1965-30 Jul 1965Lieutenant Colonel Elsie E. Hill 31 Jul 1965-31 Oct 1966Major Ruth F. Reinholz 1 Nov 1966-31 Jan 1967Lieutenant Colonel Valeria F. Hilgart 1 Feb 1967-9 Apr 1970Lieutenant Colonel Theresa M. Hayes 10 Apr 1970-10 Jan 1972Lieutenant Colonel Carolyn J. Auldridge Walsh 11 Jan 1972-10 Jul 1973Lieutenant Colonel Roberta N. Roberts Patrick 12 Jul 1973-20 Dec 1974

3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Caro-lina, activated 23 February 1949

Redesignated Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SouthCarolina, 1 May 1954

Redesignated Woman Recruit Training Command, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SouthCarolina, 28 May 1976

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Margaret M. Henderson 23 Feb 1949-19 Jun 1950Captain Mary J. Hale 29 Aug 1950-17 Sep 1950

I

221

WOMEN MARINE UNITS, 1946-1977 215

Major Pauline B. BeckleyMajor Helen M. TatumMajor Nita Bob WarnerLieutenant Colonel Elsie E. HillMajor Jeanette I. SustadLieutenant Colonel Barbara J. BishopMajor Doris V. KlebergerLieutenant Colonel Elsie E. HillLieutenant Colonel Julia E. HambletLieutenant Colonel Dorothy M. KnoxMajor Mary E. BaneLieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'HolleranLieutenant Colonel Jenny WrennLieutenant Colonel Roberta N. RobertsMajor Gail M. RealsLieutenant Colonel Ruth F. ReinholzMajor Gail M. RealsLieutenant Colonel Jenny WrennLieutenant Colonel Vera M. JonesLieutenant Colonel Gail M. Reals

18 Sep 1950-25 Nov 195226 Nov 1952-11 Jan 1953

12 Jan 1953-7 Apr 19548 Apr 1954-2 Sep 1956

3 Sep 1956-21 Oct 195622 Oct 1956-25 Jul 195926 Jul 1959-2 Dec 1959

3 Dec 1959-15 May 196216 May 1962-25 Apr 1965

26 Apr 1965-4 Apr 19675 Apr 1967-26 Oct 196727 Oct 1967-15 Jul 196916 Jul 1969-9 Feb 1971

10 Feb 1971-11 Jul 197212 Jul 1972-15 Aug 1972

16 Aug 1972-20 Dec 197221 Dec 1972-6 May 19737 May 1973-30 Jul 1975

31 Jul 1975-14 Sep 197715 Sep 1977-

Post Troops, 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Is-land, South Carolina, activated 11 January 1950

SECTION COMMANDER

Second Lieutenant Mary S. Mock 11 Jan 1950-21 Aug 1951Captain Emily Schultz 22 Aug 1951-14 Nov 1951

Company W, Marine Barracks, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, activated 13 October1950

Redesignated Camp Headquarters .Women Marines Company, Headquarters and Service Battal-ion, Marine Barracks, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 29 November 1951

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune,North Carolina, 1 June 1954

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base,Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 9 June 1961; dectivated 2 August 1977

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Mary J. Fischer Elder 13 Oa 1950-5 Sep 1953Captain Elaine T. Carville 6 Sep 1953-16 Oct 1953Major Barbara J. Bishop 17 Oct 1953-11 Apr 1955First Lieutenant Nancy L. White 12 Apr 1955-11 Jul 1955Captain Mary Sue Mock 12 Jul 1955-4 Mar 1957Captain Margaret A. Brewer 8 Mar 1957-12 May 1958Captain Ellen B. Moroney 13 May 1958-11 Sep 1961

222


Captain Jane L. Wallis 12 Sep 1961-20 Mar 1964Captain Carol A. Vertalino 21 Mar 1964-26 May 1966Major Elsa L. Farman 27 May 1966-10 May 1967Captain Jo H. Hall 11 May 1967-23 Jan 1969Captain Della J. Elden 24 Jan 1969-19 Jul 1970Captain Ruby J. Chapman 20 Jul 1970-29 Nov 1971Captain Juanita A. Lamb 30 Nov 1971- 20 Jur) 1973Captain Carol L. Pollack 21 Jun 1973-13 Nov 1975Captain Linda Essex Edwards 14 Nov 1975-2 Aug 1977

Woman Marine Company, Service Battalion, Marine Barracks, Camp Joseph H. Pen-dleton, California, activated 1 June 1951

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Maine Barracks, Camp Pendle-ton, California, 20 September 1952

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pen-dleton, California, 1954

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base,Camp Pendleton, 21 January 1958

Redesignated WM Company, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Regiment, Marine Corps Base,Camp Pendleton, 1 July 1962; deactivated 1 April 1974

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Jeanette I, Sustad 1 Jun 1951-27 Aug 1952Second Lieutenant Valeria F. Hilgart 28 Aug 1952-29 Nov 1952Second Lieutenant Catherine M. Gregory 30 Nov 1952-27 Mar 1953Captain Frances M. Johnson 28 Mar 1953-6 Sep 1954Second Lieutenant Ruth J. O'Holleran 7 Sep 1954-3 Dec 1955Captain Jenny Wrenn 4 Dec 1955-28 Feb 1957First Lieutenant Dorothy A. Olds 1 Mar 1957-10 Mar 1957Captain Marguerita C. Russell 11 Mar 1957-26 Jan 1958Captain Clarabelle M. Merritt 27 Jan 1958-10 Jan 1960Captain Martha A. Cox 11 Jan 1960-19 Sep 1961Captain Shirley L. Mink 20 Sep 1961-9 Oct 1963Major Florence E. Land 10 Oct 1963-4 Jul 1964First Lieutenant Cath H. Bednar 5 Jul 1964-1 Dec 1964First Lieutenant Sara R. Beauchamp 2 Dec 1964-1 Mar 1965First Lieutenant Jolana Johnson 2 Mar 1965-1 Oct 1966Captain Estella C. Rhodes 2 Oct 1966-30 Jun 1967Captain Mary S. Stevens League 1 Jul 1967-2 Dec 1968Captain Anna H. Williams 3 Dec 1968-2 Jul 1969Captain Sharyll A. B. Plato 3 Jul 1969-9 Sep 1969Captain Anna H. Williams 10 Sep 1969-19 Nov 1969Second Lieutenant Alice F. Jones 20 Nov 1969-30 Dec 1969Captain Barbara A. Schmidt 31 Dec 1969-29 Nov 1970Major Georgia L. Swickheinter 30 Noy 1970-6 Apr 1971First Lieutenant Sue E. Vanhaastert 7 Apr 1971-19 Jul 1971Second Lieutenant Roberta 11. Baro 20 Jul 1971-2 Aug 1971

:(5 223


Captain Lillian Hagener 3 Aug 1971-16 Aug 1973Captain Nancy J. Lewis Hackert 17 Aug 1973-12 Jan 1974First Lieutenant Donna M. Hug 11 Jan 1974-10 Feb 1974First Lieutenant Maria T. Hernandez 11 Feb 1974-1 Apr 1974

Post Personnel Company, 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot,Parris Island, South Carolina, activated 15 November 1951

Redesignated Permanent Personnel Company, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine CorpsRecruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 May 1954

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps RecruitDepot, Parris Island, South Carolina (date unknown)

Redesignated Permanent Personnel Company, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine CorpsRecruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 April 1958

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Woman Marine Training Battalion, Marine Corps RecruitDepot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 27 April 1964; deactivated 25 May 1976

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Emily Schulyz 15 Nov 1951-25 Nov 1952Second Lieutenant Phyllis J. Young 26 Nov 1952-26 Jun 1953First Lieutenant Muriel J. Katschker 27 Jun 1953-18 Jul 1954Captain Essie M. Lucas 19 Jul 1954-12 Mar 1955First Lieutenant Ruth F. Reinholz 14 Mar 1955-12 Jun 1956Second Lieutenant Francis B. Newman 13 Jun 1956-7 Jul 1956Captain Constance Baker 8 Jul 1956-1 Nov 1957Captain_Gussie R. Calhoun 2 Nov 1957-2 Mar 1959Major boris V. Kleberger 3 Mar 1959-5 Jul 1959Captain Donrue Weyer 6 Jul 1959-11 Jun 1960First Lieutenant Betty L. Leonard 12 Jun 1960-20 Aug 1960Captain Patsy A. Twilley 21 Aug 1960-22 Mar 1962First Lieutenant Jo Ann Kilday 23 Mar 1962-10 Sep 1962Captain Leah M. Draper 12 Sep 1962-30 Jun 1963First Lieutenant Jacqueline Leffler White 1 Jul 1963-31 Jan 1964Second Lieutenant Barbara J. Oliver 1 Feb 1964-16 Feb 1964First Lieutenant Vera M. Jones 17 Feb 1964-3 Jan 1965Captain Mary S. Stevens 4 Jan 1965-15 Aug 1966First Lieutenant Johnena J. Cochran 15 Aug 1966-6 Feb 1967First Lieutenant Suellen A. Beaulieu 7 Feb 1967-1 Aug 1967Captain Loretta J. Ross 2 Aug 1967-17 Mar 1968First Lieutenant Marie L. Arnold 18 Mar 1968-22 Dec 1968Captain Jean M. Panzer 23 Dec 1968-23 Sep 1969Major Karen G. Wheeler 24 Sep 1969-31 Oct 1969First Lieutenant Bonnie J. Tervo 1 Nov 1969-21 May 1970Second Lieutenant Elizabeth T. Agaisse 24 May 1970-3 Jul 1970Captain Emma G. Ramsey 5 Jul 1970-28 Feb 1971First Lieutenant Elizabeth T. Agaisse 1 Mar 1971-15 Apr 1971First Lieutenant Cheryl J. McCauley 18 Apr 1971-20 May 1971Captain Shirley E. Leaverton 21 May 1971-16 Jul 1973


First Lieutenant Barbara J. Gard 17 Jul 1973-11 Sep 1973Captain Carolyn Bever Wiseman 12 Sep 1973-23 Apr 1974First Lieutenant Susan V. Wagner 24 Apr 1974-26 Sep 1974Captain Carol A. Barber 30 Sep 1974-9 Jul 1975Second Lieutenant Bonnie L. Duphiney 10 Jul 1975-2 Aug 1975Captain Barbara A. Martin 3 Aug 1975-25 May 1976

Woman Marine Detachment-1, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California, acti-vated 15 May 1951

Woman Marine Detachment-1 redesignated Sub Unit-2, Headquarters Squadron, Marine CorpsAir Station, upon reorganization of the air station on 15 March 1972; deactivated 20 February 1974

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Nita Bob Warner 15 May 1951-15 Dec 1952Major Shirley J. Fuetsch 16 Dec 1952-8 Jan 1953First Lieutenant Wilma Morris 9 Jan 1953-4 Feb 1953Major Ben Alice Day 5 Feb 1953-30 Dec 1954First Lieutenant Shirley A. Tate 1 Jan 1955-14 Mar 1955Major Helen A. Tatum 15 Mar 1955-29 Apr 1955Major Dorothy M. Knox 30 ATI 1955-3 ATI 1958Captain Valeria F. Hilgart 4 Apr 1958-17 Oct 1960First Lieutenant Sonia Rivera-Cuevas 18 Oct 1960-16 Jan 1961Captain Marie J. Halvorsen 17 Jan 1961-11 Feb 1962First Lieutenant Nancy Talbot Rick 12 Feb 1962-13 Nov 1963Captain Nanette L. Beavers 14 Nov 1963-5 Nov 1966Major Roberta N. Roberts 6 Nov 1966-20 Aug 1967Captain Judith K. Lund 21 Aug 1967-26 Nov 1969First Lieutenant Eleanor J. McElroy 27 Nov 1969-22 Sep 1970Lieutenant Colonel Jane L. Wallis 23 Sep 1970-8 Mar 1971Major Barbara E. Dolyak 9 Mar 1971-1 May 1972Captain Marcia A. Biddleman 1 Jul 1972-1 Mar 1973CWO-3 June R. Doberstein 2 Mar 1973-20 Feb 1974

Womag Marine Detachment-2, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Caro-lina, activated 1 March 1951; deactivated 31 December 1974

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Major Helen A. Wilson 1 Mar 1951-3 May 1951First Lieutenant Nancy J. Mecartney 4 May 1951-8 Sep 1953Captain Emily Schultz 9 Sep 1953-17 May 1954First Lieutenant Louise M. Snyder 18 May 1954-12 Sep 1954Captain Sara F. Hanan 13 Sep 1954-24 Jan 1955Captain Jeanne Fleming 25 Jan 1955-25 May 1956Captain Ruth F. Reinholz 16 Jun 1956-25 Nov 1957Captain Ruth J. O'Holleran 26 Nov 1957-24 May 1959

'AsA 225

WOMEN MARINE UNITS, 19464977 219

Captain Inger R. Beaumont 25 May 1959-19 Jul 1959Major Anne S. Ritter 20 Jul 1959-17 Mar 1962Captain Martha A. Cox 18 Mar 1962-10 Dec 1964Captain Carolyn J. Auldridge 11 Dec 1964-15 Oct 1966First Lieutenant Elizabeth D. Doize 1 Nov 1966-28 May 1968Captain Loretta J. Liehs 29 May 1968-16 Jan 1969Major Nanette L. Beavers 17 Jan 1969-14 Jan 1970Captain Donna J. Sherwood 15 Jan 1970-23 Aug 1970Captain Sara A. Beauchamp 24 Aug 1970-25 Mar 1972Captain Sharon L. Sherer 28 Mar 1972-31 May 1973Captain Marguerite K. Campbell 16 Jul 1973-31 Dec 1974

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Fleet Marine Force,Atlantic, Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Virginia; activated 1 April 1952; deactivated 15April 1977

SUPERVISOR OF WOMENSecond Lieutenant Doris V. KlebergerFirst Lieutenant Joan McCormick

Nov 1950Nov 1951

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Second Lieutenant Mary E. Sullivan 1 Apr 1952-25 Jun 1952First Lieutenant Natalie Noble 4 Aug 1952-29 May 1953Captain Dolores A. Thorning 13 Jun 1953-23 Jan 1955Second Lieutenant Rita A. Ciotti 24 Jan 1955-13 Aug 1955Second Lieutenant Martha A. Cox 14 Aug 1955-4 Oct 1955Captain Margaret A. Brewer 5 Oct 1955-6 Feb 1957First Lieutenant Shirley J. Gifford 7 Feb 1957-30Jun 1958First Lieutenant Eleanor H. Bispham 1 Jul 1958-26 Aug 1958Captain Margaret R. Pruett 27 Aug 1958-3 Aug 1960First Lieutenant Valeria M. Dayton 4 Aug 1960-25 May 1962Captain Georgia L. Swickheimer 26 May 1962-20 Dec 1965First Lieutenant M,ry L. Howard 21 Dec 1965-30 Oct 1967First Lieutenant Lois J. Bertram 31 Oct 1967-13 Mar 1969First Lieutenant Mary J. Stoakes 14 Mar 1969-6 Aug 1970First Lieutenant Carolyn K. Bever Wiseman 7 Aug 1970-24 Nov 1971First Lieutenant Patricia A. Perkins 25 Nov 1971-13 Feb 1974First Lieutenant Mary E. Mitchell 14 Feb 1974-12 Dec 1974Captain Kathryn A. Jacob MacKinney 13 Dec 1974-15 Apr 1977

Company D, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, ac-tivated 1 March 1952

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Women Marines Detachment, Marine Corps Schools, Quan-tico, Virginia, I May 1959

Reorganized, Headquarters Company, Woman Officer School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico,Virginia, 16 April 1965


Redesignated Headquarters Company, Woman Officer School, Marine Corps Development andEducation Command, Quantico, Virginia, 1 January 1968; decativated 12 June 1973

OFFICER IN CHARGE, WM BARRACKS

Second Lieutenant Elaine T. Carville 7 Nov 1950-31 Jan 1951First Lieutenant Marion R. Moore 1 Feb 1951-28 Feb 1952

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Marion R. Moore 1 Mar 1952-20 Dec 1952Second Lieutenant Ruth F. Reinholz 23 Dec 1952-11 Jan 1953Captain Bernice M. Pitman 12 Jan 1953-20 Apr 1954First Lieutenant Ruth F. Reinholz 21 Apr 1954-30 Apr 1954Captain Jeanne Fleming 1 Mar 1954-9 Aug 1954First Lieutenant Anne S. Ritter 10 Aug 1954-6 Dec 1955First Lieutenant Ellen B. Moroney 7 Dec 1955-19 Nov 1956Captain Eileen F. Parker 20 Nov 1956-31 Dec 1956Second Lieutenant Marion L. Call 1 Jan 1957-22 Jan 1957Captain Virginia A. Hajek 23 Jan 1957-3 Aug 1958Second Lieutenant Grace Ann Entriken 6 Aug 1958-7 Sep 1958Captain Beverly Schofield Love 8 Sep 1958-31 May 1960First Lieutenant Shirley N. Arnold 1 Jun 1960-5 Jul 1960Second Lieutenant Nanette L. Beavers 6 Jul 1960-31 Jul 1960Captain Jane L. Wallis 1 Aug 1960-11 Aug 1961Captain Grace A. Overholser 21 Aug 1961-5 Jun 1962Captain Margaret R. Pruett 6 Jun 1962-18 Nov 1962First Lieutenant Gail M. Reals 7 Feb 1963-24 Mar 1963First Lieutenant Nancy A. Carroll 26 Mar 1963-21 Apr 1964First Lieutenant Vea J. Smith 22 Apr 1964-5 Dec 1965Captain Jo Anne Kilday 6 Dec 1965-5 Dec 1966Captain Vera M. Jones 6 Dec 1966-20 Jan 1967First Lieutenant Dolores R. Noguera 21 Jan 1967-7 Aug 1967First Lieutenant Ruth D. Walsh 8 Aug 1967-12 Nov 1968First Lieutenant Barbara A. Schmidt 13 Nov 1968-30 Nov 1969Captain Janice C. Scott 1 Dec 1969-11 Oct 1971First Lieutenant Sharon F. Daugherty 12 Oct 1971-30 Apr 1973Captain Shirley L. Bowen 1 May 1973-11 Jun 1973

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps RecruitDepot, San Diego, California, activated 16June 1952; deactivated 24 February 1977

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Major Emma H. Clowers 16 Jun 1952-23 Apr 1953First Lieutenant Eileen F. Parker 24 Apr 1953-31 May 1953Major Helen A. Wilson 1 Jun 1953-2 Jun 1954Major Shirley J. Fuetsch 3 Jun 1954-31 Oct 1955

227


Captain Donrue Weyer 1 Nov 1955-30 Nov 1956Captain Mary L. Voight 2 Dec 1956-8 Apr 1958Second Lieutenant Margaret H. Frank 9 Apr 1958-17 Apr 1958First Lieutenant Katherine M. Donohue 18 Apr 1958-12 Jun 1958Captain Patricia A. Watson 13 Jun 1958-17 Dec 1959Major Theresa M. Hayes 18 Dec 1959-15 Jan 1963Captain Marilyn F. Day 16 Jan 1963-8 Feb 1965Captain Winifred B. Paul 9 Feb 1965-24 Jul 1965Major Barbara J. Lee 26 Jul 1965-26 Dec 1966Second Lieutenant Elizabeth A. Wilson 27 Dec 1966-4 Feb 1967Captain Gail A. Waugh 5 Feb 1967-7 Aug 1968Captain Susan Sommers 13 Aug 1968-29 Aug 1969Captain Marie J. Halvorsen 30 Aug 1969-1 Feb 1970Captain Lillian Hagener 2 Feb 1970-31 Jul 1971Captain Barbara Weinberger 3 Sep 1971-25 Jan 1974Captain Eleanor F. Pekala 26 Jan 1974-2 Sep 1975First Lieutenant Mary K. P. Lowery 25 Sep 1975-9 May 1976First Lieutenant Candice A. Lewis 10 May 1976-24 Feb 1977

Woman Recruit Training Company, W omen Recruit Training Battalion, Marine CorpsRecruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina

The company was never a reporting unit. What information is recorded here has been gained throughpersonal interviews and a review of various records, recruit platoon books, newspaper articles, etc.

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Second Lieutenant Margaret L. Grammer Brown 1 Jan 1952-4 Sep 1952First Lieutenant Virginia Caley 11 Oct 1952-31 Jul 1953Captain Essie M. Lucas 1 Aug 1953-23 Aug 1954Captain Elaine T. Carville 24 Aug 1954-6 Nov 1956Captain Theresa M. Hayes . . 7 Nov 1956-22 Dec 1957Captain Mary E. Bane 21 Jan 1958-11 Jun 1960First Lieutenant Georgia Swickheimer 6 Aug 1960-29 Sep 1960First Lieutenant Mary A. Johnson 30 Sep 1960-27 Mar 1961First Lieutenant Betty L. Leonard 22 Jun 1961-30 Jul 1961First Lieutenant Dolores A. Schleichert 31 Jul 1961-29 Apr 1962Captain Mary L. Vertalino 30 Apr 1962-24 Jun 1963Captain Annie Muriel Trowsdale 25 June 1963-3 Jan 1965Captain Vera M. Jones 4 Jan 1965-23 May 1966Captain Eleanor Elaine Filkins 8 Jul 1966-5 Apr 1968First Lieutenant Suellen A. Beaulieu May 1968Captain Joan M. Collins 17 Jul 1969-17 Aug 1971Captain Vanda K. Brame 18 Aug 1971-13 Jun 1972Major Gail M. Reals 14 Jun 19 12-2 7 Jun 1972Captain Carolyn K. Bever Wiseman 28 Jun 1972-11 Sep 1973Captain Linda K. Adams Priest 12 Sep 1973-31 Oa 1975Captain Nancy A. Davis 1 Nov 1975-June 1977

22 8S


Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, FMFPac, U.S. Naval Base, PearlHarbor, Oahu, Hawaii, activated 24 June 1952

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, FMFPac, Camp H.M. Smith, Oahu, Hawaii, 10 July 1956; deactivated 12 February 1976

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Second Lieutenant Margaret M. Schafer 24 Jun 1952-22 Dec 1952Captain Valeria F. Hilgart 23 Dec 1952-13 Jan 1955Captain Virginia Caley 14 Jan 1955-2 Dec 1955First Lieutenant Theresa M. Hayes 3 Dec 1955-6 Jan 1956Captain Doris V. Kleberger.. 7 Jan 1956-25 Feb 1957Captain Jenny Wrenn 10 Apr 1957-5 Apr 1959First Lieutenant Nancy J. Durkin 6 May 1959-15 Jul 1959Captain Ruth J. O'Holleran 16 Jul 1959-30 Oct 1961Captain Ellen B. Moroney 2 Nov 1961-18 Nov 1962Captain Carol A. Vertalino 19 Nov 1962-1 Feb 1964Captain Elaine E. Filkins 2 Feb 1964-14 Dec 1965Captain Roberta N. Roberts . 15 Dec 1965-30 Dec 1966Captain Jeanne A. Botwright 31 Dec 1966-5 Dec 1967Captain Judybeth D. Barnett 6 Dec 1967-16 Dec 1970First Lieutenant Cheryl S. Gillespie 21 Dec 1970-16 Jun 1972Captain Antoinette Meenach 17 .Jun 1972-1 May 1974Captain Karen S. De Wolf 2 May 1974-12 Feb 1976

Woman Marine Detachment-3, Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe, Hawaii, acti-vated 2 November 1953; deactivated 1 September 1956

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Phyllis J. Young 2 Nov 1953-2 Oct 1954Captain Patricia A. Maas 10 Oct 1954-1 Sep 1956

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Supply Center, Bar-stow, California; activated 1 July 1967; deactivated August 1971

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Rebecca M. Kraft 1 Jul 1967-8 Sep 1967Captain Joan Hammond9 Sep 1967-26 Oct 1968

First Lieutenant Diane L. Hamel 27 Oct 1968-4 Nov 1969Captain Alice K. Kurashige 5 Nov 1969-14 May 1970First Lieutenant Geraldine E. Peeler 15 May 1970-15 Jul 1970First Lieutenant Vanda K. Brame 16 Jul 1970-31 Apr 1971First Lieutenant Linda J. Lenhart 7 Jul 1971-31 Jul 1971


Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Supply Center, Al-bany, Georgia, activated 13 September 1967; deactivated August 1971

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Emma G. Ramsey during formingCaptain Sara R. Beauchamp 13 Sep 1967-5 Jan 1969Captain Mary S. League 6 Jan 1969-20 Mar 1970Captain Bonnie J. Allman May 1970-May 1971

23 0

Appendix E

Women Marines Who Served in Vietnam1967-1973

First Lieutenant Lois J. BertramCaptain Elaine E. Filkins (Davies)Captain Vera M. JonesCWO-2 Ernestine A. Koch

Officers

First Lieutenant Shirley E. LeavertonLieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'HolleranLieutenant Colonel Ruth F. ReinholzFirst Lieutenant Lila Jean Sharpsteen

Enlisted Women

Sergeant Barbara J. Aaron (Avant)Staff Sergeant Bridget V. ConnollySergeant Doris L. DentonStaff Sergeant Adelina Diaz (Torres)Lance Corporal Teresa A. DickersonCorporal Marilyn L. DorseyMaster Sergeant Barbara J. DulinskyCorporal Andrea L. EdwardsCorporal Jeanne L. Francoeur (Bell)Corporal M. R. GehantSergeart Mary E. GlaudelStaff Sergeant Franccs I. Gonzales (Shore)Staff Sergeant Donna L. Hollowell (Murray)Corporal Alaine K. Ivy

Sergeant Carol E. LesterLance Corporal Jeanette I. HensleyCorporal Nellie Mach (Perkins)Corporal M. Del MartinezCorporal Nola E. MackinsterStaff Sergeant Loretta M. MorrisonSergeant Ella L. NethertonCorporal Diane L. PotterSergeant Jacqueline K. RoachStaff Sergeant Ermelinda Salazar (Esquibel)Corporal Sandra SpaatzSergeant Helen J. VardenSergeant Mary P. Walsh (McDermott)Corporal Pauline W. Wilson

225

Appendix F

Enlisted Women Marines RetainedAfter World War II Who Served

Until Retirement

List provided by Master Sergeant Annette Parziale. She titles it, "Chronological listing of continuousactive duty retirees fortunate enough to be in the right place, at the right time, and holding the rightSSN number to be retained after WV/ II" (MSgt Parziale ltr to Hist&MusDiv, WM Research file).

Catherine G. Murray. . E-7 29Mar43-30Nov62Geraldine M. Moran . E-9 22Feb43-31Mar63Ruth M. Haungs E-7 25Jun43-31Mar63Annette Parziale E-7 2Jul43-31Mar63Bertha J. Schultz E-8 290ct43-31Ju163

Helen Gardner Redmond E-6 25Mar43-25Dec63Myrtle Butler Borg Stinson E-7 21Sep43-31Jan64Bettye R. Hollis E-7 80ct43-29Feb64Beatrice M. Kent E-6 9May44-31Mar64Martha E. Kirchman . E-7 6Apr44-31May64

Lucy Cozzi E-7 20Feb45-30Sep64Marion 0. Ahearn E-8 9Nov43-310ct64Dorthea E. Hard E-6 26May44-310ct64Esther D. Waclawski E-8 100ct44-30Nov64Alice J. Connolly E-8 9Jun43-28Feb65

Juel C. Pensock E-7 15Nov43-6May66Elizabeth Pinter E-8 20Sep43-31May66Dorothy L. Kearns . E-7 160ct44-31May66Betty J. Alley E-6 18Jun45-31Jan67Jessie L. Van Dyke E-9 6May43-31Ju168

Anna Peregrim E-8 1Feb45-22Aug68Martha J. Clark E-8 1Mar45-31Aug69Vera E. Piippo E-8 17Ju143-30Sep69Catherine L. Quinlan E-9 160ct43-30Sep69Margaret H. Crowel E-8 .18May45-31May70

Loraine G. Bruso E-8 15Dec43-31Jan71Elizabeth M. Tarte E-8 10ct43-23Nov71Bertha Peters Billeb E-9 5Mar43-30Apr73June V. And ler E-9 9Mar44-30Apr74Sarah N. Thornton E-9 11Dec43-31Jul74

232

227

Index

A-4 Skyhawk power plant; illus., 95Ables, Maj Charles K., 100Ables, Maj Kathleen V., 99-100; illus., 99Acting Secretary of the Navy, 174Active Duty for Training, 43-44, 101-102, 105-106,

177nAdam, TSgt Dolores M., 7Adams, SSgt Carmen, 81; illus., 75Adams, Pvt Norma, 48Ad-Hoc Committee on Increased Effectiveness in the

Utilization of Women in the Marine Corps (SeeSnell Committee.)

Ad Hoc Committee to Study Reserve Training forWomen Marines (See Pepper Board)

Administration/Gymnasium Building 914, MCRD,Parris Island, South Carolina, 28

Administration of women's affairs, 18, 24Administrative discharge, 144, 151, 153Advanced Communication Officer Course, 93Aerial Surveillance Officer Course, Fort Holabird,

Maryland, 74Aerological School Training Unit, NAS, Lakehurst,

NeW Jersey, 182Air Force Attache, Santo Domingo, 173Air Force Reserve, 18AFSE, Naples, Italy, 88Air Traffic Control Officers Course, NAS, Glynco, Ge-

orgia, 74Airmen's Open Mess, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan,

83Albert, PFC Dennis M., 79Albert, PFC Donna L., 79Albert, SgtMaj Evelyn E., 80, 181-184; illus., 182Albertson, Capt Eileen M., 92-93; illus., 93Alexander, Sgt Judith A., 97Allegree, 2dLt Patricia A., 74Allgood, Cpl Doris, 52All-volunteer force, 89-90Almon, SSgt Lucille, 42Almonte, GySgt Virginia, 78Ambrose, SSgt Joan S., 173American Nazi Party, 99American Spirit Honor Medal, 121Ames, TSgt Barbara A., 28

Amphibious Warfare School, 34, 36, 73-74, 76, 107Anderson, Gen Earl E., 99Anderson, lstLt Fern D., 42Anderson, lstLt Marie K., 12nAnderson, Sgt Norine, 60Anderson, 2dLt Sara J., 37Anderson, Cpl Shirley, 52Andler, SgtMaj June V., 25, 28, 161, 182, 185-186;

illus., 161, 185Andlott, Cpl Mary J., 82Anniversary of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve,

8; illus., 13Anniversary of the Women Marines, 67, 83, 85,

174-177; illus., 174-177Appointments, 3, 5, 17, 21-23, 36 (See also Pro-

motions)Appropriations, 12, 22, 39, 104, 106, 125-126Arcure, SSgt Mary K., 50Arden, Elizabeth, 167Arlington, Virginia, 26, 170Armed Forces Day, 43, 101Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 174; illus., 1,73Armed Forces Leave Act of 1946, 6Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, 77Armed Forces Television Station, Saigon, Vietnam, 85Armed Services Exchange Regulations, 155Armitage, Maj Gerald T., 30Armstrong, BGen Harry G., 17Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 107Army I Corps, 85Army Officer Candidates School, Fort Benning, Ge-

orgia, 134Arnby, SgtMaj John W., 81Arney, lstLt Kathleen J., 23, 28Artz, SSgt Muriel V., 50; illus., 51Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manpower and Reserve

Affairs, 150Assistant to the Commandant for Woman Marine

Matters (See Director of Women Marines)Atau, LCpl A. Digman; illus., 70Atlanta, Georgia, 11, 39, 65Atlantic Ocean, 169Attaya, Sgt Mary L., 40Austin, Capt Robin L., 135-136

229


Automotive Mechanics School, MCB, Camp Lejeune,North Carolina, 94

Aviation Radar Repair Course, (See Communications-Electronic School)

Aviation Women's Reserve Group 1, MCAS, CherryPoint, North Carolina, 189

Aviation Women's Squadron 21, Quantico, Virginia,191-192

Awards, 79n, 82n 86-87, 120-123, 129, 169-174,186-193; illus., 10, 84, 121-122

Babcock, TSgt Margaret, 162Bach, 2dLt Eleanor M., 36; illus., 34Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ), 84-85, 139Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ), 36, 81, 84-85,

125, 129, 155Baird, Ralph A. (See Acting Secretary of the Navy)Baker, PFC Brenda; illus., 176Baker, Maj Charles E., 71Baker, LCp1 Virginia E., 82Ballard, LtCol George J., 138Baltimore, Maryland, 10, 103, 113Baltimore Signal Depot, Fort Holabird, Maryland, 60Bandsmen, 94-95Bane, Col Mary E., 77, 98-100, 160Bantzhaff, OC Joan G.; illus., 126Barnes, TSgt Marion n., 25Barnes, SSgt Ros,Barnett, Capt Jucl; D., 76Barnwell, SSgt Barb i, 169-70; illus., 170Barracks 60, MCB, Can. ieurie, North Carolina, 48Barracks 63, MCB, Camp eune, North Carolina, 48Barracks 65, MCB, Camp . jeune, North Carolina, 66Barracks 182, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow,

California, 79Barracks 901, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina,

53

Barracks 902, MCRD,28, 30

Barracks 903, MCRD,124

Barracks 914, MCRD,123

Barracks 3076, MCS,Barracks 3091, MCS,Barracks 3094, MCS,Barracks 7103, Marine

Georgia, 79

Parris Island, South Carolina,



Quantico, Virginia, 34, 125Quantico, Virginia, 125Quantico, Virginia, 125Corps Supply Center, Albany,

,

Base Materiel Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, NorthCarolina, 138

Base Materiel Battalion, MCB, Camp Pendleton,California; illus., 94

Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ), 155Basic Class 3-77, 134-136Basic Electronic Course (See Communications-

Electronic School)Basic Music School, NAB, Little Creek, Norfolk, Vir-

ginia, 95Basic School Landing Exercise, 136Basic Supply School, 72Baughman, lstLt Debra J., 91; illus., 92Beach and Port Operations Company, Headquarters

and Service Battalion, 4th FSSG, FMF, USMCR,San Jose, California, 107

Bean, lstLt Annie V., 39Beauchamp, Capt Sara R., 74, 79Beaufort, South Carolina, 31-32, 114Beavers, Mrs. Leola A.; illus., 154Beavers, Maj Nannette I,; illus., 154Beck, LCp1 Linda C., 82Beckley, LtCol Pauline B., 23, 46-47, 53, 109; illus.,

58, 147Belanger, 2dLt Linda L., 136Belcher, PFC Henrietta L., 52Belletto, SSgt Mary S., 67Benjamin, TSgt Grace L.; illus., 13Benn, Col Hazel E., 64, 148, 169; illus., 170Bennett, Pvt Nancy L., 57Bennke, MSgt Julia L., 42Benson, 2dLt Christine A., 136Benziger, MSgt Marie B.; illus., 13Berkeley, California, 5, 21, 34, 187, 189nBerkley, School, New York, New York, 183Bien Hoa, Vietnam, 83Bierlein, 1stLt Ardath, 42Billeb, CWO Bertha P., 25, 177, 181-182, 191; il-

lus., 24, 181Billeb, GySgt William N., 182Billet Assignments, 3-4, 6, 12, 21, 23, 27, 34, 41-43,

48-53, 57, 62-69, 72, 77-83, 87-88, 91-100, 106,109, 118, 133, 137, 146, 148-150, 155-156, 177,182-195

Billeting, 6, 11, 18, 26, 28-31, 33-34, 36, 46-52,53-55, 57, 66, 68-69, 71-72, 78-79, 81, 83-85,90-91, 97-100, 110, 112-116, 123-126, 131,137-139, 141-144; illus., 142-143

Billings Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, Saigon, Vietnam,84-85

234

INDEX 231

BillsH.R 5919, 4S. 1529, 16S. 1103, 16S. 1641, 16-17

Bilski, lstSgt Frances A., 65-66

Bishop, Col Barbara J., 23, 64, 69-71, 73-74, 76-80,83, 85, 88, 94, 110, 117, 146-148, 151, 160, 166,168, 178, 191-192; illus., 58, 161, 191

Black, Cpl R. F., 50Black Women Marines, 31-33Blacks in the Marine Corps, 32nBlaha, 2dLt Patricia P., 136Blair, CO Susan W , 82Blessing, Sgt Alameda, 42Bloomsburg State College, Bloomsburg, Pennsylva-

nia, 93Blue Book (See Combined Lineal List of Officers on

Active Duty)Board of Corrections of Naval Records, 37Boberg, PFC Inga, 48Boerner, SSgt Margaret E., 52Boot Camp, 48, 57, 63, 109, 113, 123, 167 (See also

Recruit Training)

Boston, Massachusetts, 8-10, 39-41, 47-48, 51, 59n,65, 102, 180, 191

Botwright, Capt Jeanne B. (See Humphrey, MajJeanne B.)

Bouker, MajGen John G., 82n, 83Bowe, Cpl Sharon L., 82Bowen, Capt Shirley L., 93Bowlin, GySgt Gail A., 95Boyd, lstSgt Charlie L., 138Bradek, LCp1 Barbara L., 79Bradley, Gen Omar N., 17Brame, Capt Vanda K. (See Bresnan, Capt Vanda K.)Breckenridge Hall, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125Bresnan, Capt Vanda K., 79, 79n, 171; illus., 171Brevet system, 148-149Brewer, BGen Margaret A., 54, 89, 95, 101, 139, 176,

193-195; illus., 103, 131, 194Brigotti, Capt Elena D,; illus., 58Brink, lstLt Eunyce L., 23, 33-34Broe, Col Ruth H., 148Bronze Star Medal, 169, 172Brooklyn, New York, 104; illus., 103Brown LCp1 Brenda R., 82Brown Field, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 132Brown, Cpl Lillian, 52Brusack, GySgt Helen A., 10, 60

Bruso, TSgt Loraine G., 67Bryant, LCp1 Suzanne, 79Budge, Louise, 180Bungcayo, Cpl Mary F., 91Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, 153-154Bureau of the Budget, 39Burger, Col J. C.; illus., 34Burger, LCp1 Maryann, 81Burke, Sgt J. S.; illus., 94Burkland, SSgt Annette, 48Burns, 2dLt Mary S., 96Brynes, OC Jean M.; illus., 126

C-9B Skytrain, 94Calender, 2dLt Nedra C., 37Cameron, Texas, 190Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 125, 130, (See also

The Basic School)Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan 79-80, 88Camp Fuji, Okinawa, Japan, 83Camp H. M. Smith, Oahu, Hawaii, 53, 88, 184-185Camp Smedley D. Butler Law Center, Okinawa,

Japan; illus., 93Campbell, GySgt Helen H., 178Capitol Hill, 15Carey, Cpl Joan A., 81Carle, SgtMaj Grace A., 111, 182, 186; illus., 185-186Carlson, Cpl Maxine H., 49Carlson, LCp1 Priscilla, 59nCarnegie, Hattie, 162Carpenter, Capt Bernice V., 103Carrera, Pvt Jo, 48Carrillo, LCp1 Victoria, 97-98Carroll, OC Nancy A.; illus., 130Carville, LtCol Elaine T., 36-37, 42-43, 45, 50-51, 67;

illus., 66-68, 174Casual Company, Headquarters and Service Battal-

ion, MCRD, San Diego, California, 100Cataldo, 2dLt Judith A., 92Cates, Gen Clifton B., 21, 23, 161-162, 175, 182,

187; illus., 22, 24Cathcart, Cpl Helen C., 34Catholic University, Washington, D.C., 75"Cattle car"; illus., 131Centerville, Illinois, 184"Certainly Red" (lipstick), 167Certificate of Commendation, 82nCessna, PFC Daci R., 79Chadwick, BGen Robert J., 172; illus., 172

235

232

Chaffer, 1stLt Elva B., 39Chambers, Maj Helen T., 40Champlin, 2dLt Anna F., 36; illus., 34Chance, PFC Jessie, 60Chapman, Gen Leonard F. Jr., 80, 192; illus., 177Chapman, Cp1 Olive G., 52"Charlie's Angels" (See Company C, The Basic School)Chicago, Illinois, 11, 32, 39, 42, 46, 102Chief of Naval Operations, 16-17, 89Chief of Naval Personnel, 3-4, 17Childers, TSgt Eleanor L., 67C!Aristopher, LCp1 Christina M., 79Cinder City BOQ, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125Ciotti, lstLt Rita A.; illus., 58Citizen Committee of the Army, Navy and Air Force,

121

Civil Service, 13, 72Clark Ila, 180Clark, Pvt Jay C., 94Clark, SSgt Martha J., 49Class 9, NCO Leadership School, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina; illus., 67Clement, BGen William T., 12Clements, LtCol F.D.; illus., 73Clements, PFC Mary H., 52Clerk Typist School, MCRD, Parris Island, South

Carolina, 109Cleveland, Ohio, 103, 180Clowers, LtCol Emma H., 8, 23, 25, 49, 64, 125-126,

155-156; illus., 64Collins, Maj Joan M., 76, 113, 140; illus., 152Collins, MajGen W. R., 10-11Combat, 7, 15, 18, 50, 59, 62, 78, 83, 85, 95, 97-98,

101, 106, 118, 133-134, 148, 155, 164, 172Combat Action Ribbon; illus., 173-174Combat Engineer School, 97Combined Lineal List of Officers on Active Duty, 145Command and Staff College, 34, 70-73, 76-77, 107Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), 3-4, 6-7,

12, 15-18, 21, 23-25, 31, 69, 71-73, 76-78, 88,90-91, 93, 95, 98, 106, 130, 132, 134, 137, 146,148-150, 161-162, 166, 168-169, 174-176, 180,187, 189, 192, 195; illus., 5, 22, 24, 177, 188

Commander in Chief, 146Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Eu-

rope, Naples Italy, 160, 183, 190, 192Commander in Chief, U.S. Forces, Europe, 173Commander, Naval Forces, Vietnam, 83, 172Commanding Officer's Trophy, 102Commissioned Officers Mess, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 194


Committee on Naval Affairs, 15Communication Officers Orientation Course, MCS,

Quantico, Virginia, 74, 194Communications-Electronic School, MCRD, San Die-

go, California, 59nCommunications Electronics School, MCB, Twenty-

nine Palms, California, 186Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion,

FMFPac, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Habor, Oahu,Hawaii, 52-53, 60, 149, 182

Company B, Headquarters Battalion, MCDEC, Quan-tico, Virginia, 131

Company B, Headquarters Battalion, MCS, Quanti-co, Virginia, 98

Company B, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Beirut,Lebanon, 87

Company B, 2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 10 (Seealso Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot)

Company C, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Mani-la, Philippines, 87

Company C, The Basic School, Camp Barrett, Quan-tico, Virginia, 135-136

Company D, Headquarters Battalion, MCS, Quanti-co, Virginia, 125

Company D, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Pana-ma Canal Zone, 87

Company E, Headquarters Battalion, HeadquartersMarine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Vir-ginia, 6, 12n, 46, 149

Company L, The Basic School, Camp Barrett, Quan-tico, Virginia, 132

Company W., Officer Candidates School, Quantico,Virginia, 131

Condon, Col Mary L., 43, 143Conference of Women Marine Commanding Officers

and Women Representatives of Marine CorpsReserve and Recruitment Districts; illus., 58

Congress, 6, 15-17, 78, 145-146, 153, 187

Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, 8Congressional Liaison Officer to the Senate, 192Conley, Cpl Sue; illus., 96Connell, 1stLt Mary J., 66-67Connolly, SgtMaj Alice J., 25, 33n, 51; illus., 51Connolly, MSgt Bridget V., 83, 112, 120Cook, BGen John B., 175Cook, Mrs. John B., 175Cook, Col John H., 68Cooke, lstLt Mildred N., 39Cookson, SSgt Mary S., 34Cooper, PFC Margaret, 48

INDEX 233

Correll, LCpl Donna L., 79, 94Cottingham, Sgt Karen; illus., 91Court-martial, 144Court of Military Appeals, 76Coy, Maj Betty F., 103Coy, LCp1 Judith C., 139Craddock, SgtMaj Ouida W., 42, 79, 146, 181, 184;

illus., 183Criminal Investigation Course, Camp Gordon,Georgia, 185Crites, Capt Rosalie; illus., 58Crosby, Cpl San, 81Crowell, SSgt Margaret H., 49Curtiss, SSgt Phyllis J., 48, 67Curwen, GySgt Frances A., 40, 66; illus., 65, 113 (See

also Bilski, lstLt Frances A.)Cushman, Gen Robert E. Jr., 90, 95, 98, 130, 161,

175-176, 180

Daily, SgtMaj Joseph W., 149Dale, Cpl Anita F., 52Dallas, Texas, 11, 43, 103, 105DaNang, Vietnam, 85Davenport, lstLt Judith, 76Davies, LtCol Elaine E., 76, 84-85; illus., 82Davis, Honorable James V., 79Davis, lstSgt Josephine G., 173-174; illus., 173Davis, 2dLt Phyllis, 42Davis, LCp1 Suzanne, 81Dawson, 2dLt Dorothy, 48Day, lstLt Ben A., 10, 23, 40, (See also Munn, LtCol

Ben A.)Day, 2dLt Diana C., 136Day, LCp1 William; illus., 90Deactivation of WM companies, 138-139Deactivation of WM Organized Reserve platoons,

104-105Dean, Col Clyde D., 132Deberry, 2dLt JoAnn, 74Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the

Armed Services, 195DeGarmo, Charlotte; illus., 41Dehart, Sgt Connie, 94Delaney, Cpl Anna M., 34Deleskiewicz, LCp1 Sue, 94; illus., 96Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 83Demobilization, 3, 5-6, 11-12, 16, 183-184, 187, 192Denbo, lstLt Frances A., 23Denfeld, VAdm Louis E., 3-4, 15-16

Dennis, MSgt Laura J., vDenton, Sgt Doris; illus., 82, 87Denver, Colorado, 104, 180Department of Defense, 16, 19, 53, 70, 72, 121, 142,

151, 153, 164Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California,

17, 26-27, 42, 46-48, 62; illus., 45Department of the Air Force, 17Department of the Army, 17Department of the Navy, 17Dependents of servicewomen, 18, 21, 71, 141,

151-156, 193Depot Development Board, MCRD, Parris Island,

South Carolina, 124Depot of Supplies, San Francisco, California, 17, 48,

62, 184Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 78Deputy Director of Women Marines, 72, 148, 192-194Deputy Surgeon General, 17Derrick, SgtMaj Doris, 149Designation of Women Marines, 27Detroit, Michigan, 10, 31, 43, 54, 102; illus., 44Devers, Gen Jacob L., 17Devlin, 2dLt Mary A., 136Dewaele, PFC Linda A., 79Dickey, SSgt Leona, 42Dietz, Col Dorothy R., 8, 148Dignan, 2dLt June M., 136Diliberto, Capt Carol A., 76; illus., 74Dill, Sgt Margaret, 163Director, Marine Corps Women Reserves, 1 (See also

Director, Marine Corps Women's Reserve)Director, Marine Corps Women's Reserve, v, 3-7, 21,

23-24, 175, 187, 189-190, 195 (See also Directorof Women Marines)

Director of Women Marines, v, 13, 18, 21, 23-25, 27,34, 54, 62, 65, 69-73, 76, 78, 81, 85, 88-89, 95,101, 104, 115, 117-118, 137, 139-141, 145-148,150-152, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166-170, 175-176,177n, 178, 180-181, 187-195; illus., 24, 52, 61,138, 146-147, 161, 170-171, 177, 187-191,193-194

Director of Women Marines Study No. 1-64, 71, 78Director, Women's Army Corps, 76, 145Discharge of WRs, 3, 8, 11, 15, 23Distinguished Flying Cross, 169Dixon, PFC Katie J., 94, 139; illus., 95Doberstein, TSgt June V., 67Dobson, Col Charles E.; illus., 149Doctor of Laws, 188Doize, Capt Elizabeth D., 107


Dolence, MSgt Lillian V., 66"Dolly Company", 137Dolyak, LtCol Barbara E., 89-90, 132-134Dominican Republic, 173-174Donnelly, Ralph W., 32nDoolittle, Ila (See Clark, 11a)Dooner, lstLt Genevieve M., 42Doser, lstLt Nancy L,; illus., 58Dougherty, Capt Margaret E.; illus., 58Douglas, LCp1 Marsha A., 96Dowd, GySgt Helen A., 82, 86Dow ler, 2dLt Essie M., 36, 52; illus., 34Draughon, SSgt Jack W., 30-31Dress Blue Uniform Award, 121-123; illus., 122Drew, PFC Elizabeth, 60Drill Instructor School, MCRD, Parris Island, South

Carolina, 116, 118Drill instructors (D.I.$), 30, 63, 101, 107, 109,

112-121, 123, 184-185; illus., 118-119, 128Drill pay, 39-40, 105Drum and Bugle Team, MB, Treasure Island, San

Francisco, California, 94; illus., 96Drummond, LtCol John F., 94Dubinsky, lstLt Dolores L., 39Dugan, LtCol James, 40Dulinsky, MSgt Barbara J., 52, 60, 83-85, 160Duncan, Sgt Donna K., 81Dupont Corporation, 164Dupont, Capt Mildred, 8Dupuy, Cpl Joyce R., 52Durand, Michigan, 193Durant, lstLt Regina M., 6, 12nDurfee, Maj Jean, 180

Eastman, PFC Dorothy P., 52Education Center, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 33-34,

63

80th Congress, 16, 22, 31Eisenhower, Gen Dwight D., 16-17Eitel, GySgt Elizabeth A., 95; illus., 97Elms, Maj Harry D., 159, 162Elrod, Capt Elizabeth J., 12nEmbassy duty (See Marine Security Guard Battalion)Enlisted transfer program, 23, 26-27, 182Enlistments, 7, 17, 21-25, 31, 40, 43, 63, 72, 74, 90,

95, 105:106, 140, 151, 182-186 (See also Reen-listments)

Equal opportunity/affirmative action plans, 89-91Esposito, LtCol Robert J., 93

Esprit de corps, 8, 27, 42, 107, 109, 133, 139, 176Esquibel, SSgt Ermelinda, 86-87; illus., 84Europe, 62n, 88, 172-173, 183, 192Evans, Sgt Rosalie C., 34Evans, Sgt Ruby A., 25Eveland, PFC Martha, 94; illus., 96Extended active duty, 42-43, 46, 53-54Exum, lstLt Frances M., 39, 42

F8 link trainer; illus., 70Fairbanks, Alaska, 46Fagan, Pvt Nita L., 48Family Assistance Program, 64Fargo Building, Boston, Massachusetts (See Navy

Building-Marine Corps Reserve Armory)Fegan, LtGen Joseph C. Jr., 132, 134Field night, 114-115, 137Fields, Capt Grace "San" 0., 18nFields, MajGen Lewis J., 71Figueroa, SSgt Elnora T., 95Filkins, Capt Elaine E., (See Davies, LtCol Elaine E.)Finnigan, SSgt Anna M., 67Fiocca, OC Helen L.; illus., 1261st Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, USMCR,

Fort Schuyler, New York, 1691st Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 101st Marine Corps Reserve District Headquarters, 8, 411st Marine Division, FMF, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 95-98First Sergeants School, 148Fischer, MSgt D. W., 107Fisher, GySgt Frances J., 81Fisher, Capt Mary J., 23, 28, 48Fleet Home Town News Center, Great Lakes, Illinois,

72Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, 140Fleet Marine Force, 62-63, 68-69, 79, 90, 93-98,

104-105, 133-134, 136Fleming, Capt Jeanne, 23, 98; illus., 58Flight Jacket, 50Flynn, 2dLt Colleen M., 136Foley, SSgt Michelle, 95Ford, lstSgt K.L., 81; illus., 75Formal training, 57-63, 68-74, 76-78, 89, 92-95, 97,

101, 107, 116, 118, 126-127, 132, 144, 182,184-185, 188, 192

Former WRs, 7-8, 11, 21, 34, 36, 40, 46, 65, 91, 180Forrestal, James V. (See Secretary of the Navy)Fort Lee, Virginia, 74

2 3 8

INDEX 235

Fort Schuyler, New York, 42, 102.45 caliber pistol, 11914th Signal Company, USMCR, 1014th U.S. Army Band, 1454th Force Service Support Group, FMF, USMCR, 1074th Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF, USMCR, 1064th Marine Division (Rein), FMF, USMCR, 106Fox, Sgt Carol, 139Fox, Cpl Leona M., 46Fraser, PFC Beth A., 107Frazer, lstLt Mary W., 39Frazier, 2dLt Catherine L., 37Frazier, Cpl Kay, 139Freeman., Sgt Carolyn J., 67Freeman, CWO Elaine G., 74, 145Freeman, Rachel; illus., 41Frisbie, BGen Jack M., 107Fritts, lstLt Ethel D., 43Frontiero vs Richardson, 156Fuetsch, Maj Shirley J., 39, 42; illus., 58FutterMan, Sgt Elsie F.; illus., 13

G.I. Bill, 1Gaffney, lstLt Esther N., 42Gallo, Col James A. Jr., 82Galveston, Texas, 180Gannon, Maj Mildred D., 42, 102Garden party, 115Garrett, 2dLt Robin C., 136Gebers, SSgt Josephine S. (See Davis, lstSgt Josephine

G.)Geiger Hall, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125General Office Procedures Course, MCRD, Parris Is-

land, South Carolina, 110-111George, lstLt Dian S., 93, 96George, SSgt Nellie C., 67Gibbs, Sgt Mary E., 118Gibson, Edmund A., 47Gibson, TSgt Josephine R., 47Gillespie, Pvt Mary E., 121Gillespie, 2dLt Megan A., 136Girl Marine Veterans, 180Globe and Anchor (See Marine Corps Emblem)Goings, MSgt Margaret A., 25, 59n, 66; illus., 24Gonzales, GySgt Frances L., 100, 153Gonzales, LCp1 Virginia, 79Good, MajGen George F. Jr., 68Goodrich, Cpl Victoria, 118Gormley, Capt Patricia M., 75-76, 92; illus., 73

Graham, Maj Adele; illus., 166Graham, Pvt Annie E., 31-32 (See also Black Wom-

en Marines)Graham, BGen Paul, 99Graham, Capt Vernon C., 138Grande, TSgt Mary E., 52Grant, Capt Karen G., 76Graves Hall, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 131Greathouse, Maj Evelyn J., 102Green, Sgt Sonya A., 67Greene, LCp1 Kimberly, 98Greene, 2dLt Marcella J.; illus., 159Greene, Gen Wallace M. Jr., 69, 72n, 72-73, 76, 80n,

88, 146, 174-175, 183Greifenstein, SSgt Wilma, 25Gridley, LtCol Lily H., 63-64, 75, 182Griffith, LtCol Joe B. Jr., 105; illus., 105Grimes, CWO Annie L., 32; illus., 32, (See also Black

Women Marines)Groht, Cpl Marjorie W., 79, 94Gruetzemacher, SSgt M. M.; illus., 120Guenther, SSgt Betty, 42Guidon, 120; illus., 120-121Guyman, Cpl Suzanne T., 82

Haasarud, Capt Florence I., 103Hagener, Cpl Lillian, 118Hair styles, 31, 158, 167Hajek, lstLt Virginia A., 104Hale, LtCol Mary J., 6-7, 12n, 23, 26, 28, 30-31, 39,

43, 53; illus., 22Halla, Col John, 11Hallaway, PFC Naomi M., 52Hamblet, Col Julia E., v, 3n, 5-7, 10-12, 15-18, 21,

23-24, 26, 39, 48, 52, 62, 67, 76n, 104, 106n, 115,129, 137, 140, 145-148, 151, 160, 175, 188-190,195; illus., 9, 22, 58, 61, 147, 170, 188-189

Hamel, lstLt Diane L., 79Hemel, Col Lester S., 22Hamman, 2dLt Joyce M., 49Hammond, Capt Joan M., 79Hancock, Capt Joy, 15Hanley, 2dLt Gayle W., 136Hannah, TSgt Helen L., 13Hansen, June F., 180Hard, SSgt Dorothea E., 50Hardy, Pvt Joy, 48Harper, PFC Beatrice I., 52Harper, Maj Sara J., 93

239


Harrington, SgtMaj Rosa V., 29, 44, 146Harris, Cpl J., illus., 70Harry Lee Hall, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 129Hart, MajGen Franklin A., 47Hartley, CWO Lillian, 145; illus., 146Harwell, TSgt Margaret L., 67Haskell, Oklahoma, 184Haughery, Margaret, 178Hawaii, 7, 52-53, 60, 65, 88, 95, 161, 180, 184-186,

190, 192

Hayes, GySgt Carol, 95Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS,

Cherry Point, North Carolina, 100Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS, El

Toro, California, 100

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS,Futema, Okinawa, Japan, 81

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS,Nrakuni, Japan, 81

Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron-32,MAG-32, 94; illus., 95

Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB, CampLejeune, North Carolina, 59n

Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB, Camp Pen-dleton, California, 98-99

Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCRD, San Die-go, California, 186

Headquarters and Service Company, Base MaterielBattalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,138

Headquarters and Service Company, Supply Battal-ion, 4th FSSG, FMF, USMCR, Newport News, Vir-ginia, 93

Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps,Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, 25-26

Headquarters Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, NorthCarolina, 68

Headquarters Battalion, MCDEC, Quantico, Virginia,130

Headquarters Battalion, MSC, Quantico, Virginia, 51,125 (See also Headquarters Battalion, MCDEC)

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, FMFLant, Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Vir-ginia, 52

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, FMFPac, Camp H. M. Smith, Oahu,Hawaii, 52

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, MCB, Twentynine Palms, California,100

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina,28, 124

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, MCRD, San Diego, California, 48-49

Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, Ma-rine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, California, 48

Headquarters Company, Women Marines Detach-ment, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

Headquarters, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany, 62, 88Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLant),

Norfolk, Virginia, 52, 54; 62, 138; illus., 54Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPac),

Oahu, Hawaii, 52, 62, 97, 150, 184, 190, 192; il-lus., 74

Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), 1, 4-8, 12-13,15, 17-18, 21, 25-26, 28, 31, 39, 43, 49, 57, 59,62, 67, 69-72, 75-77, 89-90, 118, 140, 145,147-148, 152-153, 164, 167-168, 171, 174-175,181-187, 191-195; illus., 63-64

Classification and Assignment Branch, 60, 72, 117Data Processing Division, 184Decorations and Medals Section, 12Division of Aviation, 12n, 59, 61, 71, 182, 192Division of Information, 148, 194Division of Plans and Policies, 1, 4, 23, 39, 53, 57,164, 191

Women's Affairs Section, 191Division of Recruiting, 17Division of Reserve, 4, 7, 12, 39-40, 64, 89, 106,175, 187; illus., 177

Women's Branch, 69, 104, 192Educational Services Branch, 169Fiscal Division, 71G-1 Division, 71, 73, 77, 89, 193; illus., 64G-3 Division, 65, 71, 76G-4 Division, 71History and Museums Division, 36, 80Judge Advocate Division, 153, 172; illus., 172Manpower Department, 195Personal Affairs Branch, 64Personnel Department, 5-7, 18, 60-62, 64, 70-72,89

Procurement Branch, 36, 193Separation and Retirement Branch, 77nSpecial Services Branch, 148Supply Department, 12n

Headquarters Regiment, MCB, Camp Pendleton,California, 186

Headquarters Squadron, MCAS, Cherry Point, NorthCarolina, 51

240

INDEX 237

Headquarters, U.S. European Command, Frankfurt,Germany, 193

Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command,Saigon, Vietnam, 79

Heidelberg, Germany, 16nHeitman, lstSgt Gayle R., 99-100Henderson, Gen Archibald, 195Henderson Hall, 11, 17, 21, 25-27, 138, 140, 143Henderson, Col Margaret M., 23, 25-26, 28-32, 69,

109, 124, 146, 151, 160, 164, 167, 170, 175-176,180-181, 190-191; illus., 28, 171, 190

Hendrickson, Capt Emma H. (See Clowers, LtColEmma H.)

Hendrickson, June, 26Henritze, SSgt May A.; illus., 13Henry, 2dLt Marie L., 37Hensley, Cpl, 85Hernandez, Capt Manuela, 79Hernadnez, lstLt Maria T., 96Hilgart, Col Valeria F., 60, 72, 91, 140, 150; illus., 58Hill, Col Elsie E., 10, 23, 25-26, 33-34, 36, 38, 64,

104, 111, 118, 167; illus., 35, 37, 58Hill, MajGen William P., 26Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot, 10Hirshinger, TSgt Agnes T., 10; inns., 13Hochmuth, MajGen Bruno A., 191Hockenhull, LCpl Brenda; illus., 90Hodges, LtCol Charles T., 25Holcomb, Gen Thomas A., 174, 195Holloway, LCp1 Robin M., 79Holmberg, lstLt Dorothy A., 42, 53Homan, Sgt Carol J., 67Homza, Sgt Anna, 42Honor Graduate, 121-123; illus., 122Hook, Maj Patricia A., 107Hoolailo, SSgt Sandra, 139Hooper, Marion A. (See Swope, Marion A.)Homer, Maj Emily, 41; illus., 58Hornsby, 2dLt Julia M., 10Horton, Capt (USN) Mildred H., 3Hostess House, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125House Armed Services Committee, 17, 154House Armed Services Subcommittee, 90House Naval Affairs Committee Hearings on H.R. Bill

5919, 4Houston, Texas, 178Hovatter, LtCol Eugenous E., 71Hull, 2dLt Laura A., 98Humphrey, Senator Hubert H., 26Humphrey, Maj Jeanne B., 76, 106-107Humphrey, 2dIt Margaret A., 96

Hunt, SSgt Dorothy T., 10, 29 (See also Stephenson,SSgt Dorothy T.)

Hunt, MajGen Leroy P., 26Hurlburt, Cpl Patricia, 81Hurst, BGen Edward H., 178Hutcheon, Capt Lily S. (See also Gridley, LtCol Lily

H.)Hutchinson, SSgt Naomi, 67

Illich, Capt Mary V., 5-7, 12n, 25-26Image Development Course, MCRD, Parris Island,

South Carolina and MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 72n,111-112; illus., 134

Inactive status, 22, 25, 33, 40, 42, 191-192Inactive Women's Reserve, 1, 3, 183 (See also Volun-

teer Marine Corps Women Reserves)Indianapolis, Indiana, 11Inspections, 72, 99-101, 112, 114, 116, 119-121, 127,

137-139, 161, 181, 195; illus., 35, 105, 112, 114,117, 121, 131-132, 134, 158

Inspector-Instructor (I-I), 10, 25, 36, 39-40, 42-43,45, 48, 53, 93, 101-102, 169, 194; illus., 41, 43,103-104

Instruction Company, MCB, Camp Lejeune, NorthCarolina, 30

Integration into Regular Marine Corps, 8, 10-11, 13,16-17, 22, 24-25, 31, 36-37, 39, 42, 57, 182,184-186

Itchkawich, lstLt Charlene M., 87Iwo Jima Memorial (Marine Corps War Memorial),

Arlington, Virginia, 170

Jackson, TSgt Beatrice J., 67Jackson, 2dLt Pearl A., 10, 37James, Cpl V(tcla R., 118Jaquet, LCpl Linda C. (See Beck, LCpl LindaJason, Capt Mary R.,. 102Jet Hangar Service Club, 51-52Joan of Arc, 178Jobusch, 2dLt Georgia J., 136Johnson, SSgt Jeanette M., 25Johnson, Louis A., 183Johnson, President Lyndon B., 145-146, 160, 192Johnson, lstLt Maralee J., 96Johnson, Capt Rosalie B., illus., 41Johnson, GySgt Ruth S., 95; illus., 97Johnson, 2dLt Virginia M., 36; illus., 34, (See also

241


Sherman, 2dLt Virginia M.)Joint Army-Navy Personnel Board, 4Joint Chiefs of Staff, 145Joint Examining and Induction Stations, 104Joint household policy, 151Joint Service Commendation Medal, 87, 169,

172-174; illus., 87Jones, Cpl Geneva, 94Jones, 2dLt Phyllis L., 37Jones, LtCol Vera M., 85, 121; illus., 120-121Jordhal, Col Russell N., 30Joseph, 2dLt Bonnie J., 136Judge Advocate General (JAG), 12, 37, 76Judge Advocate General of the Navy, 89Judge Advocate General School, Charlottesville, Vir-

ginia, 93Judge, SgtMaj Eleanor L., 40, 48, 100, 112, 190Juhan, Col Jack C., illus., 188Junior School (See Amphibious Warfare School)Junk on the bunk, illus., 114, 158 (See also In-

spections)

Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, 81; illus., 80Kansas City, Missouri, 11, 39-40, 104Karl, Sgt Grace M., 29, 44Kasdorf, 2dLt Barbara B., 37Kathan, lstLt Grace E., 43Katherine Towle Trophy, 102Kearns, GySgt Dorothy L., 67, 170-171; illus., 171Keefe, SSgt Katherine, 40, 51Keefe, PFC Margaret, illus., 163Keeler, 2dLt Doris M., 82-83Kees, Barbara (See Meeks, Barbara)Kegel, Cpl Virginia S., 47Kegel, W. G., 47Keller, LtGen Robert P., 131Kelley, BGen Paul X., 133, 136Kelley, Roger T. (See Assistant Secretary of Defense,

Manpower and Reserve Affairs)Kelly, 2dLt JoAnne, 94Kennedy, President John F., 140Kennedy, Sgt Mary A., 162; illus., 158, 165Kent, Sgt Beatrice M., 47-48Kindig, Sgt Carol A., 81King, Sgt Lois, 162King, Sgt Mary E., 67Kinser, Capt George A., 81Kirchman, SSgt Martha E., 50Kisczik, PFC Kathleen A., 79Kleberger, Cpl Audrey E., 52

Kleberger, LtCol Doris V., 33-34, 36-37, 43, 52-54,189; illus., 34, 43, 54, 61, 122

Knight, 2dLt Rosa K., 136Knighton, Col Joseph W., 3-4, 13, 16-17Knox, Col Dorothy M., 10, 41, 129; illus., 58Koeppler Compound, Saigon, Vietnam, 83, 85Kohen, MSgt Bette A., 49Kopp, TSgt Ann M., 52Korea, 10-11, 37, 44-46, 48, 52, 54-55, 57-58, 59n,

60, 62-63, 65, 99, 125-126, 151, 175, 186, 188,190-194

Kovar, PFC Theresa S., 52Kraft, lstLt Rebecca M., 78-79Krauss, PFC Julia, illus., 176Krulak, LtGen Victor H., 80Krusa, 2dLt Mary A., 92Kurashige, Capt Alice K., 74, 79

Lady In The Navy (See Hancock, Capt Joy)Lafond, lstSgt Gene A., 100LaHue, LtCol Foster; illus., 188Laing, Col Robert B. Sr., 82Laird, Melvin R., 89Lamb, Pvt Ann E., 31-32 (See also Black Women

Marines)Lamb, 2dLt Carol S., 98Lamont, LCpl Rosemary, 79Lanagan, BGen William H. Jr., 26Landing Force Development Center, MCS, Quanti-

co, Virginia, illus., 50Lane, OC Mary E.; illus., 126Larison, LCp1 Cheryl L., 79Laws, Capt Ellen T., 76Lawyer's Course, Naval Justice School, Newport,

Rhode Island, 75-76League, Maj Mary S., 153; illus., 154League, LCdr William C., 153; illus., 154Leatherneck, v, 30, 123Leatherneck Award, 121-123; illus., 122Leaverton, Capt Shirley E., 172Lee, Capt Barbara J., 76Lee, Sgt Payton L., 30Legal Services School, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 171-172Legion of Merit, 169, 189-193Legislation, v, 4, 7, 11-12, 15-19, 22, 64, 193Leier, Sgt Margaret K., 29Leigh, Vivien, 42Lemnke, PFC Betty, 42

242

INDEX 239

Lenhart, lstLt Linda J., 79Leppaluoto, lstLt Diane, 79Le Qui Don Hotel, Saigon, Vietnam, 84-85Letter of Commendation, 187, 189Lexington, Kentucky, 194Ley, Sgt Dorothy L., 67Liberty, 51, 52n, 72, 80, 101, 111, 114, 127, 137,

143-144Liddle, 2dLt Lynn A., 74Lighthall, Lois, 180Limited Duty Officer (LDO), 145-146Lindahl, SSgt Hazel A., 40, 59nLinscott, MajGen Henry D., 66Locksburg, Arkansas, 31Loftis, 2dLt Janie D., 136London, England, 6, 88Loper, PFC Pamela, 94Los Angeles, California, 11, 25, 39, 42, 102Los Angeles Times, 97Love, lstLt Katherine W., 42Lovelace, lstLt Florence E., 102Lovett, Robert A., 183Lovil, Pvt Connie J., 31Lowrie, Capt Janet M., 104Lubbock, Texas, 190-191Lucas, 2dLt Essie M., 36, 52; illus., 34 (See also DoN\

er, 2dLt Essie M.)Ludlow, Representative Louis L., lnLudwig, PFC Martha M., 52Lugo, Cpl Eva J., 96Lundin, Col \William M., 81; illus., 75Lute, Cpl Paul D., 30Lyon, Cpl Evangeline L., 52

M-16 service rifle, 119Maas, Maj Patricia A., 71McCall, TSgt Blossom J., 67McCarty, Capt Olive P., 102McCullough, BGen William L., 97MacDonald, 1stLt Mary C., 39, 42McDonnell Douglas School, 94MaGauren, LCpl Maureen, 83McGraw, Capt Helen J., 23McIntyre, CWO Alice, 10, 66, 145McKeown, Pvt Mary P., 93MacKinnon, lstLt Marjorie B., 104McLain, SSgt Mary L., 81; illus., 75McLamore, 2dLt Sara F., 62nMcLaughlin, LtGen John N., 150MacPherson, 2dLt Bonnie L., 136

Mahaffey, LCpl Joan, 94; illus., 96Mainbocher, 159-165, 167Malnar, Sgt Patricia, 81Mangrum, Col Richard C., 4Mare Island, 184Mariani, Mario, 165Marine Air Reserve Training Center, Glenview, Il-

linois, 72Marine Auxiliary, 1Marine Aviation Detachment, NAS, Atlanta, Geor-

gia, 191Marine Aviation Detachment, NAS, Memphis, Ten-

nessee, 77-78Marine Band, 47, 95, 145; illus., 97Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, Washington, D.C.,

162, 170, 186, 189; illus., 186, 188Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Long Beach, California,

25Marine Barracks, Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Vir-

ginia, 153Marine Barracks, Treasure Island, San Francisco,

California, 76, 185Marine Barracks and Marine Corps Supply Depot,

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 45Marine Barracks and Marine Corps Supply Depot,

mp Pendleton, California, 45Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina,

72, 78, 94, 177Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North aro-

lina, 8, 33n, 45-46, 48, 51-52, 62, 91-93, 182, 184,192; illus., 95

Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California, 45,49-50, 54, 62, 92, 181, 184, 193; illus., 70

Marine Corps Air Station, Ewa, Honolulu, 192Marine Corps Air Station, Futema, Okinawa, Japan,

81-83, 88, 185Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, 79-81, 83,

88; illus., 75Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe, Hawaii, 52, 62,

72, 78-79, 88Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Caroli-

na, 72, 78Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana, California, 72,

78, 183Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, 72, 78Marine Corps Association, 129Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Facility, Oak Grove, North

Carolina, 192Marine Corps Aviation History Board, 12Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,

46-48, 53, 59n, 62, 65-66, 75, 91, 93-94, 138, 169,


182, 184-185, 187, 189; i11us., 92, 141Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, 46,

48, 60, 62, 72, 77, 99, 177n, 182, 185-186,191-193; illus., 47, 91, 176

Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California, 72,78, 94, 139; illus., 91

Marine Corps Birthday, 25, 159, 174, 176-177; illus.,173

Marine Corps Development and Education Command(MCDEC), Quantico, Virginia, 63n, 125n, 130,139

Marine Corps Education Center, Quantico, Virginia,125-126, 193-194

Marine Corps Emblem, 121; illus., 121Marine Corps Gazette, vMarine Corps Institute, 17, 28, 190Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center,

Quantico, Virginia, 178Marine Corps Landing Force Tactics and Techniques

Board, Quantico, Virginia, 50Marine Corps League, 161, 178Marine Corps Letter of Instruction 1391, 7Marine Corps Letter of Instruction 1397, 8Marine Corps Manual, 27, 90, 98, 195Marine Corps Officer Selection Office, Federal Build-

ing, Des Moines, Iowa, 171Marine Corps Postal School, 65Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South

Carolina, 10, 27-33, 44-46, 48-50, 53, 57, 62, 65,68, 91, 95, 102, 106-107, 109-124, 127-128, 166;illus., 138

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California,45, 48-49, 59n, 62, 68, 72, 95, 105, 109, 191

Marine Corps Recruiting Station, San Francisco,California, 170

Marine Corps Reserve, ln, 3, 7-8, 17, 36, 107Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Course, MCB,

Camp Pendleton, California, 177nMarine Corps Reserve Data Services Center, Kansas

City, Missouri, 72Marine Corps Reserve Districts, 17, 39, 46, 62, 104Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, 178Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, 11, 17, 33,

38, 45-46, 48, 50-51, 53-54, 62-63, 66-68, 71, 93,107, 111, 125, 127-128, 140, 166, 185, 192; illus.,50, 74, 126-127, 130, 174 (See also Marine CorpsDevelopment and Education Command)

Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, Georgia, 70,72, 78-79

Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, California, 70,72, 78

Marine Corps Supply Center Band, Albany, Georgia,94

Marine Corps Supply Depot, Philadelphia, Pennsyl-vania, 160

Marine Corps Uniform Board, 159-161Marine Corps Women Reserves (MCWE ), 1, 5-8, 12Marine Corps Women's Reserve, 3, 6-8, 13, 23, 27,

31, 36, 174-175, 182-184, 187, 191-192Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion, MCB,

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 187, 189, 191

Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion, MCB,Camp Pendleton, California, 189

Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion, MCS,Quantico, Virginia, 189

Marine Corps Women's Reserve Post 907, AmericanLegion, Chicago, Illinois, 8

Marine Corps Women's Reserve Schools, MCB, CampLejeune, North Carolina, 184-185, 187, 189-190,192

Marine Detachment, London, England, 88Marine Fighter Squadron 132, USMCR, 10

Marine Security Guard Battalion, 87-88Marine Training Detachment, Naval Reserve Midship-

men School (WR), Northampton, Massachusetts,178

Marine Training Detachment, University of Indiana,191

Marriage, 1, 22, 63, 71, 73, 130, 151, 193Married Officers' Quarters (MOQ) 3078, MCS, Quan-

tico, Virginia, 34Marshall, George C., 183Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William

and Mary, 93Martell, 2dLt Jennifer J., 136Martin, Sgt Cynthia, 94Martin, PFC Gertrude, 79Martin, PFC Margaret M., 52Martin, lstLt Pearl, 8Martinez, MGySgt Rosita A., 42, 60MAS NATO Brussells, Beligum, 88Maue, PFC Thomas J., 172MCWR Band, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Caroli-

na, 94Medford, Maj Ernest L. Jr., 4Meeks, Barbara, 180Meid, LtCol Patricia A., 107Memorial Day, 101Mess Hall 900, MCRD, Parris Island, South Caroli-

na, 28Mess Night, 177, 186; illus., 178

24 4

INDEX 241

Metal Body Repair Course, Ordnance Center andSchool, Aberdeen, Maryland, 93

Meyer, Capt Leontone A., 102Meyers, Capt Margaret E., 103Miami, Florida, 104Mickey's Bootery, Beaufort, South Carolina, 114Midshipman's School, Northampton, Massachusetts,

75Milburn, TSgt Josephine R., 66Milholen, lstSgt Doris P., 53Milinovich, 2dLt Ann M., 136Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Sai-

gon, 83-84, 86, 88Military Career, 6, 15, 21-22, 25, 32, 40, 42, 57, 60,

70, 76, 112, 130, 137, 150, 153-154, 190, (See alsoRetirement)

Military History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, U.S.MACV, 83, 87, 172

Military Intelligence Officer Course, Fort Holabird,Maryland, 74

Military Intelligence Orientation Course, FortHolabird, Maryland, 74

Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), 1, 6, 9-11,13, 15, 45-46, 50, 52, 57-65, 68-69, 72-75, 77-78,89-94, 96-97, 101, 107, 117-118, 133, 181

Military Police, 91-92Military Police Officer Orientation Course, Fort

McClellan, Alabama, 92

Military Police School, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 91Military subjects, 26, 30-31, 40, 48, 66, 101, 109-112,

134-135; illus., 113Miller, MSgt Elsie J., 25, 28, 182; illus., 24Miller, Florence, 180Mills College, Oakland, California, 188Milwaukce, Wisconsin, 11Minneapolis, Minnesota, 11, 42, 45, 50, 103, 192Miss Ronsom and Miss Bridges School for Girls, Pied-

mont, California, 187

Moak, PFC Grace, 42Mobilization, 11, 28, 39-40, 43-49, 57, 59, 62, 65,

69, 78, 101, 104, 106, 186, 188Mobilization Stations, 104Mock, Capt Mary S., 37, 46, 50; illus., 58Mockler, LtCol Edward M., 133Moesel, Capt Karyl L., 96Molly Marinc, 129, 177-180; illus., 179Molly Restoration Fund, 178Monette, Sgt JoAnne, 162; illus., 163"Montezuma Red" (lipstick), 167Montford Point Branch Post Office, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 65Moore, SgtMaj J. F., 81; illus., 75Moore, LCp1 Sheryl L., 79Moore, SSgt Virginia L., 48Moran, MGySgt Geraldine M., 6, 150, 181Moran, Cpl Marion M., 118Morise, PFC Gail F., 94Moroney, Col Ellen B., illus., 126Morrissey, 2dLt Joan, 36, 38, 44Morrow, 2dLt Mildred D., 37Mort, CWO Lotus T., 13, 145; illus., 138, 147Mortenson, PFC Ruth, 42Motelewski, Col Joseph R., 93Motherhood, 151-154, 193Motor Transport and Maintenance Company, 2d

Maintenance Battalion, Force Troops, 2d ForceService Support, 94

Motor Transport Division, MCAS, Cherry Point,North Carolina, 94

Municipal Court, Cleveland, Ohio, 93Munn, LtCol Ben A., 10, 23, 40, 140, 162Munn, LtGen John C., 10Munroe, Cpl Dorothy M., v, 40Murphy, Capt Patricia A. (See Gormley, Capt Patricia

M.)Murray, PFC Betty S., 68Murray, MSgt Catherine G., 48, 140; illus., 47Murray, GySgt Donna H., illus., 86, 152Musselman, Peggy, 43Musser, PFC Regina T.; illus., 91

Nadeau, MSgt Cecilia, 42, 48Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, 98National Gallery of Art, 160National Organization of Women (NOW), 99National Women Reserve Rifle Team Trophy, 102Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Dal-

las, Texas, 105Naval Gun Factory, Washington, D.C., 159Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California, 76Naval Reserve Act of 1938, 4, 15, 174Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC), 132Naval Training School, Hunter College, New York,

New York, 182, 186, 189Navy Achievement Medal, 169, 186Navy and Marine Corps Medal, 79n, 169-172; illus.,

170-172Navy Building-Marine Corps Reserve Armory, Boston,

Massachusetts, 10


Navy Commendation Medal, 64, 169Navy Field Medical Research Laboratory, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 66Navy Instructors School, Norfolk, Virginia, 66Navy Judge Advocate General, 3-4, 17Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, St.

Louis, Missouri, 43Navy nurses, 51, 52n, 53, 80-81, 145; illus., 130Navy Reserve, 17Nelson, Mary J., 180Nelson, PFC Sonia, 123; illus., 122New Orleans Cajun Chapter, Women Marines Associ-

ation, 178New Orleans, Louisiana, 11, 39, 177-178, 180, 186;

illus., 179New York, New York, 7-8, 10-11, 31, 39, 160, 162Nichols, BGen Robert L., 98Nickerson, LtCol Herman, Jr., 30Nigro, MSgt Petrina "Pete" C., 25; illus., 45, 67Nimitz, Adm Chester W., 16-1719th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 1090th Officer Candidate Class, 1319th Marine Amphibious Brigade Band, Camp Han-

sen, Okinawa, Japan, 829th Marine Corps Reserve District, Chicago, Illinois,

46, 193Noble, MajGen Alfred H., 28-29, 31 32nNoble, lstLt Elizabeth, 42Noble, 2dLt Natalie, 37, 51Noffke, Cpl Alma, 50Noguera, 2dLt Alpha R., 74Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, 184-185Nonjudicial punishment, 51, 100Noren, Maj Wesley C., illus., 61Northwestern University Traffic Institute, Evanston,

Illinois, 92Novotny, Sgt Mildred A., 13, 25; illus., 24Nunn, Capt (USN) Ira H., 17Nurse Corps, 145

Oakland, California, 11, 184Oakland Tribune, 188Oberfell, .PFC Ann, 60"OC" pins, illus., 129Ocean Beach, North Carolina, 49O'Donnel, 2dLt Mary E., 37Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpow-

er and Reserve Affairs) Central All-volunteer TaskForce on the Utilization of Military Women, 89

Officer Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia, 125,131-132

Officer training, 4, 10, 22, 25-26, 33-38, 44, 46,53-54, 63, 70, 72-77, 106, 125-136, 187

Officer Training School (MCWR), MCB, CampLejeune, North Carolina, 178

Officer transfer program, 23, 25-26, 36, 46Ogborn, Pvt M. B., 91Ogburn, 2dLt Emily C., 37O'Hanlon, 2dLt Marjorie E., 144Ohio State University, 73, 76n, 189O'Keefe, TSgt Katherine, 33nOkinawa, Japan, 79-83, 85, 88, 93, 186, 192Old Corps, 13Oliver, Laurence, 42Oliver, PFC Nita M., 52Olsen, lstLt Lucille M., 39Olson, BGen Harry C., 171; illus., 171Olson, Mary J. (See Nelson, Mary J.)O'Neil, 2dLt Joan P., 37Onslow Beach, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Caroli-

na, 136Ordemann, lstSgt Margaret S., 23Orden, Col George 0., 41Organized Women's Reserve, 4, 6-8, 10-11, 15, 17-18,

39-46, 53, 187Organized Women's Reserve Program, 17, 39,

101-107 (See also Organized Women's Reserve)Orleans, France, 178Ostby, Col John L., 153Otten, SgtMaj Mabel A., 43, 181, 184-185; illus., 184Outstanding Recruit, (See Honor Graduate)

Packwood, Norval E., 30Pallant, LCp1 Doris H., 79Palmer, OC June E., illus., 126Pan American World Airways International Stewardess

College, 111Parade, 164Paris, France, 193Parris Island Drum and Bugle Corps, 31Pate, Gen Randolph M., 3n, 4, 16, 39, 148, 175; il-

lus., 177Paterson, TSgt Janet R., 34Patrick, Maj Roberta N., 177Patriotism, 1, 8, 109, 177, 189Paul, LtGen Willard S., 17Pauley, lstLt Mabel A., 104Peacetime Military Status, 1

246

INDEX 243

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 52-53, 60, 62, 137Pearson, Capt Jeanette, 43Pease, WO M.,ry E., 87Peatross, MajGen Oscar F., 177Pederson, LCpl Debora, 98Pederson, Sgt Gladyce, 42Peeler, lstLt Geraldine E., 79Pender, Nebraska, 186Pentagon, 78Pepper Board, 57, 71-88, 90, 93, 105, 130, 141Pepper, Maj Frances W., 12nPepper, LtGen Robert H., 71, 88Perate, Maj Pauline E., 23Peregrim, SSgt Anna, 25; illus., 24Permanent rank, 3, 18, 23, 145Personnel Administration School, MCRD, Parris Is-

land, South Carolina, 31-32, 57, 112, 183, 185Personnel Monitors, 71Pete, Maj Guy A. Jr., 135Peters, SgtMaj Bertha L. (See Billeb, CWO Bertha P.)Peters, GySgt Esther F., 96Pfeiffer, PFC Patricia, 48Phelan, TSgt Eileen P., 111Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10-11, 25, 39, 41, 48,

102, 152, 160, 175, 180Philippines, 99, 192Physical fitness, 97, 100, 107, 109, 116, 119-121,

134-136; illus., 119Pierce, LCpl Cathy L., 79Pierce, Sgt Julia M., 52Piippo, MSgt Vera E., 25, 49Pirhalla, Maj Paul P., 71Pittman, Capt Bernice M., 51Plans and Operations Branch, Marine Corps Educa-

tion Center, Quantico, Virginia, 77Platoon 1A, 31, 121; illus., 120 (See also Recruit

TrainingPlatoon 2A, 44 (See also Recruit Training)Platoon 7, 31 (See also Recruit Training)Platoon 9A, 107 (See also Recruit Training)Platoon 11-A, 123 (See also Recruit Training)Platoon 15-A, 123 (See also Recruit Training)Platoon Leaders Course, 33Plourde, Sgt Jeanette M., 118Plowman, SSgt Doris M., 49Police Department, Westminster, California, 91Policy, 1-4, 6-8, 11-12, 15, 27, 52-53, 57, 61-63,

69-70, 73, 78-79, 88-90, 98, 100, 107, 117, 134,137, 144, 148-151, 153-155, 167, 176, 181, 187,192-195 (See also Legislation)

Polvogt, SgtMaj Thomas, 42-43

Port Royal, South Carolina, 31, 113Porter, Col Frank R. Jr., 71Portland, Oregon, 11Post Personnel Company, 3d Recruit Training Battal-

ion, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 50Post Theater, Henderson Hall, 26Postwar Personnel Reorganization Board, 12n, 40Postwar Women's Reserve, 1-11, 16Postwar Women's Reserve Board, 4Potomac River, 34, 125Potter, Sgt Kathy A., 107Pounders, Sgt Elva M., 81Powell, Sgt Lynn J., 97Powell, Representative Adam C., 31Prackevich, Cpl Emilie, illus., 13President of the United States, 15, 18, 26, 140,

145-146, 160, 172, 189Presidential Inaugural Committee, 160Preston, 2dLt Betty J., 25, 36, 44; illus., 24, 34Primeau, Capt Elaine I., 172Pritzker, 2dLt Shirley A., 37Procedures Analysis Office Study, 57-59Processing Centers, 105Promotions, 3, 18, 21, 23, 63n, 64, 76-77, 107, 123,

145-150, 182-187, 193-194; illus., 66, 146-147,149

Prospector, 78Proalx, Sgt Marie A., 29Provost Marshal General's School-Investigative

Officers Course, Camp Gordon, Georgia, 144Provost Marshal Office, 91-92, 144, 185Public Law 90-130, 76, 106, 145-148, 192Public Law 625 (See Women's Armed Services Integra-

tion Act of 1948)Puller, MajGen Lewis B., 68Purdie, SSgt Denna S., 95

Quantico, Virginia, 125Quarters 1, MB, 8th and I Streets, Washington, D.C.,

164Querry, MSgt Bernice P., 79Quilici, Col Clifford P., illus., 149Quinlan, PFC Frances, 48Quinn, TSgt Mary C., 50; illus., 174

Racial Segregation, 23, 31Radar Fundametnals Course (See Communications-

Electronic School)

247


Radics, Col Emil J., illus., 176Ramos, Pvt Sunny, 113Ramsey, Capt Emma G., 52, 79Range Company, Camp Fuji, Okinawa, Japan, 83Rarrick, Pvt Rebecca, 48Read, 2dLt Margaret B., 74Reals, BGen Gail M., 63, 76, 87, 113, 120Recall of released women, 12-13, 46Recruit Company, Woman Recruit Training Battal-

ion, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 112; il-lus., 120, 122 (See ako Recruit Training)

Recruit regulations, 116Recruit Training, 10, 21, 23, 27-33, 3, 40, 44, 49,

52-53, 63, 69, 72, 94-95, 107, 109-124, 127, 187(See also Henderson Hall; Woman Recruit Train-ing Battalion)

Recruiter School, MCRD, Parris Island, South Caro-lina, 112, 184-185

Recruitment, 1, 3, 8, 10, 23, 25-26, 33, 36, 40-44,46, 53, 62, 65, 69-74, 88-90, 100-101, 106, 111,140, 184-185, 195

Red Cross, 116Redding, Cpl Sue, 94Reenlistments, 3, 23, 40, 80, 90, 151, 184; illus., 152Reeves, Cpl Edith M., 118Regular Air Force, 18Regular Army, 3, 15-17Regular commission, 8, 10, 21-23, 25, 33-34, 36-37,

40, 54, 187, 191-192Regular Navy, 3-4, 15, 17Regular status for women, 4, 11, 15-18, 21-26, 187

(See also Integration into Regular Marine Corps;Transfer program)

Reinemond, Sgt Ida J., 118Reinholz, LtCol Ruth F., 83, 144, 172Reny, MSgt Alice M., 66-67Reserve commission, 3, 5, 33, 36-37, 40, 75, 93, 182,

184-185, 187, 190-192Reserve of Women, 1Reserve Structure Board, 104Reservists on continuous active duty, 1-2, 4, 6-8,

10-12, 16, 18, 21-22, 33, 39-41, 46, 55, 64Resignation of WRs, 3Retention of Women Reserves at HQMC, 5-6, 11-13,

15, 23-25, 171Retired Marine, vRetirement, 6n, 10, 13, 18, 22, 32, 42-43, 45, 52,

60, 65, 105-106, 140-141, 145, 147, 149, 169, 171,175, 182-186, 189-193; illus., 186, 188

Revak, Cpl Anne, 46Revlon, 167

Reynolds, Cpl Jane L., 50Rhindress, Sgt Chadeane A., 49Ridgely, BGen Reginald H. Jr., 61Rienzi, 160Riley, lstLt Pauline "Polly" F., 12n, 23, 40Risegari-Gai, Capt Constance, 8, 10, 39-41; illus., 9Ritscher, 2dLt Angelica V., 136Ritter, lstLt Anne S., illus., 58Roach, Capt Mary E., illus., 103Robbins, PFC Hazel E., 60Roberts, LtGen Carson A., illus., 74Roberts, 2dLt Margaret C., 37Roberts, Capt Nancy M., 8, 23, 42Roberts, Maj Roberta N. (See Patrick, Maj Roberta N.)Robertson, CWO Margaret, 145Robinson, Cpl Cynthia, 98Roche, MSgt Mary E., 25, 52; illus., 24Rochester, New York, 11Roddy, LtCol Mary E., 39, 46, 105; illus., 105Roman, PFC Fredrick H., 169Roosevelt, Mrs. Franklin D., 174Rowe, SFC Thomas, 107Rubel, Sgt Deborah, A., 94Russia, 11Ruth Cheney Strceter Trophy, 102Ryan, MajGen Michael P., 106Ryan, MSgt Ruth, 29-30, 44, 48, 65Rzepny, Cpl Dorothy, 118

Sacco, Cpl Carla J., illus., 165Saigon, Vietnam, 82-88St. Francis Catholic Church, Triangle, Virginia, 140Saint Francis Hotel, San Francisco, California, 21St. Louis, Missouri, 11, 42-43, 49, 102, 180, 184St. Paul, Minnesota, 185St. Vincent DePaul Orphanage, Saigon, Vietnam, 86;

illus., 84Salazar, SSgt Ermelinda (See Esquibel, SSgt Er-

melinda)Salzman, BGen Elmer H., 42San Bruno, California, 103San Diego, California, 10-11, 45, 48-49, 59n, 68San Diego Chevron, 53, 59nSan Francisco, California, 8, 10-11, 21, 26, 39, 42,

46, 48, 50, 52, 62, 65, 76, 103, 180, 182, 184, 186;illus., 45

Saunders, Col William F. Jr., 130Savage, LCp1 Diana, 81Savannah, Georgia, 32Saxon, LCp1 Carrie M., 79

INDEX 245

Scanlon, WO Eileen R., 140Schaffer, 2dLt Margaret., 52Scherman, TSgt Anna M., 25Schirmer, TSgt "A" Fern, 34, 44, 46, 48Schneider, Capt David A., 93Schoenecker, PFC Kathleen, 42Schools Company, Headquarters Battalion, MCS,

Quantico, Virginia, 33Schriver, Col Richard J., 177Schultz, SSgt Bertha J., 25, 29, 44Schultz, lstSgt Betty J., 26, 31, 53, 140; illus., 30Schultz, Capt Emily, 50Scott, 2dLt Janice C., 74Scott, Cpl Pamela S., 96Scudder, Cpl Mary E., 52Seattle, Washington, 8, 11, 39, 42, 53, 1022d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Boston, Mas-

sachusetts, 102d Infantry Battalion Band, USMCR, Boston, Mas-

sachusetts, 472d Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF, MCAS, Cherry Point,

North Carolina, 96-972d Marine Division, FMF, MCB, Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina, 682d Platodn;Company C, Basic Class 3-77, 135-136;

illus., 1352d Wing NCO Leadership School, 68Secretary of Defense, 17, 89, 183, 195Secretary of the Navy, 1, 187, 194Seibi Yamanaka Orphanage, Okinawa, Japan, 83Seman, PFC Mary A., 52Senate Armed Services Committee, 17Senate Subcommittee Hearings (See 80th Congress)Senior School (See Command and Staff College)Sentipal, Pvt Paula W., 167Separation Company, Headquarteis Battalion, Head-

quarers Marine Corps, 25Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, 149Sergeant Major of Women Marines, 42, 79-80, 111,

161, 177, 181-186, 191; illus., 161, 181-186Service Battalion, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 51Service benefits, 18Serviceman's Opportunity College, 16979th Congress, 15-16Sexton, Cpl Naomi J., 52Shafer, Cpl Constance A., 120Shaffer, Sgt Margaret A., 67Shaffer, MajGen Richard F., illus., 87Shaw, Henry I. Jr., v, 32nShaw, 2dLt Judith C., 136Sheftz, GySgt Sharly E., 96

Shepherd, Gen Lemuel C. Jr., 3n, 11, 17, 36, 169;illus., 170, 188

Sheraton Hotel, Arlington, Virginia, 186Sherman, 2dLt Virginia M., 36; illus., 34Sherwood, 2dLt Donna J., 74Shoup, Gen David M., 175Silver Star, 169Silvey, Bat Wanda R., 78Simpson, LtGen Ormond R., 89Sims, Maj Gerald W., 1386th Marine Corps District, Atlanta, Georgia, 1946th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 173Slaton, PFC Earlene, 52Smith, PFC Cathy E., 93Smith, Capt Edna L., 12Smith, SSgt Inez E., 67Smith, Representative Margaret C., 4, 15-17Smith, MajGen Oliver P., illus., 47Smith, Capt Vea J., 78; illus., 133Smith, PFC Vivia, 52Snedeker, BGen Edward W., 68Snell, Col Albert W., 89-90, 98Snell, Committee, 57, 89-100, 137Snyder, lstit Kathyrn E., 10, 39, 42, 48Somers, Capt Barbara, 39Sousa, Sgt Theresa "Sue" M., 43, 60; illus., 41South Charleston, West Virginia, 185Spaatz, Cpl, 85Spaatz, Gen Carl T., 17Spanjer, MajGen Ralph H., 97SPARS, 1, 42Special Education Program, 76Speer, Albert, 16nSquantum, 10Staff NCO Leadership School, MCB, Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina, 66-68; illus., 66-67Staff NCO Leadership School, MCB, Quantico, Vir-

ginia, 67-68Staff Noncommissioned Officers Club, Camp Butler,

Okinawa, Japan, 82-83Standage, lstLt Marilyn J., 104Status of women in the Marine Corps, 69Steele, SSgt Elizabeth J., 7, 10Stephenson, 2dLt Barbara J., 37Stephenson, SSgt Dorothy T., 10, 29Stevenson, lstlt Margaret L., 23, 27Stolarchyk, SSgt Linda D., 95Stottlemyre, 2ndLt Gloria M., 136Strain, Capt Christine S., 42, 102Streeter, Col Ruth C., v, 1, 3, 6, 8, 15, 18, 23-24,

141, 146, 174, 187, 190, 195; illus., 5, 13


Stremlow, Col Mary L., illus., 122, 126Strong, lstLt Beatrice R., 39Strong, Capt Virginia B., 102Strothers, BGen Dean C., 17Stuart, Col Rilda M., 148Sullivan, SSgt Dorothy E., 29, 31; illus., 30Sullivan, 2dLt Mary E., 52Summer camp (See Active Duty for Training)Summers, lstLt Charlene M. (See Itchkawich, lstLt

Charlene M.)Supervisor of Women Marines, 48, 50-52Supply Company, Headquarters and Service Battal-

ion, MCB, Twentynine Palms, California, 99; il-lus., 99

Supply School, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Caroli-na, 48

Supported Activity Supply System, 93Supreme Court, 156Sustad, Col Jeanette I., 18n, 23, 28, 31, 44, 48, 62n,

72, 78, 148, 150, 152-154, 166, 175, 192-193; il-lus., 29, 47, 177, 193

Swanson, RAdm Clifford A., 153-154Swanson, LtCol Emmet O., 42Swickheimer, Maj Georgia, illus., 176Swope, Marion A., 180

Table of Organization (T/O), 23, 53, 57-58, 67, 137Tacoma, Washington, 192Tallman, lstLt Anne S., 81; illus., 80Tampa, Florida, 103-104Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Vietnam, 84Tanalski, TSgt Katherine F., 60Tanh Anh, Vietnam, illus., 86Tarte, MSgt Elizabeth, 51Tate, Cpl Ruth V., 52Tatus, Maj Helen M., illus., 58Taylor, Capt A., 103Taylor, 2dLt JoAnn, 136Taylor, LtCol Robert W., 81Taylor, 2dLt Vicki B., 96Teletype Operator School, 72Temporary rank, 18, 21, 23, 148-149, 182, 190-191Tenteris, lstLt Carolyn, 40Termination of Wartime Women's Reserve, 5Test Instrument Course, Albany, Georgia, illus., 90Testing and Educational Unit, MCS, Quantico, Vir-

ginia, 38, 145Tet offensive of 1968, 83, 85Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas, 191The Ambassador Hotel, Saigon, Vietnam, 84

The Basic School, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia,33-34, 37-38, 46, 54, 63, 98, 125-126, 130434,177

The Lord's Prayer, 115-116The Plaza, Saigon, Vietnam, 84-85The Washington Post, 136Thies, Pvt Cynthia L., 573d Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island,

South Carolina, 27-33, 44, 46, 49-50, 53, 64, 109,123-124, 182, 185, 191-192 (See also WomanRecruit Training Battalion; Woman Recruit Train-ing Command)

32d Woman Officer Candidate Class (See CompanyW)

35th Woman Officer Basic Course, 9135th Woman Officer Candidate Class, 131-13238th Woman Officer Basic Class, 13239th woman Officer Basic Class, 134-135Thomas, Sgt Agnes C., 29, 44Thomas, LtCol Alfred I., 71Thomas, Cpl Erlene A., 118Thomas, LtGen Gerald C., 1, 11-12, 164Thomas, Mrs. Gerald C., 164Thompson, CWO Mary, 145Thorning, Capt Dolores A., illus., 58Thornton, MSgt Sarah N., 67, 83Tiffany, LCpl Judy A., 94Toledo, Ohio, 11Tomlinson, 2dLt Norma L., 74Topping, LtCol Robert W., 99Towle, California, 187Towle, Col Katherine A., 3-6, 8, 15, 21, 23-28, 31,

33-34, 36, 41-42, 49, 52-53, 57, 59, 65-67, 109,137, 140, 147, 151, 159-160, 162, 174-175,187-189, 190; illus., 5, 13, 22, 24, 52, 138, 146,159, 187-188

Toys for Tots, 101Tracked Vehicle Maintenance Unit, MCB, Camp Pen-

dleton, California, illus., 91Training, 1, 3-4, 7-8, 10-12, 19, 23, 26-27, 40, 43,

50, 53-55, 57, 60, 63, 65-70, 72, 77, 88, 97,100-101, 104-106, 138-139, 195 (See aiso ActiveDuty for Training; Officer Training; Recruit Train-ing; Women's Volunteer Training Units)

Training Brigade, Marine Training Detachment, U.S.Naval Training Schr23l, Bronx, New York, 187, 189

Transfer Program,Travis Air Force Base, California, 81Treasure, 2dLt Tommy L., 74Triangle, Virginia, 51, 140Troche, PFC Adoree R., 52

250

INDEX 247

Trowsdale, LtCol Annie M., 100Truck Company, 4th Service Battalion, USMCR, Erie,

Pennsylvania, 106Truman, President Harry S., 15, 18, 26Turner, Cpl Elizabeth, 8112th Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District,

San Francisco, California, 18420th Woman Officers Basic Course, 74Twilley, lstLt Patsy A., illus., 133Tyler, Capt Hazel C., 43, 103

Uniform Regulations, U.S. Marine Women's Reserve,1945, 157

Uniforms, 26, 40, 43, 46, 48, 50, 83-85, 90, 95,98-99, 109, 113-116, 119-121, 123, 125, 139-141,143, 153, 157-168, 195; illus., 52, 111, 119, 130,158-159, 161, 163, 165-167

Union Station, Wasington, D.C., 47U.S. Embassy, Santo Domingo, 174; illus., 173U.S. Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, 52United States Code, Titles 10 and 37, 89, 155U.S. Employment Services, Tacoma, Washington, 192U.S. Information Service, Washington, D.C., 189United States Naval Academy, 134University of California, 5, 21, 34, 187, 189nUniversity of California Press, 187University of Chicago, 192University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 95, 193University of Minnesota, 192University of Montana, 95University of Southern California, 25University of Texas, 190University of Washington, 192Unsung Heroine Award, s6; illus., 84USO, 32

Vandegrift, Gen Alexander A., 3-4, 6, 12, 15, 18,174, 187; illus., 5

VandenBossche, Capt Cecelia, 43; illus., 44VanDyke, MSgt Jessie, 51VanStockum, BGen Ronald R., 82; illus., 81Vardy, Capt Sarah M., 4, 12nVassar College, 189Vaughn, MGySgt Mary G., 150Venne, 2dLt Michele D., 97Vertalino, Capt Carol A. (See Diliberto, Capt Carol

A.)Vertalino, Capt Mary L. (See Stremlow, Col Mary L.)Veterans, 6, 8, 22, 39-40, 44-46, 48, 53, 57, 63, 180

(See also Former WRs)

Veterans Administration, 53Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, 86; illus., 84Victory, BGen Randall M., 52Victory, Mrs. Randall M., 52Vietnam, 52-53, 62, 64, 73, 80, 83-88, 99, 151, 172,

192; illus., 82Vietnamese Service Medal, 87Villanueva, PFC Christin, 60Vinson, Representative Carl, 15Voisine, LCp1 Harriett F., 91Vollmer, SSgt Dorothy L., 67Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve, Class III, 44Volunteer Marine Corps Women Reserve (VMCWR),

1, 3, 46Volunteer Women's Reserve, 4, 6-13, 15, 53 (See also

Women's Volunteer Training Units)Vosler, lstLt Isabel F., 42

WAC Career Officers Course, Fort McClellan, Alaba-ma, 76

Waclawski, lstSgt Esther D., 25, 48Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, 182Walker, Sgt Dorothy, 48Wall, PFC Allis V., 44Wallace, Capt Marilyn E., 81Waller, Col Littleton W., lnWallis, Maj Jane L., 81-83; illus., 73, 81Walsh, LtCol Carolyn J., 125, 153Walsh, Cpl Joan V., 52Walsh, MSgt Rita M., 49, 79Walsh, 1stLt Ruth (See Woidyla, lstLt Ruth)Wancheck, TSgt Mary F., 11, 25; illus., 24Warner, LtCol Nita B., 33-34, 37, 43, 49, 157; illus.,

58, 138Warrant Officer, 10, 13, 18, 32, 145Warrant Officer Basic School, 145Wartime Women's Reserve, 1-3, 5, 7 (See also Reten-

tion of Women Reserves at HQMC)Wasco, California, 182Washington, D.C., 8, 11, 21, 25-26, 39, 41-43,

46-48, 54, 60, 72, 75, 95, 103, 160, 187 (See alsoHeadquarters Marine Corps)

Water Supply and Plumbing Course, MCB, CampLejeune, North Carolina, 93

Watson, 1stLt Patricia, illus., 112WAVES, 1, 3-4, 7, 15, 17-18, 40, 42, 49, 52, 69, 76,

84-85, 145, 162, 168, 182, 190Way, Maj John D., 81Wayae, John, 101Weede, MajGen Richard G., 71

248

Wegener, Cpl Margaret G., 79Welchel, Pvt J. E., 91Wendel, 2dLt Harriet T., 74West, TSgt Lillian J., 67, 111WestPac, 79-88West Point, 17Wheeler, Sgt Ardella M., 29White House, 145White Letter No. 5-76, 132, 134, 137White, LtCol Robert D., 98Wiese, Sgt Charlene K., 96Wilbur, Col James R., 34Wilcox, Sgt Ethyl, 46Wilkie, MSgt Margery R., 66Willard, OC Antoinette S., 126Williams, Maj Cornelia ID. T., 4, 191nWilliams, MSgt Lucretia E., 140Williams, Sgt Mary, 60Williamson, Pvt M. L., 50Wilson, Cpl, 85Wilson, Col Helen A., 33n, 39, 41-42, 51, 52n, 89,

104, 148, 177, 177n; illus., 51-52Wilson, Gen Louis H. Jr., 31, 90-91, 93, 132, 168,

195

Winchester, Massachusetts, 189Windsock, 96Wing, Maj Marion, 4WMA Nouncements, 180Woidyla, lstLt Ruth, illus., 134Wold-Chamberlain Naval Air Station, 42Woman Marine Company, Camp Butler, Okinawa,

81-83; illus., 73, 81Woman Marine Company, Camp H. M. Smith,

Hawaii, 184-185Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, FMFLant, Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Vir-ginia, 149, 194

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, MCB, Camp Pendleton, California, 137,149, 186

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalion, MCRD, San Diego, California, 49, 137,149, 186

Woman Marine Company, Marine Barracks, MCB,Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 48, 68, 149, 186,192, 194

Woman Marine Company, MCAS, Kaneohe Bay,Hawaii, 79

Woman Marine Company, Marine Corps SupplyCenter, Albany, Georgia, 79

Woman Marine Company, Marine Corps Supply

f,rt


Center, Barstow, California, 78-79, 171; illus., 171Woman Marine Company, Service Battalion, Marine

Barracks, MCB, Camp Pendleton, California, 48(See also Woman Marine Company, Headquart-ers and Service Battalion)

Woman Marine Company, Service Battalion, MCS,Quantico, Virginia, 51, 149, 183

Woman Marine Complex, MCRD, Parris Island,South Carolina, 123-124; illus., 123 (See alsoBilleting)

Woman Marine Platoon, Headquarters Company,Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine CorpsSupply Center, Barstow, California, 79

Woman Marine Platoon, Service Company, Head-quarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Sup-ply Center, Albany, Georgia, 79

Woman Marine Detachment-1 (WMID-1), MCAS, ElToro, California, 49, 140, 149-150, 181, 185-186

Woman Marine Detachment-2 (WMD-2), MCAS,Cherry Point, North Carolina, 33n, 51, 96, 137,139, 149; illus., 51-52

Woman Marine Detachment-3 (WMD-3), MCAS,Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, 53

Woman Marine Drum Section, Drum and BugleTeam, MB, Treasure Island, San Francisco, Califor-nia, 94; illus., 96

Woman Marine Newsletter, 74, 77, 166, 168Woman Marine Organized Reserve Platoons (WM Pla-

toons), 10, 101-105WM Administrative Platoon, 1st 4.5-inch RocketBattalion, USMCR, Dallas, Texas, 103, 105; illus.,105

WM Administrative Platoon, 2d 105mm Gun Bat-talion, USMCR, Miami, Florida, 104WM Administrative Platoon, 3d Infantry Battalion,USMCR, St. Louis, Missouri, 102WM Administrative Platoon, 4th Infantry Battal-ion, USMCR, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 103WM Administrative Platoon, 5th Infantry Battal-ion, USMCR, Detroit, Michigan, 102WM Classification Platoon, 1st Air and Naval Gun-fire Liaison Company, USMCR, Fort Schuyler, NewYork, 102

WM Classification Platoon, 1st Engineer Battalion,USMCR, Baltimore, Maryland, 103

WM Classification Platoon, 2d 105mm HowitzerBattalion, USMCR, Los Angeles, California, 102

WM Classification Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion,USMCR, Boston, Massachusetts, 102WM Classification Platoon, 9th Infantry Battalion,USMCR, Chicago, Illinois, 102

252

INDEX 249

WM Classifica(ion Platoon, 10th Infantry Battal-ion, USMCR, Seattle, Washington, 102

WM Communications Platoon, 2d Communica-tions Company, USMCR, Brooklyn, New York(See WM Communications Platoon, 2d Sit,nalCompany, USMCR)WM Communications Platoon, 2d Signal Compa-ny, USMCR, Brooklyn, New York, 104, 194; il-lus., 103WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st 155mm Gun Battal-ion, USMCR, Denver, Colorado, 104WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st Amphibian TractorBattalion, USMCR, Tampa, Florida, 103-104WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st CommunicationsCoMpany, USMCR, Worcester, Massachusetts,102, 104WM Disbursing Platoon, 2d Depot Supply Battal-ion, USMCR, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 102 (Seealso WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st CommunicationsCompany)

WM Disbursing Platoon, 13th Infantry Battalion,USMCR, Washington, D.C., 103WM Supply Platoon, 1st Antiaircraft Artillery-Automatic Weapons Battalion, USMCR, San Fran-cisco, California, 103WM Supply Platoon, 2d Depot Supply Battalion,USMCR, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 102WM Supply Platoon, 7th Infantry Battalion,USMCR, San Bruno, California (See WM SupplyPlatoon, 1st Antiaircraft Artillery-AutomaticWeapons Battalion, USMCR)WM Supply Platoon, 10th Automatic WeaponsBattery, Kansas City, Missouri, 104WM Supply Platoon, 11th Infantry Battalion,USMCR, Cleveland, Ohio, 103

Woman Marine Program Study Group (See PepperBoard)

Woman Marine Reserve Company, 102Woman Marine Special Enlistment Program, 106-107Woman Officer Basic Course (WOBC), 127, 129-132Woman Officer Candidate Course (WOCC), 40,

52-54, 64, 66-67, 70, 72, 74, 129, 131-132, 185,193-194; illus., 37, 128

Woman Officer Indoctrination Course (WOIC), 33,37-38, 54, 63, 72, 75, 127, 193-194 (See alsoWoman Officer Basic Course)

Woman Officer Procurement, 33, 36, 40, 88, 90, 1.30,186, 194

Woman Officer School (1965-1973), MCDEC, Quan-tico, Virginia, 125, 186, 194

Woman Officer School (1973-1974), Marine CorpsEducation Center, Quantico, Virginia, 125,130-132

Woman Officer Training Class (WOTC), 33-36, 40,43-44, 53, 126; illus., 34-35, 126-127, 130 (See alsoWoman Officer Candidate Course)

Woman Officer Training Class, Women MarinesDetachment, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

Woman Officer Training Detachment (1949-1955),MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125, 129, 145, 156, 182,190-192 (See also Woman Officer School)

Woman Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, Parris Is-land, South Carolina, 10, 106, 109, 111, 117,123-124, 148-149, 155, 167, 177, 182-186, 190,192-193; illus., 178 (See also 3d Recruit TrainingBattalion; Woman Recruit Training Command)

Woman Recruit Training Command, MCRD, ParrisIsland, South Carolina, 107, 109, 124 (See also 3dRecruit Training Battalion; Woman Recruit Train-ing Battalion)

Woman Reserve Liaison Officer, 101Womanpower, 7, 16, 100Women in the Air Force (WAFs), 18, 69, 145Women Marines (WMs), 25-27 (See also Designation

of Women Marines)Women Marines Association (WMA), 43, 129, 152,

161, 178, 180Women Marines Detachment (1958-1965)1 MCS,

Quantico, Virginia, 10, 68, 125, 148, 185 (See alsoWoman Officer School)

Women Marines Training Detachment (1955-1958),MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125 (See also WomanOfficer School)

Women Officers' Quarters (WOQ), MCRD, Parris Is-land, South Carolina, 31

Women Reserve Administration Platoon, Detroit,Michigan, 10

Women Reserves (WRs), 1-3, 5-8, 11, 13, 15, 21,23-25, 28, 33-34, 36, 39-40, 42-44, 101, 109, 182,187, 190 (See also Marine Corps Women Reserves)

Women's Armed Forces Integration Act of 1948, 4n,145, 183 (See also Women's Armed Services In-tegration Act of 1948)

Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, v,15-19, 23, 26-27, 37, 60, 62, 153, 155, 189, 192

Women's Army Corps (WACs), 3, 15-17, 69, 76, 164,190

Women's Medical Service Corps, 145Women's Reserve, 3-6, 15, 39 (See also Marine Corps

Women's Reserve)Women's Reserve Company, 11, 39

25 3


Women's Reserve Officer Training School, MountHolyoke, Massachusetts, 169, 190-191

Women's Reserve Platoons (WR Platoons), 10, 39,40-49, 53, 187, 190WR Platoon, 1st Infantry Battalion, USMCR, FortSchuyler, New York, 42WR Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR,Boston, Massachusetts, 40, 47-48, 51, 59n, 65

WR Platoon, 3d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, St.Louis, Missouri, 42-43, 49WR Platoon, 4th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Min-neapolis, Minnesota, 42, 45, 50WR Platoon, 105mm Howitzer.Battalion, USMCR,Kansas City, Missouri, 40

WR Platoon, 5th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,Washington, D.C., 42-43, 47-48, 60; illus., 41WR Platoon, 6th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

(See also WR Platoon, 6th Infantry Battalion,USMCR)

VTU (WR), Portland, Oregon, 11VTU (WR), Rochester, New York, 11VTU (WR), St. Louis, Missiour, 11VTU 11-2 (WR), San Diego, California, 10-11VTU 12-4 (WR), San Francisco, California, 10VTU 13-12 (WR), Seattle, Washington, 8

VTU (WR), Washington, D.C., 11Wood, CWO Ruth L., 111, 145; illus., 126, 149Woodwind Quintet, U.S. Marine Band, illus., 97Woodworth, GySgt Lea E., 78-79Woolger, TSgt Laura H., 67-68Woolman, Capt Marjorie J., 42, 103Worcester, Massachusetts, 102, 104World War I Marinettes, 174, 180; illus., 154World War II, v, 1, 6n, 7, 10, 12, 16, 19, 21-23, 25,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 41, 48 28, 36, 40, 42, 45-48, 50, 53, 57, 59-61, 64-65,WR Platoon, 9th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 74, 88, 91, 94, 106n, 109, 113, 124, 141, 148,Chicago, Illinois, 42

WR Platoon, 11th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,Seattle, Washington, 42, 53WR Platoon, 12th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, 42, 48

WR Platoon, 13th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, LosAngeles, California, 42, 186

WR Platoon, 17th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,Detroit, Michigan, 43; illus., 43-44WR Platoon, 23d 155mm Howitzer Battalinn,USMCR, Dallas, Texas, 43

Women's Volunteer Training Units (VTUs), 7-11VTU (WR), Atlanta, Georgia, 11V111 (WR), Baltimore, Maryland, 10VTU 1-1 (WR), Boston Massachusetts, 8-10, 40, 65VTU (WR), Chicago, Illinois, 11VTU (WR), Indianapolis, Indiana, 11VTU (WR), Kansas City, Missouri, 11VTU (WR), Los Angeles, California, 11, 186VTU (WR), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 11VTU (WR), Minneapolis, Minnesota, 11VTU (WR), New Orleans, Louisiana, 11VTU 3-1 (WR), New York, New York, 7, 10VTU (WR), Oakland, California, 11VTU 4-4 (WR), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10, 41

157-158, 162, 164, 166-167, 170, 171, 174-175,182-184, 186, 188-189, 191n, 193, 195; illus., 111,177

Wrenn, LtCol Jenny, 71, 76-77, 89, 160, 177; illus.,178

Wright, SSgt Dyane, 85Wright, Sgt Kathleen, 82Wright, Cpl Nancy, 94; illus., 96Wuerch, Cpl Ronelle, 81

Yale University, 191Yanics, SSgt Vickie J., 95Yankton, South Dakota, 186Yemessee, South Carolina, 113Yeoman Course, San Diego, California, 57Young, Cliff, 86; illus., 84Young, 1stLt Phyllis J., 53Young, LCp1 Sheryl L., 171-172; illus., 172

Zabriskie, Sgt May E., 29Zaudtke, 2dLt Patricia M., 93Zimmer, Cpl Barbara A., 79Zimmerman, PFC Dawn, 48Zito, Frank Jr., 177-178Zumwalt, Adm Elmo R. Jr., 89

The device reproduced on the back cover isthe oldest military insignia in continuous usein the United States. It first appeared, asshown here, on Marine Corps buttons adopt-ed in 1804. With the stars changed to fivepoints this device has continued on MarineCorps buttons to the present day.

2 5 5