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CE 046 654

Stremlow, Mary V.

A History of the Women Marines, 1946-1977.

Marine Corps Washington, D.C.

86

255p.

Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Historical Materials (060)

MF01/PC11 Plus Postage.

Adult Educatipn; Adults; *Armed Forces; Enlisted

Personnel; *Females; *Military Personnel; *Military

Service; Military Training; Officer Personnel

*Marine Corps

ABSTRACT

This monograph recounts the events that brought about

the change from women as Marine Reservists only to the integration of

women into the Marine Corps. Chapters 1-8 trace the status of women

in the Marines beginning with demobilization plans for the Women's

Reserve following World War II. They discuss the Women's Armed Forces

Legislation; integration of women into the regular Marine Corps; the

Reserve and regular corps women in the Korean War; utilization and

numbers 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, on

administration of women, considers supervision and guidance of women

Marines, the daily routine, and discipline. Promotions are discussed

in chapter 12. Chapter 13 considers marriage, motherhood, and

dependent husbands. Chapter 14 describes uniforms. Focuses of chapter

15 are laurels (decorations) and traditions. Chapters 36 and 17 offer

brief biographies of the Sergeants Major of Women Marines and the

Directors of Women Marines. Appendixes include listings of women

Marines' strength (1948-1977), eligible occupational fields, and

units (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 'tw

eceived 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 officiap

OERI position or PolicY

litiirMeftt
COVER: On 4 November 1948, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen Clifton

B. Cates administers the oath to the first three

women to be sworn into the Regular Marine

Corps. 7:1:ey are (left to right) LtCol Katherine A. Towle, Magulia E. Hamblet, and 1stLt

Mary J. Hale.
A HISTORY OF THE

WOMEN MARINES,

1946-1977

by

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

HISTORY AND MUSEUMS DIVISION

HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS

WASHINGTON, D.C.

1986
Foreword

Despite the acknowledged contribution made by the 20,000 women Reservists who served in the

Marine Corps during World War II, there was no thought in 1946 of maintaining women on active

duty or, for that matter, even in the Reserve forces. This volume recounts the events that brought

about 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 start

of a new era for women in the Corps, and the end of an old one. Further, she rightly rea.;oned that

the increased assimilation of women would make the historical trail of women in Marine Corps difficult

to follow.

The story is drawn from official reports, documents, personal interviews, and transcribed reminiscences collected by the author and preserved by the Oral History and Archives Sections of the

History and Museums Division.

The pattern set during World War II of coiling women Reservists "WRs" was followed after the

passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948 by referring to the women as "Women

Marines," or more often as "WMs." In the mid-1970s there was a mood to erase all appearances

of a separate organization for women in the Marine Corps and an effort was made to refer tc the

women simply as Marines. When it was necessary to distinguish between the sexes, the noun "woman" 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 contributed to the work and reviewed the manuscript draft. Unfortunately, Colonel Katherine A. Towle

was too ill to participate.

The author, Colonel Mary V. Stremlow, now a retired Reservist, has a bachelor of science degree

from New York State University College at Buffalo. She counts three other women Marines in her

family two aunts, Corporal Rose M. Nigro and Master Sergeant Petrina C. Nigro, who served as

WRs in World War II, and her sister, retired Major Carol Vertalino Diliberto. Colonel Stremlow

came 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 Women Reserve Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion, Boston; instructor at the Woman .ifficer School, Quantico; and woman officer selection officer for the 1st Marine Corps District.

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

E. H. SIMMONS

Brigadier 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, interviews

and conversations, newspaper articles, muster rolls and unit diaries, and materials loaned by Marincs. There was no one large bon:7 of records available. In the course of the project, more than

390 letters were writte n. to individuals, smeral mass mailings were made, and notices soliciting information were printed in all post and .station newspapers, Leatherneck, Marine Corps Gazette, Retired

Marine, and the newsletters of Marine Corps associations. More than 100 written responses were

received 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 Women's Armed Services Integratien Act were the scrapbooks of former Director of Women Marines Colonel

Julia E. Hambler, and former WR Dorothy M. Munroe. Taped interviews were conducted with 32

womein, 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. Only

those labeled "Women Marine Company" were easily identified. At times, days were spent screening the muster rolls of all the companies of all the battalions on a base looking for one with personnel having feminine first names. More recent unit diaries were even less useful since they are not

signed 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 maiden

name is known, or vice versa.

The author and the women Marines whose story is told in this monograph owe a special debt

of gratitude to Master Sergeant Laura J. Dennis, USMCR, now retired, who from January to October

1977 voluntarily worked several days a week at the History and Museums Division, doing the painstaking research that resulted in the publication of much re material than would have been otherwise possible. Had it not been for her tenacity and dogged determination, easily 100 names, now

documented for posterity, would not have made it to these pages. She tracked vague but important

leads that the author, because of limited time allowed for the study, could not. Later, as a civilian

volunteer, she shepherded the work through the comment edition stage and assisted in the search

and fmal selection of photographs.

Master Sergeant Dennis also induced Colonel Agnes M. Kennedy, USMCR, to volunteer for the

difficult task of indexing the manuscript. In the process, Colonel Kennedy further assisted in checking and verifying hundreds of names cited. Her own experience as i Marine officer enabled her also

to make other valuable comments.

The manuscript was prepared under the editorial direction of M.. Henry I. Shaw, Jr., chief historian

of the History and Museums Division. Teacher and mentor, hr encouraged the author to take the

step from merely parroting a string of facts to presenting interp etations as appeared justified. More

than 100 Marines reviewed the draft edition and, thanks in large measure to Mr. Shaw's expert

guidance, 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 Publications Production Section, who prepared the typeset version of the manuscript, offering numerous 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's

designer, and who prepared all of the boards used in printing. His contribution has been to enhance

the usefulness of the book by making its appearance especially attractive.

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

MARY V. STREMLOW

Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve

7
Table of Contents

Page

Foreword

Preface

Table of Contents vii

Introduction 1 CHAPTER 1 A Time of Uncertainty, 1946-1948 3

A Time of Uncertainty 3

Postwar Women's Reserve Board 4

Termination of the Wartime MCWR 5

Retention of the WRs at HQMC 5

A New Director 6

The Volunteer Women's Reserve 7

4th Anniversary Celebration, 13 February 1947 7

The Women's VTUs 8

Plans 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 23

The First Enlisted Women Marines 24

The Pioneers 2!"

Reindoctrination of the Officers 25

Reindoctrination of Enlisted WMs 26

Designation of Women Marines 27

Recwit Training Established at Parris Island 27

The First Black Women Marines 31

Establishing the Women Officers Training Class at Quantico 33

CHAPTER 4 Th,. Korean War Years 39

Organized Reserve Gets Undetway 39

Mission and Administration 39

The First Seven WR Platoons

Add Six More Platoons 42

Mobilization of Organized Reserve Units, Korea 44

Volunteer Reservists Answer the Call 46

Women Marines Return to Posts and Stations 46

vii
Korean War Brings Changes to Recruit Training 53

A Few Changes at Officer Candidates School 53

The Korean Years, Reprise 54

CHAPTER 5 Utilization and Numbers, 1951-1963 57

Utilization of Women Marines, Evolution of a Policy 57

Report of Procedures Analysis Office, 1951 57

Women Officers' MOSs, 1948-1953 60

1950-1953 Summary 62

1954-1964 62

Numbers 62

Utilization, 1954-1964 62

Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Officers 63

Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Staff Noncommissioned Officers 65

Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School 65

A Woman in the Fleet Marine Force 68

1954-1964 Summary

CHAPTER 6 Utilization and Numbers: Pepper Board, 1964-1972 69

The Pepper Board 71

Women Marine Program Revitalized, 1965-1973 73

Strength Increases 73

Women Officers Specialist Training, 1965-1973 74

Women Lawyers and Judges, A Beginning 75

Professional Training 76

Amphibious Warfare School 76

Post-Graduate Schooling 76

Command and Staff College 76

The Armed Forces Staff College 77

Advanced Training and Assignment of Enlisted Woman Marines, 1965-1973 77

New Woman Marine Units, Stateside 78

Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow 78

Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany 79

Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe 79

Women Marines Overseas 79

Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni 80

Marine Corps Air Station, Futema, Okinawa 81

Marine Corps Base, Camp Butier, Okinawa 81

Women Marines in Vietnam 83

Women Marines in Marine Security Guard Battalion 87

Women Marines Overseas, Summary 87

CHAPTER 7 Utilization and Numbers: Snell Committee, 1973-1977 89

Strength, 1973-1977 90

New Occupational Fields 90

Military Police 91

Presiding Judges 92

Breaking the Tradition 93

Bandsmen 94

Women Matines in the Fleet. ...4P 'me Force 95

9
ix

Women in Command 98

1973-1977, Summary 100

CHAPTER 8 Reserves After Korea 101

Deactivation of the WR Platoons 104

Woman Special Enlistment Program 104

Strength 106

Women Reserve Officers 106

Formal Training for Women Reservists 106

CHAPTER 9 Recruit Training 109

Mission 109

The Training Program 109

Arrival at Parris Island 113

The DailY Routine 114

Recruit Regulations 116

Recruit Evaluation and Awards 120

WM Complex 123

Command Reorganized 124

CHAPTER 10 Officer Training 125

Location 125

Training Program 126

Traditions 127

Awards 129

1973-1977 129

Towards Total Integration 132

Second Platoon, Company C, BC 3-77 135

CHAPTER 11 Administration of Women 137

Supervision and Guidance of Women Marines 139

Barracks 141

Daily Routine 143

Discipline 144

CHAPTER 12 Promotions 145

Public Law 90-130 145

Enlisted Promotions 148

CHAPTER 13 Marriage, Motherhood, and Dependent Husbands 151

Marriage 151

Motherhood 151

Dependency Regulations 154

The Military Couple 155

Marine Wife, Civilian Husband 155

CHAPTER 14 Uniforms 157

The Beginnings of Change, 1950 159

The Mainbocher Wardrobe, 1950-1952 161
After Mainbocher 164

Grooming and Personal Appearance 167

Utilities 168

CHAPTER 15 Laurels and Traditions 169

Legion of Merit 169

Navy and Marine Corps Medal 169

Bronze Star Medal 172

Joint Service Commendation Medal 172

Dominican Republ'c 173

WM Anniversary 174

Women Marines and Mess Night 177

Molly Marine 177

Women Marines Association 180

CHAPTER 16 The Sergeants Major of Women Marines 181

Bertha L. Peters 182

Evelyn E. Albert 182

Ouida W. Craddock 184

Mabel A. R. Otten 184

June V And ler 185

Grace A. Carle 186

CHAPTER 17 The Directors of Women Marines 187

Katherine A. Towle 187

Julia E. Hamblet 189

Margaret M. Henderson 190

Barbara J. Bishop 191

Jeanette I. Sustad 192

Margaret A. Brewer 193

The Position 194

Notes 197

Appendices 207

A. Women Marines Strength, 1948-1977 207

B. Occupational Fields for Women Officers 209

C. Occupational Fields for Enlisted Women 211

D. Women Marine Units, 1946-1977 213

E. Women Marines Who Served in Vietnam, 19674973 225

F. Enlisted Women Marines Retained After World War II

Who Served Until Retirement 227

Index 229
Introduction

"The opinion generally held by the Marine Corps

is that women have no proper place or function in the

regular service in peace-time. This opinion is concurred in by the Director of Marine Corps Women's

Reserve, and a majority of the Women Reserves." In

these words, Brigader General Gerald C. Thomas,

Director, Division of Plans and Policies in October

1945, stated the basic Marine Corps case against women on active duty. He elaborated his stand with the

contention, "The American tradition is that a woman's place is in the home . . . ." and, "Women do

not take kindly to military regimentation. During the

war they have accepted the regulations imposed on

them, but hereafter the problem of enforcing discipline alone would be a headache."2

The controversy over what to do with the women

had been going on for months before the hostilities

of World War II ended. It was a problem an emotional one at thatwhich had to be faced. It was

agreed that the Women Reserves (WRs) had successfully met the challenge of military service. At the

close of the war, working in 225 specialties in 16 out

of 21 functional fields, WRs constituted 85 percent

of the enlisted personnel at Headquarters Marine

Corps and one-half to two-thirds of the permanent

personnel at all large Marine Corps posts and stations.3

It was generally acknowledged that it had been necessary to activate a women's unit for wartime duty; it

was safe to assume that women would be called upon

in any future, major emergency; most Marines,

however, men and women, displayed a marked lack

of enthusiasm toward the prospect of women in the

postwar Marine Corps. The men were understandably reluctant to admit women permanently into one

of the few remaining male-dominated societies, and

the senior women officers were concerned about the

type of women who would volunteer. Colonel Ruth

C. Streeter, wartime Director of the Marine Corps

Women Reserves (MCWR), believed that there was

a difference in the women who enlisted for purely

patriotic reasons due to the war, and those who enlisted after the G.I. Bill was passedthose who joined

for what they could get for themselves.4

The pressure to give peacetime military status to

women came from the other services, most notably

the Navy. In the summer of 1945, the Secretary of

the 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 Auxiliary."

Hoping to keep the Marine Corps out of any grandscale plan for maintaining a women's corps in peacetime, Colonel Streeter developed a plan for an inactive Women's Reserve to be administered by no more

than 10 women officers on active duty. On the accompanying routing sheet, she pencilled:

These comments arc submitted at this time because there

is considerable agkation in the Navy in favor of keeping

WAVES on active duty in peacetime. It comes mostly from

BuAir, Communications, and Hospital Corps. The WAVES

themselves arc much opposed to the plan.5

Colonel Streeter, tempered by her experience in

building a wartime women's organization from nothing, took a very practical approach to the matter. She

recognized that in planning a Reserve of women,

wastage was going to occur because many of the women trained for military service would marry and have

children, but this was a loss which would have to be

accepted if women were truly need.xl. Indeed, if war

threatened, even mothers could give a few months'

active service for recruiting and training programs until

enough new women Marines were ready to carry on.

By December 1945, General Thomas' division had

developed a detailed plan for training a postwar, inactive, Volunteer MCWR ( :MCWR) of 500 officers

*In 1943, when women joined the Marine Corps, the Director

of Reserve, Colonel Littleton W. T. Waller, wrote to Representative

Louis L. Ludlow of Indiana: ". . . these women will not be auxiliary, but members of the Marine Corps Reserve which is an integral part of the Corps and as . . . they will be performing many

duties of Marines it was felt they should be so known." Col Littleton 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 secretary was incoTa.
2

INTRODUCTION

and 4,500 enlisted women, that would provide a nucleus of ready WRs capable of being expanded

rapidly into a war-strength organization. In the introduction to this plan it was bluntly stated, "The arguments against retention . . . preclude any further

discussion in favor of women being kept on active

duty."6 In the eyes of the leading Marines, the case was closed.
CHAPTER 1

A Time of Uncertainty, 1946-1948

A Time of UncertaintyPostwar Women's Reserve BoardTermination of the Wartime MCWR

Retention of the WRs at 1-IQMCA New DirectorThe Volunteer Women's Reserve

4th 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 strength

of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve was approximately 17,640 enlisted women and 820 officers.

Demobilization procedures for women called for the

mandatory resignation or discharge of all WRs, officers

and enlisted. Demobilization was to be completed by

1 September 1946.

Colonel Streeter, who felt strongly that no woman

should remain after she was no longer needed, asked

to be released. She resigned on 6 December 1945 and,

the following day, her assistant, Lieutenant Colonel

Katherine A. Towle was appointed the second Director of the wartime Marine Corps Women's Reserve and

promoted to the rank of colonel. To Colonel Towle fell

the dual responsibility of overseeing the demobilization of the women an t? planning for a postwar women's organization.

In the spring of 1946 there was a steady flow of correspondence between the Chief of Naval Personnel,

Vice Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, and the Commandant

of the Marine Corps (CMC), General Alexander A.

Vandegrift. The Navy was making plans for a WAVE

organization with 1,500 officers and 10,000 enlisted

women on active duty. The Army had already publicly announced its plan to give Regular status to the

WACsJ The Commandant, however, stood firm. The

only women Marines on active duty during peacetime

would be "Director, VMCWR; OIC [Officer in

Charge], Personnel; OIC, Planning and Training; OIC,

Recruiting; six officers, one officer assigned to each

Recruiting Division."2

Recognizing that some sort of women's military organization was inevitable, and because legislation

authorizing a women's inactive Reserve was pending,

the Marine Corps no longer required WR officers to

resign. Those still on active duty were allowed to request assignment to inactive status, and those already

separated were sent a letter asking them to reenlist

in the Reserve and reminding them of the privileges

and responsibilities of belonging to the Marine Corps

Reserve. Upon request, they could be reappointed to

the permanent rank held upon resignation.2

1 4

Former colonel Mrs. Streeter was one of the women

who applied for a Reserve commission, but her request

was denied because of a legal restriction that precluded the appointment of more than one woman colonel

in the Reserve. In fact, Mrs. Streeter, who saw the wartime Women's Reserve through all of its growing pains

and its initial demobilization, had voluntarily given

up terminal leave in order that her successor (then

Lieutenant Colonel Towle) might immediately have

the rank of colonel. The Commandant told Mrs.

Streeter that he would recommend her to the Secretary of the Navy for reappointment in her rightful rank

in the inactive Reserve, but the Navy Judge Advocate

General held that there could be no exception. He

later reversed his decision and Mildred H. McAfee Horton, the WAVE Director, was given Reserve status as

a captain.*

Colonel Joseph W. Knighton, legal aide to the

Commandant, advised General Vandegrift on 13

March 1946 of the Army's and the Navy's plans to keep

women on active duty. They even allowed for women

in their budgets something that the Marine Corps

was not to consider until after passage of the women's

armed forces legislation in 1948. It was apparent that

Admiral Denfeld was giving more than lip service to

the support of women since he had instructed the Na-

*Subsequently, efforts were made by Colonel Towle, and rwo Commandants, 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 situation was satisfactorily resolved. In a letter to the Chairman, Board

for Corrections of Naval Records, the then Commandant, General

Randolph McC. Pate, wrote: "Correction of Mrs. Streeter's records

would erase an apparent inequity and allow her to be affiliated with

the Marine Corps Women's Reserve which she was so instrumental

in establishing. This correction would afford the Commandant of

the Marine Corps great satisfaction." (CMC ltr to Chairman, Bd for

Corr of NavRecords, dtd 31Mar59 [Postwar MCIVR I Mel). He also

wrote to Mrs. Streeter and said, "In view of your outstanding contribution to the Corps, I sincerely hope you will not deprive me

of the opportunity of recommissioning you as a Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve." (Gen Randolph McC. Pate ltr to Mrs. Ruth C.

Streeter, dtd 25Feb59 [Postwar MCIVR I file]). And so, on 25 June

1959, Ruth Cheney Streeter was reappointed a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and retired.

3
4 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

vy's judge advocate general to prepare a bill which

would enable the Navy to have women in its Regular

component. Colonel Knighton put two questions to

the Commandant:

(1) Does the Marine Corps want women in its regular peacetime

establishment? (2) If the answer is negative, can the Marine Corps

justify this stance if the Army and the Navy have come to the con- clusion that women should be included in their permanent establishment?'

In response, the Plans and Policy Division recommended that the Marine Corps be excluded from the

provisions of Denfeld's proposed legislation to provide

Regular status for women because ". . . the number

of billets which could be filled to advantage by women in the postwar Marine Corps is so limited that the

increased administrative overhead could not be justified." Although the Commandant approved this

recommendation on 18 March, that was not the end

of it.

Postwar Women's Reserve Board

Acting on a suggestion from Colonel Towle, on 28

March 1946, General Vandegrift appointed Colonel

Randolph McC. Pate, Director, Division of Reserve,

senior member of a board to recommend policies for

administration of women in the Marine Corps postwar Reserve structure. The board convened at Headquarters, Marine Corps (HQMC) on 1 April and

consisted of Colonel Pate, Colonel Richard C. Mangrum, Colonel Katherine A. Towle, and Major Ernest

L. Medford, Jr., with Major Cornelia D. T. Williams

and Major Marion Wing as additional members, and

Captain Sarah M. Vardy as member and recorder.5

The report of this board, which was approved by

the Commandant on 7 June, called for women to be

included in both the Volunteer and Organized components of the Reserve. Enlisted women would be

trained at unit meetings in home armories. Officers

would train at an annual summer officer candidate

school to be established at Quantico and then return

home to participate in a Reserve unit. A total of 45

officers and 32 enlisted womenall Reservistswould

be assigned to continuous active duty to administer

the program. It was spelled out that no woman would

be allowed to remain on active duty longer than four

years, and summer training was not considered necessary even for the organized Reservists. At the time of

the study, only the volunteer, inactive status was legally possible and many of the 40 recommendations

were based upon the premise that legislation would

15

be passed authorizing inclusion of woman in the Organized Reserw. Finally, the board recommended that

a qualified woman Reseivist of field grade be selected as soon as possible for the position of director and

that she be appointed to the rank of colonel?

Concurrence with the creation of a permanent women's Reserve was unanimous. The staff comments, for

the most part, dealt with minor administrative details.

Colonel Knighton, however, spotted the weakness

which would eventually alter the opinions of the leading women officers. He recognized that the four-year

active duty limit was impractical, and he stated:

. . . where can you find a woman, unless she happens

to be unemployed and hunting for a job, who would agree

to serve on active duty for a short period? In peacetime housewives will not volunteer, socialites will not be interested, and

a woman who has to work for a living, unless she is temporarily looking for employment, will certainly not sign up

for a few years of active duty in the Women's Reserve.8

Long before the board report was officially approved, Colonel Towle outlined its main points in a statement she prepared for the Joint Army-Navy Personnel

Board on 17 April, and for the 9 May House Naval

Affairs Committee Hearings on H. R. Bill 5919, "To

amend the Naval Reserve Act of 1938, as amended so

as to establish the Women's Reserve on a permanent

basis . . By the time the bill was reported out of committee

on 21 May, it had undergone some major changes. The

next day, Admiral Denfeld wrote to Representative

Margaret Chase Smith of Maine giving his views of

what the legislation should embody. Due mainly to

her efforts, the subsequent draft read:

All laws or parts of laws which authorize the appointment

of persons to commissioned grades or ranks in the Regular

Navy and Regular Marine Corps and which authorize the

enlistment of persons in the Regular Navy and Regular Marine Corps should be construed to include the authority to

appoint and enlist women in the Regular Navy and Regular Marine Corps in the same manner and under the same

conditions as such laws or parts of laws apply to the appointment and enlistment of men.°

Now, like it or not, the Marine Corps was included.

In the words of Victor Hugo, "No army can withstand

tt.! strength of an idea whose time has come."I5

*See Chapter 2 for a more detailed discussion of the Women's

Armed 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 Katherine

A. Towle (right) and Col Ruth C. Streeter (left) in December 1945. Col Towle has just

succeeded 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 15

June 1946 when Colonel Towle began her terminal

leave. Before leaving the Marine Corps to return to

the University of California's Berkeley campus as administrative assistant to the vice president and provost, Colonel Towle proposed the name of Major Julia

E. Hamblet to be director of the women's postwar organization. She wrote:

It is believed that Major Hamblet has all the attributes

and qualifications desirable in a director of a postwar MCWR.

She is a college graduate, about 30 years of age (which is

considered a great advantage in appealing to volunteers

among younger women, especially those of college age), of

fine appearance, with a great deal of natural dignity and

poise, and has an outstanding service record and reputation.

She has had experience in both line and aviation assignments

and has served in the present MCWR since her commissioning in the First Officers' Class in May 1943."

The recommendation of Major Hamblet to head up

the postwar MCWR was acknowledged and held in

abeyance.

Turning to another matter, Colonel Towle suggested

that her assistant, Captain Mary V. Illich, continue

duty in the Personnel Department to take care of the

work incident to the termination of the office of the

director. Captain Illich and one private first class were

assigned the task of tying up the administrative details of the wartime Women's Reserve and were expected 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 Director

of Personnel, Colonel Towle wrote:

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

16
6

the Marine Corps itself had taken from the beginning on

MCWR demobilization, particularly in setting and maintainir,,,s 1 September as the terminal date of the wartime

Women's Reserv,-. It had been a goal to work toward, and

Marine Corps women have never had the uncertainty and

confusion co ing demobilization which have occurred

in some of t other women's services because of the shifting of date and changes in policy.12

Most of the WRs still on active duty in the summer

of 1946 were working at Headquarters on the administrative job of demobilization of the wartime Marine

Corps. In spite of the general feeling against retention of women in the Marine Corps, individual work

supervisors were anxious to keep their women on the

job. As the September deadline for the release of all

WRs neared, case after case of exception was requested. Few were granted, but this activity not only kept

Captain Illich on the job, but also on 30 August gave

her an assistant, First Lieutenant Mary Janice Hale.*

This appointment followed a major change in policy

announced on 7 August 1946 when the Commandant

authorized the retention on active duty at HQMC, on

a voluntary basis, of 100 WRs for a period of eight

months. These women, clerk typists, payroll clerks,

and auditors, were to be assigned to a new division

of the Personnel Department established to administer

the Armed Forces Leave Act of 1946. One officer would

be retained to command a company to be activated

on 1 September, all of whose members would live off

post and be placed on subsistence and quarters allowances. The last of the WR barracks was finally

closed. As an inducement to apply, privates first class

who were accepted would be automatically promoted

to corporal."

The next day, 8 August, the Commandant authorized the retention of 200 additional WRs until 30

June 1947. It was specified that these women ". . . must

have clerical, stenographic or other specific ability (no

cooks, truck drivers, hairdressers, etc., unless they have

a secondary clerical specification)."14

Company E, 1st Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, commanded by First

Lieutenant Regina M. Durant, was activated on 19 August 1946 with a strength of 12 officers and 286 enlisted women, with Master Sergeant Geraldine M.

Moran as first sergeant.

*Lieutenant Colonel Hale, who retired in March 1964, is the only

woman officer to have served on continuous active duty from World

War 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 for

the Women's Reserve from December 1945 until she

was released from active duty in April 1946. She had

never considered the military as a career and was very

much in favor of the Marine Corps plan for women

in organized and volunteer Reserve units.

While in England visiting her family, Major Hamblet, as other Marine veterans, received numerous letters from Headquarters Marine Corps. The familiar

brown envelopes contained words of thanks and appreciation for wartime service, advice regarding veteran's benefits, a request to keep in contact with the

Reserve District commander, and information regarding the planning for the postwar Reserve.

In mid-June 1946, rushing to an appointment from

her brother's London home, she found yet another

message from Headquarters. In a hurry, she put it in

her purse and promptly forgot it. Nearly a week later,

while at a party, she remembered the letter and

opened it to find that it was not the routine form letter she had come to expect. Instead it was a Personal

letter to her from the Commandant, General Vandegrift.

In the letter he explained the plan to establish women as part of the Organized Reserve and to maintain

on active duty a limited number of women Reservists

to adminster the program. He stated:

Because of your record and experknce in the present Marine Corps Women's Reserve, you have been selected to fill

the position of Director of the postwar Women's Reserve,

and it is hoped that you will be interested in accepting this

appointment. If you do accept, it is desired that you be available for duty at Headquarters Marine Corps not later than

1 September 1946. You will understand, of course, that the

continuance of a postwar Women's Reserve and the position

of Director are contingent upon the enactment of enabling

legislation by the Congress which is currently giving it consideration.

A prompt reply will be appreciated.15

Had she not immediately thereafter received letters

from both Colonels Streeter and Towle expressing their

pleasure at her selection and their concern for the future of the MCWR, Major Hamblet's first inclination

would have been to refuse the appointment. Rather,

on 25 June, she wrote to the Commandant and accepted.

Due to the difficulty in obtaining transportation

from England at the time, she asked be activated

there, so that she could travel on military orders.'6 Existing laws did not permit members of the MCWR to
A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948 7 be on active duty anywhere outside the United States

except Hawaii. Therefore, she was informed that she

could not be assigned to duty until her return." Major

Hamblet reported to the Division of Reserve, Headquarters Marine Corps on 6 September 1946, and became the Director, MCWR.

At this time two distinct women Marine programs

existed with the sex of their members as the only common denominator. At Headquarters, the several

hundred retained wartime WRs continued to work on

administrative matters unrelated to the MCWR. The5e

women were under the cognizance of Captain Illich

in the Personnel Division. Then there was Major Hamblet in the Division of Reserve concerned with initiating detailed planning for a postwar, inactive Reserve.

Inevitably, some confusion arose. In a study dated 8

October, Major Hamblet wrote:

The relationship of the undersigned to the 286 enlisted

women and 5 officers retained on active duty after 1 September 1946 for assignment other than MCWR postwar planning is not at present clear. It would seem evident, however,

that the powers assigned to the Director, MCWR, should

be exercised in relation to all women reservists, on whatever

basis they may be serving."'

Clarification was soon made, ki no uncertain terms,

in a Headquarters Memorandum of 16 October 1946

which stated the policy for the administration of the

Marine Corp.; Women's Reserve. The wording was precise and unequivocal, and it was the foundation of a

policy that was to last for more than 25 years. The

Commandant directed:

That all matters of policy and procedure pertaining to the

Marine Corps Women's Reserve, which are initiated by any

department or division of Headquarters Marine Corps, be

referred to the Director, MCWR, for comment and

recommenda6on. In regard to matters of policy, such reference shall be made prior to submission to the Commandant of the Marine Corps fa: approval; in matters of

procedure, such reference shall be made prior to execution."'

The Volunteer Women's Reserve

With a staff of two women, First Lieutenant Mary

J. Hale and Technical Sergeant Dolores M. Adam,

Major Ham blet began her work. She faced the task

totally committed to the urgency of obtaining as soon

as possible the nucleus of a postwar women's Reserve.

Her visit to England and France during the summer

convinced her that the world situation was still unsettled and that greater utilization of womanpower in the

U.S. military would be required in the event of another

war. As a member of the first officer training class in

rhe wartime MCWR, she saw the difficulties of building up such an organization after an emergency had

already occurred. In 1943, the Marine Corps had been

forced to iely on civilian facilities and Navy personnel to get its women's program started. Worse, male

Marines, needed for comix.t, were used instead to train

women.

Wjor Hamblet recognized that the unclear status

of the women's legislation in 1946 jeopardized the success of a women's Reserve. The long and uncertain delay allowed former women Reservists to become

absorbed in their civilian interests and lessened the

chance of their enlisting in a future Reserve.

She questioned the necessity of waiting until the

legislation was actually passed before taking positive

action. There was reasonable doubt about the legality of an Organized Reserve but she believed that no

such obstacle blocked the creation of a Volunteer

Reserve. Indeed, the WAVES were, at that time, reenlisting women for full-time active duty in the Volunteez Reserve.

Pending the enactment of permissive legislation,

Major Hamblet urged immediate enlistment of as

many former members of the MCWR as possible in

a volunteer status since, she reasoned:

These women already have had indoctrination and training; and those among them who do desim could later transfer

to 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 December

with the publication of Marine Corps Letter of Instruction 1391, authorizing the enlistment of former

women Reservists in the Marine Corps Reserve. This

was part of a purposeful effort to maintain contact

with the women who had set ved so well in World War

II. The intention was to keep the women interested

and predisposed to join a volunteer or organized unit

when legally possible. Furthermore, it supplied the

Corps with a pool of ready, trained volunteers. The

first enlistment contract received was that of Staff Sergeant Elizabeth Janet Steele, who, a few months later,

activated and commanded Volunteer Training Unit

3-1(WR), New York, New York.21

4th Anniversary Celebration, 13 February 1947

Keeping in touch with former WRs became a task

of giant proportions for the three women Major

Hamblet, Lieutenant Hale, and Sergeant Adam. They

drew the cases of nearly all the 1'3,000 World War II

18
8

women Reservists and personally reviewed each one

in order to compile an up-to-date roster with current

addresses. Ostensibly', this list was to be used in determining the geographic areas best suited for future

Organized Reserve units, but it was put to a more immediate use in planning a celebration in honor of the

fourth anniversary of the Marine Corps Women's

Reserve?2

Seltcted officers in 25 cities were asked to accept

chairmanship of these birthday parties and were provided with the names of officers and capable NCOs

in their area. They were told:

In order to afford continuity to the MCWR it is important that we have anniversary parties all over the country this

year and bring together again as many as possible of the former WR's, both officers and enlisted personnel. . . . Because

there has been such a delay in getting the postwar program

underway, it is just that much more important th,tt we do

a bang-up job on February 13th. . . It is realized what an

undertaking this will be, but the dividends in the form of

the goodwill of former WR's (which we are most anxious

to have!) will be tremendous.23

Since no funds were provided, many of these officers

and NCOs used their own money for stationery and

postage in order to contact the veterans.

Birthday greetings were sent to individual women

Reservists reminding them that this was the time to

recall friendship and experiences. "Get out the

uniformdust off the moth balls, let out the seams,

roll up the hair and gather round to rehash the Marine Corps days," they were told.24

More than 2,500 WRs attended the parties in 22

cities and at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry

Point, North Carolina. San Francisco, where 395 women gathered under the chairmanship of First Lieutenant Pearl Martin to hear the guest speaker, Colonel

Towle, was the site of the largest celebration. Another

coup was scored by Captain Mildred Dupont and the

New York WRs when former Colonel Streeter agreed

to be the honored guest and to help cut the traditional birthday cake.

The Marine Corps Women's Reserve Post 907,

American Legion, in Chicago sponsored a grand event

in the Gold Room of the Congress Hotel. The committee was headed by First Lieutenant Dorothy R.

Dietz. Captain Emma H. Hendrickson (later Clowers), who was to become one of the first 20 Regular

women Markle officers in November 1948, read congratulatory messages from Headquarters and spoke to

the group of the plans to utilize women in the

Reserves.

9

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

The Washington, D.C. area celebration was unique

in that it was attended by former WRs, inactive women Reservists, and numbers of women still on active

duty.

The fourth anniversary parties accomplished their

mission. In addition to being onasions of much fun

and recall, they provided Headquarters with a roster

of former WRs who were still interested in the Marine Corps and a nucleus of officers and NCOs who

were able organizers.

The Women's VTUs

Authorization for the formation of volunteer training units (VTUs) came on 9 January 1947 in Leiter

of Instruction 1397. The objective of this program was

to develop a ". . . pool of efficient general duty, staff

and specialis- personnel which, on call, can fill needs

for individuals or groups in an emergency."25. In order to form a VTU, a group of 10 Reservists, commissioned or enlisted, male or female, was required.

Women could, of course, join a unit already eszabfished by men.

The appeal was made almost entirely to patriotism

and esprit de corps. The Marine Corps Resen e recruiting material offered membership, tradition, and prestige 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 and

members could not be called to active duty without

their consent except in the event of war or national

emergency. Reservists would retain the rank held on

discharge, and only male members would be eligible

for periods of active duty.26

There was considerable latitude allowed in planning

a VTU training schedule. Units could specialize in one

field, such as intelligence, communications, photography, etc., or follow a more generd pattern. A general

unit might emphasize lectures on current world

problems, and a women's unit might spend all its time

giving clerical assistance to the male Marine Reservists.

Seattle has the distinction of being the horm: of the

first women's Volunteer Training Unit VTU

13-12(WR) established in January 1947 and commanded by Captain Nancy M. Roberts.

In November 1947, Magulia E. Hamblet (right) congratulates Capt Constance Risegari-Gai (left), commander of Volunteer Training Unit 1-1, Boston,

Massachusetts during ceremonies to present awards

earned by Women Reservists during World War H.
A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948

rtt;

(

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

From the 1st Marine Corps Reserve District Headquarters, then located in Boston, Captain Constance

Risegari-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", "ruptured

duck" or whatever you call it from your uniform, and again

be able to write LISMGR after your name?

Yes, the Corps wants you back, right now, in the Volunteer Reserve, although later you may have an opportunity

to go into the Organized Reserve?"'

Boston chose Marine Corps administration as its

specialty, scheduled regular lectures, and gnt "field

practice" by assisting the. 2d Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, with its paperwork. The Boston WRs met

every Wednesday night on the fourth deck of the Navy

Building-Marine Corps Reserve Armory (formerly the

Fargo Building) to type enlistment papers, medical

records, and routine correspondence.

Elements of that unit gave similar help on Saturday and Sunday mornings to the threc Marine aviation squadrons at nearby Squantum. And, on Tuesday,

others went south to Hingham Naval Ammunition

Depot to lend a hand to Company B, 2d Infantry Battalion. Frequently, the women were called on for

recruiting and public relations activities as well. Lack

of 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 work

of VTU 1-1. She stated that we have the largest actually working unit (there is a larger unit in New York

which meets for training lectures once a month):'28

The WRs of New York would, no doubt, have taken

exception to the captain's assessment of their unit.

VTU 3-1(WR), activated in February 1947, and commanded by Staff Sergeant Steele was not only the largest women's volunteer training unit, with a strength

at one time of 100 members, but it was the only all

enlisted women's VTU and it remained active until

20 August 1957a little more than 10 years.29 By

1954, it had logged in a record of over 7,000 voluntary unpaid hours of service to the Marine Corp:: doing clerical, recruiting, and typing duty for many

Marine Reserve units including Marine Fighter Squadron 132, the 1st Infantry Battalion, the 19th Infantry Battalion, and the 14th Signal Company.3°

Among its early members were Helen A. Brusack,

who eventually integrated into the Regular Marine

Corps and remained until her retirement as a gun-

=.21

nery sergeant in May 1972; Agnes Hirshinger, who

commanded the unit from July 1949 until its deactivation; Dorothy T Hunt (later Stephenson), who integrated and was a member of the staff that

established women's recruit training at Parris Island

in 1949; Pearl Jackson, the first enlisted woman accepted for officer candidate training after the integration of women into the Regular Marine Corps;

and Alice McIntyre, who later integrated, became a warrant officer, and served 20 years.3'

Second Lieutenant Julia M. Hornsby activated the

Baltimore VTU(WR). Members of the Woman Marine Organized Reserve platoons of the post-Korea era

remembered her as the Reserve liaison officer at Parris Island who was vitally involved with their summer

training period.

First Lieutenant Kathyrn E. Snyder established VTU

12-4 (WR) at San Francisco on 10 February 1948. The

next year, serving on continuous active duty, she became the first inspector-instructor (I&I) of the women's Reserve platoon in that city and eventually the

I&I of the post-Korea Women Reserve Administration

Platoon in Detroit.

In Philadelphia, Captain Dorothy M. Knox commanded VTU 4-4 (WR), activated in September 1947.

When the Organized Reserve finally became available to women in 1949, Captain Knox and her entire

VTU became the nucleus of Philadelphia's WR platoon. They had already lost one member to the

RegularsCaptain Elsie Eleanor Hill. In time, Dorothy Knox integrated, served with the major women's

commands to include assignments as commanding

officer of the Woman Marine Detachment at Quantico and later of the Woman Recruit Training Battalion

at 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 First

Lieutenant Ben Alice Day as commanding officer.

Lieutenant Day, among the first 20 Regular women

officers, later reverted to the Reserve when, as a major, she married Brigadier General John C. Munn (later

Lieutenant General Munn, Assistant Commandant of

the Marine Corps). The Munns retired in 1964 in the

first husband-wife, Regular-Reserve retirement ceremo- ny in Corps history.32

In 1977, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Alice Munn

recalled:

. 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 Diego, 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. This

was very difficult as the question of what to do with Women Reserves, besides sitting them in front of typewriters, was

an unanswered question. There was no training program or

syllabus. (The question remained for a good 20 years or more!

The Marine Corps had bowed under wartime pressure that

historic February 1943, and it was my impression that the

Corps was glad, or relieved, to see the last of us go off to

inactive duty or to civilian life!)

Perhaps Colonel Collins was ahead of his time for I well

remember one lecture he gave to VTU 11-2 (WR) in which

he described a trip he made to Russia immediately after

hostilities ceased. He gave a vivid description of his observation 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, New

York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri;

Portland, Oregon; New Orleans, Louisiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington,

D.C. The WR volunteer training units were a source

of great pride to the Marine Corps. Between March

and December 1947, women Reservists worked a total of 5,000 hours of voluntary service.

The immeasurable importance of these units lies

primarily in their effectiveness in keeping hundreds

of WRs interested in their Marine Corps affiliation

during the two years it took to pass legislation allowing Regular and Organized Reserve status for women.

Many of the units later transferred 100 percent to the

Organized Reserve. Individuals integrated into the

Regular Marine Corps when it became possible in late

1948 and early 1949. Others, mobilized for Korea, remained to complete a 20-year career.

Plans for the Organized Reserve

Planning for the Organized Reserve, which was to

be the heart of the peacetime women's program, continued based on the expected passage of enabling

legislation. The Marine Corps was deeply committed

to this concept and Major Hamblet and her staff

worked out the details while at the same time they

tried to maintain the interest of former women Reservists. At one time there was talk of 30 women's companies throughout the country. But, by 1947 this

figure was reduced to 15 companies at 10 officers and

235 enlisted women each, for a total of 150 officers

and 3,525 enlisted women.34 Reserve companies were

planned for those cities with the greatest concentration of women Reservists and where interest was the

most obvious.

During the year and a half before the iaw was finally passed, it was the intention of the Marine Corps

to activate a Women's Reserve company in each of the

following cities: Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Detroit,

Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; 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. In

spite of efforts to keep the women interested, they

drifted away and company-size units never materialized.*

Release of the W/Rs Delayed Again

In February 1947, the first hashmatk, the official

insignia of a full four years of active duty and the traditional mark of a "salty" Marine, appeared on the uniform uf Technical Sergeant Mary F. Wancheck.35 Others

would soon sew them on. Just as the women were

settling in and beginning to feel quite at home, the

plan for their release was again under discussion.

The Assistant Commandant and Chief of Staff,

Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., seemed reluctant and on 17 April 1947, he sent a short memorandum to General Thomas: "Now that the time has

come to discharge our WRs do you still want to go

through with it? We will lose many good clerks, a

number of whom are processing claims, etc."" The

predictable response was, "I feel that we must carry

out these discharges. Only 23 of these WR's are working on claims."37

Careful coordination between work sections and the

separation center was necessary to facilitate an orderly demobilii.ation. The women were to be transferred

to Quantico in groups of 20 per working day during

the period from 13 June to 30 June in order to meet

the deadline. Because the medical and administrative

processing would take several days, it could not be

done at Henderson Hall where WR barracks were no

longer available. Work sections were assigned quotas

of women to be released on a regular schedule to avoid

a last-minute overload.

Hardly had the details been arranged when on 22

April, Colonel John Halla, Acting Chief of the Disbursing Branch, asked to keep 28 women Reservists

*For a more thorough discussion of the women's Organized

Reserve program, see Chapter 3.

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

on active duty until 31 December 1947 to work on

a backlog of claims. The Commandant approved the

request, but, added a terse directive, ". . . see to it

that they are not deviated to any other work."38

Contrary to the Commandant's published policy

that all matters affecting the MCWR be submitted to

the Director, MCWR, Major Hamblet was not consulted on the transaction involving the retention of

the 28 women. She called this omission to the attention of the Director, Division of Reserve and

reiterated:

The undersigned has stated her arguments against the

retention of women on active duty either as reservists or as

members of the regular Marine Corps. It is believed that

all women who are not working on postwar plans for the

MCWR should be discharged as expeditiously as possible.

It is considered particularly unadvisable to retain a group

as small as twenty-eight."

Major Hamblet was fighting a losing battle. Not

only were there more requests to keep women on active duty but some divisions wanted to call back already released women officers with special qualifications.

The case of Captain Edna Loftus Smith put the

whole matter of WR retention back into the spotlight. She was recalled for membership on the Marine Corps

Aviation History Board. The Director of Aviation

wrote: "This officer is peculiarly well qualified for this

duty, more so than any officer in the Marine Corps,

due to her wartime duties.

The legality of her recall opened a Pandora's box

of legal considerations. How would she be paid? There

was no authorization to use Reserve funds for matters

connected to the war already fought and the Commandant had made no mention of women in his statement to Congress relative to the 1948 Reserve

appropriations. Beyond the question of money,

Brigadier General William T Clement, Director, Division of Reserve, even doubted the authority to maintain WRs in the Volunteer Reserve under existing laws. In spite of his uncertainty and due to the critical

personnel shortage, he suggested that the Commandant's policy to discharge all WRs by 30 June be

reversed. This would eliminate the problem of recalling individual Reservists and take care of the problem

of pay since WRs on active duty were being paid from

Regular Establishment funds.

Twenty-eight women were already being retained

beyond the 30 June 1947 deadline to work on claims.

"However," wrote General Clement, "claims cannot be

settled until muster rolls are checked which justifies

the retention of the WRs in that section, and by the

same token, those on duty in the Decorations and Medals Section are working to clean up the war load."4' He believed it was better to keep all WRs on active

duty on a voluntary basis until the passage of permanent legislation to resolve the situation. To ease the

embarassment caused by the constant shifting ofdates

and policy changes it was rationalized that the 30 June

1947 date was originally set with the idea that permanent legislation covering the women would have

been enacted by that time.

Following General Clement's suggestion, a week

later in early June, General Shepherd recommended

the retention of WRs rather than approve a request

that several hundred enlisted men be transferred to

Headquarters. Since the efficiency of each woman

Reservist was considered to be far greater than that

of the average enlisted man to be brought in, he feared

a marked loss in work output with the proposed

changeover.

Thus another last-minute reprieve for the women

at Headquarters arrived on 9 June when the final

demobilization deadline was changed to read, ". . . for a period of six months after the war is declared

over or such shorter time as meets the requirements

of the Marine Corps."42

General Thomas once again asked that the previously published policy be strictly adhered to and that

only the five officers actually working on the postwar

program and the enlisted women kept as a result of

the latest change be allowed to remain on active duty.

He recommended that the other four women officers

still on duty (Smith not included) be released as soon

as their work was completed and that no more women officers be recalled except to fill a possible vacancy

in the billets designated for the MCWR.* General Vandegrift's approving signature was a bittersweet victory, for next to the word, approved, he wrote "with the

addition of one (1) WR officer for duty in the office

of the J.A.G. [Judge Advocate General]."43

*At the time of General Thomas' memo, there were 10 women

officers on active duty: Major Hamblet and Lieutenant Hale working on MCWR plans; Captain Illich working on matters related to

the women kept on active duty; Captain Elizabeth). Elrod and Captain Durant at the WR company; Major Frances W. Pepper and Se- cond Lieutenant Pauline F. Riley at the Post War Personnel

Reorganization Board; First Lieutenant Marie K. Anderson in the

Supply Department; and Captain Sarah M. Vardy and Captain Smith in the Division of Aviation.
A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948 13

In the files of the Director of Women Marines was

found an undated, unsigned, brief history of the women in the Marine Corps which begins:

It is rumored that when i was announced that women

were going to be enlisted in the Marine Corps that the air

was colored with profanity in the language of every nation

as the members of the old Corps gathered to discuss this

earth-shaking calamity. It is entirely probable that the wailing

and moaning which went on that day amongst the old Marines was never equallednever, that is, until it was announced that the women Marines were going home. Then,

with a complete reversal of attitude many of those same Marines declared that the women in their offices were essential military personnel and absolutely could not be spared

from the office."

Stenographers Recalled

A severe shortage of clerk-stenographers brought

another demand for the recall of formerly active enlisted women Reservists. Few enlisted men were qualified and Civil Service was unable to fill the needs of

Headquarters, so, in October 1947, 1,500 applications

were mailed to women Reservists in the Volunteer

Reserve. It came as a great surprise and disappointment when only 56 were returned and of the number only 28 were considered qualified. The fact is that

the letter soliciting applications was not very enticing.

The maximum tour assured was for six months the

women could not request earlier release and the Marine Corps could not guarantee anything more.45

Among the women recommended for recall were

Staff Sergeant Lotus T Mort, who later became the

third woman warrant officer in 1954; Corporal Mildred

A. Novotny, who was among the first eight enlisted

Col Katherine A. Towle cuts cake on the 6th anniversary in February 1949 of the Marine

Corps Women's Reserve. Mrs. Ruth Cheney Streeter looks on. In the background (from

left to right) are TSgt Grace L. Benjamin, Cpl Emilie Pranckevich, TSgt Agnes T. Hirshinger, SSgt May Ann Henritze, MSgt Marie B. Benziger, and Sgt Elsie F. Futterman.

T t-- ".*

t z.c ;

n 24

\
14 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

women to be sworn into the Regular Marine Corps on

10 November 1948; and Technical Sergeant Helen L.

Hannah, who retired in 1975 with 32 years service as

a Reservist. Lotus Mort recalled that she was a bit hesitant when her orders arrived on Christmas Eve, but

on 5 January 1948, she reported for six months and

stayed for 17 years until her retirement in 1965. The

poor response to the call for stenographers was the first

indication that competent women needed to be assured of more security if they were going to leave their

homes and good jobs. Colonel Knighton's prediction

of 1946 had come to pass.

25
CHAPTER 2

Women's Armed Forces Legislation: Public Law 625

Women's Armed Forces LegislationProvisions of Public Law 625

Women's Armed Forces Legislation

Nearly three years elapsed from the end of hostilities in August 1945 until legislation giving women

regular military status was finally passed and signed

into law by President Harry S. Truman on 12 June

1948. The drawn-out process, marked by gains and

reverses along the way, was the cause of much of the

uncertainty experienced by women Marines on duty

at Headquarters. Without the legislation there was no

security for those women, and no one knows how many

competent WRs, who would have preferred a career

in the Marine Corps, asked to be discharged simply

because they could not afford to wait.

The proposed law received little support from the

Commandant and for some very good reasons. T'

Marine Corps had an authorized regular enlir

strength of 100,000 and then as now, operated

limited budget. Understandably, neither the men. . the women wanted to sacrifice combat billets to mar.

room for the women. General Vandegrift was heartily

in favor of women as Regular Marines provided they

would not count against his end strength; otherwise,

he was unalterably opposed.

A study of the position taken by the other services

regarding the women's bill reveals that the Army and

the Navy intended to use large numbers of women

in occupational fields not required in the Marine

Corps. There was a strong case made, for example, for

women in the medical field: nurses, Medical Corps

WAVES, dental technicians, and laboratory technicians. Furthermore, they contended that these billets

which were planned for the WAVES and the WACs

would not affect overseas rotation of the men. This

was not the situation in the Marine Corps.

The senior women officers, Colonels Streeter and

Towle and Major Hamblet, were aware of the unique

problems faced by the Commandant, and they were

also conscious of the climate at Headquarters.* They

recognized exactly how far the Marine Corps would

*Colonels Streeter and Towle, although no longer on active duty, were frequently consulted on matters relating to the postwar plans

for the women in the Marine Corps.

be willing to go and believed that a crusade by the

women would have had negative results. The plan for

a strong Women's Organized Reserve backed up by a

Volunteer Reserve was a compromise that most Marines could accept, and this was the proposal they carried to Capitol Hill.

The Honorable Carl Vinson, on 29 March 1946, introduced H.R. 5919, "To amend the Naval Reserve Act

of 1938, as amended, so as to establish the Women's

Reserve on a permanent basis . . . ." (79th Congress,

2d session). As the purpose clearly states, the bill was

strictly a Reserve measure and in its original form allowed the Marine Corps only 50 officers and 450 enlisted women on active duty during peacetime. It was

referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and hearings were held on 9 and 10 May.

In her book, Lady In The Navy, Captain Joy Hancock notes, "The burden of presentation before that

,:ommittee was carried largely by the members of the

Women's Reserve who were not in a position of sufficient authority to speak with the necessary assurance

of Navy plans and policies:" Colonel Towle, the Commandant's representative, prepared a short statement

summarizing the plans for a Reserve organization with

an active duty strength of 32 officers and 28 enlisted

women at the most?

American military women enjoy a relationship of

unusual cooperation. Perhaps it stems from the shared

experience of being a minority in a previously all-male

world. For whatever reasons, they have made it a point

of honor to be mutually supportive. Accordingly, when

the time came to testify before the committee, Colonel

Towle was careful not to undermine the much stronger

WAVE position.

After the initial hearings in the House, Admiral

Denfeld enlisted the aid of Congresswoman Margaret

Chase Smith, who had taken a public stand in favor

of Regular status for service women. Mrs. Smith had

been cautioned by the chairman, Carl Vinson, that

her amendment to include Regular as well as Reserve

status would kill the whole bill? Mrs. Smith's view was,

"The Navy either needs these women or they do

not. . .

26

15
CHAPTER 2

Women's Armed Forces Legislation: Public Law 625

Women's Armed Forces LegislationProvisions of Public Law 625

Women's Armed Forces Legislation

Nearly three years elapsed from the end of hostilities in August 1945 until legislation giving women

regular military status was finally passed and signed

into law by President Harry S. Truman on 12 June

1948. The drawn-out process, marked by gains and

reverses along the way, was the cause of much of the

uncertainty experienced by women Marines on duty

at Headquarters. Without the legislation there was no

security for those women, and no one knows how many

competent WRs, who would have preferred a career

in the Marine Corps, asked to be discharged simply

because they could not afford to wait.

The proposed law received little support from the

Commandant and for some very good reasons. T

Marine Corps had an authorized regular enlir

strength of 100,000 and then as now, operated

limited budget. Understandably, neither the mer. . the women wanted to sacrifice combat billets to mak:

room for the women. General Vandegrift was heartily

in favor of women as Regular Marines provided they

would not count against his end strength; otherwise,

he was unalterably opposed.

A study of the position taken by the other services

regarding the women's bill reveals that the Army and

the Navy intended to use large numbers of women

in occupational fields not required in the Marine

Corps. There was a strong case made, for example, for

women in the medical field: nurses, Medical Corps

WAVES, dental technicians, and laboratory technicians. Furthermore, they contended that these billets

which were planned for the WAVES and the WACs

would not affect overseas rotation of the men. This

was not the situation in the Marine Corps.

The senior women officers, Colonels Streeter and

Towle and Major Hamblet, were aware of the unique

problems faced by the Commandant, and they were

also conscious of the climate at Headquarters.* They

recognized exactly how far the Marine Corps would

*Colonels Streeter and Towle, although no longer on active duty, were frequently consulted on matters relating to the postwar plans

for the women in the Marine Corps.

be willing to go and believed that a crusade by the

women would have had negative results. The plan for

a strong Women's Organized Reserve backed up by a

Volunteer Reserve was a compromise that most Marines could accept, and this was the proposal they carried to Capitol Hill.

The Honorable Carl Vinson, on 29 March 1946, introduced H.R. 5919, "To amend the Naval Reserve Act

of 1938, as amended, so as to establish the Women's

Reserve on a permanent basis . . . ." (79th Congress,

2d session). As the purpose clearly states, the bill was

strictly a Reserve measure and in its original form allowed the Marine Corps only 50 officers and 450 enlisted women on active duty during peacetime. It was

referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and hearings were held on 9 and 10 May.

In her book, Lady In The Navy, Captain Joy Hancock notes, "The burden of presentation before that

:ommittee was carried largely by the members of the

Women's Reserve who were not in a position of sufficient authority to speak with the necessary assurance

of Navy plans and policies." Colonel Towle, the Commandant's representative, prepared a short statement

summarizing the plans for a Reserve organization with

an active duty strength of 32 officers and 28 enlisted

women at the most?

American military women enjoy a relationship of

unusual cooperation. Perhaps it stems from the shared

experience of being a minority in a previously all-male

world. For whatever reasons, they have made it a point

of honor to be mutually supportive. Accordingly, when

the time came to testify before the committee, Colonel

Towle was careful not to undermine the much stronger

WAVE position.

After the initial hearings in the House, Admiral

Denfeld enlisted the aid of Congresswoman Margaret

Chase Smith, who had taken a public stand in favor

of Regular status for service women. Mrs. Smith had

been cautioned by the chairman, Carl Vinson, that

her amendment to include Regular as well as Reserve

status would kill the whole bill? Mrs. Smith's view was,

"The Navy either needs these women or they do

not. . .

26

15
16 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

As a result of the efforts of Admiral Denfeld and

Mrs. Smith, a new draft was prepared which would

extend the scope of existing laws governing the Regular Navy and Marine Corps to include women. For all

that, time ran out before further action was taken.

When the 79th Congress adjourned, the women's bill

died in committee. Consequently, it would be necessary to begin fresh at the next session.

The women in the Army worked on a separate bill

until the armed services were combined to become the

Department of Defense. At that time, the women

joined forces in order to present as strong a case as

possible while allowing for the unavoidable

differences.

Added to the varied duties assigned to Major Hamblet when she returned to active duty in the fall of

1946 was the task of tracking the pending legislation.

Sandwiched between the planning of the postwar

Reserve, and the vain attempt to demobilize the wartime WRs, she studied and commented on the women's bill and made occasional appearances before

congressional committees. She was asked verbally by

Colonel Pate to submit, "arguments against keeping

women on active duty in the Marine Corps either as

reservists on continuous active duty or as members of

the Regular establishment." She did so in a 29 April

1947 memo, ending with the statement:

If it is decided that women shall be on active duty for

an indefinite period of time, their rights should be protected by making them members of the Regular establishment

of the Marine Corps rather than keeping them on continuous active duty as reservists.5

i; By the time the Senate subcommittee hearings of

the 80th Congress began on 2 July 1947, the Navy bill

S. 1529 and the Army bill S. 1103 were combined to

form S. 1641. Most observers were certain that women

were going to be made part of the Regular Armed

Forces. General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower

opened his testimony saying, "Not only do I heartily

support the bill to integrate women into the Regular

Army and Organized Reserve Corps, but I personally

directed that such legislation be drawn up and submitted to this Congress." A critical shortage of infantrymen and the need to stabilize the Women's Army

Corps prompted him to stress the urgency of action

to the Congress.

General Eisenhower was followed by Fleet Admiral

Chester W. Nimitz who said, "The real fact must be

acknowledged that in any future war it will be mandatory to have at our command immediately all posCongresswoman Margaret -Chase S,üt.& of Maine.

sible resources. Womenpower is one of them." It

should be noted that the Allies made good use of

women in the armed services in World War II.*

Colonel Knighton followed, reading a brief, twosentence Marine Corps statement: "The previous witnesses have expressed the views of the Commandant;

the Commandant of the Marine Corps is in favor of

the bill and trusts that it will be enacted as soon as

possible."8

*In an interview in October 1976 in Heidelberg, Germany, Albert Speer, Hiker's weapons production chief said: "How wise you

were to bring your women into your military and into your labor

force. Had we done that initially, as you did, it could have affected

the 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 you

did, that women were equally effective, and for some skills superior to males. We never did, despite our critical manpower shortage

in the late years of the war, make use of this great potential." (San

Diego Union, 30Nov76).

27
WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES LEGISLATION, PUBLIC LAW 625 17

The brevity and the wording of the statement cast

some doubt on the Commandant's true feelings. In

order to offset its negative effect at Headquarters,

Colonel Knighton sent a memorandum to the Assistant Commandant, General Shepherd, along with a

file of statements given before the Senate Armed Services Committee which he said:

. contain almost unrefutable arguments why: it is vital that women be integrated into the Regular Establishment

of all services.

I informed the Senate Committee that the views expressed

by these witnesses reflected the views of the Commandant.

As it has been rumored that the Commandant is opposed to having women in the Regular Marine Corps, it might

be well to circulate these statements to the heads of all

Departments and offices.°

Colonel Knighton was perhaps the strongest voice

heard in the Marine Corps in favor of integration of

the women. As legal aide to the Commandant, legislation was his responsibility but he seemed to go a step

further in an effort to convince others of the need for

this particular bill. He went so far as to testify at a

Senate hearing in place of Major Hamblet when he

feared that she, due to her own doubts, would not be

convincing enough. The bill passed the Senate on 23

July 1947 and was sent to the House committee where

it sat until the adjournment of the first session, but

this 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 propose

a program for women as Regular Marines. Keeping

in mind that every woman in the Regular Marine

Corps would be at the expense of a man, careful

thought was given to their most efficient utilization.

The study, therefore, provided for 65 officers and 728

enlisted women to be assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, both at Henderson Hall and the Marine

Corps Institute; offices of the directors of the Marine

Corps Reserve Districts; Headquarters Recruiting Divisions; Department of Pacific and Depot of Supplies

at San Francisco; Marine Corps Schools, Quantico; and

to the Organized Women's Reserve Program.

In February 1948 just before the House Armed Services Committee was scheduled to meet, Captain Ira

H. Nunn of the Navy Judge Advocate General's office

wrote to the Commandant asking for his help. In view

of the considerable opposition to the bill, a strong

presentation was deemed necessary, and plans were

being made for appearances by the Secretary of

Defense, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief

of Naval Personnel, and the Deputy Surgeon General. The letter read:

Advice is requested as to whether the Commandant can

appear in support of the bill . . . . It is understood that

the Departments of the Army and Air Force will be

represented by Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Spaatz, Devers, Paul, Armstrong, and Strothers.11*

The Marine Corps was represented at those crucial

hearings by Major Hamblet, who was introduced by

Colonel Knighton.

The hearings were heated and prolonged, but the

outcome seemed assured. To almost everyone's surprise, however, in early April, the committee reported out a measure which would have limited enlistment

of women in the armed services to Reserve status only.

During the debv.:.. Margaret Chase Smith tried to get

House approval of the Senate version, but only 40

members backed her while 66 were opposed. The opponents argued that, "Regular status for women in the

military service now might result in a draft for women in another war and West Point would become a

coeducational college."12 The solution seemed to be

to put women in a Reserve status.

The bill, S. 1641, then went into a joint conference

by members of both the Senate and the House to

reconsider the differences. Support came from patriotic organizations, professional and business women

groups, and most importantly from the ranking military men of the day. Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Chief of

Naval Operations, in backing the legislation said:

This legislation has been requested after careful study of

the overall requirements of the Navy, now and in the future. It is the considered opinion of the Navy Department

and my own personal belief that the services of women are

needed. Their skills are as important to the efficient operations of the naval establishment during peacetime as they

were during the war years."

The bill that emerged from the joint conference established a Women's Army Corps in the Regular Army,

authorized the enlistment and appointment of women in the Regular Navy and the Regular Marine Corps

and the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve, and the

*General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower; General Omar

N. 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 General

Willard S. Paul, Director of Personnel Administration, General

Staff, United States Army; Brigadier General Harry G. Armstrong,

U.S. Army Air Forces, Commandant of the School of Aviation Medicine; Brigadier General Dean C. Suothers, U.S. Army Air Forces,

Director of Military Personnel under Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel and Administration.

28
18 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Regular and Reserve of the newly created Air Force in

which the women would be known as WAFs (Women

in the Air Force). Ten days later, 12 June 1948, President Truman signed the long-debated Women's

Armed Services Integration Act, Public Law 625.

Provisions of Public Law 625

Generally, P. L. 625 gave equal status to women in

uniform, but there were a number of restrictions and

special provisions. While the law placed no limit on

the number of women who could serve in the Reserves,

it did specify that the number of women Regulars

could not exceed two percent of the nation's total

armed strength in the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force,

and Marines. It provided for a gradual build-up which

would allow the Marine Corps a strength of 100

officers, 10 warrant officers, and 1,000 enlisted women by June 1950. In fact the Marine Corps did not anticipate or want to f !I the allotted quota.

Based upon a strong recommendation from Mrs.

Streeter, the new law contained the provision that the

Director of Women Marines would be detailed to duty

in the office of the Commandant to assist the Commandant in the administration of women's affairs.

Originally, she, like the WAVE director, would have

been responsible to the Personnel Department. Mrs.

Streeter, in response to a letter from General Vandegrift in August 1947, recalled her duty in the Personnel Department and the limitations under which

she worked during the war. She gave great credit to

the courtesy and cooperation of all the men at Headquarters with whom she worked, but she argued that

the Director would be in a better position to deal with

all branches, and that her cognizance over all women

Marines and all matters affecting them would be

recognized if she did not come undei one particular

branch.,7 General Vandegrift agreed and the women's

bill was amended before it came to the final vote. For

all services, the director was to be selected from among

the Regular women officers serving in the grade of

major or above (lieutenant commander for the Navy)

and would hold the temporary rank of colonel or Navy

captain.

Promotion reguLtions loosely paralleled those of

male components, except that women could not hold

permanent rank above lieutenant colonel. Additionally, the number of Regular women lieutenant

colonels could not exceed 10 percent of the number

of Regular women officers on active dutyfor majors, the law read 20 percent.* Inasmuch as lieutenant

colonel was the senior grade that women officers could

then hold (with the exception of the Director), nonpromotion to this rank was not considered a passover.

Women officers retired from the senior ranks upon

reaching a mandatory retirement age which was for

majors, 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 that

women could not be assigned to duty in aircraft engaged in combat missions nor to vessels of the Navy

other than transport and hospital ships.

Women were entitled to the same pay, leave, allowances, and benefits as men, but with an important proviso. Husbands would not be considered

dependents unless they were in fact dependent on

their wives for their chief support, and the children

of servicewomen would not be co,,sidered dependents

unless their fathers were dead o ey were really dependent upon their mothers for their chief support.

This apparently simple exception was the cause of

much frustration and bitterness as the law was interpreted over the years. In effect, it negated many of

the service benefits normally considered routine by the

men. For example, quarters could not be assigned to

a woman married to a civilian, nor could her husband

shop at the post exchange or commissary store.**

The Marines especially appreciated the section of

the law dealing with the Reserves for it made possible, at last, the much-discussed Organized Women's

Reserve. Nearly two years had passed since Major

Hamblet had been called to active duty to frame the

postwar women's plans which, by this time, were laid

out in great detail and ready for implementation.

Women were now a part of the Regular Marine

Corps in spite of earlier opposition to this radical idea.

In the spring .of 1946, when the legislation was first

introduced, no one, least of all the women themselves,

ever thought in terms of Regular status. As time went

on, however, there was increasing evidence that no real-

*The provision held up a number of promotions to field grade

rank. In 1962, Captain Grace "San" Overholser Fields stayed on active

duty longer than she intended after her marriage in order to keep

up the strength figures of the Regular active duty women officers,

thereby allowing Major _Jeanette I. Sustad, a future Director of Women Marines, to be promoted to lieutenant colonel. (Grace Overholser Fields interview with HQMC).

**For a detailed discussion of marriage, motherhood, and dependent husbands, see Chapter 13.

29
WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES LEGISLATION, PUBLIC LAW 625 19

ly effective and continuing nucleus of trained personnel could be counted on in the Defense Establishment

unless some permanency was assured women who

volunteered for training and assignment in peacetime.

The passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 recognized this fact and was a natural sequel to the excellent record of the women who

served in World War II.
20 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Col Ruth Cheney Streeter, wartime.Director of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, before leaving her post recommended that the position be strengthened, a proposal which

lead ultimately to the Marine Corps amendment to Public Law 625 and placement of

the Director in the table of organization of the immediate office of the Commandant.

it

3 1
CHAPTER 3

Going Regular

The Thansfer ProgramEstablishing the Office and Title, Director of Women Marines

The First Enlisted Women MarinesThe PioneersReindoctrination of the Officers

Reindoctrination of Enlisted WMsDeiignation of Women Marines

Recruit Twining Established at Parris IslandThe First Black Women Marines

Establishing 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 Corps

had, with varying degrees of enthusiasm but always

in good grace, accepted the fact that women as potential 'careerist? in the Marine Corps must be reckoned

with and provided for."' To this end, the first step was

to find a suitable Director, but the process of transfer

from Reserve to Regular could not wait for her selection, acceptance, and arrival.

Major Hamblet, still the Director of the Marine

Corps Women's Reserve, recommended Colonel Towle

be named to that post. Although the press had announced that the services would probably retain the

current directors, and certainly she was the one most

familiar with the plans to be implemented, Major

Hamblet recognized that her age and rank would work

to her and ultimately to the women's disadvantage.

There would be, she was certain, a good deal of opposition to the appointment to colonel even on a

temporary basis of a 33-year-old woman with only

five years of military experience? Colonel Towle, on

the other hand, was happily ensconced as the Assistant Dean of Women at the Berkeley campus of the

University of California, and she felt that Major

Hamblet should continue as Director.

General Clifton B. Cates, then Commandant,

found himself in the uncomfortable and certainly unusual position of personally having to ask a woman

to accept a Regular commission. In the summer of

1948, his aide called Colonel Towle to tell her that the

Commandant was planning an official trip to California and wished to meet with her in San Francisco at

the Saint Francis Hotel. At the ensuing interview,

Colonel Towle was not prepared to make a definite

commitment to return, but she and General Cates discussed details of organization and particularly the position of the Director and her access to the

Commandant.3 The general agreed to consider her

recommendations and to talk them over with his advisor at Headquarters The outcome was the app:,intment of Colonel Katherine A. Towle as the first

Director of Women Marines.

Admittedly, she was one of the women who originally had grave doubts about the need or even desirability of having women in the military during

peacetime, but on thinking it over, she said, "the logic

of the whole thing did occur to me: that this was

sound. . . ."4 Any uncertainties she entertained were

set aside once and for all when she returned to

Washington in the fall of 1948, and she undertook

her work determined to make the women truly integrated, contributing members of the Corps.

In July, while the matter of a director was still unsettled, letters containing information about the transfer program were sent to women Reservists and former

women Reservists. The women were to be selected

based upon their qualifications to fill the 65 officer

and 728 enlisted billets. Of the 65 officers selected,

21 would receive Regular commissions and 44 would

be assigned as Reservists on continuous active duty,

presumably with the Organized Reserve companies.5

Since 18,000 enlisted women had served in World

War II, it was not anticipated that nonveterans would

be accepted for perhaps nine months to a year after

the transfer program got underway. A continuing

board would be convened at Headquarters to select

applicants at the rate of 75 per month until the

planned strength was reached. After that, several

recruit classes per year would be conducted at Henderson Hall to compensate for losses due to normal

attrition. It was estimated that no more than 200

recruits 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 requirements: be 20-31 years old; have two years of high

school or business school; be a citizen of the United

States or its insular possessions; be married or single;

have no children under 18 years of age regardless of

legal custody; have no dependents; be able to pass the

prescribed physical examination; and possess an honorable or under-honorable-conditions discharge. The

deadline for receipt of applications was set at 15 September 19487

In the case of officers, the flow of promotions as

well as available billets had to be considered. It was

decided that the 21 initial selections for Regular sta32

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 administers

the oath to the first three women to be sworn into the Regular Marine Corps, (left to

right) 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 lieutenants, seven. All officers and former officers were

sent letters similar to the ones used to solicit enlisted

candidates. The promise of security in these was a bit

vague in that they were told, "Subject to budgetary

limitations and satisfactory performance of duty, applicants are assured at least a 3-year tour of

duty. . . ." And following the details of the projected

officer candidate class was written, "As these new

officers are obtained, the Reserve officers on continuous active duty will be ordered to inactive duty."8

To be considered for transfer to the Regular Marine

Corps, women officers had to have completed two years

of accredited college work or pass an equivalent ex . amination; be physically qualified; have no children

under 18 years of age; and fit into a complicated agegrade structure which would protect them later from

mandatory, involuntary retirement.

The enlisted selection board convened on 21 Sep1 0

tember with Colonel Lester S. Hamel as senior member. The first report, submitted on 4 October,

recommended the approval of 142 applicants and the

tentative approval of 45 others subject to age and physical waivers?

It became increasingly apparent and by late September it was conclusive that the number of enlisted

applicants was below expectation and the quota would

not be reached. The cause of the disappointing

response is a matter of speculation. First, there is no

evidence that large numbers of women were interested in a military career. During the congressional hearings on the women's armed services legislation, the

voice of the woman veteran was not heard. Then, the

age group involved was vulnerable to marriage and

motherhood, and while marriage itself was not a prohibiting factor to enlistment, it certainly was a deterrent. Finally, the physical standards were quite

stringent and the age restrictions for officers were, at

the very least, difficult. The women officers of World

3.3
GOING REGULAR 23

War II were, by and large, older than average when

compared to men of the same rank.

A Plans and Policy Division study of 24 September

1948 recommended that the grade distribution for

officers be revised in light of the applications received;

that the deadline for enlisted applications be extended to 1 January; that officer applications be forwarded to the board for consideration regardless of

ineligibility for age or physical condition; that applications for new enlistments by nonveterans be authorized; and that recruit classes begin by 1 March 1949."

Many of the recommendations were approved. The

enlisted transfer program was extended and age and

physical waivers were granted, but the problem of

opening up the program to nonveterans was set aside.

And, indeed, at the time it was a problem. The Marine Corps was not yet racially int:grated and to open

enlistments meant to face "the Negro question." Furthermore, it required the hasty establishment and

staffing of a recruit training command for women. In spite of the liberalized reenlistment procedures,

less than 350 applications were received and about 25

percent of these came from WRs on duty at HeadquartersP Even as CcAonel Towle arrived on 18 October, suggestions, plans, and recommendations for

the reenlistment, recruitment, and training of women Marines were being discussed and changed almost

daily. The paucity of applicants for the transfer program demanded new thinking.

The officer transfer program, for its part, moved

relatively smoothly requiring only a few changes in

rank distribution. On 26 October the names of the

21 Regular officers selectees were announced. The list

included 1 colonel, 2 majors, 7 captains, and 11 first

lieutenants. Not counting Colonel Towle, who had recently reported aboard, only Major Hamblet and Lieutenant Hale were on active duty at the time of

selection. The initial list of women recommended for

Regular commissions named:

Colonel Katherine A. Towle

Major Julia E. Hamblet

Major Pauline E. Perate

Captain Pauline B. Beckley

Captain Barbara J. Bishop

Captain Margaret M. Henderson

Captain Emma H. Hendrickson

Captain Elsie E. Hill

Captain Helen J. McGraw

Captain Nancy M. Roberts

First Lieutenant Kathleen J. Army

First Lieutenant Eunyce L. Brink

First Lieutenant Ben Alice Day

First Lieutenant Frances A. Denbo

First Lieutenant Mary J. Fisher

First Lieutenant Jeanne Fleming

First Lieutenant Mary J. Hale

First Lieutenant Margaret S. Ordemann

First Lieutenant Pauline F. Riley

First Lieutenant Margaret L. Stevenson

First Lieutenant Jeanette I. Sustad 12

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General

Cates, administered the oath to the first women to

become Regular Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Towle,

Major Hamblet, and Lieutenant Hale, in his office NI

4 November 1948. On the previous day, Colonel Towle

had been discharged as a colonel from the Marine

Corps Reserve. Upon accepting a Regular commission,

she was appointed a permanent lieutenant colonel,

and then, assuming the position of director, she was

promoted 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 Women's Reserve written in 1945, the authors, very diplomatically, but very clearly, pointed out the handicap

under which Colonel Streeter worked as an advisor

with no real authority of her own. The report explained:

. . . the first real problem confronting the Marine Corps

was what to do with the Director, MCWR. There really did

not seem to be much place for her. Certainly she could not

"direct" anything without cutting squarely across all official channels and chains of command, and creating divided responsibility at all points.

Luckily, Colonel Streeter had great gOod sense, and a wonderful knack for getting along with people, for it was through

the medium of friendly relations with department heads and

commanding officers that she eventually gained their confidence so that .. . suggestions could be made to them with

some hope of success.,3.

Colonel Streeter rightfully concluded that the middle of a war was no time to quibble over administrative

and organizational details, but before leaving the Marine Corps, she respectfully made the recommendation that, ". . . a new study be made by the Division

of Plans and Policies embodying the experience of this

war as to the best possible use which can be made of

a Director, MCWR, in case of another war," and "That

her position be strengthened if this can be properly

done within the structure of the Marine Corps.'"4.

Colonel Streeter was ultimately responsible for the

Marine Corps amendment to P. L. 625 which placed

the Director in the table of organization of the imc 34
24 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 19464977

mediate office of the Commandant. While serving as

Director of the MCWR between September 1946 and

November 1948, Major Hamblet continually strived

to maintain some degree of control over all matters

that affected the women. When Colonel Towle was

asked to return as the first Regular Director, the clarification of this one issue was a factor in her acceptance.

Clearly, to the most senior women officers, the position of the Director of Women Marines was a matter

of concern. This position was defined in a study of

20 October 1948 which stated:

In establishing the office and title of the senior woman

Marine, consideration is given to the following:

(a) An important aspect is the field of public relations,

involving contacts outside of the Marine Corps. To insure

maximum prestige and effectiveness in these duties, it is

necessary that the senior woman Marine hold a title which

indicates a position of importance in the Marine Corps.

(b) This officer must have cognizance of all matters I ertaining to women Marines, Regular and Reserve, even thol igh

such matters are handled by the appropriate Headquar ters

agency in the same manner as for other Marines. Assigning

actual administration and control of women Marines to existing agencies precludes establishment of a separate division or department to carry out such functions. Undcr these

circumstances, the senior woman Marine could best exercise cognizance over matters in her sphere if she were established as an assistant to the Commandant for woman Marine

matters. In this capacity she could initiate action on matters affecting women Marines or make recommendations on

policies and procedures concerning them but prepared by

other agendes.15

The recommendations were approved and the senior

woman Marine was called the Director of Women Marines. Due directly to the efforts of Colonels Streeter

and Towle and Major Hamblet between 1945 and

1948, the Director of Women Marines enjoyed a somewhat autonomous role, able to attend the Commandant's staff meetings in her own right, and able to

bring to the Commandant or to a division head any

conflict which she felt merited his attention.

The First Enlisted women Marines

The enlisted Wits stationed at Headquarters lost no

time in applying for Regular status, and, by November, Colonel Towle was most anxious that the 210 already selected women be sworn in as soon as possible

On 10 November 1948, the Commandant, Gen Clifton B. Cates, administers the enlistment 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. Goings, Sgt Mildred A. Novotny, TSgt Mary E Wincheck, SSgt Anna Peregrim, and SSgt

Mary 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 interest. On the 173rd anniversary of the Marine Corps,

10 November 1948, the first eight women, all WRs

on duty at Headquarters Marine Corps, were given the

oath of enlistment by the Commandant. Seven of

those women, Master Sergeant Elsie J. Miller, Technical Sergeants Bertha L. Peters and Mary F. Wancheck,

and Staff Sergeants Margaret A. Goings, Anna Peregrim, Betty J. Preston, and Mary E. Roche, had been

on continuous active duty since their enlistment for

wartime service. The eighth, Sergeant Mildred A.

Novotny, had responded to the call for stenographers

made in late 1947. The eight new women Marines were

enlisted at the same rank that they held in the

Reserve.' 6

A WR at Headquarters during that period, retired

First Sergeant Esther D. Waclawski, remembered that

she had alre'ady spent two days in Separation Company when the transfer program was announced. She

and her friend, Technical Sergeant Petrina "Pete" C.

Nigro, rushed to the recruiting station on Pennsylvania

Avenue to "join the Marines." Although on active duty,

these women had to follow the same procedures as

former WRs all over the country.'7 Upon r.cceptance,

they were issued the usual travel orders with the senior

woman put in charge. Typical of the travel orders of

the time was a set dated 17 November 1948 and addressed to Master Sergeant Alice Julia Connolly, which

read:

Having been enlisted this date in the USMC-W, you will,

when directed, take charge of the below named women and

proceed this date to Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters

U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., where upon your arrival you and the women in your charge will report to the

Commanding Officer thereat for duty

Technical Sergeant Marion Olson Barnes

Technical Sergeant Anna Marie Scherman

Staff Sergeant June Virginia Andler

Staff Sergeant Rose Mary Barnes

Staff Sergeant Wilma Greifenstein

Staff Sergeant Jeanette Marie Johnson

Staff Sergeant Vera Eleanor Piippo

Sergeant Ruby Alwilda Evans

Sergeant Bertha Janice Schultz

As no transportation is involved none is furnished!,

Since it is safe to assume that a group of senior

NCOs is not likely to get lost on the way to the battalion to which they are already attached, the orders

must have been issued because "it is always dolif; that

way."

The Pioneers

The original band of women in the Regular Marine

Corps, now to be known as WMs, must have been an

adventuresome lot. They had little idea of what was

in store for thcm, either in the way of assignments,

length of service, or acceptance by the men of the Marine Corps. Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, later to

be a Director of Women Marines, recalled that she applied more or less to see if she could make it. Lieutenant Colonel Elsie Eleanor Hill submitted hes

application with the thought in mind that she would

probably be stationed at home, in Philadelphia, where

she had spent her entire wartime tour." The InspectofInstructor of the Reserve unit there told her of the

plans for an organized platoon in the "City of Brotherly Love."

Lieutenant Colonel Emma Hope Hendrickson

Clowers, reminiscing about her feelings when she was

sworn into the Regular Marine Corps on 3 December

1948, said:

I think most women officers in the firm group who came

back as regular officers wondered how we would be received by the career Marines. . . . We knew there had been no

lack of enthusiasm on the part of the men for the many thousands of us who enlisted during WW II to lend a hand and

"FREE A MAN TO FIGHT" our WW II motto. But that

was quite a different situation from one in which we were

returning as career officers and would inevitably be in competition with them in varying degrees. It therefore was with

much pleasure and surprise that, through the efforts of a

male officer and his men, I was made to feel that they were

happy and proud to welcome me back in the Marine Corps

as a regular officer. At that time I was completing some

studies at the University of Southern California and was ordered to report to the CO, MB, NB, [Commanding Officer,

Marine Barracks, Naval Base] Long Beach to be sworn into

the Regular Marine Corps. The CO (Lieutenant Colonel

Charles T. Hodges] put on a formal parade, with all his men

in dress blues and held the swearing in ceremony on the

parade grounds, followed by a reception in my honor. Pictures and a write-up appeared in two of the L.A. papers

and in the USC paper. I think this first experience as a regular

officer not only made me feel that I was again a part of the

Marine Corps but also served to erase my doubts as to acceptance as a regular officer."

Reindoctrination of the Officers

In view of the long period of inactive service for

most of the returning women over two years for

someColonel Towle planned a short reindoctrination course to be held at Henderson Hall. The onetime class of 17 of the new officers was scheduled for

13 to 17 December under the direction of Captain Il36
26 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

lich. Then one of these officers was to be selected to

conduct similar training classes for the enlisted women to begin in January."

Reindoctrination for the officers included classes in

administration, naval law, military customs and courtesies, leadership, recruiting, and a discussion of the role

of women in the Regular services. There was a myriad

of administrative details to attend to and then there

was the matter of "close order drill:*

In her wisdom, Colonel Towle asked for an indoor

hall where the officers could drill unobserved, and so

the Post Theater at Henderson Hall became their drill

field. But the colonel underestimated the drawing

power of the sight of women officers in a military formation trying to recapture the marching precision of

their "candidate days." Enlisted men crowded in the

doorways and enlisted women filled the projection

booth to watch the group in which, retired First Sergeant Betty Schultz remembered, "Each officer had

a step of her own."22 To make matters worse, the floor

was slippery and the women were self-conscious of their

too short, and in some cases too tight uniforms in front

of the onlookers and in particular in front of the handsome drill instructor, First Lieutenant William H.

Lanagan, Jr., later to be a brigadier general.

Most of those women had never expected to return

to the Marine Corps and were lucky if they had even

one uniform as a souvenir of their days in the Corps.

After the war, skirt lengths dropped drastically with

the arrival of the fashion called "The New Look."

Lengthening skirts became a major preoccupation.

"We were very interested in looking each other over

to see how we managed to put together a uniform,"

recalled Colonel Henderson. Like the other tall women, her only recourse had been to insert a piece of

fabric just below the skirt waistband. This meant, of

course, that she could never remove her jacket.23

They had the opportunity to order new uniforms

from -he tailor during the week of reindoctrination,

but there was no solution to the problem of the

fashionable longer skirts hanging several inches below

the short overcoats. Major General William P. T. Hill,

the Quartermaster General, insisted upon depleting

the wartime supply of uniforms before ordering new

ones but later he relented and bought longer skirts

which, of course, did not match the five-year-old

jackets."

It is likely, believing that they had sem the last of

the women, that the Marines sold VCR _4(1.L.eorms to surplus dealers after the war. Although no documents

have been found to prove it, thc evidence is convincing. When P.L. 625 was finally signed by President

Truman, a surplus dealer came to Headquarters and

offered to sell WR uniforms to Lieutenant Hale. There

is a well-known story of a former woman Reservist

shopping in a Pittsburgh department store and finding all the elevator operators dressed in Marine uniforms complete with the distinctive buttons. But

perhaps the worst incident of all is the one told by

Colonel Ham blet. Among the novelties for sale by a concessionaire at the circus was a woman Marine uniform hat. There was but one displayed and she bought

it.25

Next to the uniform problem, the officers in that

first group were confronted by the postwar Washington housing shortage. Although some expected to be

permanently stationed in the area, others knew that

their stay was temporary. Tired of paying exorbitant

rates in a downtown hotel, about 10 of thein rented

several unfurnished apartments in Shirlington (Arlington, Virginia), a few miles from Marine Corps Headquarters. Captain Hill, the OIC (Officer in Charge)

of the enlisted reindoctrination program, was able to

borrow cots, dressers, and mess tables from Headquarteis Battalion, Henderson Hall, and thus allow

the women to set up "squadbays" in the empty apartments. A card table and chairs were loaned by newly

arrived Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, when his secre- tary, June Hendrickson, joined the group."

Reindoctrination of Enlisted IFAfs

Beginning in January 1949, Captain Hill supervised a series of enlisted reindoctrination classes and had

an office at Henderson Hall. The women had to be

issued uniforms, reclassified, and given refresher classes

in military subjects. As with the officers, much time

was spent on administrative matters such as allotments,

savings bond purchases, issuance of new identification

cards and tags (dog tags), photographs, and physicals.

The WMs attended the five-day class in groups of 15

and were billeted in the former dispensary during the

course. Twenty-seven women Reservists living on the west

coast were selected for transfer to Regular status and

Captain Illich went to the Headquarters of the Department of Pacific in San Francisco in late January to conduct their training on the spot. In a letter to the

commanding general, Major General Leroy P. Hunt,

Colonel Towle explained the reindoctrination course

and made assurances that Captain Illich could handle it with a minimum of effort on the part of the
GOING REGULAR 27

general's staff. She also told him of her intention to

assign First Lieutenant Margaret Stevenson to the

Department of Pacific. Tactfully, she wrote:

As you probably know, it was always the policy in the

MCWR to have at least one womn officer detailed to duty

at a post or station where enlisted women were serving, who

in addition to her regular assignment, could have general

supervision over their welfare, appearance, etc. and to whom

they could go for advice and information if they wanted to.

I believe such a policy is sound and highly desirable for many

reasons. Lieutenant Stevenson has had Quartermaster training, but

can, I feel certain, do almost any kind of administrative work.

She had an excellent record as a Reserve officer, is most conscientious and sincere, and very pleased with her assignment.

I am sure you too will be pleased to have such a competent

woman officer as our first "regular" representative in your

Headquarters. Since she comes from California, she is as

amazed ar she is pleased that the Marine Corps is sending

her back there for duty.

Forgive this long letter, but I thought this information

might be of interest and assistance to you in your consideration of plans for the coming invasion of Women

Marines."

While the Director of Women Marines personally

selected women officers with specific billets in mind,

she was totally aware that assignment is a command

prerogative and that she had no authority once the

woman reported to her duty station. Colonel Towle,

in her gracious way, developed the peacetime women's organization in a spirit of cooperation rather than

competition with the male Marines. After the initial

doubts and outright opposition to the integration of

women, it came as a pleasant surprise when the men

not only tolerated the female presence but went out

of their way to help them get established.

Designation of Women Marines

A Marine Corps Memorandum, dated 16 November 1948, directed that women entering the Regular

Marine Corps be referred to as "Women Marines,"

with "USMC-W" as the short title or reporting form.

The identification of Reservists wouid be "USMCRW."28 Colonel Towle took great exception to the "W"

and the proper designation of women Marines became

one of her first priorities. She suggested an alternative in a memorandum which stated:

It is believed the apparent inconsistencies can be resolved if the "W" as indicator of a woman Marine were used

with the service number rather than as a component designator. 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 numbcr

is customarily indicated. It would also bc evidence, which

the Director of Women Marines considers important for the

morale and prestige of the women, that womcn are an integral part of the Marine Corps or the Marine Corps Reserve,

and not relegated to a specially constituted women's componcnt as USMC-W and USMCR-W

Her plan met with some opposition. While one staff

comment noted the naval tradition to identify noncombatant components; for example, Captain Joe Doe

(MC), another suggested the idea could be carried to

the extreme and cooks would be designated Corporal

Joe Doe, USMC-C. Written, staffed, and rewritten,

the recommendation was finally approved on 17

March 1950 and thereafter the "W" was placed before 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 proposed order regarding officer promotion examination,

she wrote:

The use of "female" instead of "women" in referring to

the distaff side of the Marine Corps was gone into quite

thoroughly when the new Marine Corps Manual was written. It was finally agreed upon that "women" would be the

accepted terminology even when used as an adjective, e.g.,

"Women Marines," "women officer," etc. The usage follows that established in Public Law 625, "Women's Armed

Services Integration Act of 1948." From a purist's point of

view "female" may be correct when used as a counterpart

of male, but from a woman's point of view it is very objectionable. I would appreciate, therefore, having reference to

"female" deleted and "women" substituted . . . . This sounds a little like "the battle of the sexes." It won't

be unless we are called "females"!31

Recruit Training Established at Pamis Island

The idea that only 200 new recruits would require

basic training during the first two years was soon abandoned. On 29 November 1948, even before the transfer program was completed, Colonel Towle was

investigating the, possibility of conducting woman

recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Because the majority of women Marines would have to

be recruited from among civilians, and because of the

numbers involved, Henderson Hall was no longer considered suitable. Not only was it too small, but it was

not considered the type of Marine Corps post whose

mission and atmosphere would help instill the desired

espirit de corps and pride which distinguish Marine

recruits. To strengthen her case, Colonel Towle pointed out the convenience of having several appropriate

specialist schools at Parris Island since training beyond
28 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Capt Margaret M. Henderson (right) reads the order activating the 3d Recruit Training

Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in Feburary 1949.

basic military indoctrination would be essential if the

WMs hoped to attain the mobilization objective of

being a skilled group ready for expansion in case of

war.32 Happily, Major General Alfred H. Noble, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, gave his unqualified support to the idea.

Captain Margaret M. Henderson was selected to

head up recruit training. With no more written

guidance than a piece of paper on which was typed

the general training plan, she and several members

of her staff went to work at a long table outside Colonel Towle's office on the first floor of Marine Corps

Headquarters.33 Lieutenant Colonel Mary Hale, who

as a lieutenant was assigned as training officer to the

embryo command, believed that, "Margaret Henderson was the perfect choice" to establish recruit training. She had had extensive teaching experience in

civilian schools and was OIC of the Marine Corps Institute Business School during the war.34

In early January, Captain Henderson accompanied

Colonel Towle to Parris Island to inspect the available

facilities and to discuss the proposed training schedule. The women were assigned Building 902 in the

same area used by World War II WRs. They would

share the mess hall, Building 900, and the administration/gymnasium facilities, building 914, with other

activities, primarily the Recruit Depot's Instruction

Company.

Captain Henderson arrived at Parris Island for duty on 25 January with Lieutenant Arney who was on

temporary duty to set up the WM uniform shop. By

the end of the month Lieutenants Hale, Fisher, and

Sustad reported and by mid-February the enlisted

women were on the island, and all were attached to

Headquarters Company, H&S Battalion: The roster included:

Captain Margaret M. Henderson, Commanding Officer.

First Lieutenant Jeanette I. Sustad, Executive Officer.

First Lieutenant Mary J. Hale, Training Officer; Security Officer

First Lieutenant Mary J. Fisher, Police & Property Officer; Special 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 designated, the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, the unit in no

way resembled a battalion in size. A visiting Army

general saw the "battalion" led by a captain and

remarked, "Now I've seen everything!" The organizational plan was deliberate, however, and was based on

General Noble's desire that the senior woman Marine

on the depot, Captain Henderson, have disciplinary

control over all women Marines at Parris Island. Captain Henderson was designated his advisor on matters concerning WMs and as such was a member of

his special staff."

The six-week training schedule for women recruits

was organized into eight periods daily Monday

through Friday and four periods on Saturday for a total of 264 hours. The objectives were stated as:

1) To give basic Marine Corps indoctrination to women

who have no previous experience.

2) To give the women information on the part the Marine Corps played in our national history and its place in

the current National Military Establishment.

3) To classify each individual to fill an available billet according to her abilities.

4) To develop in each individual a sense of responsibility, an understanding of the importance of teamwork, and

a desire for self-improvement an t! advancement in the Marine Corps.37

With those objectives in mind, the 20 women went

to work preparing the bqrracks and classroom; writing lesson plans, recruit regulations, and battalion orders; 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
30 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Platoon sergeants SSgt Dorothy' E. Sullivan (left) and Sgt Betty J. Schuliz.(righi) with

the first platoon.to undergo' training at the3d Recruit Training-Battalion, Patris

their plans with all the depot facilities that supported recruit training. The barracks needed little renovation, but they had to be scrubbed and shined to

meet the standards of distaff Marines. SergeP...tt Ryan

ordered bunks, locker boxes, linen, and supplies and

her job was made easier by the depot supply people

who saved their best for the 3d Battalion. Sergeants

Schultz and Sullivan arranged squadbays. Several of

the enlisted women had some college background, and

they went to work writfrict- lesson plans. Lieutenant

Hale, a self-described "pacx rat," made good use of

orders and schedules she had saved from her wartime

tour at the WR school at Camp Lejeune, and the Marines of Instruction Company under the command of

Major Gerald T. Armitage helped in all facets of the

preparation.38

The enlisted staffall ranks from master sergeant

to corporalwas billeted on the lower deck of Building 902. Recruits would eventually occupy an upper

squadbay. In addition to everything else, the women

prepared themselves for this important assignment by

practicing close order drill in an empty upper squadbay. They had no other training, and they were as apprehensive about meeting the recruits as the recruits

were about meeting them.38

The drill instructors were selected from among male

Marines with experience on the drill field. Staff Sergeant Jack W. Draughon had been a D.I. for two years

when Lieutenant Colonel Herman Nickerson, Jr.,

asked him if he would be interested in the job with

the 3d Battalion. After a careful screening by Captain Henderson, Staff Sergeant Draughon, Sergeant

Payton L. Lee, and Corporal Paul D. Lute were assigned

as the drill instructors. Sergeant Draughon remembered very clearly his first interview with Captain Henderson. It was strange in those days to sit across from

a Marine captain answering, "Yes, ma'am" and "No,

ma'am." Leaving her office, he met Lieutenant Colonel

Nickerson and Colonel Russell N. Jordahl in the passageway and Colonel Jordahl said, "So you're going

to be the D. I. for the women Marines?" to which

Draughon answered "Yes, ma'am." The story quickly

made the rounds and Marine artist Norval E. Packwood immortalized the incident in a "Leatherneck"

cartoon.48

The male drill instructorspught close order drill,

41
GOING REGULAR 31

first aid, chemical warfare, and classes on general orders. At first they had to endure some goodnatured

harassment when they took the recruits outside the

battalion area, and Marines taunted them with, "Hey

Sarge, your slip is showing:' To avoid snickers and kidding, Sergeant Draughon often got the platoon going and then stepped up on the sidewalk and walked

as if alone, but with one eye on his recruits.4'

While the staff was still readying itself at Parris Island, the Marine Corps formally announced on 13

January 1949 that enlistmerit was open to nonveterans.

General requirements were somewhat stricter than

those for WRs who transferred from Reserve to Regular in that recruits had to be single, had to be high

school graduates, and had to be approved by a board,

convened quarterly, at Headquarters Marine Corps.

Private Connie J. Lovil of Incksburg, Arkansas, was the

first woman Marine recruit to arrivereporting in on

the day the battalion was formed, 23 February." Retired First Sergeant Betty Schultz remembers being

"scared as all heck," when going to Port Royal to meet

the first contingent of recruits. She and Sergeant Dottie Sullivan were the platoon sergeants of Platoon 1A

which began training on 2 March, donned its uniforms

for the first time on the 11th, and graduated on Tuesday, 12 April."

Colonel Towle came down from Headquarters as the

guest of General Noble and together they attended

the reremonies which included an outdoor inspection,

ling to the accompaniment of the Parris Island

and Bugle Corps, and the traditional speeches

in -lassroom. Of the 30 graduating recruits, 15 re- mair, attend Personnel Administration School

and t. :est were sent directly to Headauarters for

duty.44

The First Black Women Marines

It is rumored that several black women "passed" as white and served in the MCWR, but, officially, the

first black women Marines enlisted during the summer of 1949 and joined the 3d Recruit 'training Battalion on 10 September. Platoon 7 therefore is believed

to be one of the first racially integrated Marine Corps

units since, at the time, black male Marines were

segregated and trained separately."

The press had often questioned Colonel Towle on

the Marine Corps policy regarding black women, and

she answered that they would be recruited the same

as whites. During the congressional hearings, after the

war, Representative Adam Clayton Powell of New York

had made quite an issue of the fact that no black women 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 be

too few to allow for any type of separate facilities and

no one was quite certain how white women, unaccustomed to mixing with blacks, would react to an integrated barracks situation.

Colonel Towle called Captain Henderson and told

her that she would not send one black woman, by herself, to Parris Island this out of consideration for the

woman. Captain Henderson and Lieutenants Sustad

and Hale discussed what they foresaw as potential

problems, and they decided to assign bunks to the incoming platoon geographically rather than

alphabeticallynorthern recruits at one end of the

squadbay and southern recruits at the other. They told

no one of the plan, including the platoon sergeants,

and according to First Sergeant Schultz, they were completely unaware that the precaution had been

taken!' 6

A more frivolous concern was the beauty shop. The

white hairdressers from Beaufort did not know how

to do the black women's hair, and it is doubtful that

they would have been willing to do it in any case. Both

Captain Henderson from Texas and Lieutenant Hale

from Georgia knew that the recruits would need special preparations and equipment but neither was quite

certain what they were. They enlisted the help of the

black maid who worked in the Women Officers' Quarters to buy the necessary supplies.47 When she had cornpleted all arrangements, Captain Henderson called in

the staff and gave a stern warning that if anyone treated these recruits differently from the others, they

would answer to her.

Ann Estelle Lamb of New York City, whose enlistment contract was signed by Major Louis H. Wilson,

Jr., a future Commandant of the Marine Corps, and

Annie E. Graham of Detroit arrived on the same day,

and from all accounts their boot training was uneventful." Although both women were from northern cities they undoubtedly understood the time and the

place, and they did not complain, for example, about

fixing their own hair, after hours in Lieutennit Hale's

office.

No one connected with recruit training at the time

remembers any unpleasantness and, in fact, Colonel

Henderson now believes that the separation of the

southerners from the blacks was unnecessary. She does

recall, however, that the curiosity of the entire depot

was piqued and that all eyes were on Platoon 7.

Wherever they went, Marines, including the commanding general, were at the window to stare."

4 2
32 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Occasionally, recruits attended football games in

Savannah, drawing lots for tickets. As chance would

have it, Privates Lamb and Graham were among the

lucky recruits one weekend and everyone took a deep

breath as blacks and whites left together on their way

to the segregated stadium. Again all went well.50*

Private Lamb remained at Parris Island to attend

the Personnel Administration School where she

finished first in a class of 61. Now a student rather

*See Hcnry I. Shaw, Jr., and Ralph W. Donnelly, Blacks in the

Marine Corps (Washington: History and Museums Division, HQMC,

1975), p. 56 for a discussion of General Noble's attitude towards

integration while he was the Commanding General, Marine Corps

Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

than a recruit, she went on liberty, but it was somewhat inconvenient outside of the depot. Many years

later, Colonel Henderson met a women who had been

in charge of the USO at Beaufort during the period,

and the woman told her of an incident concerning a

WM who called to make reservations for roller skating, but she said that there would be a Negro with

the group and if she was not welcome, none of them

would come.51

The third black woman Marine, enlisted in Chicago in 1950, was Annie L. Grimes, destined to become

a warrant officer in 1968 and the first black woman

officer to retire after a full 20-year career.52 From the

beginning, black and white women Marines trained

and lived together. Accounts differ as to whether the

Pvt Annie L. Grimes, the third black woman to join the Marine Corps and destined to

become 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 is

general agreement among active duty and former

WMs that any discrimination or harassment directed

at the black women was always a case of individual

personalities and never a case of organizational bias.*

Establishing the Women Officers'

Training Class at Quantico

After the initial selection under the so-called transfer program, the only source of women officers was

through the commissioning of second lieutenants who

successfully completed the Women Officers' Training

Class. The class, which vaguely resembled the male

Platoon Leaders Course, was conducted at the Marine

Corps Schools at Quantico. WOTC, as it was known,

was the responsibility of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Schools and fell under the operational control of the Education Center and the administrative

control of Headquarters Battalion.

The class, held only in the summer, was divided

into two six-week periods: the first a junior course;

and the second a senior course. College graduates and

seniors would attend both sessions, juniors would attend only the junior course, and qualified enlisted

women were scheduled only for the senior course. Successful candidates who held a bachelor's degree and

who were at least 21 years old would be commissioned

second lieutenants in the Marine Corps Reserve. Only

seven honor graduates would be offered Regular commissions and these would then attend an additional

eight-week Women Officers' Basic Indoctrination

Course (WOIC) to be held at the Basic School. The

*"I find it hard, in 1980, to look back on those days. But it was

a fact of life during the years 1949 and 1950. My friends today are

just friends, whether white or black. But I was just as guilty as anyone in the change process. I can recall that at MCAS, Cherry Point,

I was very much concerned about the acceptance and/or treatment

of my Negro enlisted women, who arrived in 1950 to become a part

of WMD-2. It all worked out thanks to the wisdom of Sgt Major

Alice). Connolly and T. Sgt Katherine O'Keefetwo superb human beings.

When I learned that two Negro women would be reporting to

my command, I was concerned. But I consulted my trusty Sgt Major Alice). Connolly, and together we decided on a course of action. They would be billeted in an area with T. Sgt O'Keefe, a devout

Christian woman, and if there were any problems, they would be

referred to the Commanding Officer. How antiquated this decision now seems to be! But in retrospect, it was important that we

placed the two Negro women in areas where there would be minimal

or 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 active duty, but most would return home in an inactive status.

Each session was limited to about 50 candidates who

were at least 18 years old; single; citizens of the United States; and college graduates, or in the case of undergraduates, regularly enrolled in an accredited

school and pursuing a course leading to a degree. Enlisted women and former WRs who were college

graduates or who could pass a college educational

equivalency examination were encouraged to apply.53

l'ublicity for the program began in April 1949 but

there were no pamphlets, posters, mailing lists, or

other procurement aids. The recruiters' teams for the

Platoon Leaders Course brought mimeographed information sheets to the coeduational schools they visited, but it was very late in the season for a class

beginning in June. The first woman officer procurement officer was, in effect, Colonel Towle herself, who

made a three-week tour in May of women's colleges

in the northeast and southeast to acquaint the colleges

and the students with the program.34

Captain Hill was selected to head the WOTC staff

of four officers and six enlisted women, all temporarily

assigned to Quantico and attached to the Schools

Company, Headquarters Battalion. Captain Hill and

Lieutenant Eunyce L. Brink left Headquarters on 20

April for the five-month tour. Colonel Towle wrote

long, explanatory setters to Captain Nita Bob Warner

and Lieutenant Doris V. Kleberger, both Reservists,

and asked them to join the staff. In her letter to Lieutenant Kleberger she wrote:

4 4

While on active duty your base pay would be that of a

first lieutenant. In case you have forgotten, $200.00 is a first

lieutenant's pay. You would also, of course, be entitled to

any longevity which you have earned. For every three years

this is a 5 per cent increase. By this time, you must be very

close to the second pay period, or 6 years. You would also

draw the customary $21.00 a month subsistence. As you

would be in Government quarters at Quantico you would

not draw quarters allowance.

Naturally, I have no way of knowing whether you are in

a position to consider this proposition, or even whether you

are interested. I can only hope for both, as I know you would

help immeasurably in this important venture. I also think

it could give you not only satisfaction in a job well done

but afford you a rather pleasant and profitable occupation

for the next few months. I would not, however, want to interfere with any future plans you may have made, or to have

you sacrifice the permanency of a civilian occupation for temporary duty with the Marine Corps. Whether there would

be opportunity for you to continue in a Reserve billet after

this summer job is finished is something I cannot predict
34

L '.q

sr.

:A

J.;

I -4"

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Col Joseph C. Burger, commander of The Basic School, awards regular commissions to

members of the first Woman Officer Training Class, 1949: Virginia M. JohUson, Essie

M. 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't

want to hold that out as an inducement.55

At the time, both Captain Warner and Lieutenant

Kleberger were graduate students at the University of

California, Berkeley, and were personally known to

Colonel Towle. Luckily for the woman Marine program, a number of competent WRs and former WRs

were in school during that period and could afford

to take a chance on a temporary assignment. Lieutenant Brink, a Regular officer, was temporarily

detached from her duties as administrative assistant

to the Director of Women Marines in order to be platoon leader. The staff was completed by Technical Sergeant Janet R. Paterson, Technical Sergeant '!A" Fern

Schirmer, Staff Sergeant Mary S. Cookson, Sergeant

Rosalie C. Evans, Corporal Helen C. Cathcart, and

Corporal Anna M. Delaney.56 Most of the instruction

was done by male officers from the staffs of the Basic

School, Junior School (later Amphibious Warfare

School), and Senior School (later Command and Staff

College). Colonel James T. Wilbur and his staff at the

Education Center worked very closely with Captain

Hill in developing a syllabus, schedules, and lesson

plans.57

The women were quartered in the old WR area overlooking the Potomac. The candidates and the enlisted staff were assigned to Barracks 3076 which was used

as a dependents' school during the winter. The NCOs,

on the lower deck, had a lounge and private rooms

the candidates were billeted in squad rooms on the

Capt Elsie E. Hill, officer-in-charge, conducts Saturday morning personnel inspection of the first Woman Officer Training Class, Quantico, Virginia in 1949.

4 5

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36

second deck. The four women officers lived nearby in

Married Officers' Quarters, Building 3078, which was an apartment building converted from a barracks. It

was unheard of at the time for women officers to live

in bachelor officers' quarters, so they were given a

three-bedroom apartment in the quarters reserved for

married lieutenant colonels and colonels. Few colonels

wanted to live in the building, yet there was some

healthy grumbling about giving junior women Marines a field grade apartment.58

In spite of the late start and the lack of recruiting

material, 180 completed applications were received,

and 67 candidates from 35 colleges began the junior

course on 10 June 1949. They were welcomed by the

Commandant of the Marine Corps Schools, Major

General Shepherd, who told them he personally felt

there was a "definite place for women Marines during

peace, as there was during war," and he encouraged

them to try for the Regular commissions." General

Shepherd had already given convincing evidence of

his positive view toward women in the Marine Corps

with his efforts to keep WRs on duty after World War

II. In recalling the period, Lieutenant Colonel Hill

stated emphatically that the women could not have

managed the officer training on such short notice

without the "marvelous support" of the male Marines

at Quantico, especially General Shepherd. He took an

active interest in their training, often appearing during a drill period, where as a perfect southern gentleman he always removed his hat when speaking to a

woman Marine no matter what her rank."

The first WOTC graduation exercises were held on

9 September 1949 in the auditorium of the Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course. Thirty-four

candidates were recommended for commissions: 18

immediately and 16 pending the receipt ofa bachelors'

degree. A quota of seven Regular commissions was allowed. Those to be appointed Regular officers were: Eleanor M. Bach

Essie M. Lucas (former WR; later Dowler)

Joan Morrissey

Betty J. Preston (among the first enlisted WRs sworn into the

Regular Marine Corps on 10 November 1948)

Anna F. Champlin

Virginia M. Johnson (later Sherman)61

The seventh and last one was given to Lieutenant

Kleberger, who was in competition with the candidates

in her platoon. In a 1977 letter to the History and

Museums Division, Lieutenant Colonel Kleberger

wrote:

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

While serving on the staff, my interest in remaining in

the Marine Corps became very intense. I discovered that I

met 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 graduate

of Warn. I requested commissioning in accordance with

existing regulations, requesting that "graduation from

WOTC" be waived in that I was a platoon leader and certainly possessed the required training. Additionally, in view

of my six years in the Marine Corps Reserve, I requested appointment to the rank of first lieutenant (a request that was not granted).62

This case was repeated in 1950 when Lieutenant

Elaine 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 viewed as recruiting incentives, the Procuremelit Branch

opposed the idea of giving Regular appointments to

former WR officers. Having approved Lieutenant Kleberger's case just a year earlier, Colonel Towle felt that

Lieutenant Carville should have the same opportunity to compete for a regular commission. Her comments

included:

Unfortunately, there is nothing that I can find to prevent

former WR officers from applying for regular commissions

providing they meet all requirements, including that of age.

When the directive concerning the "transfer" program was

written this loophole was apparendy not considered. Actually because of the age requirement I doubt if we will have

many, if any, more such requests; most of the MCWR officers

are already too old even with service adjusted age. Carville

herself just got under the wire.

Since the WOIC had been set up as the sole means of

procuring regular women officers, I would not approve of

Carville not being required to take some training. It might

be possible to assign her as a platoon commander as we did

Kleberger last summer, which could excuse her from attending the WIC, or her present duties as Assistant InspectorInstructor of an organized reserve platoon might be considered equivalent training. Certainly, however, she should

be required to attend the two months of additional indoctrination if selected for a regular commission as second lieutenant. . . . Fortunately, Lieutenant Carville is, I understand from various sources, a capable officer, and if selected would probably be a credit to the Marine Corps. But if her request is

approved she should be given to understand:

(1) That she will compete with WOTC graduates on an

equal basis, with no prior assurance of selection.

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

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

These women, Doris Kleberger and Elaine Carville,

both retired lieutenant colonels, were the only former WRs who had to take a demotion upon transfer to

4 7
GOING REGULAR

the Regular Marine Corps. Captain Warner, the assistant OIC that summer at Quantico, did not meet the

age requirements for transfer and remained a Reservist. During the Korean War, another integration program opened, and she was able to integrate without

losing any rank.

A problem surfaced in 1953 when Lieutenants Kleberger and Carville found:

. . . that we were subject to separation from the Marine

Corps under P.L. 625 because of the loophole in the law that

neither the Marine Corps nor either of us considered when

accepting commissions as second lieutenants with date of

rank of 1949 and 1950, respectively. Basically, this provided

for the separation of officers who had completed seven years

of active commissioned service, regular and reserve, and who

had not been selected for the rank of Captain. JAG ruled

that we could not eliminate our reserve active time and there

was no way we could become eligible for Captain before

37

reaching that seven years of active commissioned service. This

eventually required seeking relief from the Board of Correction of Naval Records and subsequent reassignment of

date of rank to provide eligibility for the rank of Captain

before mandatory separation.64

In addition to the Regular commissions awarded to

members of the first class, Reserve commissions were

given to: Sara J. Andersun, Nedra C. Calender, Catherine L. Frazier, Pearl A. Jackson, Mildred D. Morrow,

Mary E. O'Donnel, Emily C. Ogburn, Shirley A. Pritzker, Margaret C. Roberts, Barbara J. Stephenson, Phyllis L. Jones, and Marie L. Henry." Among the 16

undergraduates who returned to school, but later

served on active duty were Barbara B. Kasdorf, Joan

P. O'Neil, Natalie Noble, and Mary Sue Mock.

The seven "Regulars" were assigned to the Basic

School and began the Woman Officers' Indoctrination

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

EMU

48
38 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Course on 23 September, but an administrative detail delayed their commissioning until the end of the

month. During the intervening week, WOIC consisted of one Reserve fi r s t lieutenant and six Reserve

sergeants one of whom, Joan Morrissey, was underage and had to complete the entire course as an enlisted woman."

Captain Hill, assigned to the S-3 of the Basic School,

and now the only woman staff officer left at Quantico, accompanied the students on a trip to Parris Island which was planned to acquaint the new officers

with recruit training and to give them the opportunity

to drill enlisted troops. In the fall of 1949, there were

no enlisted women except Sergeant Morrissey

stationed at Quantico, and it was awkward, ifnot impossible, to conduct any type of close order drill with

a formation of seven women.67

Upon graduation, 18 November, the lieutenants

were transferred and Captain Hill was reassigned to

the Testing and Educational Unit, thereby becoming

the first postwar woman Marine to be 2ermanently stationed at Quantico.68

4 9
CHAPTER 4

The Korean War Years

Organized Reserve Gets UnderwayMission and AdministrationThe First Seven WR Platoons

Add Six More PlatoonsMobilization of Organized Reserve Units, Korea

Volunteer Reservists Answer The CallWomen Marines Return to Posts and Stations

Korean War Brings Changes to Recruit TrainingA Few Changes at Officer Candidate School

The Korean Years, Reprise

Organized Reserve Gets Underway

Of equal importance to the integration of women

into the regular service was the development of a

strong women's Reserve. During the early phases of

planning, in 1946-47, Colonel Pate, Director, Division of Reserve, was a strong advocate of Organized

Reserve units for women. He frequently found himself defending this relatively unpopular ideaan idea

unique to the Marine Corps.' Senior Marines at Headquarters recognized the need for a women's Reserve,

but Marines, by and large, shuddered at the thought

of this female intrusion. Little by little, the concept

gained wider acceptance especially when it was considered as an alternazive to women Regulars. It effectively solved the problem of maintaining the affiliation

of the WRs and of training a group who would eventually take their place.

Until February 1949, the Division of Reserve still

thought in terms of 30 women's companies with a total strength of 60 officers and 1,500 enlisted women,

but in reviewing the Marine Corps budget for fiscal

year 1950, the Bureau of the Budget reduced the estimate and eliminated the provisions for drill pay for

organized women's companies. The Division of Plans

and Policies reexamined the location of existing organized units with the purpose of determining those

in which women's detachments could readily be justified. Based upon the premise that any locality in which

500 or more enlisted personnel were administered

would justify a women's Reserve detachment, the study

recommended the activation of 30 women's platoons?

By March, the plans were finally approved for 15 platoons of two officers and 50 enlisted women each.

Major Hamblet and Lieutenant Hale studied the case

files of former WRs and made projected plans based

on the size of existing male Reserve units, the geographic concentration of WR veterans, and upon available training facilities. In the end, they settled on the

seven most promising locations in which to begin:

Kansas City; Boston; IDS Angeles; New York; Philadelphia; San Francisco; and Seattle?

A mix of Regular and Reserve officers on continuous

active duty would administer the program. Women

were needed to serve as Inspector-Instructor for each

planned unit and for duty in the various Reserve District offices to give overall supervision to women's matters. Accordingly, a board was convened in March and

the following selections were made for InspectorInstructors: Captain Shirley J. Fuetsch, Los Angeles;

Captain Helen A. Wilson, Philadelphia; First Lieutenant Frances M. Exum, Seattle; First Lieutenant

Mary C. MacDonald, New York; and First Lieutenant

Kathryn E. Snyder, San Francisco. For duty in Reserve

District offices, the following officers: Captain Constance 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, Chicago; First Lieutenant Elva B. Chaffer, Los Angeles; First

Lieutenant Beatrice R. Strong, San Francisco; First

Lieutenant Mildred N. Cooke, Seattle; and First Lieutenant Mary W. Frazer, Atlanta.4

Mission and Administration

Reserve Memorandum 15-49 of 14 March 1949 published the specifics of administration and training of

the women's portion of the Organized Reserve.5 The

mission of these units was to provide individual women trained to meet mobilization needs of the Marine

Corps. They were not classified by specialty as the male

Reserve units were or as post-Korea women Reserve

platoons would be. Designated women's Reserve platoons (WR platoons), they were attached directly to

the major parent male unit as an organic element

(e.g., WR Platoon, 11th Infantry Battalion) and not

to any subunit. Inasmuch as the women were neither

assigned to, nor trained for, combat duties, they were

grouped into five subdivisions under Reserve Class VI

in order to permit immediate distinction between men

and women in case of mobilization.°

The male Inspector-Instructor staff was augmented by one woman officer, designated an assistant I&I,

and one or two enlisted women who administered the

WR platoon. The platoon was under the direct command 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 responsible

for recruiting, administration, training, rank distribution, and the mobilization state of readiness of her

platoon. Furthermore, she was directed to render administrative assistance to the male unit to compensate for the increased workload caused by the existence

of the WR platoon. Very often, however, the women

actually took over much of the parent unit's administration.

The WR platoons held weekly two-hour training

periods during which their time was divided between

formal classes, basic military indoctrination courses for

the nonveterans, and specialist training classes in subjects like administration, disbursing, or training aids

depending upon the background of the members, and

giving clerical assistance to the male unit. It was ex- pected that the basic course, closely resembling recruit

training, and consisting of classes in drill, military customs and courtesies, history of the Marine Corps, naval

law, interior guard duty, first aid, defense against

chemical attack, uniform regulations, and current

events would take about two years to complete.

Officers were procured only from among former WR

officers and successful graduates of the WOTC at

Quantico. Enlisted members wc-e -,iited from

among WRs, women veterans of t "Porces,

and nonveterans who met the qualificalwns. l'or veterans, the age limits specified that all previous active

military service plus all inactive service in the Reserve

must, when deducted from their actual age, equal 32

or less. Aspiring Reservists with no prior service had

somewhat less stringent requirements than women being recruited for active duty: age, 18-31; and education, high school graduate, or high school student and

pass the equivalency test. Regular recruits, on the other

hand, had to be 20 years old and high school

graduates.

To complete the organization, the Division of

Reserve requested that WAVE pharmacist mates be included in the naval personnel allowance for those units

which had a WR platoon. The decision was approved

in the interest of public opinion, as well as health and

accident security?

The First Seven WI? Platoons

The first WR platoon was activated on 14 April 1949

at Kansas City, Missouri. A Regular officer, First Lieutenant Ben Alice Day, was appointed Assistant I&I of

the 5th 105mm Howitzer Battalion, USMCR, and

Major Helen T. Chambers was assigned platoon leadA HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

er. In a very short time the platoon was up to its authorized strength.8

First Lieutenant Pauline "Polly" E Riley, Irish and

from Maine, was sent to Boston to activate the second

WR platoon. Lieutenant Riley, formerly enlisted, was a member of the last WR officer candidate class in

1945. The class was made up entirely of enlisted WRs,

and when World War II was declared over about a week

before commissioning, the students were given three

options: return to enlisted status, take a discharge if

they had the required points, or accept the commission and remain on active duty for one year. Most of

the candidates took the discharge or returned to enlisted status, but Lieutenant Riley was commissioned

in August 1945 and served at Headquarters until 1947

on the Postwar Personnel Reorganization Board. She

was released to inactive duty when the board was terminated and later was among the first 20 Regular

women officers.9

With her New England background, it was logical

to send Lieutenant Riley to Boston, where the WR Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, was established

on 22 April 1949 under the command of Lieutenant

Colonel James Dugan and with Lieutenant Carolyn

Tenteris as the platoon officer.1°

Former WRs Staff Sergeant Frances A. Curwen, Staff

Sergeant Katherine Keefe, Corporal Hazel A. Lindahl,

and Corporal Dorothy M. Munroe were early members of the Boston unit. Among the nonveterans was

Private Eleanor L. Judge, who originally enlisted in

the Reserve because she happened to be free on Wednesday evenings, the women's scheduled drill night.

But that was only the beginning; in 1977 with 27 years

active service as a Regular, she reenlisted for three more

years.11

Sergeant Major Judge remembered that the women were "put through a pace." There were classes to

attend as well as battalion administrative work to be

done. The non-veterans were not issued regulation

shoes and they drilled in their own civilian shoes which

proved impractical and uncomfortable. The classes in

naval law, taught by Sergeant Mary L. Attaya, a lawyer, were complete with mock trials in which the women played active roles, and there were Hollywood-made

movies 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 commanding

officer of viu 1-1(WR), Boston, was not a member

since she had been selected for a continuous active

51
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 41

rg;

' 2 , _ 4.Pettny t -

TV^ EMSIVAIFA4tAtr41.770-'!' rs

4,

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 Platoon 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 Building

in Boston. When Captain Risegari-Gai reported for

duty, Colonel George 0. Van Orden, District Director, and a Virginia gentleman, was quoted in the

Boston newspaper as saying that his first sergeant

needed a week off to recuperate because he was,

". . the finest cussin gent yo'all ever did hear. Had

to pretty up his language, though, with all these lady

Marines around. He's a beaten man:' The colonel,

himself, had never seen a woman Marine until he arrived in Boston, saw Captain Risegari-Gai, and

described himself as "thunderstruck."14

The next five platoons were organized by Reserve

officers on continuous active duty, and it was necessary for them to go to Washington for a briefing before taking up their new duties. Captain Helen A.

Wilson was then sent to Philadelphia where recruiting was simplified when the entire VTU under the

command of Captain Dorothy M. Knox transferred to

the Organized Reserve. The unit became the WR platoon, 6th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, with Captain

Knox as platoon leader and First Lieutenant Emily

Homer as platoon officer.

From Philadephia, Captain Wilson kept Colonel

Towle informed of the platoon's progress and activities.

By Christmas of 1949, recruiting was so successful that

the unit was permitted to exceed its authorized

strength by 10 percent. When the male commanding

officers of other battalions heard of this, they were very

much interested in receiving a similar authorization.

The women in Philadelphia formed a rifle team, and

a bowling team, and even fielded a team for a swim

meet.
42 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

In response to one of Captain Wilson's informal

reports, Colonel Towle, always conscious of the service

woman's image, wrote:

I think you were wise to put a stop to post drill activities

such as drinking in bars while in uniform. There is nothing

intrinsically wrong, of course, but the very fact that a wom- an is in uniform makes her liable to criticism even though

she is behaving herself in every respect. As you say, Women Marines have established a fine reputation and it would

be most unfortunate to have any criticism leveled at them,

especially when we ourselves can do much to prevent it. I

think you have shown excellent judgement in your decision.15

First Lieutenant Kathryn E. Snyder, who had serv- ed at the Department of the Pacific during World War

II, was assigned as Assistant I&I, 12th Infantry Battalion, Treasure Island, and together with the Reserve

officers Lieutenants Katherine W. Love and Marjorie

J. Woolman, started San Francisco's WR platoon,

whose roster included Sergeant Alameda Blessing;

Corporal Rosita A. Martinez, who eventually integrated and retired as a master gunnery sergeant; and

Corporal Ouida Craddock, who also went Regular, and

later became the Sergeant Major of the Women

Marines."

Captain Shirley J. Fuetsch and First Lieutenant

Frances M. Exum drove west together and parted at

DenverFuetsch to go to the 13th Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, in Los Angeles and Exum to go to the 11th

Infantry Battalion, USMCR, at Seattle. In Las Angeles,

two Reserve First Lieutenants, Esther N. Gaffney and

Christine S. Strain, took the reins of the WR platoon

while the Seattle unit was headed by Captain Nancy

M. Roberts and First Lieutenant Fern D. Anderson.'7

First Lieutenant Mary C. MacDonald, who before

the war had been personal secretary to Laurence Olivier

and Vivien Leigh, was sent to New York to activate

the WR platoon, 1st Infantry Battalion, USMCR, at

Fort Schuyler. Captain Mildred Gannon and First Lieutenant Elizabeth Noble filled the two Reserve officer

billets. Like Philadelphia, the Fort Schuyler platoon

also increased its strength to 55, but eventually the

authorization was rescinded, and the women had to

"keep on their toes" to stay in. Those with poor attendence records were transferred involuntarily to the

Inactive Reserve, and the platoon maintained a waiting list of potential recruits.'8

Add Six More Platoons

After the original seven platoons were well established, 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 the

9th Infantry Battalion at Chicago. On 1 November,

the fourth WR Platoon was activated at St. Louis as

part of the 3d Infantry Battalion.

Chicago's WRs were led by First Lieutenant

Genevieve M. Dooner who had compiled quite a

record as a volunteer recruiting offic.1 in the postwar

years. She was assisted by platoon officer Lieutenant

Isabel F. Vosler and I&I Lieutenant Dorothy

Holmberg.

First Lieutenant Elaine T. Carville, although of

French background and from Louisiana, was ordered

to Minneapolis because "she looked like a Swede." A

Reserve officer on extended active duty, she activated the WR Platoon, 4th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

which came under the leadership of First Lieutenant

Ardath Bierlein and Second Lieutenant Phyllis Davis. Well known for her enthusiasm and esprit de

corps, Lieutcnant Carville soon had a unit made up

of 10 former WRs, 37 nonveterar s, 2 ex-WAVES, and

1 ex-SPAR. Minneapolis-St. Paul had been chosen for

a WR platoon from among a number of cities which

had asked for one. The large number of wartime WRs

from Minnesota plus the personal interest in the

project 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 WoldChamberlain Naval Air Station. Lieutenant Carville

personally interviewed 150 applicants. The first group

of 45 selectees was sworn in on 2 November 1949 by

Brigadier General Elmer H. Salzman in a ceremony

at the airfield. Wartime WRs included Master Sergeant

Cecilia Nadeau, Staff Sergeant Lucille Almon, Staff

Sergeant Leona Dickey, Staff Sergeant Betty Guenther,

Sergeant Gladyce Pederson, Sergeant Anna Homza,

Private First Class Betty Lemnke, Private First Class

Grace Moak, Private First Class Ruth Mortenson, and

Private First Class Kathleen Schoenecker. Among the

nonveterans was Private Julia L. Bennke, who later

went on to a full active duty career and retired in 1970

as a master sergeant.

Despite the commanding officer's enthusiasm for

a WR platoon some members of his staff were concerned at the changes it would bring. Reportedly, Sergeant Major Thomas Polvogt said that on occasion he

would issue rifles to the women Marines so they would

know what they were dealing in when they handled

5,3
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 43

records for M-ls issued to guards, but he was not going to be responsible for powder puffs "or them other

things they are going to issue." Lieutenant Carville assured him that the women would be issued full Marine Corps uniforms "from the skin out" and Sergeant

Major Polvogt would not have to worry about "them

other things."19

Captain Jeanette Pearson, Assistant I&I of the 5th

Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Washington, D.C., activated that WR platoon with Major Mary L. Condon

as platoon leader and First Lieutenant Ethel D. Fritts

as platoon officer. Theresa "Sue" M. Sousa, later president of the Women Marines Association, was an early

member of that very active unit which met at 230 C

Street, N.W.20

After the first WOTC, Captain Nita Bob Warner,

selected for a three-year active duty contract, left

Quantico for a Headquarters Marine Corps briefing

before setting out for St. Louis to form the WR Platoon, 3d Infantry Battalion, USMCR. Officially activated on 1 November 1949, the unit received a great

deal of publicity. On the night that enlistments

opened, more than 100 applicants one of whom was

former WR Peggy Musselman, later assigned as the

platoon leadercame to the Navy-Marine Corps

Reserve Training Center at the foot of Ferry Street.

According to retired Lieutenant Colonel Warner, this

unit was supposed to be self-contained. That meant

they were to recruit or train women to handle all matters of administration, supply, recruiting, disbursing,

or whatever else it took to run an efficient organization.

Like the rest of the women Marine Reservists, those

in St. Louis were shod in civilian shoes of various shades

of brown and tan an intolerable situation to Captain Warner. She enlisted the help of Staff Sergeant

Mabel Otten, stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps,

who sent a full ca2e of cordovan brown shoe dye to

the WR platoon. All 50 Reservists spent one drill period outside the armory ". . . wielding a bottle of cordovan brown shoe dye and shoe polish, dying their

shoes dark brown and then learning how to give them

a Marine Corps spit shine." When St. Ipuis saw its first

women Marines, a proud group, on 20 May 1950 in

an Armed Forces Day parade, they were stepping out

in regulation cordovan brown shoes.

As it turned out, the shoe color problem was more

easily solved than that of providing the Reservists with

summer uniforms. There were none! In the summer

of 1950, Headquarters allowed the platoon two weeks

?

01017,-"--

MARINE

r06,:PEA

4

.5. ,MARINE: cøR

RESERVE:4'ff

Inspector-Instructor 1stLt Doris V. Kleberger (standing second from right) attends an Open House for the

Women Reserve Platoon, 17th Infantry Battalion,

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, in Detroit, 1950.

of active duty for training at the armory, which they

performed wearing the utility uniform bib overalls

and white T-shirtswhich Lieutenant Colonel Warner laughingly recalls, ". . . made really quite a handsome outfit."2'

February 1950 saw the formation of the last two WR

platoons. Second Lieutenant Doris Kleberger left

Quantico to become the Assistant I&I, 17th Infantry

Battalion, USMCR, Detroit, with Captain Cecelia Vanden Bossche as the platoon leader.22

Captain Mary J. Hale went from Parris Island to Dallas where she served as Assistant j&I, 23d 155mm

Howitzer Battalion, USMCR. She remembers that the

Marines, Regular and Reserve, were very proud of the

preparations they had made to welcome the WR platoon. On the night of the open house, planned to kick

off the recruiting effort, Dallas was the scene of a "terrible ice storm," but the Texans were undaunted and

the unit was off to a good start. Captain Hazel C. Tyler was platoon leader and First Lieutenant Grace E.

Kathan was platoon officer. Captain Hale, scrupulous

in her explanation to recruits of a Reserve unit's mobilization potential, was asked by the I&I if she really had

to emphasize the point so strongly. Fortunately she

continued to make an issue of it because within six

months mobilization became a fact?3

54
44 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Mobilization of Organized

Reserve Units Korea

Within 15 months of the initiation of women into

the Organized Reserve, the value of the program was

realized with the mobilization of all 13 WR platoons.

Women, as a result of the Korean crisis, and for the

first time in American history, were called involuntarily

to military service along with men. Mobilization of

Reserves, including women veterans, was announced

in June 1950.

Since a number of women Reservists had belonged

to 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 Marine

Corps, Marine Corps Reserve; or

b)attended 36 drills as members of an organized platoon; or

c)attended 30 drills and 10 days active duty for training.

Those women who did not meet the criteria were classified as nonveterans, transferred to the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve, Class III, and directed to await

orders to recruit training at Parris Island.24

Unfortunately, the 3d Recruit Training Battalion

had closed down for the summer. Recruitingwas something of a disappointment and thus far, no women

recruit platoon had reached its authorized strength of

50. That fact coupled with the manner in which

WOTC was organized as a temporary unit established anew each summer led to the decision to terminate training at Parris Island and to assign the staff

to Quantico temporarily to conduct officer training.

Platoon 2A, graduating in May, was the last scheduled class until 18 September. Three officers and seven

enlisted women from the permanent staff of 3d Recruit

Training Battalion were temporarily reassigned to a

subunit activated at Quantico on 2 June. The first

group to leave Parris Island included Captain Jeanette

I. Sustad, Second Lieutenants Joan Morrissey and Betty

Preston, Technical Sergeant "A" Fern Schirmer, Staff

Sergeant Bertha Schultz, and Sergeants Rosa V. Harrington and Ruth Ryan. Sergeants Grace M. Karl and

Agnes C. Thomas and Private First Class Allis V. Wall

soon followed.25 They were barely established in Virginia when the news of mobilization broke and the

urgent need for recruit training was realized, but it

was too late to change plans as WOTC would be

without a staff. So, when the WR platoons left for

military duty, the nonveterans stayed behind expecting orders to Parris Island in early September.

The women Reserve officers were not mobilized in

Capt Cecelia Vanden Bossche, Commanding Officer, IFR Platoon, 17th InfantryBattalion, Detroit, reads mobilization orders resulting from the Korean aidsin 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 Marines

assigned to Headquarters, Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California in 1950.

order to maintain a sufficient numba of stateside

billets to allow the rotation of male officers. Before

the plan was published, several officers gave notice to

their employers and prepared to leave for duty. The

decision to exclude WM officers caused a morale

problem at several levels of the women's Reserve program. According to retired Lieutenant Colonel Carville, Assistant I&I at Minneapolis at the time of

mobilization, "It was a terrible, terrible, terrible mistake!" The I&I hated to tell Reserve officers, who, in

turn were embarrassed in front of their troops. The

enlisted women were at first apprehensive at the

thought of leaving without their own, familiar officers.

Later, some were even angrily asking, "Why us, and

not them?"26

The mobilization of the women caused by the conflict in Korea brought two significant changes to the

women Marine program: it enabled women Marines

to return to several duty stations, from which they had

been a!ment during the postwar years, and it enabled

them to break out of the strictly administrative mold

into which they were cast after World War II. An analysis of tables of organization indicated that 1,183

women Marines could be assigned immediately,

4 5

releasing an equal number of men according to the

following distribution:27

Hq, Dcpartment of Pacific and

Depot of Supplies, San Francisco 172

Marine Barracks and Marine Corps

Supply Depot, Camp Pendleton 189

Marine Barracks and Marine Corps

Supply Depot, Camp Lejeune 190

Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro 95

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island 133

Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point 195

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego 68

Marine Corps Schools, Quantico 141 Total 1,183

The WR platoons with 2 5 officers and 594 enlisted

women were up to 88.6 percent of their authorized

strength.26 To make up the difference and to fill vacancies in critical specialties, an immediate call was made

for veteran volunteers in the following occupational

01 Personnel Administration

15 Printing and Reproduction

22 Fire Control Instrument Repair

25 Operational Communications

30 Supply Administration, Accounting and Stock Control

31 Supply Procurement, Warehousing, Shipping, and Receiving

56 ;
46

34 Disbursing

35 Motor Transport

40 Machine Accounting

41 Post Exchange

43 Public Information

46 Photography

49 Training and Training Aids

52 Special Services

67 Air Control

70 Aviation Operations and intelligence29

Volunteer Reservists Answer The Call

An intensive short-term recruiting drive attracted

former WRs like Corporal Anne Revak who volunteered at the start of the war, but could not be recalled

from her home in Fairbanks, Alaska. She drove to Seattle in order to report within the continental United

States, was accepted, and sent to Camp Pendleton.30

Sergeant Ethyl Wilcox was recalled in August 1950

and ordered to recruiting duty, a billet she filled all

through World War II. She was on the job, in civilian

clothes, for several months before she had time to go

to Chicago for a physical examination and uniforms.

On duty in Minnesota, she spent her time processing

Reservists and later recruiting women.31

Sergeant Mary S. Mock completed officer candidate

training in 1949, and returned home to finish college.

Too young to be commissioned, she accepted a teaching position but on 12 September, two days before

school was scheduled to begin, she received a collect

telegram ordering her to report to Quantico on 14 September. She attended Basic School, which was shortened from eight to four weeks because of the

emergency, as an officer candidate, the only enlisted

WM on the base. As such, she could not eat in the

officers' mess with her classmates, and the commanding general thought it inappropriate for her to eat by

herself in the general mess hall, so, in time, she was given an allowance to eat in civilian restaurants in the

town of Quantico.32

There were a number of women serving in district

offices on continuous active duty contracts_ which

stipulated that they could not be transferred against

their wishes. One of these was First Lieutenant Mary

E. Roddy, who had been the last WR to leave Cherry

Point in 1946. When the transfer program was announced in 1948, she found that she did not meet

the age criteria for integration, but that she was eligible for continuous active duty. She was selected and

assigned to the 9th Reserve District Headquarters in

the Federal Court Building on Lake Shore Drive in

Chicago. She was the woman Marine liaison officer

and handled all WM matters, Reserve and Regular.

57

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

During this time, the Korean situation "was heating

up" and the district director asked if Ale could find

women Reservists to help with the administrative

work. She successfully recruited some 15-20 former

WRs for continuous active duty. At the time that they

were recruited, Lieutenant Roddy explained that the

contracts did not offer too much a minimum of one

year's duty and a clause that protected them from an

involuntary transfer. But, she added that they had all

left the Corps with good records, and if an emergency arose, she expected that they would fulfill the spirit

of their contract as a Marine. Not long after, a mobilization roster, not entirely unexpected, arrived and the

lieutenant called a meeting in the only available private spot, the ladies room. The women knew what

was coming and although not legally obligated, they

accepted the fate of mobilization "with good grace"

and all, including Lieutenant Roddy, were soon sent

to Washington, D.C.33

At the time of mobilization, only 12 women were

deferred or rejected which resulted in a mobilization

of 98 percent of the women in the Organized

Reserve.34 Two hundred eighty-seven veterans were

ordered to extended active duty and 298 nonveterans

were ordered to Parris Island. All had been trained

and assigned by January 1951. Together with the

volunteer Reservists, a total of approximately 1,000

women were assigned to extended active duty. They

worked in clerical fields, recruiting, public information, communications, photography, cartographic

drafting, disbursing, and motor transport."

Women Marines Return to

Posts and Stations

In June 1950 the only woman Marine company was

Company E at Headquarters Battalion, Henderson

Hall. The battalion at Parris Island was strictly a recruit

command and no regular WMs worked outside of it.

Women Marines were assigned to the Department of

the Pacific at San Francisco, but they had no government quarters. All other WMs were working with the

Reserve districts, Reserve platoons, or as recruiters.

The first priority then was to prepare billeting space

at the posts and stations for the incoming women Marines. Major Pauline B. Beckley, Commanding Officer,

Company E, was transferred to Parris Island to assume

command of the recruit training battalion, with a temporary assignment en route. She, Technical Sergeant

Schirmer, and Corporal Leona M. Fox reported to

Camp Lejeune on 24 July 1950 to open and ready a

barracks for occupancy by the women Reservists be-
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 47

ing ordered to active duty. The building had been vacated by men and, of course, did not pass the women's

inspection. Lieutenant Colonel Beckley, looking back,

wrote in 1977, "Don't think any three WMs worked

hardermanually than we did." With the exception of a battle with the G-4 for supplies, the women

received fine cooperation from the Marines at Camp

Lejeune, especially the commanding general, Major

General Franklin A. Hart, and his staff.36 Major Beckley was no stranger to Camp Lejeune, having served

there as the postal officer of the schools and the executive officer of the WR battalion during World War

With Camp Lejeune prepared on the east coast, and

San Francisco ready to process WM5 on the west coast,

it was at last possible to ship the Reserves. Many of

the WR platoons left home on the same troop trains

as the men. When the 5th Infantry Battalion of

Washington, D.C. entrained for Camp Lejeune., on

31 July 1950, the Marine Band gave them a sendoff

befitting the country's first mobilized Marine Corps

Reserve unit. Along with wives and children at

Union Station to say goodbye were two husbands, W.

G. Kegel and Edmund A. Gibson, there to bid farewell to Corporal Virginia S. Kegel and Technical Sergeant Josephine R. Gibson.37

The WR platoon in Boston was mobilized on 7 August, one week before actual departure, and the women reported to the armory where they lived while

performing the administrative tasks essential to the

mobilization of an infantry battalion. When the day

came to leave, 15 August 1950, marching to the music of the 2d Infantry Battalion band, 700 male Marines and 32 women Marines boarded the train for

North Carolina. Billeting was carefully arranged so that

the 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 first

women Marines to be stationed at Camp Pendleton since the end of World War II.

58
48 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

dining car, then the male officers' car, and finally the

women's car, guarded by MP5.39

The first three Reserve platoons to arrive at Camp

Lejeune were those from Washington, Philadelphia,

and Boston. Three Regular staff NCOs, Staff Sergeants

Esther Waclawski, Ruth Ryan, and Virginia L. Moore,

students at Supply School, were already living in the

barracks. In 1977, First Sergeant Waclawski could still

hear the "click . . . click . . . click" of the high heels

of the Reservists trooping off the buses and into the

barracks. Customarily, women Marines wore oxfords

for such formations and so the Regulars were undecided as to whether they should laugh at the Reservists

in their more attractive shoes or envy them.39

As soon as they arrived, and before they had time

to settle, the women were processed and put to work

to alleviate the personnel shortage caused by troop

drafts for Korea. After the Camp Lejeune quota of 190

women was reached, Reservists were sent for duty to

other east coast duty stationsCherry Point, Parris Island, and Quantico. To avoid the establishment of additional administrative units, the women were attached

to existing male units, and unlike World War II, they

ate in existing male mess halls."

Those first few months were hectic. Many of the socalled "veterans" had never seen a Marine Corps base

before. In addition to working long hours, an improvised boot camp was held evenings by the handful of

experienced NCOs. Typically, a WM worked five days,

had one-half day of military subjects training, and attended close order drill classes after evening chow, and

according to Sergeant Major Judge, excuses from training were unheard of. The barracks routine, which included outside morning muster and chow formations

(to make the formation and march up to the mess hall

was mandatory; to enter and to eat was optional) was

a culture shock to many of the women.4'

The WM Company, Marine Barracks, Camp Lejeune, the first postwar women's company was formally

activated on 13 October 1950, with Captain Mary J.

Fisher commanding, and with Technical Sergeant

Schirmer, first sergeant." The women were housed in

Barracks 60 and 63 with the main area service club

between. At the height of the Korean War, the WM

company numbered approximately 400 women: 270

on duty with the base; 75 attached to the depot quartermaster; and 155 attending supply school and disbursing school."

At the same time that Camp Lejeune was being

readied for the arrival of the WMs, women Reservists

from cities west of the Miscissippi were reporting to

San Francisco for processing and classification. Captain Sustad, Technical Sergeant Catherine G. Murray,

and Sergeant Beatice M. Kent reported to Camp Pendleton on 8 August to make advance preparations for

the billeting of women Marines who would arrive as

soon as the Department of the Pacific's and Depot of

Supplies' quotas were filled.

The Pendleton WMs were assigned the same barracks in the "24" area occupied by their predecessors

during World War II. Just before the Reservists arrived a fire destroyed all the mattresses, chests of drawers, and other supplies set aside to furnish their

quarters.44 A lesser crisis arose with the news that

Headquarters required a guard from 1800 to 0600

posted around the WM barracks. To save personnel,

the Marines at Camp Pendleton fenced in the WM

area, and the gate was locked each night when liberty

expired. In First Sergeant Waclawski's view, it looked

like a prisoner-of-war compound, and she was pleased

to see the fence come down after a visit by Colonel

Hamblet in the mid-Fifties"

In addition to her regularly assigned duty as the custodian of registered publications, Captain Sustad was

the "Supervisor of Women Marines:' all of whom were

attached to Headquarters Company, Headquarters

Battalion, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton. The

WM company, under the command of Captain Sustad, was eventually activated as an element of Service

Battalion on 1 June 1951.

One month after the WMs landed at Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

saw its first postwar woman Marine, First Lieutenant

Kathyrn E. Snyder, who had been on I&I duty in San

Francisco until the WR platoon there was mobilized.

In November, she was joined by Second Lieutenant

Dorothy Dawson. Both women were assigned primary

duties in the depot G-1 office, and additional duties,

respectively, as WM platoon commander and platoon

officer. The enlisted women arrived in December 1950

and were attached to Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion. Private First Class

Dawn Zimmerman was first to report. By 8 December she had been joined by 15 others: Master Sergeant

Cecilia Nadeau, Staff Sergeant Annette Burkhead,

Sergeant Dorothy Walker, Privates First Class Inga

Boberg, Margaret Cooper, Patricia Pfeiffer, and Frances

Quinlan, and Privates Norma Adams, Jo Carrera, Phyllis Curtiss, Nita L. Fagan, Joy Hardy, and Rebecca

59
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS

Rarrick. The balance of the WM platoons came directly

from recruit training:28

Major Emma Hope Clowers (nee Hendrickson)

reported to San Diego in December of 1951 and in

1977 gave the following account of the activation of

the WM company and of the problems encountered

by the women officers assigned as supervisors rather

than as commanding officers:

When I reported to MCRD in Dec 1951, the women were

housed in two two-story barracks near the main gate and

were carried on the rolls of HqCo, H&S Bn. Both barracks

had open squadbays, with double-deck bunks for most of

the women. (I believe the NCOs and SNCOs had single deck

bunks, but that there were no separate areas set aside for

them.) As I recall, even SNCOs were scattered at random

through both barracks, alongside PFCs, in some cases. There

was only one woman officer and myself, and there were no

quarters on the base for either of us. Therefore, supervision

of the women Marines after working hours and during

weekends and holidays was almost entirely in the hands of

the NCOs, even though I was on call much of the time at

the home I had in Ocean Beach. It seemed as though a night

rarely passed when I wasn't called at least once by the Post

Duty Officer or by our Barracks NCO and I made many a

trip to the base during the night. My position was strictly

that of a barracks officer (such as WAVE officers at that time

frequently held as additional duty). I had no authority over

the women in administrative or disciplinary matters, or in

fact any area, and the women were aware of that fact. At

one time the women's CO was the Post Communications

Officer, who had command of the company as additional

duty. It was an impossible situation as !soon found out when

I reassigned the women within the two barracks to break

up the little cliques that had developed and to have the Staff

NCOs in a separate area. I recall that some of the women

staged what was probably one of the first of the "sit-ins"

when I rearranged the barracks and reassigned them. It is

amusing now but wasn't then. My "C.P" was a tiny converted

stock room in the barracks with scarcely enough room for

a desk. I was receiving urgent calls from Colonel Towle at

HQMC about the formation of a women's company, but

could never clear the hurdle set up by the basea magic

number which we had to meet before they would give us

a company. Each time our strength was about to reach that

number, we would have an unexpected discharge or transfer. But eventually we were given company status, and by

the time I was transferred back to HQMC in May 53 I felt

we had accomplished much in organization of the company, improvements in the barracks, reduction in disciplinaty

problems, and improvement in morale of the women.47

The WM Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot was activated on

1 July 1952, Captain Clowers, commanding; Second

Lieutenant Joyce M. Hamman, executive officer; and

Master Sergeant Vera E. Piippo, first sergeant.

El Toro was originally programmed to receive 90

f

49

WMs, but later the commanding general actually

identified 235 positions which could be filled by women. Plans were made at once to receive and quarter

the women Marines even before the usual advance

group arrived. The large, eight-wing barracks behind

the station administration building which had been

occupied by the WRs during the war was vacated by

the male Marines, then repainted and renovated.

Captain Warner left St. Louis shortly after her platoon was mobilized and during the first week of October became the first woman Marine to report to the

Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro since 1946. Until

the company was activated, she was assigned as the

station assistant personnel officer and administrative

assistant for WMs.

Seven NCOs from Headquarters Marine Corps

(Master Sergeant Bette A. Kohen; Staff Sergeants Margaret H. Crowell, Doris M. Plowman, and Martha J.

Clark; Sergeants Chadeane A. Rhindress and Rita M.

Walsh; and Corporal Maxine H. Carlson) who arrived

in early November 195-0 were the vanguard of the unit

which would be known as the Woman Marine Detachment 1 (WMD 1). Waiting for more women to report

in, the seven lived in the station hostess house.

Public Works had scrubbed and polished the barracks, and the NCOs settled in and made up the bunks

for the incoming women, newly graduated recruits

from Parris Island. Just one week before the barracks

was to be occupied, a Santa Ana windstorm blew in

from the desert and dumped an inch of red sand

thoughout all the squadbays in the women's building. Lieutenant Colonel Warner remembers that it was

"an awful mess." There was sand everywhere and in

everythingsheets, blankets, pillow cases. She and the

NCOs literally shoveled out the barracks, got two wings

ready, and closed off the others. A squared away living area awaited each new group of privates. Settled

in, they, in turn cleaned a wing for the next contingent.

WMD 1 grew to a strength of approximately 250;

almost all were recent graduates. The officers and the

NCOs felt a great sense of responsibility and were like

"mother hens" to the 18-year-old WMs a new

phenomenon in the Marine Corps. An NCO advisor

was assigned to each squadbay and was always ready

to listen and to help the young Marines make whatever

adjustment was necessary. WMD 1 was a closely knit

unit which Lieutenant Colonel Warner remembers as

a "fine group of women."48

60
50 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

:M212-1111

;17 il-oefr

h MEM,

- The first post-World War II women Marines arrived at Quantico, Virginia, in 1951 and

were assigned to the Administrative Section of the Landing Force Development Center.

Hard pressed for personnel, the Marines at El Toro

made the women feel welcome and needed. The various squadron and station offices vied for WMs who

were assigned to all except combat units. Interest ran

so high that the Flight Jacket, the station newspaper,

regularly published the number of women Marines ex- pected along with their occupational specialty. On 20

October 1950 one article read:

Out of El Toro's first draft will be 11 basic personnel and

administration women, seven basic communication girls and

four basic supply people. There will be two basic shipping

and receiving WRs, five basic post exchange stewards, two

basic air controlwomen, and one basic flight equipment woman.49 The return of the WMs made a similar impact on

East Coast posts and stations, Matters of housing,

uniforming, administration, and assignment had to

be resolved quickly. At two of the bases, Quantico

and Parris Island, training sites for WM officers and

recruits, the adjustment was minimal.

The 3d Recruit Training Battalion underwent a minor organizational change on 20 November 1950,

and WMs not involved in training but rather assigned to the depot offices were made members of Post

Troops Section under the section commander, Second

Lieutenant Mary S. Mock. On 16 November 1951, the

Post Personnel Company under the command of Captain Emily Schultz was officially activated as an element of the 3d Recruit Training Battalion.

The influx of women Marines to the Marine Corps

Schools at Quantico was made less traumatic by virtue of the presence of a senior woman officer involved in officer training, a barracks already occupied by

WMs, and a male unit, Headquarters Battalion, accustomed to having women on its rolls. Lieutenant

Carville, having seen the Minneapolis WR platoon off

to duty in San Francisco, was transferred to Quantico, where in addition to her assignment as administrative officer for the Marine Corps Landing Force

Tactics and Techniques Board, she became the barracks officer for the permanently assigned WMs, the

first 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 Jane

L. Reynolds; and Private M. L. Williarnson.50 In spite

of the nontraditional command and administrative

relationship where the women Marines were attached

to one unit, worked in another, and were under the

61
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 51

supervision of a woman officer with no real authority, the first arrived WMs at Quantico were a cohesive

group, and evidently, a well disciplined one. For a

period of a year, there was not a single case of nonjudicial punishment involving a WM. Maintaining the

record became a matter of great pride. But bad luck

was their undoing when a private first class' auto broke

down in the town of Triangle and after walking the

three miles to the barracks in her high heels, she

reported in from liberty 10 minutes late. On this and

other occasions when a WM appeared before the battalion commander for office hours, it was Lieutenant

Carville's habit to stand behind him and squeeze his

shoulder when it appeared that he was weakening and

unduly moved by a tearful story.5,

For about 18 months, the WMs at Quantico were

customarily attached to Headquarters or Service Battalion. A WM company was eventually formed under

the command of Captain Bernice M. Pittman on 1

May 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 Corps

Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. She easily

moved into the Navy nurses quarters, but housing the

newly arrived enlisted women was more of a problem.

When Staff Sergeant Katherine Keefe, a Boston Reservist, was tranferred to Cherry Point after spending only

a very short time at Camp Lejeune, she was temporarily quartered in the maternity ward of the naval hospital.52 The station WMs were attached to Headquarters

Squadron until WMD 2 was officially activated on 1

March 1951 with Captain Wilson commanding, Second Lieutenant Natalie Noble, executive officer, and

Master Sergeant Alice J. Connolly, sergeant major. In

November 1951, ground was broken for theJet Hangar, a new WM service club, and when it opened the

The Commanding Officer of Woman Marine Detachment 2, Cherry Point, North Carolina, Maj Helen A. Wilson (center), pictured in 1953 with (from left to tight) MSgt

Elizabeth Tarte, SSgt Muriel Artz, MSgt Alice Connolly, and MSgt Jessie Van Dyke.

62

vO'
52

Capt Helen Wilson, the senior woman officer at Cherry Point, and Col Katherine A. Towle, Director of

Women Marines, check clothing display in 1952.

next spring, complete with juke box and patio, it was

a popular spot for snacks, beer, soft drinks, and milk

shakes.53*

Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic

(FMFLant), located at Norfolk, Virginia, asked for and

received a total of 10 WMs; all were administrative

clerks, and all were privates first class. It was Colonel

Towle's policy to assign a woman officer to any base

where enlisted women served and so Lieutenant Kleberger was assigned to Norfolk as the assistant force

adjutant and additionally as the "Supervisor of Women Marines."54

The original 10, Privates First Class Henrietta L.

*"Being the first Woman Marine on a major Marine Corps Air

Station (MCAS - Cherry Point) in five years (1945 -1950) posed its

problems. Upon my arrival, I was directed to report to the Commanding General. During this meeting, he pointed out that the

five-year interim that had elapsed since women (other than Navy

nurses) had been aboard made it evident that male Marines were

unaccustomed to having female Marines as an integral part of their

daily lives. Therefore, I was stunned when he said he'd hold me

personally responsible if 'anything happened' to any of the women! He further suggested that no women should leave the base except in pairs (like Nuos, as I later expressed it). I wanted to

remonstrate, but all I could say was 'Aye, Aye, Sirr-- knowing full

well that I couldn't go on liberty with the women. They arrived

shortly after my meeting with the General, in increments of 100

to 200. Nothing untoward happened. The men seemed happy to

have them aboard, and I think they really were!" Col Helen A. Wilson comments on draft manuscript, dtd 1Jan130.

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Belcher, Dorothy P. Eastman, Naomi M. Hallaway,

Beatrice I. Harper, Theresa S. Kovar, Martha M. Ludwig, Margaret M. Martin, Mary A. Seman, Earlene Slaton, and Mary H. Clements were attached to

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, FMFLant and quartered with the WAVES

at the Norfolk Naval Base. Eventually on 1 April 1952,

a WM Company was activated with Second Lieutenant

Mary E. Sullivan commanding.

During the Korean War years, women Marines

returned to Hawaii, in 1951 to FMFPac at Pearl Harbor and in 1953 to the Marine Corps Air Station at

Kaneohe Bay. On 31 July 1951 Lieutenant Colonel

Hamblet became the first WM to be assigned to Headquarters, FMFPac. It was three months before Second

Lieutenant Essie M. Lucas, graduate of the fkst WR

recruit class in 1943 and the first officer candidate class

in 1949, left San Francisco with 17 enlisted WMs on

5 October 1951. On board the military transport were

Technical 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. Kleberger, Mary E. Scudder, Naomi J. Sexton, Ruth V.

Tate, and Joan V. Walsh; and Privates First Class Nita

M. Oliver, Vivia Smith, and Adoree R. Troche.55

Upon arrival, the women were attached to Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, FMFPac, and were assigned a small, but very

attractive two-storied wooden barracks overlooking the

parade deck. Mrs. Victory, wife of Brigadier General

Randall M. Victory, had supervised the decoration and

when dignitaries visited the command, receptions

were often held in the WM lounge." Within six

months the WMs had their own command, Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, FMFPac,

under Second Lieutenant Margaret M. Schaffer. Unlike the male companies in the same battalion, the

commanding officer of the woman Marine company

was not empowered to sign record books or to issue

company regulations. Only through the intervention

of Colonel Towle several years !at er did the company

commander gain the control usually associated with

that position.57 Early members of the command included; Master Sergeant Mary E. Roche, Technical Sergeants Mary E. Grande and Ann M. Kopp, Staff

Sergeant Margaret E. Boerner, and Sergeants Barbara

Jean Dulinsky (who later was to be the fkst WM to

serve in Vietnam) and Emma G. Ramsey (who retired

as a captain in May 1971).

63
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 53

In January 1956, Headquarters, FMFPac, moved

from the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor to the old naval

hospital at Aiea, which was designated Camp H. M.

Smith. The women's company, commanded by Captain Kleberger, moved into former Navy nurses' quart.

ers. The newly renovated barracks afforded suites for

the senior SNCOs, private rooms for some, and rooms

of two-to-four persons for sergeants and below. "The

building abounded in lounges, exercise rooms, study

rooms, and other fantastic facilities," recalled Lieutenant Colonel KlebergerP8

WMD 3, a group of 56 WMs led by First Lieutenant Phyllis J. Young, stationed at Kaneohe Bay, on

the opposite side of the island from Pearl Harbor, was

the last woman Marine command to be activated in

the 1950s. In an interview published in the San Diego Chevron, First Sergeant Doris P. Milholen recounted her trip to the island:

There were four of us from the detachment that were to

leave by seaplane [the MARs] to arrive in Kaneohe ahead

of the rest of the women Marines. But for about four days

before takeoff the plane had engine trouble and the flight

was delayed. The main detachment almost made it to the

islands by ship before we finally got off the ground.59

The women were quartered in one of the Marine

Corps' newest and most modern barracks, sometimes

referred to as "The Waldorf." The living areas were

paintcd in pastel colors, and the amenities included

a complete kitchen and adjoining dining room. The

staff noncommissioned officers, living in single rooms,

had private showers and their own lounge."

WMD 3 was a short-lived unit. It closed on 1 September 1956 due to personnel replacement problems,

but was reactivated during the Vietnam War.

Korean War Brings Changes

To Recruit Ti-aining

The year 1950 marked significant changes to the

woman Marine program and consequently to the 3d

Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island. Until May

1950, classes with a quota of 50 recruits each were convened consecutively. Beginning with the class of 18

September each class was composed of three platoons

with a total strength of 150 women, and for the first

time since World War II classes overlapped each other.

The Division of Plans and Policies indicated a need

for 2,257 women Marines at posts and stations during fiscal year 1950 in addition to the 492 regular enlisted women on active duty. Based upon an estimate

of 1,000 Reservistsorganized ind volunteeron extended active duty, 1,257 women had to be provided

for regular recruits. Added to this figure were the 300

nonveterans of the WR platoons who required basic

training. The plans necessitated an increase in the table of organization of the recruit battalion and the

assignment of another barracks, Building 901.8'

Most of the staff members returned from Quantico

where they had been assigned to WOTC and were supplemented by the I&Is of mobilized platoons. Captain Hale, away only six months, returned to Parris

Island on 29 August as the interim commanding

officer with First Lieutenant Dorothy A. Holmberg,

the executive officer. Major Beckley, her work at Camp

Lejeune completed, assumed command of the 3d

Recruit Training Battalion on 18 September 1950 and

Captain Hale became the executive officer.

With the increased need for Marines, the recruiting requirements were eased, allowing for the first time

the enlistment of 18 year olds and also women who

were not high school graduates but who could pass

a high school equivalency examination. Colonel Towle

was much opposed to the lowered educational standards, but was pressured by the other services and the

Department of Defense. During this period the Veterans Administration, working on behalf of veterans

desiring a college education, asked the colleges and

universities to accept the equivalent examination. as

evidence of successful completion of high school. The

academic community was quick to point out the

anomaly of asking an educational institution to recognize the examination when the military services did

notP2

It was a different woman recruit who reported to

Parris Island in September 1950: many were younger

and less skilled; others, with a smattering of Reserve

experience, arrived wearing PFC stripes. In the class

that convened on 18 September, 33 of the 144 were

nonveterans from WR platoons.83 Reluctantly, they

moved the stripes from their uniforms. First Sergeant

Schultz spoke of her duty as platoon sergeant and of

her last recruit platoon an honor platoon which

consisted mainly of Seattle Reservists. She said, "They

must have had very good training. They were an outstanding platoon and my job was really alleviated as

far as basic training was con erned."84

A Few Changes at

Officer Candidate School

The changes at the Woman Officer Candidates

Course marked a significant shift in policy regarding

6 4
54 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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 Korean

situation arose, only a few women were offered commissions in the Regular service and allowed to remain

on active duty. In contrast, the entire graduating class

of 1951 was ordtted to duty for 24 months.e5 Although

this was intended as a temporary, emergency measure, it continued thereafter, changing only to lengthen the required service. The emphasis had changed

from a strictly Reserve force on inactive duty to a

nucleus of trained women Marines with at least a minimum of active duty experience.

The candidates who arrived in the summer of 1951

were uncertain of their status through much of the

training, and those who wei not college graduates

feared that the Marine Corps would retain them on

active duty as enlisted personnel rather than releasing them to finish their college education. Candidate

Margaret A. Brewer, the last Director of Women Marines, and destined to be appointed the first woman

general in 1978 was in this category, and she remembers the daily, changing rumors. The final result was

that the women who accepted commissions were retained, those who refused commissions were dist 5

charged, and undergraduates returned home in a

Reserve status. Colonel Brewer recalled that with one

semester remaining she returned to school, finished

in January, and expected to attend the officer's basic

class convening in the fall. Instead, she was ordered

to active duty in Mav f.nd assigned to El Toro as a communications watch officer, one of only a few woman

Marine officers never to have attended the Basic

School."

During the same period the Woman Officer Indoctrination Course underwent only a modest revisionshortening its training for the new lieutenants

from eight to four weeks. For the graduates of the

Woman Officer Candidate Course of 1952, however,

the basic indoctrination class was lengthened to six

weeks.

The Korean YearsReprise

During the Korean years, the relatively few experienced women Marines were spread thinly and

transferred oftenLieutenant Kleberger, for example,

had four assignments, Quantico, Detroit, Norfolk, and

Washington, D.C. in just two years. The officers and
THE KOREAN WAR YEARS 55

NCOs worked together scrubbing and polishing barracks, setting up the new companies, training Reservists and Regulars, guiding young lieutenants and

privates, and holding together a group consisting of

a disproportionatc, number of inexperienced Marines.

In March 1950, at the beginning of the Korean war,

there were only 28 Regular officers and 496 Regular

enlisted WMs and 18 Reserve officers and 41 Reserve

enlisted women on continuous active duty. Their common purpose and special pride in being a woman Marine served to override any personal differences which,

if aired, would have undermined the group. They

worked as one to bring the WMs back into the mainstream of the Marine Corps. Until one by one, the

members of this pioneer group began to retire in 1963,

they served as role models for the WMs who followed.
56 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

111;, 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 Woman

Officer Indoctrination Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, on I November 1952.

7
CHAPTER 5

Utilization and Numbers, 1951-1963

Utilization of Women Marines, Evolution of a PolicyReport of Procedures Analysis Office, 1951

Women Officers' MOSs, 19484953-1950-1953 Summary-1954-1964

NumbersUtilization, 1954-1964Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Officers

Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges, Staff Noncommissioned Officers

Noncommissioned 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 turning

points, each one opening new career fields w women

Marines. The second turning point was the Woman

Marine Program Study Group (Pepper Board) meeting in 1964. The third was the Ad-Hoc Committee

on Increased Effectiveness in the Utilization of Women in the Marine Corps (Snell Committee) of 1973.

After World War II nearly all women Marines

worked in the areas of administration and supply. WR

veterans who had served in technical fields in World

War H, especially in aviation specialties, were disappointed when they found themselves reclassified as

typists and stenographers upon integration in 1948

and 1949. It is probable that many skilled WRs,

trained during the war, when faced with the prospect

of a change in occupational field, did not apply for

Regular status.

Pre-Korea recruits, in spite of the detailed classification procedures followed at Parris Island, were invariably earmarked for administrative work. Ninety-five

percent of them were assigned directly to a job; the

remainder, however, were given formal training at the

Personnel Administration School at Parris Island or the

Yeoman Course at San Diego.' In the spring of 1950,

just before the war, two recruits, Privates Nancy L. Bennett and Cynthia L. Thies, slated to be photographers,

became the first WMs to complete boot camp and to

be assigned to an occupational field other than administration. Both Marines had had experience in photography.2

The shortsightedness of these restrictive measures

limiting the occupational opportunities and training

of women to clerical duties was evident as soon as the

North Koreans invaded South Korea in June 1950.

Then, expediency dictated a more diverse classification of women. Manpower was in critically short supply. Each Marine Corps base was polled on the number

of billets that could be filled by women, and on the

billeting space available for distaff Marines. Unfortunately, the available women Marines had not been

trained to fill many of the needs identified by this

survey.

Report of Procedures Analysis Office, 1951

On 12 Decembei 1950, four months after the

mobilization, an internal memorandum in the Division of Plans and Policies on the subject of requirements for women Marines revealed that there

were 76 military billets at Headquarters Marine Corps

which by their nature could be filled by WMs but to

which women were not assigned. Lack of training was

cited as the cause. Furthermore, women were assigned

to billets in accordance with ability, regardless of rank

deficiency. At the time of the memorandum, 70 women privates first class were assigned to billets designated

for higher ranks: 27 filling corporals billets; 32 filling

sergeants billets; 9 in staff sergeant billets; 1 in a technical sergeant slot; and 1 in a master sergeant billet.

It was noted, as well, that of a total of 438 military

jobs at Headquarters, 230 were coded as requiring

male Marines and of these "must be male" billets, 12

were filled by WMs. The recommendations made in

view of the situation was that the table of organization be reviewed with an eye towards decreasing irequirements for male Marines and that WMs, Regular

and Reserve, with adequate work qualifications and

rank be ordered to Headquarters. A like number of

WMs from Headquarters, the least qualified clerically, would be transferred to posts and stations.3

Colonel Towle found the memorandum useful in

pointing out what she saw as, "The difficulty of attempting to utilize untrained personnel in skilled military billets" and "the need of remedial measures"4 She

reiterated her position that specialist training beyond

recruit indoctrination was essential to meet the needs

of both the Marine Corps and the individual Marine.

Her conclusion was:

A policy which relies upon an ever-diminishing supply

of World War II women reservists to continue to provide the

skills presently needed by the Marine Corps as well as those

which would be required in all-out mobilization, rather than

establish systematic long range training beyond recruit indoctrination for younger women enlistees of the regular Marine Corps is considered unrealistic and shortsighted, as well

as uneconomical.5

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

57
58 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

OE Aleknam

- MIA_

Attending the Conference of WoMen Marine CoMmanding .0fficers and Irioen

Representatives 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. Hamblet; LtCol Elsie E. Hill; LtCol Barbara J. Bishop; and Maj Helen M. Tatum. Also (from

left, standing): lstLt Rita A. Ciotti; Capt Mary S. Mock; lstLt Ruth J. O'Holleran; Capt

Dolores 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 women could be utilized and the proportion of the total

number which could be profitably employed. The ensuing study conducted by the Procedures Analysis

Office, evaluatr.-ei MOSs on the basis of utilization of

women in rfne legal restrictions, physical requirements, job cn i;)nment, availability of training facilities, and the existence of promotional outlets. They

noted that while women Marines were assigned MOSs

in 25 different occupational fields, actually about 95

percent of the WMs were concentrated in only six

fields. The lessons learned in the emergency brought

on by the war in Korea were apparent in the conclusions 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 evaluation

of the combined influence of all "restricted assignment"

groups upon rotation policies.

e. Immediate steps should be taken to utilize women in all

appropriate MOSs so that under full mobilization, expansion can be readily accomplished.

f. Service schools must be cpened to women to train them

for the appropriate MOS.

g. Billets that can be filled by women must be identified

on tables of organization.

The 2 7 occupational fIek. sidered appropriate were: 01 Personnel and Administration

02 Intelligence

04 Logistics

14 Mapping and Surveying

15 Printing

22 Fire Control Instrument Repair
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963

25 Operational Communications

26 Communication Material

27 Electronics

30 Supply

31 Warehousing, Shipping, and Receiving

33 Food

34 Disbursing

35 Motor Transport

40 Machine Accounting

41 Post Exchange

43 Public Information

46 Photography

49 Training and Training Aids

52 Special Services

55 Band

66 Aviation Electronics

67 Air Control

68 Aerology

69 Aviation Synthetic Training Devices

70 Aviation Operations and Intelligence

71 Flight Equipment8

Colonel Towle endorsed the study calling it,

"thorough, thoughtful, and essentially a realistic

presentation of facts pertinent to the utilization of

women within the Marine Corps." She did, however,

take exception to the stated position that while women could perform the duties of the 27 recommended

occupational fields, they could not be placed in all

of the billets falling under each major heading since

the "most effective utilization occurs when women supervise only women and when situations in which

women supervise men or mixed groups are

minimized." She submitted that:

... the most effective utilization of women does not necessarily depend upon women supervising women, unless credence is also given to the corollary of this statement rhat

men should supervise only men. The skuation at Headquarters Marine Corps is an excellent example of the invalidity

of this contention. During World War II there were many

instances at many posts and stations where women supervised both men and women with notable success. In this

connection, it should be remembered that women officers'

commissions are identical in wording to those of their male

counterparts charging them not only with the duties and

responsibilides of their grade and positions, but also assuring them of comparable military authority.8*

*In fact, during k4:7-an War, skomen Mmines made a few

tentative steps t,:,A74ii taking over supervision of several all male

groups. In 1952, :t(al.:f Sergeant Hazel A. Lindabl, a Reservist from

Boston, held the top enlisted post at Camp Lejeune as Camp Szrgeant Major of mor: Lhan 40,000 Marines. Durhig the same ,period, Master Sergeant Margaret A. Goings was the first Sergeant,

Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp

Lejeune. (DivWMs Scrapbook, box 4, 117Ms HQMC Records)

59

The final report of the Procedures Analysis Office

was submitted in November 1951 and generated a letter the following January to all interested divisions and

sections for comment. For the most part there was

general agreement with the theory that wider utilization of women Marines would increase their potential effectiveness upon all-out mobilization. The

Division of Aviation suggested a greater percentage

of WMs could be properly assigned aviation specialties and recommended the addition of Occupational

Field 64, Aircraft Maintenance and Repair, to the list

of appropriate MOSs, but was overruled. The agency

managing the 35 field, motor transport, commented

that women were qualified to drive the cars, trucks,

and jeeps, but the requirement that the driver load

and unload the vehicle restricted their use. In the area

of communications, it was recommended that a new

field, administrative communications, be created and

that women be used as switchboard operators. Women as instructors at the Communications-Electronic

School was specifically ruled out due to their lack of

combat experience and because they would have to

supervise men?*

All comments and recommendations were incorporated and the list of appropriate MOSs for enlisted

women Marines was promulgated in April 1952, about

a year before the end of the Korean conflict.")

The same memorandum identified the following

16 occupational fields as unsuitable for women

Marines.

03 Infantry

07 Antiaircraft Artillery

08 Field Artillery

11 Utilities

13 Construction and Equipment

18 Tank and Amphibian Tractor

21 Weapons Repair

23 Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal

32 Supply Services

36 Steward

56 Guided Missile

57 Chemical Warfare and Radiological Defense

58 Security and Guard

64 Aircraft Maintenance and Repair

65 Aviation Ordnance

73 Pilot

70

*In 1961, 10 years later, Lance Corporal Priscilla Carlson became

the first woman Marine to instruct at Communications-Electronic

School at San Diego. She was a graduate of 36 weeks training at

the Basic Electronic Course, Radar Fundamentals Course, and Aviation Radar Repair Course, and she instructed the Radar Fundamentals Course. (San Diego Chevron, 28Jul61).
60 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

In spite of the above exclusions, during the Korean

War at least a few women served in the utilities,

weapons repair, supply services, and security guard

field." It is probable that they were Reservists already

knowledgeable in these occupations.

At the time of the study, only six WMs were in the

motor transport field. One of these, Sergeant Theresa "Sue" Sousa, mobilized with the Washington, D.C.

Reserve platoon and on duty at Camp Pendleton, became a driver through determination, persistence, and

because she proved she could handle a truck and

jeep.12 Then, in the fall of 1952, women were assigned

to motor transport school for the intensive five-week

course. The first WMs to receive such training since

1945 were Privates First Class Hazel E. Robbins,

Christin Villanueva, Jessie Chance, Elizabeth Drew,

and Ann Oberfell. By 1954, the number of women

in motor transport jumped to 111.'3 Colonel Valeria

F. Hilgart, who was Commanding Officer, Company

A, Pearl Harbor that year, remembered that she had

22 women Marine drivers and a woman Marine dispatcher, Sergeant Barbara Jean Dulinsky.'4 This career

field has been volatile for WMs as the number dwindled to seven in 1964 and rose to 186 in 1977.'5

Now retired Gunnery Sergeant Helen A. Brusack

and one other former WM worked in radio repairman

assignments in 1950 but formal training in this field

was not reopened to women until March 1953 when

four WMs (Technical Sergeants Rosita A. Martinez and

Katherine E Tanalski and Sergeants Norine Anderson

and Mary Williams) received orders to the 16-week

course at the crystal grinding shop at the Baltimore

Signal Depot in Fort Holabird, Baltimore. The highly technical course covered the manufacture of precisely cut crystals which controlled the frequency in

radios.16 Like the motor transport field, this also proved

to be a volatile field as the number of WMs assigned

to it dropped to two in 1961 and then grew to 166

in 1977.17

Women Officers' MOSs, 1948-1953

After World War II, all officer MOSs were grouped

into categories.15 For example, Category I included

MOSs suitable for Regular unrestricted officers;

Category II MOSs were suitable for Regular limited

duty officers of company grade; and with the passage

of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of

1948, Category V MOSs were deemed suitable for

Regular women officers. Only the following nine MOSs

in four occupational fields, plus the designation for

basic officers (unassigned second lieutenants) and one

ground colonel were considered to be appropriate for

women:

0101 Basic Personnel and Administration Officer

0105 Administrative Officer

0110 Personnd Classification and Assignment Officer

0130 Adjutant

0190 Personnel Research Officer

3001 Basic Supply Administrative Officer

4001 Basic Machine Accounting Officer

4010 Machine Accounting Officer

4301 Basic Public Information Officer

9901 Basic Officer

9906 Colonel, Ground

For most of the fields, women officers were limited

to the basic position and therefore not allowed to move

up the ladder in that specialty as they were promoted. The war in Korea caused some of the restrictions

to be lifted in 1950, but women officers continued

to serve in a relatively minute number of fields.

This untenable situation was noted by the Classifications Section on 1 November 1952 when it was found

that the large majority of the older, more experienced

women officers were assigned MOS 0105 (Administrative 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 Marine Corps were assigned a basic MOS or MOS 0105.

The discovery led to a study involving a review of the

cases of all women officers on active duty and letters

to all sections interested in MOS assignments. In view

of the antipathy displayed in 1947 and 1948 toward

the use of women in the Marine Corps, the comments

emanating 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 passage

of the "Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948"

it was emphasized that the primary reason for establishing

women in Regular services was to provide a nucleus of trained women for rapid expansion in event of an emergency.

If the Marine Corps assigns women officers only to the MOSs

listed . . . there will not be a group of well trained, experienced women officers who could provide the necessary

leadership in the many fields where large numbers of women 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 that

a woman officer should be assigned any MOS for which

she had become qualified by actual performance of

duty in a satisfactory manner."2° And following the

list of recommended MOSs submitted by the Personnel Control Branch was the statement, "It is further
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963 61

suggested that women officers not be precluded from

as:4nment of other MOSs for which an individual may

be qualified."21

In the second phase of the study each woman officer's qualifications were considered as well as the

description of each MOS. Decisions were based on legal restrictions, physical restrictions, rotation constraints, technical schools open to women, billets held

by WRs in World War II, and "American mores." As

a result, the variety of MOSs assigned to women

officers increased somewhat, mainly in the area of additional MOSs, that is, in sc,- -,mary jobs for which they

were considered qualified. On 1 March 1953, the allocation of primary MOSs to women officers was as

follows:

ol Administration 87

02 Intelligence 1 25 Communications 7 30 Supply 25

31 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 seven

fields of aircraft maintenance, aviation electronics, air

control, aerology, aviation synthetic training devices,

aviation operations and intelligence, and flight equipment as suitable for assignment to women Marine

officers, but only three, aerology, training devices, and

flight equipment appeared on the final approved list.

As it turned out, women officers were not assigned

to aviation specialities of any nature until about 1960.

Subsequent to the study, in March 1953, the Director, Division of Personnel, Brigadier General Reginald

H. Ridgely, Jr., recommended that category restrictions

on the assignment of MOSs to women officers be permanently removed and that a policy be established

Col Julia E. Hamblet (left), Director of Women Marines, and her assistant, lsat Doris

V. Kleberger, confer with Maj Wesley C. Noren, monitor ofwoman officer assignments,

I tta

72

r.z
62 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

which would be consistent with the intent of the

Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.23

1950-1953 Summary

The Korean War brought permanent changes to the

women Marine program, the most obvious being the

return of WMs to maior posts and stations. When the

armistice 7vas signed on 27 July 1953, women were

serving at Headquarters Marine Corps; at the Marine

Corps Air Stations at Cherry Point, El Toro, and

Kaneohe; at the Recruit Depots at San Diego and Parris Island; at Marine Corps Bases at Camp Lejeune and

Camp Pendleton, Quantico, Norfolk, and Pearl Harbor; at both the Depot of Supplies and the Department of the Pacific in San Francisco; at the various

Reserve districts; and in Stuttgart, Germany.*

1954-1964

As the pressures of war subsided, so did the urgency to revitalize the women Marine program. The Personnel Department stated that "The Marine Corps'

long range plan for the utilization of women Marines

is to utilize them in sufficient numbers and appropriate military occupational specialties to provide

a nucleus of trained women for rapid expansion in the

event of full rnobilization."24 The wording was sufficiently vague to allow commanders to vacillate, to balk

at the idea of women placed in key positions, and to

deny formal schools to WMs.

Numbers

Numerically, women were limited by law to a ceiling of two percent of the authorized strength of the

Corps, and the women officers were limited to 10 percent of the number of enlisted women. The Marine

Corps set a goal of one percent rather than the allowable two, but never reached even that figure during

the period 1954-1964. The one percent was not just

an arbitrary, antiwoman measure but was arrived at

in 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 assigned to duty in Europe. Arriving to serve on the staff of the Commander in Chief of U. S. Forces in Europe was Second Lieutenant

Sara Frances McLamore, followed a week later by Captain Jeanette

I. Sustad. Captain Sustad was assigned to message control and Second Lieutenant McLamore became the commanding officer of the

joint detachment of enlisted women. They were soon joined by 11

enlisted women Marines. (Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad interview with

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 20Jun77 [Oral Hist Collection,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMCD.

73

unit with much of its logistics and some of its supporting personnel furnished by the Navy. Women Marines were prohibited, by law, from ". . . duty in aircraft

while such aircraft are engaged in combat missions and

duty on vessels of the Navy except hospital ships and

naval transports."26 They were prohibited, by tradition,

from Fleet Marine Force units, security forces at shore

activities, and any unit whose mission it was to develop tactics or combat equipment.

To accomplish its mission, the Marine Corps is

divided generally into 60 percent operating forces and

40 percent supporting units. Of the latter, during wartime and based on Korean War figures, eight percent

could be patients, prisoners, and transients, leaving

only 32 percent of the billets available to women. Even

within the supporting establishment, certain factors

restricted the utilization of women: legal prohibitions,

Marine Corps rotation policy, and the necessity for inservice training for men in preparation for assignment

to combat jobs or to the fleet. To further complicate

the matter, women are only one in a list of restricted

assignment groups which include sole-surviving sons,

and twice-wounded Marines.26 Added to the above

constraints was the fact that all services planned a cut

in women's strength in 1954. During the years between Korea and Vietnam the strength of the women Marines went from a peak of 2,787 in September

1953 to a low of 1,448 on 30 June 1964.

Utilization, 1954-1964

While women were assigned at various times to as

many as 27 occupational fields, for the most part they

remained concentrated in the same six or seven specialities, with 45-55 percent in personnel administration,

followed by supply, communications (telephone operators), disbursing, data processing, post exchange, and

public information. It took nearly 100 women officers

to fill the strictly women's billets (WM companies,

WM recruit and officer training, recruiting, officer

selection duty, I&Is of WR platoons). Since the women officer strength averaged 125 for the years

1954-1964, the incidence of their assignment outside

the woman Marine program was minimal.

Colonel Hamblet, Director of Women Marines

1953-1959, devoted much time on her annual inspection trips trying to convince the personnel people to assign senior women Marines to jobs other than

those within the women's program. She found a reluctance to place women in positions where they had not

served before, at least in the memory of the current

base population. Most activities, on the other hand,
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963 63

welcomed the presence of young, attractive women

Marines in window dressing type jobs, as receptionists,

for example, as long as they did not count against their

allotted strength. Having succeeded in placing WMs

in suitable billets, the director then met just as strong

resistance in getting them released for a tour as a

recruiter, drill instructor, or company commander.27

A numbcr of factors combined to bring on this ambivalence in the utilization of women Marines, only

a portion of which could be auributed to sex discrimination. The average woman Marine was in the marriageable and child bearing age group and the forced

separation brought on by prevailing regulations in this

regard caused a proportionately high attrition rate for

WMs compared to male Marines. A married woman

could ask to be discharged after serving only one year

of her enlistment.* There was, therefore, some instability and an unsatisfactory rate of personnel turnover

that could not be stemmed without a drastic change

in policy.

A second factor working to the detriment of the

women was the insufficiency of their training coupled with the male Marines' expectation that women are

naturally good typists, stenographers, and clerks. As

late as 1955, only five percent of the WMs received

formal training of any kind.28 The majority of the enlisted women reported to their first duty assignment

after a mere eight weeks of recruit training whereas

the male private spent 12 weeks in boot camp followed

by advanced training, and usually a tour in the Fleet

Marine Force, thereby arriving at a post with some service behind him. The woman private suffered in comparison from both a military and a professional point

of view, unless her supervisor understood the situation and took extra time not only to correct her work

but to help her with the basics of military life like uniform regulations and saluting. Lieutenant Colonel

Gail M. Reals, recalling her first job out of boot camp,

relates that she reported to one office in the Education Center at Quantico in 1955 and was transferred

to another almost immediately because she did not

have a firm grasp of naval correspondence procedures,

although she was an above average typist28

*See Chapter 7 for a detailed discussion of marriage and motherhood regulations.

**In 1985, while serving as the chief of staff of the Marine Corps

Development and Education Command, Colonel Reals became the

first woman to be selected by a promotion board, in competition

with her male Marine peers, to the rank of brigadier general.

L

LtCol Lily H. Gridley, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, first

woman to serve as a legal assistance officer, is photographed at Marine Corps Headquarters in 1955.

There is a feeling among women veterans of the

time, almost impossible to prove, that women had to

perform better than men to be considered acceptable.

Then, once a women was found unsatisfactory, the

office would not want another woman, no matter how

many men had done poorly in the same billet. '

Women officers were in an even less favorable position since their training after officer candidate school

was limited to the six-week Woman Officer Indoctrination Course compared to the male lieutenants' ninemonth Basic School. Furthermore, technical training

was extremely rare and, for women, professional military schools were unheard of.

During these years, 1954-1964, very few new fields

became available to women Marines. Generally, they

were assigned to the same 27 occupational fields that

were opened to them as a result of the Korean War.

Most of the time, they served in no more than 21 of

these at one given moment, and they maintained the

usual 50 percent in administration, followed by supply, operational communications, and disbursing.

Rank Does Not Have Its

PrivilegesOfficers

In this post-Korean era, senior women officers and

senior staff noncommissioned officers faced similar

problems, since by this time there was a sizable number of each and only a limited number of women's

74
64 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

program billets requiring so much rank. Women lieutenant colonels exchanged a few jobs as if on a circuit: Commanding Officer, Woman Recruit Training

Battalion; Commanding Officer, Woman Marine

Training Detachment; and an occasional assistant G-1

billet at a base that had been asked if it would accept

a woman. It was the rule rather than the exception

to serve in the same billet a second time. Typical of

the pattern was the career of Lieutenant Colonel Elsie E. Hill, who commanded the officer candidate

school 1949-1951 and again 1965-1966. She commanded the recruit battalion 1954-1956, exchanged positions with Lieutenant Colonel Barbara J. Bishop as

Head, Women's Branch, Division of Reserve, Headquarters Marine Corps and in 1959 returned to the

recruit battalion at Parris Island. In contrast to the

Regular women officers, the two Reserve lieutenant

colonels on active duty, Hazel E. Benn in educational

services, and Lily H. Gridley, a lawyer, served a full

20 years in specialized jobs.

Perhaps the most remarkable senior woman officer

assignment during this period was that of Lieutenant

Colonel Emma H. Clowers as Head, Personal Affairs

Branch, Personnel Department, Headquarters Marine

Corps.3° She was originally ordered in as the assistant

branch head on 28 April 1959 but became branch

head when a male colonel's orders to that department

were rescinded. No record can be found of a woman

Marine branch head on that level either before or for

many years after her tour. She served in that capacity

for seven years, during which she received strong and

loyal support from the director of the Personnel

LtCol Emma H. Clowers discusses the assignment of

women Marines with a fellow officer in the G-1 Division at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps in 1955.

Department and from the 15-20 male officers serving

as heads of the various sections and as assistant branch

head. Lieutenant Colonel Clowers found only one

difficulty in her position which was directly related

to her being a woman, and that was her lack of rank

during some of the interbranch negotiations. The law

at the time barred women officers, other than the

director, from promotion to colonel, resulting in a woman officer (Clowers) performing duties for many

years in a billet which before and after her assignment

were performed by male colonels. Upon completion

of that tour, Lieutenant Colonel Clowes was awarded her second Navy Commendation Medal, having

received the first during World War II. The citation

that accompanied her award noted that the duties were

normally assigned to an officer of greater rank and that

the hostilities in Vietnam demanded a rapid expansion of the branch. The scope of her responsibilities

are underscored in that citation which read in part:

75

Extremely competent and resourceful, Colonel Clowers

performed duties, which are normally assigned to an officer

of greater rank, in a highly professional manner during a

time when hostilities in Vietnam demanded rapid expansion

of the Personal Affairs Branch to meet the added responsibilities. Through infinite foresight and judicious planning

she accomplished organizational reforms which enhanced

the effectiveness of the Personal Affairs Branch. In addition

to establishing and maintaining excellent liaison and cooperation with agencies in both the military and civilian communities through which Marines and their dependents

receive counselling, financial help, and other needed assistance, she substantially improved and expedited methods

of informing concerned and anxious families of the condition of wounded or seriously ill Marines. She brought the

needs of Marines and their families to the attention of those

who draft and present proposed legislation to the Congress,

thereby improving the scope and applicability of laws directed toward the necessities of military servicemen. With immeasurable personal concern and a keen sense of

responsibility for the welfare and interests of Marines, she

formulated a program for personal notification of the next

of kin of casualties in Vietnam; developed and coordinated

a system by which Marine Retired and Reserve General

Officers visit evacuees in twenty-three naval hospitals; contributed materially to the formation of the Family Assistance

Program, and directed expansion of job counselling facilities to assist retiring and retired personnel in finding suitable employment. Throughout her seven years in this capacity

she skillfully directed her attention to the most minute details of each facet of her responsibilities in a manner which

exemplifies more than could possibly be expected from any

officer. Colonel Clowers' outstanding service, judgment and

devotion to duty reflected great credit upon herself and the

Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.3,
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963 65

A World War II mail clerk, TSgt Frances A. Curwen, the Marine Corps' only female

postmaster in 1952, supervised the Montford Point Branch, Camp Lejeune Post Office.

Rank Does Not Have Its Privileges

Staff Noncommissioned Officers

The staff noncommissioned officers were in a slightly different position in that they generally had a

specialty and some training, whers nearly all of the

field grade officers at the time were eassified as either

women's unit officer or personnel administrator.

Nevertheless, eie staff noncommissioned officer found

that 1) she was moved out of her field too often to

serve in women's recruiting or training billets, and 2)

as she became more senior, she was less welcome since

she would be in the position to supervise male Marines. Then, once she proved herself, she was often considered indispensable. Inevitably, a controversy erupted

when she was needed to fill a slot in the women's program, and more often than not, the Director of Women Marines was blamed by the woman for sending her

on a third recruiting tour, and accused by the assignment branch of meddling in their business.

The staff noncommissioned officers of this period

were, for the most part, former WRs who had served

in responsible positions during World War II and had

seen women perform all manner of duties to include

supervision of male Marines. This only made them

more incredulous at the narrow attitude taken by many

male Marines. Master Sergeant Ruth Ryan, in 1960,

for example, was on orders to the Reserve district in

Atlanta as the Logistics Chief until it was discovered

that she was a woman. Eventually she went as planned,

but only after being interviewed by her prospective

officer in charge, an unusual procedure, and then riot

as the Logistics Chief, but as the Fiscal Chief, since

that was deemed more appropriate.32

Retired First Sergeant Frances A. Curwen Bilski

represents a similar case. She had been a mail clerk

from August 1943 until September 1946 at the fleet

post office in San Francisco. Following the war, she

was a member of the VTU and later the WR platoon

in Boston. Mobilized for the Korean War, she served

as postmaster at the Montford Point branch of the

Camp Lejeune post office, and as an instructor at the

Marine Corps East Coast Postal School in 1952. In the

early 1960s, after having served as postmaster at Parris Island, she was ordered to similar duty in Hawaii,

but the command absolutely refused to have a woman in the job, saying that the mail bags were too heavy

for a female.33

Noncommissioned Officer

Leadership School

With a memorandum to the Assistant Chief of

Staff, G-3, written by 12 May 1952, Colonel Towle initiated a stream of correspondence that culminated

76
66

with the creation of an NCO Leadership School for

women Marines." She cited the prevailing accelerated

promotions of enlisted Marines with short periods of

service and the loss of older, qualified NCOs as evidence of the need for such a course. Colonel Towle

recommended that the school be located at Quantico

in the same barracks used by officer candidates and

basic second lieutenants from June through

November.

The Commandant, Marine Corps Schools, and

Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp

Lejeune, were both queried on the matter and in the

meantime, the Director was asked to furnish guidance

concerning the mission of the proposed school, subject matter to be covered, course length, and appropriate rank of the students. ln answer, Colonel Towle

recommended a four-week course whose mission

would be ". . . to train an efficient and continuing

staff of women noncommissioned officers for the

duties and responsibilities commonly associated with

'troop' leadership,"35 and to provide a source of potential officer candidates. She emphasized classes in

leadership, personnel management, technique of inA HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

struction, use of training aids, Uniform Code of Military Justice, and military customs and courtesies for

students ranking from staff sergeant through master

sergeant.

Camp Lejeune was selected as the site and First Lieutenant Mary Jane Connell was named officer in charge.

On 19 January 1953, for the first time since 1945 a Staff NCO Leadership School for women was convened. Major General Henry D. Linscott, the commanding general, gave the opening address to the 25

members of the new class." Classes were held in a wing

of Barracks 65 at the Navy Field Medical Research

Laboratory five and a half days a week. In preparation, all the hand-selected instructors, Technical Sergeant Alice McIntyre, Technical Sergeant Frances A.

Curwen (later Bilski), Master Sergeant Lillian V. Dolence, and Technical Sergeant Josephine R. Milburn

attended a month-long session at the Navy Instructors School at Norfolk, Virginia.37 Members of the first

class included:

Master Sergeant Margaret A. Goings

Master Sergeant Alice M. Reny

Master Sergeant Margery R. Wilkie

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

77
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963 67

Capt E. T. Carville, officer-in-charge, NCO Leadership School, is pictured (front row

center) with Class 9 in 1953. MSgt P. C. Nigro (second row left) xas the honor graduate.

Technical Sergeant Loraine G. Bruso

Technical Sergeant Eleanor L. Childers

Technical Sergeant Margaret L. Harwell

Technical Sergeant Beatrice J. Jackson

Technical Sergeant Dorothy L. Kearns

Technical Sergeant Blossom J. McCall

Technical Sergeant Sarah N. Thornton

Technical Sergeant Laura H. Woolger

Staff Sergeant May S. Belletto

Staff Sergeant Phyllis J. Curtiss

Staff Sergeant Anna M. Finnigan

Staff Sergeant Nellie C. George

Staff Sergeant Naomi Hutchinson

Staff Sergeant Inez E. Smith

Staff Sergeant Dorothy L. Vollmer

Sergeant Carolyn J. Freeman

Sergeant Sonya A. Green

Sergeant Mary E. King

Sergeant Dorothy L. Ley

Sergeant Carol j. Homan

Sergeant Margaret A. Shaffer"

Colonel Towle gave the graduation speech and distributed the diplomas at ceremonies held on 13 February 1953, 10th anniversary of the Women Marines. The

hunor student for this first woman Marine NCO

Leadership Class was Master Sergeant Reny, with Technical Sergeant Childers in second place, and Staff Sergeant Vollmer in third. Classes continued at Camp

Lejeune for a little more than a year on a five-week

cycle, four weeks of training and one week off. Staff

changes brought Captain Elaine T. Carville as the

officer in charge with First Lieutenant Connell as her

assistant and Technical Sergeants Lillian J. West and

June V. Doberstein as instructors.39

Colonel Hamblet, successor to Colonel ToWle,

reevaluated the situation and while convinced of the

real need for the school, found the basis on which it

was being run to be inefficient. Only 129 students

rather than the authorized 225 had completed the

training. The table of organization called for one officer, four enlisted instructors, and one clerk typist and

the physical facilities used by the women included an

office, a classroom, and a wing of a barracks. She proposed a move to Quantico since the staff required to

train officer candidates from June through November

could handle the NCO Schu .4 during the winter

months with only two additional enlisted women instructors. In turn, these enlisted women could be

profitably used as platoon sergeants in the officer candidate program. There was at the time an unsuccessful (in terms of numbers) winter officer candidate class

which would have to be cancelled, thereby making the

barracks, classroom, and staff available.49

The plan, promising a personnel and financial savings, was enthusiastically endorsed at Headquarters

and by September 1954 the change were made. Technical Sergeants West and Doberstein was transferred
68 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

to Quantico where they worked with NCOs during the

winter and officer candidates in the summer. Captain

Carville was sent to Parris Island, and the remainder

of the staff was dispersed.

The majority of women noncommissioned officers

received leadership training during these years,

1954-1964, at the course conducted by the Women Marines Detachment, Quantico. Several commands as- signed women to local, predominantly male, NCO

schools. In fact, as early as 1951, Staff Sergeant Laura

H. Woolger attended the 2d Wing NCO leadership

school, graduating on 10 August of that year. A different tactic was tried at San Dicgo, California, where

in 1959, the depot NCO school conducted two oneweek accelerated courses for women Marines.

A Woman in the Fleet Marine Force

In this decade of status quo, it is surprising to find

the first reported WM working in an FMF headquarters, admittedly in a traditional job. On 13 January 1954, Private First Class Betty Sue Murray was

assigned as the secretary to the Commanding General, 2d Marine Division, Major General George F.

Good, Jr.4' The general had called Captain Elaine T.

Carville, Commanding Officer, Woman Marine Company, Camp Lejeune, and told her that his office was

in a mess, that he could not find anything, and that

he wanted a woman Marine immediately. She ex- plained thl, women Marines could not be assigned

to an FMF unit, but the general only answered that

he trusted her to work out the administrative details.

Private First Class Murray was officially attached to the

office of the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base (Colonel John H. Cook),

billeted in the WM barracks, and worked for Major

General Good. She stayed at the job long enough to

serve his successors, Major General Lewis B. Puller and

Brigadier General Edward W. Snedeke02 Not until

1975, 20 years in the future, would WMs be assigned

legitimately to any FMF unit

1954-1964 Summary

The WM situation then, on 30 June 1964, was a

strength of 129 officers and 1,320 enlisted women serv- ing in 20 occupational fields. Women received little

formal technical MOS training and were arsigned to

only one professional development course, the NCO

Leadership School.
CHAPTER 6

Utilization and Numbers: Pepper Board, 1964-1972

The Pepper BoardWomen Marine Program Revitalized, 1965-1973Strength Increases

Women Officers Specialist Training, 1965-1973Women Lawyers and Judges, A Beginning

Professional TrainingAmphibious Walfare SchoolPost-Graduate Schooling

Command and Staff CollegeThe Armed Forces Staff College

Advanced Training and Assignment of Enlisted Women Marines, 1965-1973

New Woman Marine Units, StatesideWomen Marines OverseasWomen Marines in Vietnam

Women Marines in Marine Security Guard BattalionWomen Marines Overseas, Summary

Rapidly waning strength, unsatisfactory recruitment

and retention results, and a need to improve the status and acceptance of women in the Marine Corps were

the basis of Marine Corps Bulletin 5312, dated 27

February 1963, asking commands for recommendations on more efficient utilization of WMs. The results

were collated and sent to the Director, Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, for comment. She categorized

the recommendations into:

1. those which could not be implemented by the commands 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 by

the commands demonstrated a general lack of understanding of the status of women in the Marine Corps.

It was readily apparent that the women were not

thought of as personnel assets to be managed as all

Marines. Statements that WMs should be assigned to

billets appropriate to their grade and MOS, that women should be encouraged to participate in correspondence courses relating to their occupational specialty,

and that the same performance standards be demanded of them as for male Marines, indicated a flaw in

the system at the command level rather than in Headquarters policy since all of these matters came under

local purview.'

On one subject, the need for more formal training

for women Marines, there was unanimity. Colonel

Henderson strongly concurred, pointing out the fallacy of assigning WMs with eight weeks of recruit training directly to support establishment billets, and

expecting the degree of knowledge and skill shown by

male Marines who, after 11 weeks of recruit training,

and four weeks of infantry training, had more than

likely served 13 months in the Fleet Marine Force. She

supported her stand with the statement:

Seventy percent of our Women Marine recruit graduates

are between the ages of 18 and 20 and, in most instances,

have come directly from high school into the Marine Corps

with little or no work experience. These young women are

bright, capable trainees, but we are actually expecting them

to be proficient in a specific MOS with only eight weeks of

basic training. During calendar year 1963, 771 women Marines completed recruit training and only five were ordered

directly from recruit training to a service school. In comparison, the women basic graduates from the Army, Navy

and Air Force were ordered directly to service school as

follows:

(a) Army, approximately 90 percent

(b) Navy, approximately 50 percent

(c) Air Force, approximately 60 percent2

Colonel Henderson reasoned that specialty training in administration, supply, and communications

would greatly improve the performance of WM recruit

graduates since 77 percent of the 1963 graduates were

concentrated in those three fields.

One week following the submission of her comments, Colonel Henderson completed her tour, and

on 3 January 1964, she was relieved as Director of

Women Marines by Colonel Barbara J. Bishop. Just

three days earlier on the 1st of January, General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., took the helm as the 23d Commandant of the Marine Corps, a timely occurrence for

the women Marines. Writing about him later, Colonel

Bishop said, "General Greene was light years ahead

of his time in his support of increased opportunities

for women Marines."3

Shortly after assuming command of the Corps, he

directed Colonel Bishop to submit recommendations

to effect improvement in the selection, training, and

utilization of women Marines. Taking each identifiable

problem in order: a strength decline to 1,333 WMs

on 30 April 1964; conflicts over the assignments of

noncommissioned officers and officers; unsatisfactory recruiting results for officers and enlisted women;

inadequate training; inefficient utilization; low retention; and poor living conditions for enlisted women,

Colonel Bishop expressed a number of highly controversial facts, observations, and recommendations.4

A discussion of the strength and general utilization

of women Marines centered on the traditionally accepted goal of one percent of total enlisted strength,

1,750 enlisted women and 175 officers, which was considered workable based upon billeting conditions at

the time. Women were assigned to all bases having

mobilization requirements for WMs except the Ma69
70 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

0,10>6..."

LCp1 A. Digman Atau, one of two women at El Toro in 1965 to give pilots training

in the aviation trainer field, instructs CpIJ. Harris in the operation of an F8 link trainer.

rine Corps Supply Centers at Barstow and Albany, a

factor which would cause a delay in time of emergency. Accordingly, Colonel Bishop recommended that

woman Marine units be established at those two activities. And finally, in connection with general utilization of women, Colonel Bishop noted that in filling

certain command, training, and recruiting billets there

was a conflict between the authority of the Personnel

Department and the Director of Women Marines, she

asked that all changes of station orders for WM officers

and enlisted women be routed to her office for

information and concurrence.

Turning to officer training, policy at the time allowed officer candidates to disenroll at any time during the training cycle, and many did so before giving

themselves a chance to adjust to military life. The

colonel recommended a change that would require all

candidates to complete the course before making such

a decision.

As for the career officer, she said:

There is a definite need to provide women majors and

lieutenant colonels with professional education in command

and staff duties. The value of advanced military education

is recognized for male officers and the necd is met by assignment to the Senior Course [later Command and Staff

College]. Women officers of field grade would benefit equally

from broadened knowledge of policies, programs and

problems at all levels of the military establishment and of

staff functioning at Headquarters Marine Corps, in the

Department of Defense, and on joint staff0
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 71

To that end, Colonel Bishop reviewed the 1964-1965

syllabus for the Senior Course, held at Quantico, and

determined that at least 432 hours of instruction

would be extremely valuable for women. She specifically identified the following courses: Executive Leadership, Management Techniques and Procedures,

Geopolitical and Current World Situation, Organization and Functioning for National Security, and Foreign Language.

In respect to senior WM officers' utilization, she discussed the hesitancy to assign them on the basis of

their professional qualifications. She wrote:

When a woman major or lieutenant colonel becomes eligible for transfer and one of the billets requiring a woman

is not available, there is a tendency prior to issuance of orders to query commands on their willingness to accept a woman. Acceptance is not based on ability since certainly the

Personnel Monitors would not recommend the assignment

of a woman to a billet inappropriate to her rank and professional qualifications,

Then, as each Director of Women Marines before

had done, Colonel Bishop pointed out the need for

advanced specialist training for enlisted women. And,

she ended her report with recommendations designed

to improve the retention rate of WMs. These included a stricter policy on separations due to marriage

balanced by increased efforts to station husbands and

wives together, abolishment of the two-year enlistment

contract in favor of a three- or four-year commitment,

a guarantee similar to the one made to male enlistees

of a change of station during the first enlistment, and

improved living conditions. On the latter subject she

was emphatic. It was not just that the women needed

more privacy, she argued, but they spend more time

in the barr than men; the women staff NCOs who

remain in the service are more likely to be single than

male Marines who marry and live in their family

homes; the majority of career women Marines would

never share in the large expenditures made on married quarters and in the support of dependents' programs; and because the women took such good care

of their barracks, inspecting officers were duly impressed by the cleanliness and attempts to create a

homelike atmosphere. She recommended new construction of barracks adapted to the needs of women

or at least the complete rehabilitation of existing structures, to be accomplished with the aid of a nationally

known interior decorator.

That then is the essence of Director of Women Marines Study No. 1-64, a report that precipitated so

much opposition that the Commandant ordered the

creation of a study group to "propose a program to

render the peacetime service of women Marines of optimum benefit to the Marine Corps."7

The Pepper Board

On 3 August 1964, Lieutenant General Robert H.

Pepper, USMC (Retired), was designated chairman of

the Woman Marine Program Study Group, popularly

known as the Pepper Board.8 The members included

Colonel Bishop; Colonel Frank R. Porter, Jr., representative, G-1; Lieutenant Colonel Eugenous E. Hovatter, representative, Director of Personnel; Lieutenant

Colonel Alfred I. Thomas, representative, G-3; Major

Paul 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, recorder. The Commandant's letter of instruction directed

the study group to convene on 11 August 1964 and

to submit its report by 1 October. Early on it was apparent that a detailed study could not be completed

in the time allowed and verbal authority was given to

extend the deadline as necessary. The final report was

submitted on 30 November and routed to staff sections at Headquarters Marine Corps for comment.

Reaction was mixed and ranged from enthusiastic

support for the 83 recommendations to bitter opposition. The Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Major

General Richard G. Weede, for example, concurred

with all but one recommendation under his purview.

The one exception was the recommendation that

selected field grade officers attend the Marine Corps

Command and Staff College as full-time students. G-3

Division preferred courses in civilian universities for

women officers or attendance at only a few selected

subcourses of the Command and Staff College.

On the other hand, the Personnel Department,

headed by Major General Lewis J. Fields, took 'ssue

with the thrust of the report and the philosophy that

costly improvement would, in his words, ". . . attract

more young ladies into the Marine Corps and induce

them to stay longer and be more productive during

their stay."8 He continued, "We should . . . taiior our

whole women's program to attract not young, untrained small-town high school graduates, but young

women of professional skills and training who truly

want to make their mark in a man's (which the military is unarguably) world:" General Fields recommended recruitment of women already trained for a

skilled trade, advanced rank, personal freedom com82
72 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARIN, 1946-1977

parable with Civil Service, and "a modified training

program designed to teach about the Corps and not

how to be a male Marine in skirts.", , And lastly, since

the Personnel Department reasoned that the greatest

p:oblem in WM housing in most places was caused

by overcrowding, it was submitted that, "the best and

quickest means of improving current housing would

be 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 approved

by the Commandant, and a reporting schedule was set up to keep General Greene informed of the

progress being made. Although the program was considered iong-range, not to be fully realized for two

years, more than half of the proposals were at least

a matter of policy by mid-1965. As result, Lieutenant

Colonel Jeanette Sustad was named to the new post

of Deputy Director of Women Marines. In the past,

the next senior woman officer at Headquarters filled

that billet as an additional duty.

Women were to be assigned to and get training in

a broader range of occupational fields, to include

drafting, lithography, operational communications,

communications maintenance, auditing, finance, ac- counting, informational services, aerology, air control,

and flight equipment. The Bask Supply School and

Teletype Operator School were made available almost

immediately. The Pepper Board recommendation ,4',at

senior officers attend Command and Staff College was unacceptable to most staff officers and post-grachaw

training in civilian or military schools was approved

as a substitute.

An impressive list of new duty stations for WMs was

published to include: Fleet Home Town News Center

a:: Great Lakes; Marine Corps Reserve Data Services

Center, Kansas City; Marine Corps Base, Twentynine

Palms, California; Marine Air Reserve Training Center,

Glenview, Illinois; the Supply Centers at Albany and

Barstow; and Marine Corps Air Stations at Beaufort,

New River, Kaneohe, Santa Ana, and Yurna. The absence of a WM Company or barracks no longer

precluded the assignment of women Marines to any

post or station as long as suitable offstation housing

was available. Additionally, women would be afforded more overseas billets.

Changes in basic training included a greater use of

male instructors; increased instruction in personal development and grooming;* integration of some classes at till: Woman Officer Basic Course and the Woman

Officer Candidate Class; and a new requirement that

candidates complete four weeks of training before being allowed to disenroll. At Parris Island, a rwo-platoon

system or series system was created to inspire competition, and on.base liberty for recruits was to be in effect by January 1966.

F.alistment incentives that gbaranteed preferred

atea, school, and occupational assignments to qualif:ecl enlisted women were planned. For the new officers

v;.ho requested it, there was the promise of two duty

stations during the initial three-year period of active

duty.

To settle the difficulties cif as.signment arising from

varying interests of the Director of Women Marines

and the Personnel Department, a woman officer was assigned to the Classification and Assignment Branch

at Headquarters as an occupational field monitor.

Major Valeria E Hilgart was the first to fill that position, arriving in Washington in November 1966.

An aggressive %enforcement of the recommendations

covering bi.Iter living conditions for the women awaited the result of a Department of Defense study on

the subject. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps reevaluated all WM barracks, SNCO quarters, and the furnishings. At Pan.is Ishand, lockers and dressers were

insvallcd in the recruit barracks o make their quartels less austere.** At Camp Pendleton, plans were

made for a newly constmcted WM barracks.

These are but a fi:.F.ction of the changes in effect or

on the drawing board in 1965. Some were implemented quickly; otheis came only with firm prodding from

"Strangely (?) this became the most controversial change in WM

training ar,t1 was fiercely and almost entirely opposed by the senior

WM officers and senior WM NCOs! T, was determined to institute

this 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 the

military to be coupled with proper assignment.

I enlisted and received the enthusiastic assist-- .e of airlines which

conducted aircraft hostess training schools (e.g. Pan Am) to which

I assigned selected WM instructors for training and return to RI.

where we established a good grooming school. Beauty aids were provided free of charge by national cosmetic firms." (Gen Wallace

M. Greene, Jr., comments on draft manuscript, dtd 26Dec79)

**A n-,:w clothing layout inspection requiring certain items to

be displayed hanging in a locker hastened the addition of lockers

to recruit barracks.

8 3
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 73

At the time the Marine Corps' only woman Marine

lawyer on active duty, future military judge Capt

Patricia A. Murphy, is promoted by MajJane

Commanding Officer, WM Company, and LtCol.

Frederick D. Clements, at Camp Butler in 1967.

General Greene. In November of 1965 the Commandant was given a resume of actions completed on the

Pepper Board recommendations which indicated con .

siderable progress had been made. Not fully satisfied,

he sent it to Colonel Bishop for her views. She began

her remarks by noting the strength increase froin 128

officers and 1,320 enlisted women on 30 June 1964

to 145 officers and 1,718 enlisted women on board on

31 October 1965 and the increased satisfaction expressed by commands with the performance and appearance of women Marines."

She then commented in depth on the more disappointing progress shown in some areas. Of particular

concern was the question of advanced training for

senior officers. The original recommendation to send

WM officers to Command and Staff College had been

diluted to a statement about providing postgraduate

training in civilian or military schools and the notation that WM officers were eligible to compete with

male applicants for post-graduate training. No other

action was considered necessary on this recommendation. Colonel Bishop wrote:

This has always been the case, with the result that one

woman in 1950 managed to of.tain a year in Personnel Administration at Ohio State. No gain has been made here

as post-graduate training for senior women was to be a substitute for advanced professional training available to career

Marines in AWS (Amphibious Warfare School) and Command and Staff College."

After comparing Colonel Bishop's separate assessment of the progress made with that provided by the

G-1, the Commandant pencilled in on the latter

1. I want this type of report coordinated with the DIRWM

prior to submission to CMC.

2. I have approved this particular report, but I am definitely not satisfied with action reported. See attached comments

DIRWMs which deserve consideration and action.15

Women Marine Program Revitalized, 1965-1973

Three unrelated factors of disparate importance all

joined to alter the future course of the woman Marine program at this point: a stricter policy on discharge based on marriage effective 15 July 1964; the

Pepper Board report of 30 November 1964; and increased involvement of Marines in the war in Vietnam

in 1965. Dramatic progress was made in strength,

availability of formal training, opening of new occupational fields, and in assignment possibilities in the

United States and overseas.

Strength Increases

The Pepper Board reaffirmed the policy stated in

1948 of main+ aining a woman Marine strength of one

percent of toval Marine Corps enlisted strength. Actually the number of WMs had been steadily declining since 1953, leveling off at the one percent goal,

approximately 1,700 from 1936 to 1959 and reaching

a nadir of 1,281 in December 1964, when the Pepper

Board reported its findings. In August 1965, due to

Vietnam commitments, a JOAO-man increase was approved for the Marine Corps and higher objectives Were

concurrently set for WMs. By 31 May 1967, enlisted

strength was 2,082 and officer strength reached 190.

A peak of about 2,700 WMs was reached during the

Vietnam era of 1968 and 1969 and then tapered to

2,288 on 30 ,June 1973.113

Highcr rccruiting goals accounted for some of the

success, but more impact was made by better retention due to tighter control of discharges solely for reason of marriage. On 15 July 1964, a joint household

policy became effective which denied discharge to

women Marines who were located in the same area as

their husbands. All discharges of this type were then

suspended on 20 August 1965 in conjunction with a

four-month involuntary extersion for all Marines. By

1966 new regulations virtually eliminated marriage as

a condition for discharge for WMs resulting in a reduction of that type of separation from 18.6 percent of

woman Marine losses in 1964 to 2.3 percent in 1966

and finally 0 percent in 1969.'7

Recruiting incentives guaranteeing geographic

choices of duty and formal training combined with

other enhancements resulting from the implementa8 4
74 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

tion of Pepper Board recommendations raised enlisted recruiting from about 60 percent attainment of

quota in 1963 to 105.7 percent in 1966. Officer selection not only improved numerically, but a larger

proportion of candidates were seniors or graduates

than in previous years, a factor which cut down on the

drop-out rate of younger students and ultimately led

to an increase in commissions accepted. In 1966,

officer selection attained 103.3 percent of seniorgraduates quota and 152.5 percent of junior quota.

Sophomores were no longer eligible.") At the same

time, the percent of women recruited as Regulars to

serve a three- or four-year contract as opposed to

Reserves with a two-year obligation rose from 48 percent in June to 77 percent on 31 March 1968.19

All told, efforts in the mid-1960s to stabilize the

woman Marine program, to encourage women Marines

to complete their initial enlistment, to lengthen the

average tour of women Marines, and to make the Marine Corps an attractive choice for potential enlistees

achieved demonstrable success.

Women Officers' Specialist Training,

1965-1973

In 1964, women officers were serving in only eight

occupational fields with about 70 percent in administrative billets, and no deliberate attempt was

made to achieve a wider distribution. Only 30.6 percent of the second lieutenants commissioned in the

three-year period ending in 1964 had received formal

specialist training. No training was ivailable in personnel administration although the majority ofwomen

officers served in this field. In contrast, members of

the 20th Woman Officers Basic Course which graduated in October 1966 were assigned in 14 occupational fields to indude intelligence, operational

communications, transportation, legal, avionics, -aer- ology, and aviation operations, specialities in which

women officers had been a rarity since World War II.

Other fields to which the graduates were assigned we:e

personnel and administration; supply administration

and operations; auditing, finance, and accounting;

data processing; Marine Corps exchange; information

services; photography; training and tr....ining aids; and

air control-antiair warfare. Seventy-two percent of these

newly commissioned women officers received formal

training at eight schools?° Earlier in the year, First

Lieutenant Alice K. Kurashige, the first woman Marine officer since World War II to be assigned a primary

MOS in food service, completed a 12-week course in

food services supervision at Fort Lee, Virginia.

85

t'41e41

Capt Carol A. Vertalino, first woman Marine officer

to attend Amphibious Waifare School, is shown with

LtGen 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 of

this officer training. The first WM officers to attend

the Communication Officers Orientation Course a!,

Quantico had made an impressive showing. In a class

of three women and 23 men, Second Lieutenant Margaret B. Read finished second; Second Lieutenant

Patricia A. Allegree fourth; and Second Lieutenant Lyn

A. Liddle sixth. Second Lieutenant Janice C. Scott had

completed the Military Intelligence Orientation

Course at Fort Holabird, Maryland, in January and

continued on to attend the 18-week Aerial Surveillance

Officer Course. Second Lieutenant Tommy L. Treasure, also a graduate of Fort Holabird's Military Intelligence Officer Course, was ordered to a subsequent

Aerial Surveillance Officers Course. CWO Elaine G.

Freeman was to begin a four-week course in automatic data processing analysis in April and Captain Sara

R. Beauchamp and Second Lieutenant JoAnn Deberry ,fuld follow in June. Four WM officers, Second

Lieutenants Alpha R. Noguera, Donna J. Sherwood,

Norma L. Tomlinson, and Harriet T. Wendel were

scheduled to attend the 10-week Air Traffic Control

Officers Course at the Naval Air Station, Glynco,

Georgia?)
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 75

Women Lawyers and JudgesA Beginning

On 1 May 1944, Captain Lily S. Hutcheon, a lawyer stationed at Camp Lejeune, became the first woman judge advocate in the history of the Marine Corps.

Captain Hutcheon had originally joined the Navy, but

upon completion of Midshipman's School at Northhampton, Massachusetts, was commissioned a first

lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

She was released to inactive duty in 1946 but returned

to continuous active duty in 1949. Under her married

name, Gridley, she became a well-known Marine,

highly respected for her work in legal assistance at

Headquarters Marine Corps where she served until her

retirement in 1965. Lieutenant Colonel Gridley, for

all 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 candidate

training, accept a commission, and delay her active

duty service while attending law school. In 1966-1967,

First Lieutenant Patricia A. Murphy received her

!:achelor of laws degree from Catholic University in

Washington, D.C., graduated from the Woman Of-,

ficer Basic Course, passed the District of Columbia Bar

examination, graduated from the Lawyer's Course at

SSgts Mary L. McLain (left) and Carmen Adams (right), the first enlisted women to arrive for duty at Marine Corps Air Station, lwakuni, Japan, are greeted by Col William

M. 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 to

captain, and was certified by the Judge Advocate

General to perform as a trial or defense counsel of a general court martial.23 Two years later, she became

the first woman Marine officer ever to argue a case before the Court of Military Appeals, and in 1970 while

stationed at Treasure Island, California, and by then

Captain Patricia Murphy Gormley, she became the first

woaLtri Marine lawyer in 26 years to be certified as a

judge.24

Professional Trait:ing

The, Woman Marine Program Study Group (Pepper Board) identified the lack of career-type formal

school training as the most notable deficiency in the

woman Marine officer program. There was almost total opposition to the inclusion of women students at

the Marine Corps' Command and Staff College since

it would deprive a male Marine of the opportunity to

attend this career-enhancing school. Less was said of

the junior level course conducted for captains and

majois at the Amphibious Warfare School and there

was no opposition to sending women to Army or Navy

schools provided these services would not ask for a

reciprocal space in a Marine school for a WAC or WAVE

officer.

Through unofficial conversation with the Director,

Women's Army Corps, Colonel Bishop was able to lay

the groundwork for women Marines to participate in

the five-month WAC Career Officers Course at Fort

McClellan, Alabama. Captain Barbara J. Lee, the first

Marine ,o attend, graduated in May 1965.25 She was

followed by seven others. Captains Elaine E. Filkins

(later Davies), Gail M. Reds, Jeanne Botwright (later

Humphrey), and Joan M. Collins, who distinguished

herself as an honor graduate by aaishing second in

the class, comprised an early group. The last three

women to attend this school before it was disestablished 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 Pepper Board, the intense interest of Colonel Bishop in

woman officer schooling, and the vigorous sup' t of

General Greene, it was but a matter of time before

a woman officer was enrolled in the Marine Corps'

Amphibious Warfare Course. Captain Carol A. Vertalino (later Diliberto) was assigned to a modified ver- sion of AWS 1-67, on a trial basis, beginning on 23

August 1966. Aware of the limits of her formal milita tktion, and knowing that the futu.e. assign..

WMs to tne school was contingent upon her o.. Captain Vertalino spoke of her appre-

, J, to Colonel Bishop. The director assured her

her selection was based on her professional reputation and her ability to get along with people. She

was not expected to finish first in thc class, indeed that

might antagonize her fellow students. With five

months to prepare herself, Captain Vertalino, on her

own time, completed the Basic Officer and the AWS

correspondence courses, each one designed to take the

better part of a year.

The normal syllabus was altered to allow the lone

woman student to visit base staff offices for briefings

and informal training while the class was working on

combat-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 was decided that woman officers would attend subsequent,

unmodified classes at AWS.27

Post-Graduate Schooling

For the first time in more than 15 years, a woman

officer was selected for postgraduate training in the

Special Education Program.* In July 1967, First Lieutenant Judith Davenport reported to the Naval Post

Graduate School at Monterey, California, to pursue

a two-year course in applied mathematics.25

Command and Staff College

The question of women officer students at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College remained unresolved for more than thrc . years after the

recommendation was made by the Pepper Board. Encouraged by the passage of Public Law 90-130 in 1967

which made women eligible for selection to the permanent grade of colonel, Colonel Bishop sent a

memorandum to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, in

which she stated:

. . women officers will be expecd co fill established

billets appropriate fot the grade of colonel in various Marine Corps commands. . . . Women Marines who are now

lieutenant colonels have had little or no formal professional

education during their service careers. Efforts should be

directed toward providing the younger group of these lieutenant colonels with career training which will enable them

to 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 August 1968. Lieutenant Colonel Wrenn had previously

asked for such an assignment and the colonel for whom

she worked, Chief, Plans and Operations Branch, Marine Corps Education Center, indicated to Colonel

Bishop that he considered her to be, "an outstanding

candidate should women officers be assigned to Command and Staff College."30 Approval came on 9 February 1968 and included the words:

It is recognized that the restricted nature of assignments

for Women Marine officers will preclude the full application of all instruction received from the college. However,

participation in the full syllabus will provide valuable professional knowledge to enhance the growth of this selected

Woman Marine officer and correspondingly increase her value

to the U.S. Marine Corps.3,

Women officers at the time reasoned that all Marine officers arc limited to some degree by their classification as infantry officer, aviator, supply officer, etc.,

and none of them could expect to use fully all the instructional material. Since Lieutenant Colonel Wrenn

successfully completed the Command and Staff College, women officers have been regularly included as

class members.

The Armed Forces Staff College

The Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, opened its doors to women officers in 1970. Provision was made for a quota of one woman officer of

each service for the class which convened in February.

Competition for selection between men id women

was thereby eliminated and apparently

Marine Corps opposition to the ?lan to woman officer to this high-level school. Lieurena,

Mary Evelyn Bane was selected to atrenu

graduated, and was then assigned to tht (34 Division

at Headquarters Marine Corps.32

Completion of such a prestigious military school did

not dispel the notion that women colonels -tre not

to be assigned in the normal fashion. When Lieutenant Colonel Bane was selected for promotion, th

personnel monitor responsible for colonel assignmems

called her in and asked her where she thought shy!

should be transferred since in her words, "The thought

of disposing of a woman colonel was turning him

pale."33 Based upon her past experience, and her training, she offered the opinion that the most loi,Lal place

might be Headquarters. He did not agree and said,

"That would never do. You would have to be a branch

head."34 And so Colonel Bane was ordered to Camp

Pendleton where she filled an assistant chief of staff

billet.*

Advanced Vaining and Assignment of

Enlisted Women Marines, 1965-1973

Little time was lost between the Commandant's approval in mid-1965 and the implementation of the

Pepper Board's recommendations regarding advanced

training for enlisted women Marines. On 1 January

1966 a program emphasizing advanced technical training for women recruit graduates was published. Its

purpose was to bring the woman Marine to an effective level of proficiency in hcr MOS as soon as possible. During the first six months of 1966, 75 percent

of the women recruit graduates went on ro advanced

formal schools in 17 different fields, a sharp contrast

to the five recruits who received post-recruit training

in 1963.35 In the Winter 1967 nman Marine Newsletter, Colonel Bishop reported that women Marines

attended a variety of military schools at Army, Navy,

and Marine Corps bases and received basic-level instruction in such areas as administration, supply,

telecommunications, electronics, disbursing, photography, aviation operations, aerology, air control, aviation training devices, optical instrument repair,

transportation, cooking -,nd baking, and journalism.

Others atm ded d courses such as NCO

leadership, a, Irnnif.tra (ion chief, recruiting, air control, legal clerk an4 coLi reporter, supply, process photograph: secIlriq guard, instructor orientation,

and data mg."

During the period 1965-1973, opportunities for

women Marines were greatly expanded. The gains were

ev:dent but il to be taken for granted. Many tong-

-k issignment prejudices persisted. Women Marines

sent to the Naval Air Station. Memphis, for advanced

training in aviation specialties, for example, were nearly all channeled into aviation supply and aviation

operations, crowding these two specialties while others

were far short of the planned WM quotas. Others,

upon arrival at Memphis were reclassified into fields

such as administration, which Colonel Bishop noted

as . . unfortunate since they are denied advanced

training and, having qualified for aviation school, they

are among the better qualified WMs. . . ."37 The Commandant reacted quickly with a letter to the com-

*In 1975 Colonel Bane returned to Headquarters as the Head

of the Separation and Retirement Branch where she served until

her retirement in 1977.
78 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

manding officer of the Marine Aviation Detachment

at Memphis stating:

It is the Commandant's desire that Women Marines be

assigned to a greater range of military occupational specialties to form a more efficient mobilization base. In consequence, it is requested that Women Marines assigned to your

command for aviation training be assigned in the percentages indicated. . A second example of strictly "sexist" assignments

was the practice of using attractive, intelligent women Marines in jobs that were more show than substance. A number of WMs served in highly visible

positions as receptionists in the Pentagon and it often

happened that the most capable were retained there

for inordinate periods of time. This worked to the disadvantage of the individual woman Marine who, when

eventually transferred, found herself on a Marine

Corps base as a staff noncommissioned officer without

adequate experience to supervise, instruct, and counsel, let alone to drill a platoon or stand a duty watch.

In the latter part of 1966, the Marine Corps was queried on the prospect of establishing a new billet in the

office 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 the

most capable and best appearing Women Marines. The work

entailed in receptionists' billets offer no challenge to the

caliber of women assigned to them. Each time a replacement is needed unreasonable selectivity requires a long parade of nominees to be submitted for the personal inspection

of the office concerned. It is considered that the Marine Corps

already had an undesirable monopoly on receptionist billets

in the various Navy Secretary's Offices. it is recommended

that the invitation to establish yet another billet be

declined."

Overall, the plusses outweighed the minuses in the

training and assignment of enlisted women in the years

following the Pepper Board. In 1972, Colonel Sustad,

as Director of Women Marines, reported to Congress

that women could serve in 23 occupational fields; serv- ice in two of them, motor transport and band, was restricted to time of war. Women Marines were, in

1972, as a matter of law and of Marine Corps policy,

prohibited from the following 12 fields: infantry; field

artillery; utilities; ccnstruction equipment and shore

party; tank and amphibian tractor; ammunition and

explosive ordnance disposal; supply services; nuclear,

biological, and chemical warfare; military police and

corrections; electronics maintenance; aviation ordnance; and air delivery. Colonel Sustad went on to explain that:

Marine Corps policy on the utilization of women permits

wide flexibility and interchangability with male M nines.

While 100 percent workability of this policy cannot be attained because of such factors as billeting, physical limitations, rotation base, or combat capability, it is recognized

that basically a Woman Marine is qualified to serve in any

location or in any billet if she possesses an appropriate and

required ski11.40

At the time of her statement before Congress, enlisted women were actually assigned in 21 occupational

fields with 34 percent in administration, 12 percent in supply, and 5 percent in operational communications, the three fields of greatest WM con- centration.

New Woman Marine Units, Stateside

Coupled with new job opportunities came new geographic assignments. In Director of Women Marines

Study 1-64, Colonel Bishop recommended the opening of woman Marine companies at bases with a

mobilization requirement for women Marines, specifically, the Marine Corps Supply Centers at Barstow and

Albany. The Pepper Board reaffirmed the idea and

expanded it to include the Air Station at Kaneohe,

Hawaii. Additionally, it recommended that women

staff noncommissioned officers be assigned to Marine

Corps Base, Twentynine Palms; Marine Corps Air Stations at Yuma and Beaufort; the Marine Corps Air Facilities at New River and Santa Ana; and, finally, it

r.:oposed that WM sergeants and above, be assigned

to ,tppropriate billets with the support and adminis-

..n.,'AT sections of the various Marine barracks

werseas.41

Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow

On 13 January 1966, Prospector, the Barstow post

newspaper, announced the arrival of the first woman

Marine to report for duty at the Supply Center since

1946. Captain Ve- J. Smith was name-I supply operations officer in Ser,-:es nivision. She became the ex- pert in residence in the planning for a company of 100

women Marines due to be established when billeting

arrangements were completed. The following month,

First Lieutenant Wanda Raye Silvey assumed duties as disbursing officer in the Comptroller Division."

Gunner, Sergeants Virginia Almonte and Lea E.

Woodworth arrived it, June 1966, both assigned to the

Center's Adjutant office." First Lieutenant Rebecca M.

Kraft, slated to be the first WM company commander

at Barstow, joined them a year later on 25 June 1967". And so, the first WM Company in the 25-year his89
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 79

tory of the Supply Center was activated on 1 July 1967.

It was also the first new WM unit to be established

in 13 years and brought to 11 the number of major

Marine Corps commands with women's organizations.

The first contingent of WMs, Lance Corporals Suzanne

Bryant, Sheryl L. Moore, and Christina M. Christopher,

arrived on 17 July and were greeted by First Lieutenant

Kraft and the company first sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant Woodworth. Building 182 had been completely renovated and outfitted with new furniture."

The company at Barstow was short-lived, being

deactivated in August 1971 and designated as a platoon of Headquarters Company, Headquarters and

Service Battalion. The senior WM on board was thereafter assigned additional duty as woman Marine advisor on the commanding general's special staff. From

1967 to 1971, seven officers served as WM company

commanders at Barstow: First Lieutenant Rebecca M.

Kraft, Captain Joan M. Hammond, First Lieutenant

Diane L. Hamel, Captain Alice K. Kurashige, First

Lieutenant 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, Georgia. Private First Class Donna L. Albert, on 4 February 1966, was the first WM to report to that post for

duty. Her assignment, making a departure from the

custom of only stationing lo wer ranked women at locations with a WM unit was permitted because she

was able to maintain a household with her husband,

Private First Class Dennis M. Albert.47

Second Lieutenant Emma G. Ramsey, formerly enlisted, arrived on 29 July 1966, the first WM officer

to serve at the center. She was followed shortly thereafter by Master Sergeant Rita M. Walsh, making a total of three.

Second Lieutenant Ramsey, officer in charge of the

manpower utilization unit, found herself undertaking

the additional duty of commanding officer of the WM

company then being formed. Working with Master

Sergeant Walsh, she began the task of planning and

preparing for a fiill-strength company. Barracks were

remodeled, administrative support was arranged, and

directives were drafted."

Apart from Second Lieutenant Ramsey and Master

Sergeant Walsh, the initial company members arriv-

*Captain Brame was one of four women Marines to receive the

Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism. See Chapter 15 foi

details.

ing in August 1967 were: Master Sergeant Bernice P.

Querry, the new first sergeant; Corporals Margaret G.

Wegener and Barbara A. Zimmer; Lance Corporals

Doris H. Pallant, Carrie M. Saxon, Marjorie W.

Groht, Donna L. Correll, Cheryl L. Larison, Robin

M. Holloway, Virginia Gonzales, Cathy L. Pierce, Barbara L. Bradek, and Rosemary Lamont; Privates First

Class Kathleen A. Kisczik, Daryl R. Cessna, Linda A.

Dewaele, and Gertrude Martin. Captain Sara R.

Beauchamp arrived in September and was named the

new commanding officer."

At the formal activation ceremonies on 13 September 1967, Sergeant Major of the Woman Marines Ouida W. Craddock unveiled a cornerstone plaque on the

Woman Marine Barracks. Colonel Bishop and Captain Beauchamp assisted Albany's mayor, the Honorable Tames V. Davis, with the ribbon-cutting at

Barrackb 71133.00 Dut, like the company at Barstow,

the WM Company, Albany, enjoyed but a brief existence. It was deactivated on 1 November 1972 and

the women became a platoon of Service Company,

Headquarters and Service Battalion.51

Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe

The Pepper Board had recommended reactivation

of a WM unit at the Marine Corps Air Station at

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Approval was initially deferred mainly because WM strength could not support

establishment of this unit as well as new units at Barstow and Albany. Under the new policy permitting

the assignment of women on an individual basis to

commands where no WM unit or housing existed, two

officers, Captain Manuela Hernandez and First Lieutenant Diane Leppaluoto were ordered to Kaneohe

early in 1966. By the end of the year, the decision

was made to activate a company of 100 enlisted wornen and two officers. Alterations began on a barracks

and the company was formed in December 1967.52

WOmen Marines Overseas

In July t966 a decision was made to assign women

Marines to the western Pacific area. The purpose was

twofold: to free as many male Marines as possible for

duty with committed Fleet Marine Force units and to

provide WMs with additional career incentives. Plans

were made to send women to Camp Butler on Okinawa; the Marine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan;

and Headquarters, United States Military Assistance

Command at Saigon, Vietnam. Each command was

queried on the number of billets suitable for WMs

and billeting space available.

90
80 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

141.7.:r

1 sat Anne Tallman (center), officer-in-charge of the

first woman Marine contingent to awive on Okinawa, stops to confer with members of her group upon

arrival at Kadena Air Base in November 1966,

Women were asked to volunteer for the 13-month

tour and had to be recommended by their commanding officers. Those with less than 13 months to serve

were required to extend or reenlist to cover the tour

length. Opportunities for enlisted women, private

through gunnery sergeant, were greatest for those in

administration, logistics, operational communications,

telecommunications maintenance, supply, disbursing,

data processing, informational services, photography,

weather service, air traffic control, and aviation operations. Officers, warrant throygh major, were eligible for assignment to the Far East and were especially

needed in administration, communications, supply,

disbursing, and legal services. WMs were ordered to

the Pacific area in increments to avoid a 100 percent

turnover at the end of 13 months.53

Marine Corps Air Station, lwakuni

There was yeti, little resistance to the idea of assigning WMs to Vietnam. The enthusiasm on Okinawa

was somewhat less. There was outright opposition to

the proposal at the M,.1-ine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan. The Commanding General, Fleet Marine

Force, Pacific, Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak,

had doubts about the plan based on the inadequacy

of appropriate on-base recreational facilities and a lack

of suitable off-base liberty areas. Colonel Bishop,

when asked by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenmt General Leonard F. Chaprnan, Jr., to comment on the subject, wrote:

;

Verbal and written objections expressed to date concerning the assignment of enlisted women to lwakuni imply

zither that the prime consideration is the women's enjoyment of their tour or that their presence constitutes a serious threat to the good order and discipline of their masculine

associates."

She advocated the weighing of adequate liberty facilities against the chance for the women to make

meaningful contributions to Marine Corps personnel

needs under conditions of minor personal hardship,

and continued, "This response was not beyond their

capabilities in the past."55 Taking up the matter of

the female presence, she added:

Presumably, the local command has been able to maintain sufficient disciplinary control over the masculine element to avoid undue unpleasantness for Navy Nurses,

dependents of the other services, and civilian school teachers

aboard the base.

The most telling argument against the assignment of

women to Iwakuni is not their ability to adjust to unuNttal

or difficult circumstances but the negative attitude expressed

at all levels of command in WestPac toward their presence

at Iwakuni. This attitude is hardly conducive to their welcome reception 2. nd normal uneventful adjustment.56*

Colonel Bishop and the Sergeant Major of Women Marines, First Sergeant Evelyn E. Albert, made a

trip to WestPac to confer with the commands and to

inspect the available barracks. At Iwakuni all the briefings were designed to discourage the plan. In response

to a question on the controversy, the former direcwr

wrote in a letter to the History and Museums Division in 1977:

Controversial is an understatement of the assignment of

women to the Far East particubrly to Japan. Okinawa was

no great problem nor Vietnam, but the CO of the Air Station in Japan was unbelievable in his efforts to prevent this

"catastrophe." (He made my trip interesting tho by having

me dragged through an assortment of bars and what not

as an indoctrination to the horrors of the Far East. I still

have a fan presented to me by an aging proprietress of one

of those establishments to show she bore no ill will to the

women.)57

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

justify her opposition!

"This observation also applied to the CO of the Air Station! Based on an on-the-spot analysis it quickly became evident that WMs

shot:Id be assigned to the station and I left .letermined to see this

done, even if it became necessary to relieve the COa prospect

which I communicated to him before my departure!" (Gen Wallace M. Greene, Jr., comments on draft manuscript, dtr. 2.3Elei.7)

9 1
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 81

Captain Marilyn E. Wallace became the first

woman Marine to serve in the Far iiast, reporting to

the Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni on 15 October

1966. Assigned as station disbursing officer, she was

billeted in a BOQ housing Navy nursesP8 Five months

later, on 23 March 1967, the arrival of the first enlisted women Marines raised the air station distaff

strength to seven. The WMs, Gunnery Sergeant

Frances J. Fisher, Staff Sergeants Carmen Adams and

Mary L. McLain, and Sergeants Elva M. Pounders,

Patricia Malnar, and Donna K. Duncan were accompanied on the last leg of their journey from Okinawa

to Japan by Major Jane L. Wallis, senior WM in the

Far East."

At Iwakuni, Colonel William M. Lundin, station

commanding 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 Squadron

were on hand to greet the women Marines and to take

them tn lunch. They were taken on a tour of the station ending with a welcome aboard gathering where

they met the officers for whom they would work. Staff

Sergeant Adams wrote to the Director of Woman Marines, "These Marines over here just can't seem to do

enough for us."88 The WMs received thorough briefings on customs, laws, and Japanese religions. Interviews were arranged with the Japanese press explaining

the work of the women Marines to dispel any notions

that they were taking jobs away from Japanese

women.81

The welcome accorded the WMs at Iwakuni in

1967, in the wake of the bitter opnosition voiced at

the prospect of their assignment, was not unlike the

reception given the first kegulars in 1948. Once the

decision was final and the pmence of women Marines

was a fait accompli, Marines, with few exceptions, accepted the situation with good grace.

Ma,,ine Corps Air Station,

Futema, Okinawa

Within days of Captain Wallace's arrival at Iwakuni in October 1966, First Lieutenant Anne S. Tallman

and nine enlisted WMs reported to Travis Air Force

Base, California, for transportation to Okinawa." Arriving at Kadena Air Force Base not far from Futema

on Saturday, 22 October, they were greeted by Major

John D. Way, administrative officer; Captain George

A. Kinser, personnel officer; and Sergeant Major John

W. Arnby, the facility sergeant major. Included in the

first group were Sergeant Carol A. Kindig; Corporals

Joan A. Carey, San Crosby, Patricia Hurlburt, Elizabeth

Turner, and Ronelle Wuerch; and Lance Corporals

Maryann Burger, Suzanne Davis, and Diana Savage.

First Lieutenant Tallman took up the duties of

informational officer and the enlisted women were assigned to operations, disbursing, supply, weather service, and communications."

The women Marines were attached to Headquarters

and Headquarter,' Squadron. The senior WM officer

functioned as the WM liaison to the commanding

offker of the Marine Corps Air Facility. When more

officers arrived, the senior woman officer became, as

an additional duty, the officer in charge of the WMs.

She reported to the commanding officer of the

squardon and helped him with duty assignments, inspections, and matters related to the distaff Marines.

The officers and staff noncommissioned officers (due

to a lack of adequate space) lived in BOQ 217. The

enlisted women lived in a small barracks, ideally situated behind the post exchange, and next to the swimming 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./ Jane

L. Wallis, WM Company commatvier, Camp Butler,

Okinawa cuts the birthday cake in November 19p.

><.c,"<<
82 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

HUOC-111kPli.

Nor

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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 Second

Lieutenant Doris M. Keeler, reporting in on 10 December 1966. Major Wallis, assistant base adjutant,

was in addition officer in charge of the women Marines. Second Lieutenant Keeler, formerly enlisted, was assigned as communications officer.65

On Monday, 16 January 1967, a contingent of 18

enlisted WMs arrived on Okinawa for assignment to

Camp Butler and Futema. On hand to meet the ar- rivals were Brigadier General Ronald R. Van Stockurn, Commanding General, FMFPac (Forward);

Colonel Robert B. Laing, Sr., Futema Marine Corps

Air Facility commander; Colonel James A. Gallo, Jr.,

Camp Butler executive officer; and Major Wallis, the

senior woman Marine on the island. The 9th Marine

Amphibious' Brigade Band from Camp T Tansen

serenaded the women during the welcoming ceremony. The first enlisted women to be assigned at Camp

Butler were Staff Sergeant Helen A.Zowd; Corporals

0

Kathleen Wright,* Sharon Lynn Bowe, Suzanne T.

Guyman, Susan W. Blair, and Mary J. Andlott; and

Lance Corporals Linda C. (nee Jaquet) Beck, Virginia

Emaline Baker, and Brenda Ray Brown.66

At work ; adjutant's office, Major Wallis saw

much of .orr ondence dealing with the oppor.ition of .oand toward the assignment of

WMs to Okinawa. Yet, the welcome the women

received was characteristically cordial. Major Wallis believes the Marines were sincere as they performed small

acts of courtesy and cot.ideration beyond the routine.

As an example, at the time it was unofficially accepted that the men of each unit had their own table at

the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Club, leaving the

women SNCOs with literally no place to sit except the

*sergeant Wright became the first Camp Butler woman Marine

to receive a Certificate of Commendation for outstanding performance of duty. The certificate was oresented by Major General John

G. Bouker in February 1968.
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 83

bar. When Master Sergeant Sarah N. Thornton arrived,

men from several of the units invited her to join their

group whenever she came to the club. The WMs further found that once on the job, they soon became

indispensable. Their work sections did not easily

release women on Saturdays or Mondays, making

weekend liberty trips difficult." It was a bittersweet

compliment.

Women Marines on Okinawa had a uniform problem since they wore the two-piece summer cord dress

all year and it was often quite cold. The raincoat did

not provide a satisfactory answer as it was too hot and

sticky in the humid weather. Major Wallis and Second

Lieutenant Keeler designed a g, 2n, V-necked cardigan swever that fit under the lapels of the uniform.

The small standard green buttons normally worn on

the epaulets of the summer uniform were used on the

non-regulation sweater. It cost about $15 to have one

custom made, and Colonel Bishop gave permission to

wear it on Okinawa only."

WMs stationed at Camp Butler and Futema joined

together to celebrate Christmas in Japan in 1967.

Major Wallis and one enlisted woman flew to Camp

Fuji to check the facilities. The question was, "Could

17 women live in one hootch (quonset hut) with only

one shower?" They decided they certainly could

manage for 72 hours. Marines moved out, doubled up,

and turned over their hootch to the WMs. The medical dispensary was made into quarters for the women

officers and staff noncommissioned officers. In all, 25

WMs spent the holidays at the Camp Fuji Range Company. Time was spent climbing the slopes of Mt. Fuji,

skiing, and ice skating, but the highlight of the trip

was a Christmas Eve party at the Seibi Yamanaka Orphanage. The Marines, men and women, arrived laden

with pots of spag tti and meatballs, orange soda,

chocolate cake, an , gaily wrapped presents for the 51

orphan boys. After the party the group returned to

amp Fuji to carol and to decorate the tr:es in the

mess hall and the clubs. Late in the afternoon of

Christmas Day, the Marines enjoyed a family-style

traditional Christmas dinner."

February 1968 marked the 25th anniversary of the

women Marines and Major Wallis' telt:.- was extended

to complete plans for a special celebration. It was

planned to have WMs from all WestPac commands

attend, and a search was made to find as many former WMs as possible from among the dependents. At

the last moment, the WMs From Victrigm c-Juld not

leave the country due to the Tet offensive of 1968.

Women Marines from Camp Butler, Futema, and

Iwakuni gathered at Kadena's Airmen's Open Mess

along with their guests. The traditional cake was cut

by Major General John G. Bouker, who presented the

first piece to Master Sergeant Thornton, oldest WM

at the party, and the second to Lance Corporal

Maureen McGauren, the youngest."

Women Marines in Vietnam

Companion to greater opportunity is greater 1,sponsibility and for women in the Marine Corps in the

1960s that meant service in the war-torn Republic of

Vietnam. The announcement was made and plans

were set in 1967 for one officer and nine enlisted women to fill desk billets with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), based in Saigon. Generally,

they were to work with the Marine Corps Personnel

Section on the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces,

Vietnam. The section provided administrative support

to Marines assigned as far north as the Demilitarized

Zone (DMZ). Later, another officer billet was added

and Lieutenant Colonels Ruth J. O'Holleran and Ruth

F. Reinholz eventurally served as historians with the

Military History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, MACV.

Care was taken to select mature, stable WMs who

could be expected to adapt to strange surroundings

and cope in an emergency. Interested women Marines

were asked to volunteer by notifying their commanding officer or by indicating their desire to serve in Vietnam on their fitness reports. There was no shortage

of volunteers, but not all met the criteria. Then there

was a number of women who would willingly accept,

but not volunteer for orders to a combat zone. Theoretically, all Wisns who served in Vietnam were volunteers in that nearly all had expressed their willingness

to go and none objected." When Master Sergeant

Bridget V. Connolly was asked what made her volunteer for duty in Saigon, she laughed and said, "Who

volunteered? I received my orders in the guard mail."

She became a legitimate volunteer when her initial

tour ended and she extended for an additional six

months."

The first woman Marine to report to Vietnam for

duty was Master Sergeant Barbara J. Du'insky, who

arrived on 18 March 1967. After an 18-hour flight, she

landed at dusk at Bien Hoa, about 30 miles north of

Saigon. Travel was restricted after dark on the unsecure roads, so she was billeted overnight at the airfield. The next morning she was taken by bus and

armed escort to Koeppler Compound in Saigon and

94
84

there her tour began with a security lecture. The briefing was not concerned with security of classified

material as one might expect, but with security in dayto-day living in Vietnam, such as recognizing booby

traps, and checking cabs upon entering to ensure there

was a handle inside. Arrival procedures were similar

for most WMs.73

At first, the enlisted women were quartered in the

Ambassador Hotel, and later they moved to the Plaza, a hotel-dormitory, two to a room. Women of other

services and several hundred men called the Plaza

home. By spring 1968, the enlisted women were moved

to the Billings Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ), located near MACV Headquarters and Tan Son Nhut

Airbase.

Generally, the women officers were billeted in Le

Qui Don, a hotel-like Bachelor Officers Quarters

(BOQ). Company grade officers were usually assigned two to a room; WMs and WAVES billeted together.

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Like the Plaza and Billings BEQ, Le Qui Don Hotel

was air conditioned, but electlicity was a sometime

thing.

There we no Ling facilities in either the Billings

BEQ or the I,e. Qui Don BOQ. Most of the women

cooked in their Lorin on hot plates or with electric

skillets. When the power was out, they managed with

charcoal-grilled meals served by candlelight."

There were no laundry facilities, but for about $15

a month, each woman hired a maid who cleaned her

room, and washed and pressed her uniforms. Before

leaving the United States the women Marines were

cautioned to bring an ample supply of nylons, sturdy

cotton lingerie, and summer uniforms. Nor only wrrr

these items scarce in the post exchange th4L catered

to male troops, but the maids were unch , hard on

them. Lieutenant Colonel Elaine E. i! r Davies) spoke of looking out her window ;naid

laundering 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. Viucent

De Paul Orphanage, Saigon, is the subject of this painting by artist Cliff Young.

fl 5

P

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, F-1 4110Fri
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 85

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

Nylon hosic ry was a luxury. Women of some services were even excused from wearing them when in

uniform, a privilege not extended to women Marines.

Vietnamese women were fascinated by the sheer stockings and Lieutenant Colonel Vera M. Jones told of

walking down the streets of Saigon and being startled

by the touch of a Vietnamese woman feeling her stockings70

The women were advised to arrive with four to six

pairs of dress pumps for uniform wear because the

streets were hard on shoes and repair service was t,

satisfactory. In the "Information on Saigon" ki,olciq

provided each woman before leaving the United States

was written, ". . . bring a dozen sets of heel

lifts. . . . Heels can easily be extracted with a pair of

pliers and new ones inserted with little difficulty.'"

For the most part the WMs worked in Saigon, but

on occasion duty took them outside the city. In January 1969, Captain Filkins, in a letter to the Director

of Women Marines, wrote:

In early December, Corporal Spaatz and I traveled to Da

Nang with nearly 100 SRB/OQRs [service record books/officer qualification records] to conduct an audit of the service records of the men stationed in the north. The Army

I Corps had been most kind in aiding us in our efforts to

provide administrative assistance to our widely scattered men.

Corporal Spaatz is a fine representative for the WMs with

her professional handling of the audit. It was obvious that

the men enjoyed the unfamiliar click of the female high

heeled shoes. The weather was on our side so we were able

to wear the dress with pumps the entire visit:"

When thc weather was unusually wet or when the

city was under attack, the women wore utilities and

oxfords. In addition the Army issued field uniforms

and combat boots to any woman required to wear

them for duty.

The Tet offensive of January-Febniary 1968, a largescale enemy attack that disrupted the city, brought

some changes to the lives of WMs in Saigon. At the

time enlisted women were still quartered at the Plaza

which received automatic weapons fire. Bus service to

many of the BOQs and BEQs was cut off, confining

the women to their quarters.

Captain Jones was unable to leave the Le Qui Don

for a day and a half before bus service, with armed

escorts, resumed. Excerpts of a letter from Captain

Jones to Colonel Bishop told something of the

situation:

3 February 1968, It's hard to believe that a war is going

on around me, I sit here calmly typing this letter and yet

can get up, walk to a window, and watch the helicopters making machine gun and rocket strikes in the arca of thc golf

course which is about three blocks away, At night, I lk in

bed 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 finally

got into work this afternoon, Cpls Hensley and Wilson plan

to spend the night."

Excerpts from a letter from Master Sergeant

Dulinsky elaborated:

9 February 1968. We are still on a 24-hour curfew, with

JI iramis in utilities , , . MACV personnel (womcn included) were bussed down to Koeppler compound and issued

3 pair of jungle fatigues and a pair of jungle boots.

Right now, most of us don't look the picture of "The New

Image." Whew! Hardly! I can't determine at night, if I'm

pooped from the work day or from carrying around these

anvils tied to my feet called combat boots.

Our Young-uns (and me too inside) were scared; but you'd

have been proud of them. They turned to in the mess,

cashiering, washing dishes, serving and clearing tables."

Although the Tet offensive kept the women from

attending the celebration of the silver anniversary of

the women Marines in Okinawa, they were not without

a celebration. Thanks to a WAVE and male Marines,

they had a cake in the office and the traditional cakecutting ceremony.

The command expected each person to work 60

productive hours a week. Time off was precious, and

recreational facilities were Bowling was a

popular sport, and old American television shows were

broadcast a few hours each evening. The city was often

under curfew with the Americans back in their quarters by 2000 or 2200. Movies were available several

nights a week in some of the BEQs and BOQs. A mlmber of the women kept busy during their off-duty

hours by working at the Armed Forces Television Station, helping at various orphanages, and visiting Vietnamese families. Captain Jones, the only woman

Marine who attended Vietnamese language school,

taught English to a class of Vietnamese policemen.

Captain Filkins, interested in an orphanage for

blind girls, solicited soap, clothing, linens, toys, and

supplies from the women Marine companies at home.

In her letter she wrote, "They are rather confined in

their small, dark world of the orphanage so they seem

quite thrilled when visitors come to see them . . . . Many of these children are lucky if they are picked up

and held for a few minutes each week.8'

.,A). 9 6
86 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

S. 4

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Assigned to administrative duties in Saigon, GySgt Donna Hollowell Murray, shown here

in Tanh Anh, Vietnam, in 1970, gave time to work with children in outlying areas.

One woman Marine in particular, Staff Sergeant Ermelinda Salazar (later Esquibel), who touched the lives

of Vietnamese orphans, was nominated for the 1970

Unsung Heroine Award sponsored by the Veterans of

Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and was immortalized in a

painting by Marine artist Cliff Young. During her 15

months in Saigon, Staff Sergeant Salazar essentially

took over a MACV civic action project involving the

St. Vincent de Paul orphanage.

In a letter dated 10 Septemb- ;,59, to Gunnery

Sergeant Helen A. Dowd, she to of her work with

the children:

I don't remember if I mentioned to you that I had been

working with the orphanage supported by MACV. It is not

a big oneonly 75 children ages from a few weeks old to

about 11 or 12 years of age. They are precious and quite lively.

. . . This whole orphanage is taken care of by two Catholic

sisters. . . . One of them is rather advanced in age (about

in her 60's) and the other is quite young and active. Still

and 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 broken

phrases and words in Vietnamese. . . . Since I've been working at the c rphanage, I've had to overcome much repugnance. There's a lot of sickness and disease here in Vietnam. . . . So when I say the orphanage it

doesn't have the same connotation that it does back in the

states where the children are well fed . . . and healthy .for

at least they have medical facilities and medicines available. These children have nothing! If the WM company is

wondering about any projects for Christmas here is something you can think about. Anything and everything is

needed.82

Determined that these children would have a party, Staff Sergeant Salazar personally contacted Marine

units for contributions, arranged -2 site and bus transportation, enlisted interested people to help, and

wrapped individual gifts for each child. Her interest

continued after the holidays and in spite of 11-hour

workdays, six days a week, she was able to influence

other Marines to follow her lead in working at the orphanage. Nominating her for the Unsung Heroine

Award, her commanding officer wrote: "Her unusual
UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD, 1964-1972 87

and untiring efforts to assist these otherwise forgotten children reflect great credit upon herself, the United States Marine Corps, this command, and the

United States."83

Staff Sergeant Salazar was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in the performance of her duties during the

period 10 October 1969 to 10 January 1970 while serving with the Military History Branch, Secretary Joint

Staff, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

In addition, the Republic of Vietnam awarded her the

Vic:rnamese Service Medal for her work wittl the

orphans.

Women Marines in Vietnam normally numbered

eight or 10 enlisted women and one or two officers

at any one time for a total of about 28 enlisted women and eight officers between 1967 and 1973. Their

letters and interviews reveal their apprehension before

arriving in Saigon, their satisfaction with their tour,

and their increased sense of being a Marine.

Women Marines in

Marine Security Guard Battalion

Traditionally, women Marines had not been assigned

to the Marine Security Guard Battalion, commonly

referred to a.- embassy duty. The primary mission of

an embassy Marine is to safeguard classified material

vital to the United States' interests and to protect

American lives and property abroad. In 1967 the first

two women officers joined the Marine 5ecurity Guard

Battalion, not as guards, but as personnel officers. First

Lieutenant Charlene M. Summers (later Itchkawich)

served with Company C, Manila, Philippines, and

Warrant Officer Mary E. Pease was assigned to Company D, Panama Canal Zone. The following year, Captain Gail M. Reals reported to Company B, Beirut,

Lebanon.84

Women Marines OverseasSummary

Opportunities for women Marines to serve outside

the continental United States had been extremely

Sgt Doris Denton receives the Joint Service 'Commendation Medal from MajGen Richard

F. Shaffer, USA, assistant chief of staff, , in Saigon, South Vietnam, on 5 March 1969.

I.

II

'T Z ":1

98
88 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

limited from World War II to 1966. Billets available

in Europe never accommodated more than nine or 10

women, officers and enlisted. Until October 1966,

Hawaii was the only location in the Pacific at which

WMs could serve. On 30 June 1966, 3.7 percent, or

63 women Marines, 56 in Hawaii and seven at foreign

locations, were serving outside the continental limits.85

On 30 June 1971, 9.3 percent, or 209 women were serv- ing in the following locations:"

Officer Enlisted

MCAF, Futema, Okinawa 3 20

MCB, Camp Butler, Okinawa 6 37

MCAS, Iwakuni, Japan 5 34

FMFPac, Camp Smith, Hawaii 14 59

MCAS, Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 9

AFSE, Naples, Italy 1 1 EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany 1 3

MarDet, London, England 0 1 MAS NATO Brussels, Belgium 1 0

MACV, Saigon, Vietnam 2 6

MarSecGdBn, 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 policy

of expanded overseas assignments for women in the

Marine Corps made during the years 1966-1972, following the recommendations of the Pepper Board, has

persisted.

These years saw remarkable changes made in the

utilization, training, and assignment of women Marines and marked success in recruiting, officer procurement, wid retention efforts. The Pepper Board

reported its findings and recommendations to improve

the effectiveness of women Marines in 1965 at a time

when the war in Vietnam demanded maximum effort and performance of each Marine. Many questioned

the price tag that would accompany implementation

of the study group's recommendations; others recognized the costliness cf inadequately trained and disillusioned Marines. Largely due to the leadership and

untiring efforts of the Commandant of the Marine

Corps, General Greene; the chairman of the Woman

Marine Program Study Group, Lieutenant General

Pepper; and the Director of Women Marines, Colonel

Bishop, notable progress was made and the status of

women placed on a firmer footing than any time previously in the history of thc Corps.
CHAPTER 7

Utilization and Numbers: Snell Committee, 1973-1977

Strength, 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 awareness of the phenomenon called equal opportunity for

women.1 It permeated the family, the schoolroom, business, religion, and the military. In all fairness, laws,

customs, and prejudices notwithstanding, a case can

be made for the advantageous position of servicewomen compared to women in education, business, and

industry. There were, however, recognized shortcomings which had to be dealt with. The advent of the

all-volunteer force and the national women's liberation movement were leading to increased use of women in the military. On 1 September 1972, the Chief

of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.,

recommended a plan tailored to meet a goal stated

as "allowing women an equal opportunity to contribute their talents and to achieve full professional

status i I the Navy."2 The Marine Corps had no such

plan.

One week later, the Secretary of Defense, Melvin

R. Laird, directed the services to develop by 30 November 1972 detailed equal opportunity/affirmative action

plans far minorities and servicewomen. As a result,

the Deputy Chief of Staff (Manpower) of the Marine

Corps, Lieutenant General Ormond R. Simpson, proposed an ad hoc committee to be chaired by Colonel

Albert W. Snell. The committee was tasked with develving a plan of action, objectives, and milestones

for a program to increase equal opportunity for women Marines.

The membership of Colonel Snell's committee

varied from time to time but included representatives

of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1; Deputy Director

of Personnel; Director Division of Reserve; and Director Women Marines. Included were Lieutenant

Colonel Jenny Wrenn and Major Barbara E. Dolyak.

At the initial, formal meetings, the committee established the goal to "increase the effectiveness and utilization for all women Marines to fully utilize their

abilities in support of Marine Corps objectives." Five

specific objectives identified to accomplish the goal were:a. To identify and eliminate all discrimination based solely

on sex. b. To ensure to women Madnes equal opportunity for assignment to and within noncombat occupational fields.

c. To provide the opportunity for women Marines to obtain 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 Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Central All:Volunteer Task Force on the Utilization of

Military Women, headed by Colonel Helen A. Wilson, USMCR, published a separate but related study

in. December 1972. This report specifically recoramended 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 FY

1974 plans for female military strength in Marine Corps!

A further consideration by the Snell Committee was

the report of a task group chaired by the Judge Advocate General of the Navy to review the portion of Titles 10 and 37 of the United States Code which

diffecent'ated between the treatment of men and

women.

Taking all into consideration, the Snell Committee

identified 17 separate tasks needed to attain its objectives. A background position paper containing the

17 tasks was then staffed to appropriate Headquarters

agencies for comment. Colonel Margaret A. Brewer was

given the job of reviewing the comments, summarizing the recommendations, and making appropriate

modifications.

The recommendations that evolved included several

concerning promotion boards that would require legislative action. Most, however, challenged the Marine

Ccdps' policies and regulations that barred women

from occupational fields or schools based solely on sex.

The fields of logistics, military police and corrections,

and aircraft maintenance, all closed to women, were

singled out as possibilities for immediate action while

all other noncombat fields would be studied to determine their appropriateness for women Marines. Two

89
90

LCp1 Brenda Hockenhull, in 1972 the first woman Marine to graduate from the Test Instrument Course, Albany, Georgia, examines a piece of electronic

equtPment with fellow student, LCPI William Day.

of the most unorthodox ideas presented were the plan

that a pilot program be established to assign women

to stateside Fleet Marine Forces and the recommendation that:

. the prohibition in the Marine Corps Manual which

limits women officers to succeeding to command only at

those activities which have the administration of Women

Marines as their primary function be eliminated.5

According to Lieutenant Colonel Barbara Dolyak,

a member of the Snell Committee, it came as a surprise when the Commandant approved all recommendations on 14 November 1973. On the final page

of 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 Marines by 30 June 19777 This represented a 30 percent

increase of women's strength and completely disregarded the traditional figure of one percent of total Marine Corps enlisted strength. Subsequently, the target

date was moved up to 1 January 1976. During the

summer of 1976, the Commandant, General Louis H.

Wilson, Jr., responding to requests from commanders

for additional women, to the improved effectiveness

of women in the Corps, and to the realities of the allvolunteer force, approved an additional increase in the

size of the woman Marine force.8 The change was planned to be implemented over a six-year period beginning I. October 1976, with a recruiting goal for the

year of 1,700 women or 164 over the current annual

101

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

input. Beginning with -fiscal year 1978, in October

1977 the Corps aimed to recruit 2,500 women annually, Then in March 1977, appearing before a House

Armed Services subcommittee, General Wilson made

the surprise announcement that the Marine Corps ex- pected to have 10,000 women in its ranks by 1985.0

Incremental increases were planned based on logistical limitations related to uniform supplies and billeting space rather than on need or availability of

qualified applicants. In 1975 18 percent of all women

who enlisted in the Marine Corps had attended college and surne 112,3 baccalaureate degrees."' in 1977,

both recruiting and officer procurement quotas were

easily met with many fine young women being turne,i

away. On 30 June 1977, the strength of the active duty

women Marines was 407 officers and 3,423 enlisted

women for a total of 3,830.

The reenlistment and retention rate for women improved to the point where in 1974, the rate of retention for first-term WMs bettered that of male Marines,

9.9 percent to 7.9 percent. In 1975, it was 10.4 percent for women compared to 7.9 percent for the total

Marine Corps.', No one facter is responsible for the

improved recruiting and retention of women. Thf: indications point to a generation of women awakened

to new horizons, improvements in the woman Marine

program brought on by the Pepper Board and the

Snell Committee, and the positive action taken by. the

Commandants to publicize to all Marines the role of

women in the Marine Corps.

New Occupational Fields

The Snell Committee had recommended that the

Marine Corps regulations and policies not governed

by law be reviewed to revise or eliminate those which

discriminated solely on the basis of sex without rational

and valid reason, ,nd that all noncombat MOSs be

examined to determine which could be made available to women. Since a task analysis of all noncombat

occupational fields was already underway at Headquarters and would not be completed for several years,

it was further recommended that certain fields be

opened immediately as a sign of good faith. For

officers, logistics, military police and corrections, and

aircraft maintenance were suggested, and for enlisted

women, the same three fields plus utilities and electronics. Because of some disagreement and in view of

the ongoing study of all noncombat MOSs, only logistics and military police and corrections were approved

for 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 except those grounded in law, was made on 15 July 1975

when the Commandant, General Wilson, approved

the assignment of women to all occupational fields

except the four considered combat-related, infantry

,f 03), artillery (08), armor (18), and flight crews (75).

Management limitations, preservation of a rotation

base for male Marines, equal opportunity regardless

of sex for job assignments and promotions, need for

adequate facilities and housing for WMs, and availability of nondeployable billets, of necessity, affected

the number of women assigned to some fields, but

this was truly a decisive change.12

Military Police

Records indicate that there were five women with

a military police MOS in 1952 but a search of the

records failed to reveal who they were or what duties

they performed. It is likely that they were former WRs

since the policy after 1948 had beer2 not to assign women to this field.

The Corps' first known post-World War II military

policewoman, in January 1974, was Lance Corporal

Harriett F. Voisine, a WM who had a bachelor of

science degree in criminology with a major in police

science and administration. She had worked with the

Police Department in Westminster, California, before

enlisting in July 1971 and, after recruit training, served

for two and one-half years in the Provost Marshal Office at Parris Island. Taking courses on her own in

juvenile delinquency; vice and narcotics; criminal law;

and arrest, search, and seizure procedures, she was a

Sgt Karen Cottingham, a trained telephone switchboard repairman, checks the level of battery add in

the standby power source, at the Marine Corps Base,

Twentynime Palms, California, on 4 February 1977.

11 it

91

PFC Regina T. Musser, first woman Marine tank

mechanic, works on the optic unit of a tank turret

while assigned to the Tracked Vehicle Maintenance

Unit at Camp Pendleton, California, h; 1974.

natural candidate for the military police field when

it was finally opened to women Marines 13 Lance Corporal Voisine, given on-the-job training by the recruit

depot's MFs, was used on the desk, on traffic control

details, 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, graduating in April 1975.14 Private Mary F. Bungcayo, who

graduated from the same course the following month

was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry

Point, for duty. In a 1977 interview, Corporal Bungcayo stated that the met some male opposition at first,

but no restrictions. She worked on the desk and on

patrol; 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 of

military ç.lice work, believed that on the job she was

given fly same responsibilities as the male MI35.15

Seconi Lieutenant Debra J. Baughman, the first

womai :ifficer in the military police field, was assigned

to the Provost Marshal Office at Camp Lejeune after

graduation from the 35th Woman Officer Basic Course

in March 1975. She entered the field with a degree

in corrections but no experience. At Camp Lejeune

she was assigned as platoon leader for a platoon of MPs

and in the opinion of Colonel Valeria F. Hilgart, the

base G-1, "She did a topnotch job."10
92

1stLt Debra J. Baug

platoon at Marine C

The next two officers to enter

tary police, were Second Lieute

and Judith A. Cataido. Neithc

perience but both had majoret

the police science field in colleg

three attended the Military Folic

Course at Fort McClellan, Alabar

the 5803 MOS. After graduatil

Second Lieutenant Krusa repor

assistant operations officer for

Office and Second Lieutenant

Cherry Point for assignment as

of the Traffic Investigation, Traf

and Identification Section. Secot

man returned to Camp Lejeun

officers had received more exter

MOS to include attendance at

sity's Traffic Institute at Evanstl
A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

nan o cer in the military police field, inspects her

p Lejeune, North Carolina, in the summer of 1975.

mili- On the subject of police work for women, Second

Krusa Lieutenant Cataldo, in March 1977, wrote: ce ex- Speaking for myself, I love the field. It is a constantly y and

changing challenge. Twenty-five male MPs work for me and 76 all I am given a great deal of responsibility. I feel that after the

tation initial testing and proving period I have been fully acceptmally 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 the five days per month and proficiency with various weapons. arshal ... For women interested in the police field it offers a great ed to

harge Presiding Judges i Pass

augh- There were seldom more than one or two women

three Marine lawyers on active duty at one time, and it was

their news when in 1970, First Lieutenant Patricia Murphy

riive-- was named a certified military judge. But in 1974, it

was 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 to

preside in a courtroom. A graduate of Eloomsburg

State College and the Marshall Wythe School of Law

at the College of William and Mary, she served in the

Marine Corps Reserve for a six-year tour before going

on active duty. She served nine months in Judge Advocate General School for military lawyers at Charlottesville, Virginia; 14 months on Okinawa as prosecutor

and foreign claims commissioner; and some months

as defense counsel at Quantico."

As a judge, Captain Albertson was praised by her

colleague, Captain David A. Schneider, who said, "I

would give her the highest complimentI'd call her

a professional. She shows that she is more interested

in justice and fairness than formality or speed . . . ."20

Her former commanding officer, Colonel Joseph R.

Motelewski, commented bluntly, "She is one of the

finest lawyers I've ever worked with."21

In an effort to attract persons of needed skills, the

Marine Corps inaugurated a program of direct Reserve

commissions for those who met the criteria. Reserve

Marine Major Sara J. Harper, a judge of the Municipal

Court of Cleveland, Ohio, entered the Corps as a lawyer and served a number of tours on active duty over

a four-year period. Then in 1977, she was appointed

a military judge by General Louis H. Wilson, in

ceremonies in his office?2

Breaking the Tradition

Improved educational level of women recruits, a

changed attitude of society toward the role of working women, especially in technical and professional

fields, and an openmindedness in the Corps brought

on by the Pepper Board and fostered by the Stu 11

Committee, and finally the Commandant's key ckcision in July 1975, combined to increase the assignments of women to a greater variety of occupational

fields. For example;

In November 1973, Second Lieutenant Patricia M.

Zaudtke was assigned as one of the first two WM motor transport officers.23

In June 1974, Captain Shirley L. Bowen was the only

woman and the first woman ?4.arine to graduate from

the 34-week Advanced Communication Officer

Course."

Private Mary P. McKeown made history at the Army's Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen,

Maryland, when she became the first WM to attend

the Metal Body Repair Course. Her classroom instruction included practical work in gas welding, exterior finishing of metal bodies, glass cutting, and

s,. Capt Eileen M. Albertson, .first woman Marine military judge to preside in a courtroom, administered the

foreign claims section and acted as trial counsel at the

Camp Smedley D. Butler Law Center in 1972.

instruction in inert gas metal welding techniques.25

First Lieutenant Dian S. George, in 1975, was the

first woman Marine to be assigned to the inspcaorinstructor staff of an all-male Reserve unit, Headquarters and Service Company, Supply Battalion, 4th

Force Service Support Group, at Newport News, Virginia. Previously she had served as the assistant SASSY

officer at Cherry Point, North Carolina. SASSY is the

acronym for Supported Activity Supply System, which

was, at the time, a new computerized way of keeping

track of all Marine Corps equipment. Thus it was not

merely coincidental that First Lieutenant George

found herself at the Newport News unit, the first

Reserve company to have the SASSY system, one which

tied into the computer at Camp Lejeune. During drill

weekend she worked on the organization and supervision of the training program which included computer programming and key punch operations skills.

In addition she served as personnel, public relations,

and recruiting officer on the staff headed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Esposito. For the lieutenant,

being in an all-male outfit was not entirely new since

she had particip ited in the 1974 pilot program permitting women to serve in the Fleet Marine Forces.26

Private First Class Cathy E. Smith was the first woman Marine to attend the Water Supply and Plumbing

Course at Camp Lejeune. The training which began

on 14 July 1975 was coacerned mainly with water

purification, i.e., supplying fresh water to Marines in

the field.27

104
94 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

On 28 January 1977, Sergeant Deborah A, Rubel,

a mechanic in the fuel and electrical shop, Motor

Transport and Maintenance Company, 2d Maintenance

Battalion, Force Troops, 2d Force Service Support

Group, was named Force Troops 2d FSSG Marine of

the Quarter, high praise for a woman serving in the

FMF in a nontraditional job.28

Second Lieutenant Jo Anne Kelly became, in January 1977, the first of four women in her occupational

field to qualify for the 7210 MOS, Air Defense Control Officer. She finished initial training at Twentynine Palms in August 1976 and then reported to the

Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, where she completed the required number of live intercepts in tactical flight missions?8

On 9 January 1977, three WiMs, Sergeants Connie

Dehart and Cynthia Martin, and Corporal Geneva

Jones, were reported to be the first women to earn their

wings while serving as flight attendants on the C-9B

Skytrain. After a two-week familiarization course at

the McDonn,dl Douglas School, the women's duties

included loading baggage and cargo, and serving

meals. In an interview in March 1977, Sergeant Jones

indicated that there was no resentment shown by male

Marines with whom she worked, but at least one lieutenant colonel was uncomfortable about her work as

Sgt J. S. Burke, a tractor-trailer driver with Base

Material Battalion, Camb Pendleton, California, adjusts the chains of her rig on 11 February 1977.

74,

e

105

he ordered her out of thc cargo compartment and

loaded his own baggage.3°

Private First Class Pamela Loper, the first woman

Marine to hold a tractor-ttAler license at Camp Lejeune since World War II, was described in April 1977

by Lieutenant Colonel John F. Drummond, base motor transport officer, as ". . . a much better driver than

some uf our experienced men." Private First Class Loper

drove a large tractor-trailer rig, known as a "semi" or

"18 wheeler." She obtained her license after passing

tests on handling the vehicle and hooking up and unhooking the trailer."

Private First Class Katie Jones Dixin, Headquarters

and Maintenance Squadron-32's first WM jet mechanic, worked on jet engines and components which

MAG-32's squadrons sent to its power plant for repair.

Extensive schooling prepared her to do the type of intermediate maintenance that the squadrons were not

authorized to perform."

Private First Class Gail Faith Morise, first enlisted

woman to attend the 12-week Automotive Mechanics

School at Camp Lejeune, was also the first WM to be

assigned to Cherry Point's Motor Transport Division."

Bandsmen

Well before the final verdict was in on opening new

occupational fields to women, an old one became

available once more. Uncil 1973, the musical MOS

5500 was designated for wartime duty only. Women

Marine bandsmen were a rare sight after the demobilization of Camp Lejeune's renowned MCWR band of

World War II. In 1967, Colonel Bishop reported that

Corporals Donna L. Correll and Marjorie W. Groht

had joined the Marine Corps Supply Center band at

Albany and played in ceremonies on 10 November."

These two Marines, members of the first group of

WMs to report to Albany, played the clarinet and

trumpet and were believed to be the only women performing with a Marine band at the time. In 1969,

Lance Corporal Judy A. Tiffany volunteered on a parttime basis as a cymbal player with the newly formed

Drum and Bugle Team at the Marine Barracks, Treasure Island, California. And then, in 1971, five WMs,

Corporals Sue Redding and Nancy Wright, Lance Corporals Sue Deleskiewicz and Joan Mahaffey, and Private First Class Martha Eveland became the first WM

musical unit since World War II when they formed

the WM Drum Section of Treasure Island's Drum and

Bugle Team.35

Private Jay C. Clark was issigned the 5500 MOS in

t7.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 wires

the fuel control of an A-4 Skyhawk power Plant in

the squadron's powerplant section, Marine Corps Air

Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, in 1977.

She was assigned to the post band and later sent to

Basic Music School in Little Creek, Virginia. Upon

completion of the six-month course, she served in the

bands in Hawaii and at the Recruit Depot at San Diego, 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 instrumentalists, the band sought and received permission to enlist womenP° Elizabeth A. Eitel, an oboist

and University of Montana student, became, in April

1973, the first woman to audition and to be accepted. Before she graduated and subsequently enlisted

on 30 July, another young woman, Ruth S. Johnson,

a University of Michigan graduate, joined the band

on 16 May, becoming its first woman member. Like

all members of the band, the women were appointed

to the rank of staff sergeant and were not required

to attend recruit training. Gunnery Sergeant Johnson,

in 1977, was the Marine Band's principal French

hornist.37

At first there were several conditions imposed by

the band. The women, for example, were to wear the

male bandsmen uniforms. Colonel Margaret A. Brewer, Director of Women Marines, satisified that this new

opportunity was available to women, prudently offered

no opposition. It was soon obvious that the men's

trousers were ill-fitting and difficult to tailor for the

women, so new uniforms, following the traditional

pattern but proportioned for the female figure, were

designed. Eventually long skirts were added to the

wardrobe. The WM hat posed some problems, especially in wet weather as it required careful blocking

to keep in shape. The band had a white vinyl model

designed and asked Colonel Brewer for her opinion.

With its gold emblem, red cap cord, and semi-shiny

fabric, she found it unattractive at first, but agreed

to a test period. The vinyl hat not only looked fine

when worn during performances, but it solved the

maintenance problem. Recognizing the practicality of

a hat that can withstand rain and snow, the white vinyl

was later copied for use by women MPsP°

By July 1977, the Marine Band counted in its ranks

the following 10 women musicians:3°

Gunnery Sergeant Gail A. Bowlin flute

Gunnery Sergeant Elizabeth A. Eitel oboe

Staff Sergeant Elnora Teopaco Figueroa violin

Staff Sergeant Michelle Foley oboe

Gunnery Sergeant Carol Hayes viola

Gunnery Sergeant Ruth S. Johnson French horn

Staff Sergeant Denna S. Purdie cello

Staff Sergeant Linda D. Stolarchyk cello

Staff Sergeant Vickie J. Yanics violin

Staff Sergeant Dyane Wright bassoon

Women Marines in the Fleet Marine Force

The Snell Committee reconimended that a pilot

program be established to assign women to stateside

division, wing, or force service regiment headquarters

in noncombat rear echelon billets such as disbursing,

data systems, administration, etc. General Cushman,

Commandant of the Marine Corps, approved the concept on 14 November 1973.4° In February 1974, a message was sent to FMF commanders notifying them of

a yet-to-be published change in policy which would

permit the assignment of women to FMF billets involving service support, aviation support, or communication occupational specialties that would not

require them to deploy with the assault echelon of the

command if a contingency arose. The legal restrictions

that women not be assigned duty in aircraft that are

engaged in combat missions nor on vessels of the Navy

other than hospital ships and transports were included.

The 2d Marine Aircraft Wing and the 1st Marine

Division were designated as the commands to participate in a six-month pilot program, and they were

106
96

t

`{L

r _ jt BA rvl

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 and

Nancy Wright, LCp1 Sue Deleskiewicz, PFC Martha Eveland, and LCp1 Joan Mahaffey.

provided information on the grade and MOSs of the

women selected for FMF assignments. The message

stated, "These Marines will be joined on the rolls of,

and administered by, the headquartas indicated.

Their duties will be consistent with the requirement

of the billet to which assigned."41 This simple statement, referring to Marines without the usual modifier, women, bespoke an important change in attitude.

As an adjunct to the pilot program, all FMF commanders were asked to identify billets within their

headquarters considered suitable for women Marines.

Originally, 13 women were selected to take part in

the experiment: seven to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing

and six to the 1st Marine Division. Actually, nine

WMs, four officers and five enlisted women, were assigned to the wing. They were:

First Lieutenant Maralee J. Johnson

First Lieutenant Dian S. George

Second Lieutenant Vicki B. Taylor

Second Lieutenant Margaret A. Humphrey

Gunnery Sergeant Sharyl E. Sheftz

Sergeant Charlene K. Wiese

Corporal Pamela S. Scott

Corporal Eva J. Lugo

Lance Corporal Marsha A. Douglas

In an interview published in the Windsock, the

Cherry Point newspaper, in July 1974, Corporal Scott

said, 'At first I heard there might be some problems

because men didn't want women in the Wing, but

everyone here has been helpful, and I haven't had any

problem at all."42 Sergeant Wiese, accounting analyst

with the comptroller section, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing

said, "There was a lot of apprehension between myself and the Marine I was working with, but it's gone

now and things are great."43 Others commented on

the changes brought by being administratively attached to the wing rather than Woman Marine

Detachment 2, a small unit where everyone knew

everyone else.

The six women assigned to the 1st Marine Division

at Camp Pendleton were Captain Karyl L. Moesel, First

Lieutenant Maria T. Hernandez, Second Lieutenant

Mary S. Burns, Gunnery Sergeant Esther F. Peters, SerIP 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 the

1st Marine Division, Brigadier General William L.

McCulloch, reported that, ". . the WM5 have

managed to assimilate necessary knowledge of FMFpeculiar systems to allow thcm to bc assets to their

respective sections"44 and, he continued:

It is this command's interpretation .. that WMs assign.

cd to FMF commands are deploylble to advanced areas as

long as they are not deployed with assault echelon . and

arc, therefore, not necessarily bound to rear echelon .

billets . . This command enthusiastically supports assignments of WMs to CONUS FMF commands and foresees no

insurmountable problems associated with program. .4 ssign.

ment of WMs would provide soutce of talent and critical

skills and would ease skill shortages within the First

MARDIV."

The Commanding General, 2d Marine Aircraft

Wing, Major General Ralph H. Spanjer, in his assessment of the pilot program, noted that the nine WMs

GySgts Ruth Johnson (left) and Beth Eitel (right), first

women members of the U.S. Marine Band, frequently

performed with the Band's Woodwind Quintet.

97

were rapidly assimilated into thc wing staff, and no

problems were observed in military courtesy, appearance, or bearing. The physical fitness testing had bccn

conducted by thc senior woman officer without

difficulty and with notable success. Hc continued that

thc small number involved precluded any effect on

deployment and during field exercises, thc women Marines had a positive effect on thc headquarters by remaining in garrison and continuing the daily

administrative routine. Finally, hc submitted:

Thc pilot progr: m of assigning Womcn Marines to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing has thus far bccn successful in terms of

orientation, capabil4 and performance. Realizing the practicality of assigning Woman Marines to CONUS Fleet Marine /bite Commands, it is felt that the program should be

condnued."

The commanding general of FMFPac, on thc subject of women in ConUS RAF commands, wrote: "This

headquarters regards utilization of women Marines in

FMF commands both feasible and desirable providing such assignment does not adversely affect combat

readiness. . . ." And he offered the recommendation

that:

. . . Marine Corps cducadon and training programs bc

modified to:

1. Increase emphasis on FMF-related instruction and training for womcn Marines, to include extension school courses

and, if possible additional quotas to intermediate and high

level schools.

2. Incorporate into Human Relations and Leadership training consideration of the role of women Marines in the FMF."

As part of the pilot program, the commanders of

the division, aircraft wings, force troops, and force service regiments identified rear echelon billets totaling

75 officer and 450 enlisted that could be filled by

women without requiring them to deploy with the assault. echelon. The billets included supply, disbursing,

communications, intellivIct, administration, data

systems, and legal speciaEes. When new MOSs were

opened to women by the 1975 decision, even more

FMF billets were considered suitable for women

Marines.

Women in the 1st Marine Division were featured

in an article published in the Los Angeles Times in

September 1976. Among those mentioned were Second Lieutenant Michele D. Venne, combat engineer

officer, who was the first woman officer to attend Combat Engineer School and finished first in her class;

Lance Cr.yoral Victoria Carrillo, a plumber and water

supplyman who, at the time, was the only woman

1 0 8
98 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

water purification expert in the Marine Corps; Second

Lieutenant Carol Sue Lamb, the only female motor

transport officer in the FMF, who was serving as assistant division motor transport officer and later served

as a division supply group platoon commander; Corporal Cynthia Robinson, an electrician, who performed

duties such as pole line construction and the stringing of power lines; Second Lieutenant Laura A. Hull,

headquarters battalion adjutant; and Lance Corporal

Kimberly Greene, only woman coxswain in the Marine Corps. Lance Corporal Greene, who grew up on

Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, practiced her

seamanship in the Corps by handling a 58-foot landing craft which could carry up to 40 combat-loaded

Marines for an assault on an enemy beach.

There were at the time, 42 women in the 1st Marine Division, and their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Robert D. White, confessed that while

the obvious problems such as restroom facilities and

billeting were nettlesome, they were not difficult: The

women Marines lived in motel-like BEQs with their

male colleagues, since it was thought that segregated

barracks would run counter to unit integrity.

The men found that women tend to keep their

quarters better policed, but Colonel White soon

learned that:

. . . there is a greater sense of urgency from the women

when equipment, such as washing machines, fails. The women seem to be more conscious of how they look in uniform

. . . and when it comes to wearing sidearms which might

make a hippy woman look hippier, an option of uniform

is allowed. They can wear either skirts or utility outfits."

Anticipated problems resulting from men and

women living in the same barracks did not materialize as the division men seemed to take a protective

attitude toward the WMs. Barracks and office language

was noticeably improved, but the feminine presence

apparently caused little resentment on that score, since

Lieutenant Colonel White was quoted as saying, "The

division is more fun with the girls?'"

The women unanimously endorsed FMF assignments for WMs. Lance Corporal Debora Pederson, a

correspondence clerk in the headquarters battalion adjutant's office, said, ". . . at Pendleton, we are treated

as Marines, not specified as women Marines."50 First

Lieutenant Venne found senior officers dubious when

she was assigned as a division engineer, responsible

for equipment used in bridge building, grading roads,

and other construction projects associated with combat. But the skepticism was because she was a lieutenant and not because she was a woman.

In July 1977, there were 610 women Marines serving in the FMF, 96 officers and 514 enlisted women.5'

The policy to assign them only to stateside organizations was still in effect, but individual exceptions had

been made where FMF commanders overseas had specifically asked for women Marines.

Women in Command

The Marine Corps Manual, from 1948 until 1973,

laid down the rule that women could command only

those units that were predominantly female. At least

one exception was made when Captain Jeanne Fleming was assigned as the commanding officer of Company B, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps

Schools, Quantico, from July 1956 until September

1958. The company consisted of all officer students

at Quantico, less those attending The Basic School.

Her duties were primarily administrative, but it was quite unusual, nevertheless, for men to report in and

find a woman commanding officer. One of themwas Major Albert W. Snell, later to head the Ad Hoc Committee in 1973.

After approving the Snell Committee recommendation that women be permitted to command units

other than woman Marine companies, General Cushman announced the new policy at a press conference

in southern California in December 1973. He added,

as a side comment, that, indeed, Camp Pendleton was

soon to make such an assignment. According to the

woman destined to become the Marine Corps' first

woman commander of a nearly all male battalion,

Colonel Mary E. Bane, the general's pronouncement

was news to the command at Camp Pendleton. The

press picked up on the Commandant's statement immediately and all other topics of his news conference

were forgotten.

Colonel Bane, who had been filling a colonel's billet

as an assistant chief of staff for personnel services, was

informed by the Assistant Chief of Staff (Manpower),

"You have been selected to sacrifice, Evie."52 The day

following the Commandant's announcement, the

commanding general, Brigadier General Robert L.

Nichols, named Colonel Bane to be Commanding

Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine

Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. The furor

was astonishing. In less than 24 hours, she had to

change her telephone to an unlisted number. She had

spent a sleepless night answering calls from the media, women's liberation organizations, cranks, and

friends. 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 Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, in 1975.

both congratulatory and abusive. There were requests

for autographed photographs and an 80-year-old retired Navy chief petty officer wrote to General Earl

E. Anderson, Assistant Commandant, and asked for

a set of Colonel Bane's first lieutenant bars. Mail came

from Germany, Vietnam, Korea, and the Philippines,

and from such diverse sources as the American Nazi

Party and the National Organization of Women. In

fact, the letters continued to arrive two years after she

left the command.

Headquarters and Service Battalion was a unit of

1,700 Marines, including a woman Marine company.

Colonel Bane's immediate staff, the executive officer,

Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Topping, and the battalion sergeant major, were all very supportive. She,

herself, felt unprepared for the billet and resented being assigned because of sex rather than qualifications.

In due time the commotion subsided, and business

at the battalion went on as usual. Eleven months later,

Brigadier General Paul Graham assumed command

of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, and reassigned Colonel Bane for, in her wards, ". . . precisely

the same reason for which I was assigned because I

was a woman."53 He just did not want a woman as the

commanding officer of a headquarters battalion. In

fact, he did not want a woman in a colonel's billet and

Colonel Bane, who had held the responsible position

of an assistant chief of staff and had been a battalion

commander for 11 months, was reassigned as the base

human affairs officer, a major's billet."

When Captain Kathleen V. Abbott Ables took command of Supply Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms,

California, on 7 March 1975, there was none of the

hoopla that accompanied Colonel Bane's appointment. It was, just the same, an historic event,

a woman in command of a predominantly male company. Inoking back, Major Ables was not certain what

prompted the battalion commander to assign a woman

to the job. The billet was open, and she was the next

senior captain in the battalion. She wrote, "The

prevailing attitude was that it was my job as a captain, and that I could and would handle it professionally."55

The company first sergeant, Gayle R. Heitman,

made it known to the NCOs and SNCOs that he had

worked with Captain Ables before and their expressed fears were unfounded. Only the company clerk, a

sergeant, had real difficulty accepting a woman commanding officer, and he went to the battalion commander several times, in vain, to ask for a transfer.

In the beginning, as might be expected, inspections

were the cause of some concern. Personnel inspections

had been held without weapons at Supply Company

so that when Captain Ables arrived on the scene she

merely had to learn the details of male uniform regulations and personal appearance standards. As for

quarters inspections, it was not difficult to respect the

privacy of Marine shift workers who were apt to be

sleeping or relaxing in the barracks during the day

since the battalion was billeted in motel-style rooms

rather than in open squadbays. First Sergeant Heitman would knock and if there was no answer, he would

110

It'. I
100

unlock the door and go in. If the room was empty,

Captain Ables followed him in to inspect. The procedure was reversed in the women's BEQ. Male Marines

learned something about a woman's idea of a clean

barracks. In a 1977 letter, Major Ables wrote:

BEQ inspections caused some heartburn in the company

for about a month after I became commanding officer. With

two of us inspecting, a large number of previously undetected

discrepancies were found. One morning, we arrived at one

rocm to find one of the occupants leaning over a table with

a cloth in his hand. I made some comment about making

the final touchup, and he replied, "Yes, m'am. We hear you're

a real stickler on dust."56

Nonjudicial punishment is always unpleasant but

with a woman commanding officer could be awkward

as well, depending upon the nature of the offense.

One case involved language that neither the accused

nor the witnesses wanted to use in front of a lady. A

relatively simple solution was found: the offending

statement was written out and all parties read and

signed it.

Five months after taking over Supply Company,

Captain Ables was assigned as commanding officer of

her second and larger nearly all-male company, Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, which consisted of about 330 men and 40 women.

Again, the first sergeant, Gene A. Lafond, was a key

to a successful tour. Integrated battalions and companies such as this one gave rise to some interesting

adjustments, notably in the area of physical training.

In this instance, the battalion organized a competitive seven-mile conditioning hike. The course included a climb over hills behind the main camp, but

because the WMs did not have adequate boots for the

cross-country portion, a seven-mile road march was

planned for them to be lead by Captain Ables. The

battalion commander had arranged to take her company himself. The women's platoons from each company were combined to form a single WM unit and

n

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

scheduled to hike on the day before Captain Ables'

Headquarters Company.

Having finished her portion of training, Captain

Ables was challenged by her husband, Major Charles

K. Ables, to lead her own company the next day. She

admitted that it was a struggle to run-walk to keep

from straggling. It happened that she was not only

not the last to complete the course, but she helped

to push a Marine over the finish line, and Headquarters Company won the competition. Afterwards, it was

decided that future company hikes would be conducted with men and women participating together, maintaining unit integrity.

An interesting aspect of Captain Ables' experience

as a commanding officer is the fact that her husband

was a member of her command, no doubt a unique

situation in Marine Corps history.

In addition to the command tours of Colonel Bane

and Captain Ables, other assignments evidenced some

change in philosophy and policy. In 1974, Lieutenant

Colonel Annie M. Trowsdale was assigned as executive officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, and Sergeant

Major Eleanor L. Judge was named sergeant major of

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine

Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. Gunnery Sergeant

Frances Gonzales, in 1975, became the first sergeant

of Casual Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.57

197 3-1977 Summary

The Snell Committee report, approved in November 1973, challenged the Marine Corps to take a new

look at its use of womanpower, and the zero draft situation for military services demanded it. Combined

with the women's movement, changing attitudes in

American society, and successful recruiting in terms

of quality as well as numbers, these factors added up

to a role of increased importance to be played by women in the Marine Corps.
CHAPTER 8

Reserves After Korea

Deactivation of the WR PlatoonsWoman Special Enlistment ProgramStrength

Women Reserve OfficersFormal Training for Women Reservists

Following the Korean War, the Woman Marine Organized Reserve program was reestablished and expanded. The extraordinary success of the original 13

platoons activated in 1949-1950 and mobilized by August 1950 demonstrated the wisdom and practicality

of the plan to maintain a trained cadre of women. Accordingly, when the Reservists completed their tour

of duty and the Korean emergency neared settlement,

Headquarters set an objective of 18 wom.:n's platoons

having a strength of two officers and 50 enlisted women each.

Their mission explicitly was ". . . to provide trained

women reservists to meet initial mobilization needs

of the Marine Corps." To this end, each of these postKorean platoons was assigned a specialty determined

by mobilization needs. The original plans called for

units trained in administration, supply, classification,

and disbursing. In 1953, First Lieutenant Margaret A.

Brewer, a future Director of Women Marines, organized a communication platoon of 10 officers and

47 enlisted women in Brooklyn, bringing the total up

to 19 WR units. Later, a 20th platoon .was activated

in Miami, Florida. Unlike the pre-Korea Reserve program, these women not only participated in formal

specialty training at their home armory, but they attended summer training at Marine Corps posts and

stations.

The WR platoons were attached to the parent

Reserve unit and came under the command of the

male commanding officer. Women officers were designated as platoon leaders and assistant platoon leaders, but were commonly referred to as the

commanding officer and executive officer by the women members. Active duty women Marines, one officer

and one or two enlisted women were assigned to the

inspector-instructor staff to assist the Reserve platoon

leader.

The women's platoon was responsible for its own

internal administration, recruitment, adherence to

rank and military occupational specialty distribution

of the members, training, and mobilization state of

readiness. Additionally, to make up for the increased

work of the parent unit caused by the WR platoon,

the women were directed to assume part of the administrative work of the male organization.

Forty-eight two-hour training sessions per year were

required. Training of the WRs took several forms: basic

general military information for women with no prior service; refresher courses for former servicewomen;

and formal classes in the unit's specialty. Summer

camp was the highlight of the training program, not

only because of the benefit of the classes, but because

it provided military experiences (e.g., squadbay accommodations, restrictive liberty hours, liberty cards,

standing duty watches, field night, barracks inspections, male drill instructors, mess halls, and reveille),

unknown and impossible to acquire at the home armory. For some of the inexperienced Reservists, unaccustomed to military routine, the overnight change

from civilian to Marine was jolting. They learned

quickly that a merely clean sink was not good enough

and that returning from liberty a few minutes late was

tantamount to a calamity. As a rule, liberty at summer camp expired at 2200 for women below the rank

of corporal and some of these lower ranking Marines

carried an alarm clock in their purse to avoid being

late.2

The annual two-week training period included combat demonstrations, gas mask drill, classes, participation in a parade or review, as well as softball

games and picnics with the regular WMs. At each post

where women Reservists trained, a Woman Reserve liaison officer was assigned to coordinate the unit activities. She conducted the annual pretraining conference

in the spring, attended by inspector-instructors and

the platoon officers, and she assisted the unit during

the actual training session.

At home, the Reservists enlarged the intended scope

of the program with numerous recreational and public relations activities. Rifle, bowling, and softball

teams were the rule. The WR platoons participated

in parades on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and

in celebration of local holidays. They were asked to

attend movie premieres in the days when John Wayne

and Marine Corps movies were common; and they

helped the Marine Reserve Toys for Tots campaign by

laundering and mending doll clothes, wrapping gifts,

112

101
102 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

and posing for publicity photographs. It was not unusual for enthusiastic women Reservists to spend several evenings a week at the armory rather than the

required two hours?

The first post-Korea WR platoon to be established

was the Woman Marine Classification Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion, in Boston, which was activated on

13 January 1952:1 "Boston's Own" was so successful that

on 16 November 1955 it was redesignated a company

with an authorized strength of three officers and 103

enlisted women. At the ceremony in honor of the first

Woman Marine Reserve company, the unit was awarded two recently won trophies, the Katherine Towle

Trophy given each year to the Woman Reserve platoon

attaining the highest percentage of attendance at annual field training and the Commanding Officer's

trophy annually awarded to the best Woman Marine

platoon attending summer training at Parris Island

based on scholastic standing, percentage of attendance, and military bearing. The platoon had already

made history as the first to win the Ruth Cheney

Streeter trophy for attaining the highest percentage

of combined officer and enlisted woman attendance

at drill periods during 1952, a feat repeated in 1953.

To the already impressive collection, the Boston Reservists added the National Women Reserve Rifle Team

Trophy?

A list of the 20 post-Korea, WM platoons in the

Organized Reserve showing their dates of activation,

and the names of the platoon leaders upon activation

appears as a table on page 103:6

Future brigadier general, 1stLt Margaret A. Brewer (seated secondfivm left), was inspectorinstructor, WM Communication Platoon, 2d Communications Company, Brooklyn, New

York. 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 Battalion

Boston, MassAchusetts

WM Administrative Platoon, 3d Infantry Battalion

St. 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 Battalion

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WM Classification Platoon, 10th Infantry Battalion

Seattle, Washington

WM Disbursing Platoon, 2d Depot Supply Battalion

Philadelphia, 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 Battalion

Cleveland, 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 Battalion

Denver, Colorado

WM Communications Platoon, 2d Communications Battalion

Brooklyn, 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
104 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Deactivation of the WR Platoons

As a result of fiscal limitations and a desire to increase male enlisted strength to meet mobilization requirements, the Reserve Structure Board, meeting in

May 1958, recommended the deactivation of the WR

platoonc. Two units, Kansas City and Tampa, had already been deactivated, leaving only 18 in 1957. At

the time of the proposed dissolution of the platoons

the total strength was 29 officers and 618 enlisted

women as opposed ro an authorized strength of 34

and 687. The strength of the WR platoons had peaked

in 1955 with 35 officers and 664 enlisted women

Marines?

The undersigned does not coocur with the recommen- dation of the Reserve Structure Board that the Woman Marine Reserve units be disbanded and the membership in the

Organized Marine Corps Reserve units be restricted to male

personnel, or to the arguments given to support such a

recommendation.

The board report emphasized the decreasing

strength of the platoons since 1955 and the cost involved in training women. The point was made that

the same amount of money would support 200 additional six-month trainees (male). Lieutenant Colonel

Elsie E. Hill, Head of the Women's Branch, Division

of Reserve, took exception to the report and on 14 May

1958 submitted her views which were:

She continued:

Inasmuch as the statement is made that a strength of

45,000 is sufficient to provide all of the initial requirements

for desired augmentation of the Fleet Marine Force upon

mobilization it is assumed that numbers of trained personnel become of paramount importance. From just the standpoint of numbers alone, it becomes obvious that 600 women

is a larger number of trained personnel than the 200 sixmonth trainees. . . She argued that the 600 women could be used for

administrative support during the early stages of

mobilization, thus releasing a like number of Regulars who, she wrote. ". . . are not only highly trained,

but at the optimum of training." Referring to the issue of the $200,000 spent each year on the women's

program, she pointed out that in 1957, two women

had to be enlisted for a net gain of one, while five

men had to be enlisted to produce the same result.

Lieutenant Colonel Hill concluded that to continue

the organized program for women was the only economical course to follow. As might be expected, the

Director of Women Marines, Colonel Julia E. Ham115

blet, the one person most directly responsible for the

activation of WR platoons, did not agree with the

board's recommendations and added the comments:

The basic problem appears to the undersigned to boil

down to the following: which viOl be more important in the

arly stages of mobilization approximately 600 tra;ned or partially trained administrative r crsonnel or a somewhat lesser number of potential combat Marines in various stages of

training. It is believed that it would be impossible to mobilize a Selected Reserve of the size indicated . . . in the time

contemplatedwithout prior or simultaneous augmentation

of administrative personnel at Mobilization Stations,Joint

Examining and Induction Stations, District Headquarters

and Processing Centers. It is my belief that the male administrative personnel in the Organized Reserve will be n-eded in the numbers available in the FMF and other operating

force units with an early deployment schedule, and that the

women will be needed as part of the required immediate

administrative back-up. . . The women's protests notwithstanding, it was decided to disband the units and to allow 227 women Reservists (one half of one percent of the authorized

strength of thc Organized Reserve) to remain in a drill

pay status, affiliated with male Reserve units.") There

was a great deal of bitterness on the part of women

Reserv.Fts who had faithfully served in the Reserve for

as many as 11 years. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mary

E. Roddy recalls hearing the news of deactivation while

she was at summer training with her platoon at San

Diego. The Dallas women wcre finishing up an 'enjoyable and profitable two weeks and she was reluctant to tell them of the impending disbandment of

the program. On the night before leaving for home,

she broke the news so that she would be the first to

tell them. A final inspection at deactivation ceremonies for the unit was held at the Dallas Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center on Saturday, 27

September 1958. Joining Major Roddy for the inspection was Lieutenant Colone Joe B. Griffith, Jr.,

commanding officer of the 1st 4.5-inch Rocket Battalion."

At first there was spirited competition for the coveted 227 billets but by 1967 the number ofwomen participating in a paid status with the Organized Reserve

dwindled to two officers and 74 enlisted women.12 Between 1958 and 1967 there was no Reserve program

for WMs.

Woman Special Enlistment Program

An outgrowth of the Woman Marine Program Study

Group of 1964 (General Pepper Board) was the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee in 1966 to study Reserve
RESERVES AFI ER KOREA 105

training for women Marints. This committee recommended the creation of three women's pl,:toons, and

the enlistment of women without prior ;,-...rvice who

would be sent to Parris Island for a 10-week period

of training (an adaptation of the six-month training

program in effect at the time for male Marines)."

The platoon idea was quickly discarded as being too

expensive and too restrictive geographically. The Director of Wemen Marines, Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, did

not approve of the plan to train Reservists at Parris Island due to the lack of space at the Woman Recmit

Training Battalion. So, it was not until 10 June 1971,

nearly four years after the submission of the committee report, that the Woman Marine Special Enlistment

Program was established in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Marine Corps Order 1001R.47 provided for an initial

quota of 88 women to be recmited and enlisted by

Organized Reserve units (ground and aviation). These

women, integrated with platoons of regular WMs,

received ten weeks of active duty. Training of varying

periods was offered after compktion of basic training.

Reservists then returned home and attended regular

drills and training periods with their units for the remainder of a three-year enlistment."

From that time on, the assignment and utilization

of women Reservists paralleled that of the Regulars.

In 1973 when the Commandant approved a pilot program to assign women Marines to division, wing, and

force service regiment headquarters based in the United States, women Reservists moved into those units

in the Organized Reserve. By May 1976, one and onehalf percent (i.e., 30 officer and 400 enlisted billets)

of the members of the 4th Marine Division/Wing were

women."

In the year in which the prohibition which limited

women officers to succeeding to command only of

units made up primarily of women was lifted, 1973,

the way was opened for women to command urganized Reserve units. One of the first to do so was

Major Jeanne B. Botwright Humphrey, Commanding

Officer, Truck Company, 4th Service Battalion, Erie,

Pennsylvania.

LtColJoe B. Griffith, Jr., and Maj Mary E. Roddy CO)`.1duct inspection at the deactivation

ceremony 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 Marines was set at one percent of the authorized enlisted strength of the Marine Corps even though the law

allowed for a maximum of two percent. The same

figures dictated the number of women allowed to participate in the Reserve. In 1967, Public Law 90-130 re- moved the percentage restrictions and has allowed for

a steady increase in the number of women Marines,

Regular and Reserve. In 1975, the Director of the Division of Reserve, Major General Michael P. Ryan, acting on a request from the Commanding General, 4th

Marine Division, stated that it would be possible and

advantageous to increase the number of women to five

percent of the authorized strength of the Organized

Reserve. But due to the desirability of an incremental

rate of growth, he asked that the ceiling for fiscal year

1976 be increased to three percent. This translated into

1,937 women.16 By 1977, ahead of the schedule, a maximum of five percent was authorized. Actual figures

on 30 June 1977 were 40 officers and 668 enlisted

women in the 4th Marine Division and 4th Marine

Aircraft Wing.

Women Reserve Officers

There remained the perplexing problems of providing adequate training for women Reserve officers.

While organized units were willing and often anxious

to join enlisted women, most of whom had administrative skills, few units could find a place for the

officers, especially if they were above the rank of captain. Major General Ryan encouraged the male units

to join women officers.* Believing that the most

profitable training comes from experience in an organized unit, he took positive steps to make this opportunity available to the women. In 1976 a message

was sent from Headquarters Marine Corps to the Commanding Generals, 4th Marine Division and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing authorizing them to exceed

authorized officer strength by joining WM officers in

numbers not to exceed five percent of total authorized

*The positive attitude of Major General Ryan was based upon

his personal knowledge of the utilization of WRs in World War 11.

He estimated that at least 18,000 women would be needed again

in an emergency, and he believed in the importance of their training. This tends to support a contention of Colonel Hamblet, that

the men who served in World War II recognized the contribution

of the WRs and that as these men retired, women Marines received

less and less consideration.

1 7

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

officer strength. Since these are combat-ready units,

the women could not be included in their mobilization plans, but upon mobilization would be reassigned

individually to base units to replace male Marines who

would in turn augment the Reserve units. Women

Reservists who had been openly critical of the lack of

meaningfil training opportunities found reason for

optimism 'n the message and especially the final paragraph which put teeth into the plan and read:

As the majority of available WM officer assets are in the

administrative and supply fields, this is an opportunity for

individual commanders to improve administrative and supply

efforts.

Request this headquarters be advised of results of this program. &quest you reply no later than 31 December 1976)7

Formal Vaining for Women Reservists

Beyond unit training, increased numbers ofwomen Reservists received orders to formal technical and

professional schools. In 1971, four years after the first

Regular woman officer entered the midlevel Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Major Patricia A.

Hook and Captain Elizabeth D. Doize were assigned

to Phase I of the shortened Reserve version of that

course. Major Hook returned to Quantico the following summer to complete Phase II and became the fffst

woman Reserve officer to graduate from the Reserve

Officers' Amphibious Warfare Course. In 1973, Lieutenant Colonel Patricia A. Meid and Major Hook attended the special Reserve course offered by the

Command and Staff College, becoming the firstwom- en Reservists to do so.18

The most dramatic manifestation ofa change in attitude and policy resulting in broader and unusual opportunities for women Reservists was the assignment

of the military occupational specialty of air delivery

to Private Beth Ann Fraser. Having joined the Reserve

under the Special Enlistment Program, her three-year

contract provided for initial recruit training at Parris

Island followed by specialist training. In Private Fraser's

case, that meant three weeks at the Army Airborne

School ("jump school") at Fort Benning, Georgia.

She graduated with Platoon 9A, Woman Recruit

Training Command, on 15 November 1976. Even before her basic training began she had been preparing

herself for the physical rigors of jump school by running two miles several days a week. At Parris Island

she performed extra physical training and unlike the

other women, she VI o r e combat boots and utilities during the required nrn.
RESERVES MIER KOREA 107

Private Fraser entered the Airborne School on 16

November where the training included physical conditioning, practicing parachute landing falls, tower

jumps, and finally actual jumps from an airplane. The

chief instructor at the airborne battalion, Master Sergeant D. W. Fischer, described Fraser as ". . . physically strong, a bit above average, with lots of esprit

de corps."19 Her platoon sergeant, Sergeant First Class

Thomas Rowe, said of her, "We don't often get women through here who are in such good physical shape

or have her 'can do' attitude. She is definitely representative of what I think a Marine stands for?'" Private

Fraser attributed her success to the Marines of her

home unit of whom she said, "Those guys really

helped. They had me running, pulling-up, sitting-up,

the works."21

To demonstrate the Corps' pride in her accomplishment, Brigadier General Jack M. Frisbie,

commanding general of the 4th Force Service Support

Group, not only attended Private Fraser's graduation

but also promoted her to private first class. Additionally; her former drill instructor from Parris island, Sergeant Kathy A. Potter, made a special trip to

congratulate the first woman Marine to graduate from

Army Airborne School.

Private First Class Fraser returned to her Reserve

unit, the Beach and Port Operations Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group in San Jose, California, to serve the

remainder of her contract. Her MOS is an example

of the type of rear echelon duty thaecan be performed

by women, delivering supplies by air. Since she graduated. several women Regulars have attended the same

school.

The cited examples, Major Humphrey, commanding

officer of a truck company; Private First Class Fraser,

assigned to air delivery; and the number of WMs serving in organized units along with male Marines, testify to a more total integration of werlen into the

Marine Corps Reserve and the recognition of their

potential value as a source of trained Marines in the

event of war or national emergency.

118
CHAPTER 9

Recruit Training

MissionThe Training ProgramArrival at Panic IslandThe Daily RoutineRecruit Regulations

The Drill Instructor-Recruit Evaluation and AwardsWM ComplexCommand Reorganized

Enlisted women Marines begin their service at the

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. The women's battalion had been known, at different times, as

the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, the Woman Recruit

Training Battalion, and the Woman Recruit Training

Command. Boot camp has varied in length from six

to 10 weeks, but certain things remain unchanged. The

schedule is rigorous; the drill instructors seem bigger

than life; and for the recruit, no matter a hat motivated her to enlist, on graduation day, being called

a Marine is enough.

Mission

Woman recruit training has been designed ". . . to

produce a basic woman Marine who is able to function effectively in garrison and instinctively practice

those traits that distinguish her as a Marine." The

spec:fic objectives of recruit training were listed in 1976

as: a. SelfdiscrPline. A state of discipline which assures respect

for authority; instant willing obedience to orders and the

self-reliance to maintain or improve those traits that distinguish a Marine.

b. Military Skills. To teach individual proficiency in selected basic military skills.

c. Physical Fitness. The ability to maintain physical fitness, endurance, and weight-distribution.

d. Military Bearing. The ability to properly wear and maintain uniforms and practice personal hygiene.

e. Esprit de Corps. To instill the spirit of comradeship

among all Marines for each other and the Marine Corps?

Fundamentally, they differ very little from the aims

set by Captain Henderson and her staff in 1949.

The "joining Program

Originally, recruits completed a six-week course consisting of basic military and administrative subjects.

By 1949, when the 3d Recruit Training Battalion was

activated, Marines had become accustomed to the mature WR of World War II who entered the Corps with

certain basic skills, and it was hoped especially by

the men that this short course would produce a

woman Marine ready to take her place in nearly any

Marine Corps office. At first the recruits were at least

20 years old and as a rule they had some business experience. After the age limit was lowered to 18 years

and the requirement of a high school diploma was

dropped in 1950, a longer period of training was

deemed necessary.

Major Beckley, Commanding Officer, 3d Recruit

Training Battalion in 1951, asked that boot camp be

lengthened to eight weeks and that instruction in

group living, character guidance, career guidance, and

typing be added to the program.3 Her recommendation reflected the frustration felt by the women Marines who had entered the service during World

War IL Confronted with a younger recruit probably

away from home for the first time, motivated more

by a sense of adventure than a sense of patriotism, and

unaccustomed to the discipline of even a civilian

job they worried about the qualifications of the "new

breed:'

In a letter to Colonel Towle, Major Beckley described

the problem of finding suitable assignments for women with low mental scores or who had had little career

training. Conceding that the women consistently

scored higher on intelligence tests than male recruits,

nevertheless, she observed:

Male recruits who have low GCT scores can be fitted into

many types of work and prove most valuable. Women Marines are automatically restricted in performance of heavy

manual duties. They fill billets involving "white collar" work

where at least average ability, a neat appearance, and militaty bearing are requisites:4

The discovery in one platoon of three women who listed their civilian occupations as sheepherder, gill net

fisherman, and motorcyclist strengthened her case for

more careful screening and a change in recruit

training.5

Colonel Towle endorsed the basic proposal, but because of her great interest in advanced training added:

It is assumed that inclusion in the proposed revised training program of basic typing for all recruits, as outlined

. . . will not be taken as indicative that evety woman Marine is a potential typist or preclude assignment to the Clerk

Typist School in cases where such further training is considered desirable and necessaryP

120

109
110

The new

six to eigi

Since

varied fr

gram ch

General

at that t

elements

four wee]

tary indo

tional t

belongin

vision, c

Course. 1

Barbara j

order to

mand fro

to give th
MEN MARINES, 1946-1977

:

ing in 1950.

ng into the relative freet personnel.°

ed one of the major proaduate woman recruits.

traditionally moved from

infantry training with an

ion, the woman normally

permanent personnel sta..

al at her new command,

s as difficult for the wom-

: woman herself.

3rocedures Course was inboot camp was not quite

:d event that it had been.

d on the parade ground

istration building, and it

t of recruit barracks. The

the new graduates were
RECRUIT TRAINING 111

granting of base liberty from 1700 to 2400 on weekdays and 1145 to 2400 on weekends, reveille at the

more civilized hour of 0600, and a work day that ended at 1630.1°

Chief Warrant Officer Ruth L. Wood, who had been

a teacher before joining the Marine Corps in 1943, was

head of the new administrative course which included 44 hours of typing, and classes in the Marine Corps

Directive System, business English, spelling, correspondence, publications, security of military information, office etiquette, and the duties of a

receptionist. On the small, hand-picked staff were

Technical Sergeants Lillian J. West and Eileen P. Phelan, both former school teachers, and Technical Sergeant Grace A. Carlelater Sergeant Major of Women

Marineswho had had civilian experience as an instructor.11

The dual training programfirst boot camp and

then the General Office Procedures Coursewas not

entirely satisfactory in that it took a considerable

amount of administrative work to transfer the won:

en from recruit to student status, and more importantly, it shortened the screening and observation

time. Since only recruits could be separated by an aptitude board, the disposition of marginal and proh1,

students became particularly difficult. Thus in 19

Lieutenant Colonel Hill, then Commanding Office

Woman Recruit Training Battalion, asked that the

10-week dual program be combined into a nine-week

course of two phases, with the important proviso that

the women remain in a recruit status and under the

supervision of the recruit company staff during the

entire period.12

The second major program change in Marine Corps

woman recruit training was the introduction in 1967

of the Image Development Course, part of a larger

plan to teach grooming to recruits, officer candidates,

and permanent personnel. The decision to adopt this

program was based on three premises: first, the improvement of the woman Marine image would enhance the prestige of the WM program in the eyes of

the public and within the Marine Corps; second, that

emphasis on the feminine aspects of a servicewoman's

life would counteract the unappealing impression of

military service and therefore improve recruitment;

and finally, that heightened self-confidence and poise

would reflect advantageously on the duty performance

of the woman Marine.

Lectures of this sort had always been a part of woman Marine training, but the new approach to teaching techniques of proper makeup, hair and nail care,

wardrobe selection, posture, wig selection and care,

social etiquette, wearing the uniform, and grooming

practices involved a personal program to meet the individual's needs. It was designed to enhance each

woman's poise and social grace. To start the effort on

sound footing, 20 women Marines, officer and enwere trained at the Pan American World Airways Imernational Stewardess College. They vould

serve as instructors. Beautifully decorated, pro4ssionally outfitted grooming facilities were installed at

Quantico in 1967 and at Parris Island in 1970.13

The 'Peanut suit," a one-piece seersucker exercise uniform with drawstring bloomers held

over from World War II and in the system until 1960, is worn by women recruits.

t22
112 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

IMPTI

lsat Patricia Watson, recruit platoon commander, takes daily inspection in 1956.

The Image Development Course, which fluctuated

from 12 to 31 hours in length was conducted in amore

relaxed manner than other phases of recruit training

and proved to be a popular addition to the schedule,

particularly from the recruits' point of view. One of

the most important parts of the course covered the

proper application and reapplication of cosmetics

throughout the day. The recruits were inspected as before, but in addition to the shine on the shoes, press

of the uniform, and police of the barracks, they had

to be concerned with their makeup. The natural

lookappropriate makeup for a career womenwas

emphasized as the proper standard.

The finale of the course was an evaluation period

held several days before graduation. Selected Marines,

dependents, and civilians from the depot were invited to participate at a social hour and recruits were

judged on their poise, courtesy, and appearance. The

guest list changed but traditionally included, among

others, a senior officer and his wife, several staff noncommissioned officersstudents and stafffrom

Recruiter's School and the Personnel Administration

School, a chaplain, and a medical officer. Individual

grades were not given, but obvious problems and weak

areas were noted and when necessary the recruit was

given additional help.14

The course, as may be expected, was not wholeheartedly received at all levels. Generally speaking, the

women drill instructors were less enthusiastic than the

recruits and the command. Primarily they objected to

the requirement for DIs to wear makeup while on

duty. According to Sergeant Major Judge, who was first

sergeant of Recruit Company, and Master Sergeant

Bridget V. Connolly, who as a staff sergeant was a DI

during the initial stages of the program, there was

some muttering in the ranks. First Sergeant Judge,

who had never before worn eye makeup, told the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'Holleran, that if her family could see her they would call

her a "hussy."15 In Staff Sergeant Connolly's view, it

was an added burden on the drill instructor who had

to be up, dressed, and in the recruit barracks before

0500 to be expected to appear in full makeup. It also

meant, of course, that she could not freshen up quickly

during the day." Despite these difficulties, there was general agreement that the Image Development

Course improved the appearance and poise of women Marines and achieved its intended goals.

The third major change in women's recruit training involved the forming period and occurred in 1968.

In order to give drill instructors time offto rest themselves physically and to prepare themselves mentally

to make the transition from working with a graduate

platoon to another platoon of new recruits, the initial processing was put in the hands of other members of the permanent personnel unit. This team

welcomed the new arrivals and supervised the multitude of details incidental to preparing recruits fur

training. Only on the first scheduled training day did

the 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 already

made-up bunk. Overhead lights were kept offto avoid

disturbing other sleeping recruits. The latercomers

were allowed to sleep to the very last minute in the

morning, getting up only in time to eat before the

mess hall secured. While it had been proven that

123
RECRUIT TRAINING

recruits react more quickly and assimilate instructions

better when they are less tired and less frightened, old

ways die hard, and veteran DIs believed that something was lost in the way of initial discipline. The forming period, while still a difficult adjustment for

civilians, was planned to instill a positive attitude

toward Marine Corps training at the onset.'8

krival at Parris Island

These forming period procedures of 1968 bear little resemblance to those remembered by women MarInes who attended boot camp from 1949 to 1968. In

1949, recruits arriving by train were met by the DIs

at Port Royal, South Carolina. In later years, the terminal point of a rail trip was Yemessee, about 26 miles

from Parris Island. Unfortunately, the most lasting impression for many of these women arriving from northern states was the segregation of "white" from

"colored" on the train south of Baltimore and at the

station at Yemessee. Major Joan M. Collins remembered that in 1953, on the way to boot camp, a Puerto Rican recruit, Sunny Ramos, was sepanited from her

group and asked to sit in a compartment by herself.

The women protested, but the conductor told them

not to make any trouble.")

Women arriving by train were usually taken by bus

along with male recruits to the recruit depot. If a male

Women recruits spent long hours in the classroom

mastering administrative subjects. GySgt Frances A.

Curwen teaches a typing course in the early 1960s.

113

DI was on hand at the station he normally succeeded

in scaring the life out of the women, even if he totally

ignored them and directed all his attention at the

men. Lieutenant Colonel Gail M. Reals remembered

that she and one other woman were the only females

on board a bus driven by a civilian who amused himself all the way from Yemessee to Parris Island asking

the young women why they had done such a foolish

thing and personally guaranteeing that they would

regret it.20

As a rule, the bus delivered the male recruits first

and at each stop the women witnessed the traditional

brusque ceremony of the DI greeting his recruits for

the first time so that by the time they arrived at the

women's battaliu:..., they feared the worst.

The "worst" for the women recruits meant rush and

pressure. Most recruits, tired and apprehensive, arrived

after midnight, made up their bunks, dropped into

bed, and then awoke at 0500 With the lights blazing

and the duty NCO shouting, "Hit the deck." For several days they were kept busy with administrative tasks

such as endorsing orders, filling out forms, and writing their autobiography. They received shots, a PX issue, and an initial clothing issue normally utilities

and exercise suits. Time was spent sewing name tags

in their clothes, hemming the utility slacks, and learning how to give a Marine Corps shine to their oxfords.

Until black shoes were adopted in 1964, groups of

recruits were taken outdoors to dye the issue brown

a darker cordovan shade. For many women Marines,

the first "chewing out" was brought on by spilling shoe

dye on one of the new uniforms.

Women Marines who were impressed by the "sharp"

appearance of the recruiter in her attractive dress blue

uniforms were invariably let down when, during forming, they received their clothing issue. A hold-over

from World War II that remained in the system until

1960 was the exercise suit of tan seersucker a onepiece bloomer outfit with a matching buttoned front

skirt appropriately nicknamed "the peanut suit." The

World War II bib overalls, white T-shirt, and longsleeve jacket made up the utility uniform until the

mid-50s, but the most unpopular items, by far, were

the heavy cotton lisle hose worn by WMs in training

until 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 for

ain types of work, and until the old sup-

-I out, each recruit-was issued one pair of

and was then taken by bus to Mickey's

le nearby city of Beaufort to purchase the

-which WMs naturally called "Mickeys."

of military courtesy were instilled during period. In order to give practice in

ruits were required to be covered at all

mtdoors. For a number of years, recruits

yet been issued a uniform cap were inear a civilian hat or scarf, even if only go-

)thes line behind the barracks, and so it

mmon to see a WM dressed in a peanut

ttly covered by a flowered scarf, renderI salute.

The Daily Routine

Ily, women recruits bounded from their

), ate breakfast, policed the barracks, and

norning inspection. The daily inspections

istructors varied that is, personnel, bar-

)ox, or clothing rack but always includ125

ed general groo

noon meal anc

were devoted tc

letter writing. F

salutes in front

in close order di

assigned to the

ing the watch fi

eille. Classes wi

Liberty, for n

then only to rec

In the 1970s, as

rine program, a

services, and in (

status to the ei

limited liberty

recruits were at

holidays from ii

or to graduatior

of final week 1:

On one nigl

rest field nigE

spections (whic
RECRUIT TRAINING

drill instructor through all levels of the command up

to the battalion commander) was spent in furious activity scrubbing and shining every inch of the barracks

and neatly arranging locker boxes and clothing racks

to conform to regulations. A clean white towel folded

lengthwise in even thirds and a clean white wash cloth

folded evenly in half and centered over the towel were

displayed at the end of each bunk. In the squadbay,

bunks and locker boxes were lined up exactly, and in

the laundry, irons were arranged as precisely as Marines in formation. In preparing for inspections, the

recruit learned a lesson of lasting value; she learned

the importance of team work, because the platoon

passed or failed as a unit. Inspecting drill instructors

and officers had their individual methods of showing

displeasure, but few were more effective then the technique of tearing up poorly made bunks and gathering all the gear left "adrift" and displaying it in the

center of the squadbay.

The outdoor equivalent of "field night" is the

"garden party." New recruits who found garden party

on the schedule were often genuinely disappointed

to find rakes, clippers, and lawn mowers where they

expected barbecue grills and hot dogs. It was one of

the mischievous pleasures of the DI to shout, "Put on

115

your peanut suits, ladies; we're going to have a garden

party." Over the years, only the uniform changed; the

garden party still translated into mowing, clipping,

and trimming.

For all of the nonstop activity of a recruit's day, it

ended on a serene and peaceful note. A custom traced to the early 1950s was the singing of "The Lord's

Prayer" at taps. Colonel Hamblet, when she was Director of Women Marines, visited Parris Island and later

wrote:

. . having heard of a custom that had developed in the

Woman Recruit Company, I returned to hear taps.

The bugle notes sounded:

Day is done

Gone the sun

From the lakes

From the hills

From the sky

All is well

Safely rest

God is nigh

One by one lights in the barracks went out. At other Marine bases a hush would then fall. But here, as the last note

of the bugle faded in the distance, came not silence but the

sound of voices in song.

They started softly in the Senior Platoon area on the second deck (floor) of the barracks, were picked up by another

The vertical dryers, rectangular ironing tables, and stationary ironing boards found in

a typical woman Marine barracks laundry room were well used during recruit training.

126

a
116

platoon topside. then by the recruits on the first deck. The

song swelled in volume as each group joined in, filling the

darkened barracks and spilling over into the street outside.

From their bunks the women recruits were singing "The

Lord's Prayer". They sang spontaneously, their young voices,

untrained and unrehearsed, blended in reverence. They were

not required to sing. They did so because they chose to. It

had become their tradition, a new group learning by listening

to the others.22

Recruit Regulations

The recruit regulations published in 1949 scarcely

changed over the years. There was a proper, established

procedure for nearly every activity; deviations from the

norm, no matter how minor, were not acceptable. A

recruit immediately learned that she did not rise before reveille nor sit on, rest on, or get into her bunk

before taps. Bulletin boards were to be read several

times daily and she initialed everr roster on which her

name appeared. She moved quickly, but did not run

in the passageways; came to attention whenever someone other than a recruit entered the squadbay; and

called "gangway" while backing up to rhe bulkhead

when someone other than a recruit approached.23

Only clean clothing, with all buttons buttoned, zippers zipped, and buckles buckled could be displayed.

The one exception was a pair of untied oxfords and

the unbuttoned raincoat to facilitate a hasty exit in

case of fire. Unauthorized personal items were stowed

in the luggage room. Keys, clothing, cosmetics, shoe

polish, or notebooks left lying about were deposited

in the "lucky box" and could be claimed only after

the hapless recruit admitted her carelessness to her DI.

Mail call was the highlight of a recruit's day unless

she received contraband items from well meaning family and friends. Packages were opened in front of

witnesses and any food, candy, or gum was returned

to the sender, thrown away, or donated to the Red

Cross.

Smoking was limited to designated areas at specified times; drinking beer or hard liquor was taboo;

borrowing, lending, or giving clothing away was forbidden; and hair was rolled only at prescribed times.

Neat, clean, and orderly was the rule. Laundry bags

were washed, bleached, starched, and ironed frequently. Singing in the laundry was encouraged, but talking was prohibited. That these seemingly irksome

regulations remained virtually unchanged for so long

a time testified to their effectiveness in teaching discipline, respect for authority, and the value of

teamwork.

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

The Drill Instructor

These recruits arc entrusted to my care. I will train them

to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly

disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines,

thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and Country. I

will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and

professional skill.

The Drill Instructor's Pledge24

The drill instructor was the key to recruit training

and was directly responsible for the training, physical

fitness, discipline, welfare, and morale of her recruits

and her junior drill instructors. The assignment was

considered by many enlisted WMs to be the most exhausting, frustrating, yet satisfying job in the Marine

Corps. Her role and responsibility resembled that of

the male DI, but her training and the evolution of

her title moved along a different path.

Until 1976, with one short-lived exception, women

did not attend Drill Instructor School and those involved in recruit training were officially called platoon

sergeants or platoon leaders. WMs, themselves, unofficially consistently used the more familiar term of

DI.

Competent, mature, willing noncommissioned

officers in excellent physical condition and with impeccable 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 number of women Marines and proportionally fewer NCOs,

and a reluctance to 'release women from their primary

occupational specialty for periods of two years normal

tour length for a DI there persisted a shortage of

women DIs. Colonel Barblra J. Bishop, when she was

Director of Women Marines, 1964-1969, tried in vain

to come to a mutually acceptable arrangement with

the assignment branch at Headquarters whereby they

would notify her of the impending transfer of senior

enlisted WMs. Then, if DIs were needed at Parris Island, Colonel Bishop proposed to fill those vacancies

on a priority basis. Her plan met with opposition and

for many years much of the burden of training was

117

carried by a group of NCOs who served two and in

some cases three tours of duty at the Woman Recruit

Training Battalion.25

The policy had normally been to assign a staff noncommissioned officer as the senior DI with sergeants

or corporals as junior DIs, but, it was not uncommon

in the early 1950s to have lower rated women in these

jobs. The process of selection from 1949 until 1976

was to order NCOs to the women's recruit battalion

for screening by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, the battalion commander, the recruit company commander,

and perhaps a battalion screening board. Having satisfactorily moved through this chain, a prospective DI

began on-the-job training and was in a probationary

"Welcome to the Pig Pen." A drill instructor tore up the squadbay and left this message

taped 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 .45

caliber pistol, but they fired them for familiarization.

At graduation, the women graduates, in place of the

traditional DI hat, were presented with scarlet epaulets, worn by WM DIs since 1970.31

The DI was in direct control of the recruits in her

platoon and shouldered the greatest responsibility in

their training. For many years, the senior drill instructor was required to be with her platoon at all

times during the first three weeks of training. In the

late 1960s, this requisite was.eased somewhat and her

presence was necessary at key times like clothing issue

and inspections and at all periods of instruction where

the recruits' health or physical well being was involved,

such as physical fitness and swimming classes. More

routine events could be supervised by the junior drill

instructors.32

In reality, the recruit was seld, nil out of view of her

DIs. One of the team was in the squadbay before reveille and again after lights out. While her charges

slept, the DI examined the next day's schedule, made

notes about the number of required uniform changes,

checked transportation arrangements, filled out evaluation forms, and wrestled with administration mat119

A drill instructor wearing scarlet epaulets in place of

the traditional male DI hat calls cadence for recruits

dressed 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 and

recruit, sl

and shin(

and ende

she was a

accepted

very little

poral Cor

ling pace

the 4 pla

satisfactic

made up

et Conno

of Corpot

in 1977.

The evl screen rec and to rec
A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

,,......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 the

and iron several uniforms

DI the day began at 0430

;ht. With rare exceptions,

mmitted to her task and

aro years, she would have

31 of the early 1950s, Cor-

'rote of her tour, 'A grueln reward. At least one of

Honor Platoon, and the

rd work come to fruition

133 Master Sergeant Bridg-

. Colonel Gail Reals, two

, were still on active duty

7 and Awards

Is program was meant to

las basic women Marines

; performance. The criter1 3 1

ia used to judge the women was much the same as

it was in 1949, but a more sophisticated system of

awards evolved. Individually, recruits were graded in

three main areas: academic, performance, and attitude. The first was the easiest to document as it was

a numerical value based on the results of objective examinations. Performance and attitude marks are by

nature subjective and so were derived from a composite of the entire siaffs contact with the recruit, with

emphasis on inspection results, drill aptitude, physical fitness, weight control, image development, and

leadership ability.34

In one way or another, the guidon, a flag with the

platoon's designation carried by the platoon guide,

had long been associated with the platoon's performance. New platoons normally had been identified

by a bare guidon staff. After successful completion of

specified inspection or milestone, pennants were added with appropriate ceremony. The gold guidon

marked the junior platoon or series, and forsome time
RECRUIT TRAINING 121

had to be earned by passing the junior DI's inspection.

The scarlet guidon had nearly always been awarded

by the senior DI after a satisfactory formal inspection,

which in 1977 was scheduled for the third week in

training. Traditionally, poor platoon performance was

noted by the command to furl the guidon, the ultimate sign of the DI's displeasure.

Colorful streamers, symbols of excellence, were added to the WM guidon staff for the first time in March

1968, when First Lieutenant Vera M. Jones, then

Recruit Company commanding officer, presented

three streamers to Platoon 1-A for achievement in

swimming, drill, and physical fitness.35 Streamers in

1977 were presented in recognition of exceptional platoon performance in the areas shown in the chart elsewhere on this page.

The Marine Corps emblem, most visible outward

symbol of a Marine, had normally been given as an

award rather than an unearned right to be taken for

granted. Sometime in the 1950s the practice of issuing emblems along with the uniforms was stopped and

the recruit had to pass the Recruit Company commander's inspection before she received the highly

prized "globe and anchor." The emblem ceremony, beginning in 1966, had become a part of the graduation day events. At a company formation early in the

morning, each graduate held her emblems in her

gloved hand and the company commander and DIs

personally affixed them to her uniform.35

The American Spirit Honor Medal, highest available individual distinction, was given to the recruit who

displayed, to a high degree, outstanding leadership

qualities best expressing "The American Spirit" of

honor, initiative, and loyalty and who set an example

in conduct and performance of duty. The award, consisting of a medal and ceitificate, was made available

by the Citizens Committee of the Army, Navy, and

Air Force through the Department of Defense. A

recruit 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 passed the company commander's inspection in 1965.

automatically designated the Honor Graduate or Outstanding Recruit* and additionally received the

Leatherneck Award and the Dress Blue Uniform

Award.

Private Mary E. Gillespie, in October 1950, was the

first woman Marine to be awarded the American Spirit

Honor Medal.37 The uncommon excellence associated with this medal was underscored by the fact that

several years could pass without a recommended

recipient.

The Honor Graduate, known in the past as the Outstanding Recruit of the platoon, was the woman who

had demonstrated the desirable attributes of a Ma-

*The terms Honor Graduate and Outstanding Recruit have been

used interchangeably.

Area Color

Physical Fitness Test gold

Academic red

Drill green

Chief DI Inspection purple

Series Officer Inspection light blue

CO, WRTC Inspection blue

The chart is based on the 1976 WRTC SOP. Streamer colors

Criteria

95 percent platoon performance

85 percent platoon performance

250 points

75 percent platoon performance

80 percent platoon performance

85 percent platoon performance

and criteria have varied slightly over the years.

132 it
129 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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. The

junior series was billeted in the WM complex, built

within view of the old area.

Suggestions had been made to rehabilitate and aircondition the World War II barracks, but the public

works officer found that the cost would exceed 50 percent of the replacement value of the buildings. Consequently, at a meeting on 27 July 1967 the Depot

Development Board directed that an entire new complex for WMs be programmed at Parris Is1and.4°

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on 26 January 1973 and construction was begun. For two years

the women Marines watched patiently across the field.

Finally on 8 February 1975, they made the big move.4'

The new complex, completely self-contained, was designed to house Parris Island's permanent women

personnel as well as the women recruits. In actuality,

increases in strength of WMs resulted in the retention of the old barracks for recruits. By the time the

complex was opened, plans were already underway for an addition.42

Among the facilities included in the WM complex

were a fully equipped gymnasium, headquarters areas

for the battalion and recruit company, a dining facility, storage areas, a conference room, four classrooms,

a laundromat, clothing issue area, sickbay, tennis

courts, volleyball court, and television and telephones

on each level of the three-story barracks. Thc structure was built in a square, leaving a central courtyard

arca open with the flagpole in front of the battalion

headquarters. Permanent personnel enjoyed a patio

with a fountain, rooms of one to three occupants, and

new, motel-like furnishings. Beds replaced metal

bunks, closets replaced lockers, and the women were

allowed to decorate their rooms with colorful bed

spreads, rugs, flowers, photographs, and other personal

touches. Recruits in 1977 still lived in austere, albeit

more modern and comfortable, squadbays.

Command Reorganized

The Woman Recruit Training Battalion became the

Woman Recruit Training Command on 28 May 1976

when Headquarters Company was disestablished. Consistent with Marine Corps-wide policy at the time, personnel assigned to Headquarters Company were administratively transferred to the command under

which their work section fell, but remained billeted

in the WM complex. Thus reorganization efforts com- pleted a full cycle. In February 1949 the 3d Recruit

Training Battalion, under Captain Henderson, con- sisted of one company of 50 recruits and the 15 WMs

to train them. In May 1976 Woman Recruit Training

Command, once again embodied only a recruit company, but of 300 recruits and 32 WMs to train them.
CHAPTER 10

Officer Training

Location Training Program Traditions Awards 1973-1977 Towards Total Integration

Second Platoon, Company C, BC 3-77

Marine officer training, conducted at Quantico, Virginia, is the sum of the precommissioning officer candidate course and the postcommissioning basic course.

From 1949 to 1973 the women trained separately from

the men, under the auspices of a women's unit, called

at 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 a

female staff, was responsible for the administration

and training of the students. From 1949 to 1954 the

Woman Officer Training Detachment was under the

control of The Basic School for matters pertaining to

training, and under Headquarters Battalion, Marine

Corps Schools for all else.* The name was changed to

Women Marines Training Detachment in 1955 and the

G-3, Marine Corps Schools, took over the responsibilities formerly held by The Basic School.

For nearly two years, until 17 December 1958, the

woman Marine company, Company D, made up of the

post troops was ix component of Headquarters Battalion. Then the Women Marines Detachment was activated, a two-part women's unit composed of

Headquarters Company and the Woman Officer Training Class. The name changed once more in 1965 to

the Woman Officer School and the training functions

came under the cognizance of the Marine Corps Education Center, but the woman Marine company remained a part of the unit.

Organizationally, the most significant change came

on 12 June 1973 when the Woman Officer School was

designated a school under the Education Center, and

not a command. The former commanding officer,

Lieutenant Colonel Carolyn J. Walsh, became the

director and the functions of the woman Marine company were transferred to Headquarters Battalion where

they first began in the clays before Korea. On 20 December 1974, the Woman Officer School was disestablished; the training of candidates became the

*The command at Quantico was reorganized in 1968, and the

title was changed from Marine Corps Schools to Marine Corps Development and Education Command.

responsibility of the formerly all-male Officer Candidates School; and the newly commissioned women

lieutenants moved to The Basic School at Camp Barrett, an outpost of the main command at Quantico.

Location

Women Marine officers lived and trained from 1948

to 1973 in the southeast corner of the base in an area

bordered on one side by the Potomac River and on

another by the town of Quantico. The commanding

officer and her staff moved from Building 3091 across

from the mess hall to 3094 down the street and back

again. For almost the entire period, candidates were

quartered in Barracks 3076. Suitable billeting space

for the women once commissioned always posed a

problem as the choices were limited. Some classes of

student officers remained in the same barracks, living in open squadbays as they had as candidates;

others moved to Building 3091 where semiprivate

rooms were available, if there were not too many staff

noncommissioned officers on board. A few classes were

quartered at the Cinder City BOQ, which in later years

became the base Hostess House.

This perplexing problem was brought on by the

small number of classes involved. Never did more than

two classes of officer candidates train in one year, and

more often there was only one. Since the billeting

space was vacant for as much as six months of the year,

it was not economical to set aside quarters for the women lieutenants comparable to the BOQs enjoyed by

the men.

The WM area at Quantico was nearly self-contained:

barracks, mess hall, small dispensary (when officer candidates were on board), drill field, and classroom. Early

class(!s, at least until the mid-1950s, received their uniform issue in the sweltering hut behind the barracks

while later groups were bused mainside to the clothing warehouse.

Whenever available, the air-conditioned classrooms

of Breckenridge or Geiger Halls were used rather than

the uncomfortable barracks classroom. Lieutenant

Colonel Emma H. Clowers, twice commanding officer

of the training detachment, wrote:

125

136
126

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A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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+-11 duates arrive at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginth, in

summer training program with the Women Officers Training

checked in by staff member WO Ruth L. Wood are (left to

3. Moroney and Mary L. Vertalino, and June E. Palmer, Joan

re, Helen L. Fiocca, Jean M. Byrnes, and Antoinette S. Willard.

ril 11 111 BEN

and yes, fought

in the barracks

e the Warn stutining. And how

ask School, with

classrooms, with

litigated against

male programs

mber of candiound schedule,

mizational ad-

)arallel changes

lut that did not

generally happen. With only one exception, the training of women lieutenants was done on a schedule of

12 weeks' candidates training and six weeks' basic

course from 1949 until 1962. In 1951, because of the

Korean War and the critical shortage of Marines, the

basic course was shortened to four weeks. The 12 weeks

precommissioning portion did not vary for the 13-year

period. It was divided into a junior and senior course

with college sophomores eligible to attend the first

six weeks, and college seniors and graduates completing the entire course in one summer. The sophomore

who successfully made it through the junior phase was

then able to return another summer to finish the

senior phase. College graduates and former enlisted

women were commissioned and continued on to the

basic course located in the same area, and conducted

by the same staff as the candidate training.
OFFICER TRAINING 127

Several changes were made from 1962 to 1973 which

resulted in a shortened candidate course varying from

seven to 10 weeks and a lengthened basic course of

up to nine weeks.

Duting the initial stages of training, the daily routine, candidate regulations, and course material was

not significantly different from what was found in

recruit training. The most obvious dissimilarities were

the assignment of officer platoon leaders at Quantico

versus the women platoon sergeants at Parris Island

and the liberty granted to candidates.

At Quantico, the goal was twofold: first, to produce

a basic Marine and develop her leadership potential.

Secondly, the candidate course was considered a

screening process, a place to observe each potential

new woman officer. To this end, officer candidates were

allowed a measure of freedom in the form of liberty

one or two nights a week and on weekends. Those with

good sense used it wisely. Additionally, candidates

were given a number of leadership assignments, duties

which set each woman apart from the group and which

demanded, in their execution, the use of good judgement, initiative, and force.

After commissioning, during the phase of training

originally known as the Woman Officer Indoctrination Course (WOIC) and in 1962 changed to the

Woman Officer Basic Course (WOBC), the lieutenants

were given extra doses of freedom and responsibility.

They arose, not at reveille, but in time to accomplish

their chores and be ready for inspection at the appointed minute. At night, they turned in not at lights out,

but in time to get sufficient rest to prepare them for

a day of training. Classroom lectures and demonstrations emphasized their role as a leader and much time

was spent in problem-solving seminars, often chaired

by the commanding officer. The second lieutenants

accompanied the regularly assigned duty officer on her

tours, took personnel and barracks inspections, and

delivered prepared lectures to their classmates.

Traditions

Traditions 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 Marine

Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, during an amphibious landing exercise in 1959.

138
128 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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 no

opportunity for a junior platoon to emulate a senior

platoon. The staff members closest to the candidates,

the platoon leaders, and instructors, seldom worked

with more than one platoon. At Parris Island, on the

other hand, the drill instructors, both senior and

junior, graduated one platoon and immediately picked

up another. There was a thread of continuity unknown

at Quantico.

There were, however, two occasions generally

remembered by officers commissioned in the 1950s

and 1960s. The first was the WOTC picnic held just

before graduation, and highlighted by the students'

impersonations of staff members. The second was the

official call made by the lieutenants at the home of

the commanding officer.

A long-standing military custom held that each officer, upon arriving at a new base should call, formally,

on his commanding officer. Protocol dictated that the

visit be made in civilian clothes with a hat (although

some authorities called for the dress uniform); the visit

should last precisely 20 minutes; and the proper number of engraved calling cards had to be deposited in

a waiting tray. Until the 1970s the tradition was rigidly

adhered to at the Quantico women's detachment. It

gave the second lieutenants an opportunity to practice the procedure and gave the commanding officer

1 39

a chance to see the young officer in a somewhat formal social situation.

Officer candidates were advised to bring a hat to

training, but not many complied. The few hats per

Dls were the only male members on the staff of the

Woman Officer Candidate School. In this 1955 photograph the drill instructor shows a candidate the

proper distance she must maintain while marching.
OFFICER TRAINING

platoon made many calls on the commanding officer.

The students were scheduled -to call in small groups

and as one contingent left, their hats were passed on

to those waiting outside. The commanding officer,

meanwhile, greeted each guest, with a straight face

and an inner smile. White gloves, often in short supply, were sometimes doled out one glove per student,

each one trying to hold the single glove as inconspicuously as possible.

At the call, drinks were offered and although a second was suggested, the lieutenants were expected to

refuse and to bring the call gracefully to a close. Sometimes the commanding officer would tactfully help,

but often the young women were on their own to excuse themselves, say goodbye, and drop their cards as

if they did that sort of thing every day. As awkward

as the new officers felt, it probably never occurred to

them that at times the commanding officer was equally uneasy. Colonel Hamblet recalled her tour at the

Woman Officer Training Detachment in 1951 when

she presided at the formal calls in her suite at the

senior officers' BOQ, Harry Lee Hall. Major Dorothy

M. Knox, the executive officer, was there to help and

the two, somewhat apprehensively, awaited the arrival

of the second lieutenants. The meeting got off to a

129

poor start when one of the guests was asked if she

would like to remove her coat, and she answered she

was not wearing oneshe had on a coat-styled dress.2

By the 1970s, the calls became far more casual, even

replaced by group cookouts at the home of the commanding officer. When the training of women officers

was integrated with the male officers, large groups

made calls in dress uniforms at one of the officers'

clubs on the base.

Awards

Awards for honor graduates of the officer candidate

and basic courses have varied with none standing out

in the manner of a tradition. The Marine Corps Association has from time to time given wrist watches

or dress emblems to the candidate finishing first in

her class. The Women Marines Association, for some

years, presented the honor woman with a statuette of

Molly Marine.

1973-1977

The Woman Officer Candidate Course and Woman Officer Basic Course underwent numerous stylistic but no philosophical changes for 25 years. It must

be said that women officers were being prepared for

the limited duties they were allowed to perform. The

Officer candidates shared a messhall with the permanent personnel of the 1VM Company. The future lieutenants could be identified by the "OC7pins worn on their lapels.

1

140

I 1.1e=VI:R,

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

4

I ki 1

Navy nUrse Mattie!' innoCulates Officer Candidate

Nancy A. Carroll in the woman Marine dispensary at

Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in October 1957.

expanded role played by women in the Corps in the

years after the Pepper Board, increased interest in

careers even by married women officers, improved

retention, and unprecedented procurement success,

all led to some new thinking about the training of

women. It also happened that in 1972 the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Cushman, directed the Marine Corps Development and Education

Command at Quantico to convene a panel to study

the programs and goals for the education of Marines

to determine if they, in fact, supported Marine Corps

needs.3 The results, submitted on 31 May 1972 by the

chairman, Colonel William E Saunders, Jr., included

the recommendation that when facilities permitted the

WOBC and The Basic School should be merged into

a single command and male and female officer candidates be trained in a single course. The action would

mean the disestablishment of WOS and the activation of a woman Marine company in Headquarters

Battalion, MCDEC.4

Regarding the section of the study pertaining to the

women's schools, the Commandant, on 20 February

1973, approved the idea to relocate WOBC to Camp

Barrett when facilities would allow and the integration of portions of the instruction given by the two

schools. He specifically stated, "The disestablishment

of the Woman Officer School is not anticipated."5 His

final words, "The study.. . . will have far-reaching impact on shaping Marine Corps professional and acaThe major part of the candidate's day was spent in the classroom. The women pictured

here wearing the two-Piece seersucker uniform and cotton lisle hose are members of the

first p0-World War IP Woman Officer Training Class held at Quantico, in 1949.

'At 4,4.2

41 4

141.
OFFICER TRAINING 131

, Candidates board a "cattle car' for weekly swimming class at Quantico in late 1950s.

demic education in the future,"8 proved prophetic for

women Marines.

Lieutenant General Robert P. Keller, Commanding

General, MCDEC, finding the operation of WOS as

a separate entity to be inefficient, transferred the company of women Marines from the cognizance of WOS

to Headquarters Battalion as Company B on 11 June

19737 The next day WOS was disestablished as a command and redesignated as a school within the education center, and its commanding officer became the

director.

Concurrently, the administration but not the training of women officer candidates was placed under the

control of the Director of the Officer Candidates

School. The 32d Woman Officer Candidate Class

(WOCC) was entered into the records as Company W,

with both WOS and the Officer Candidates School

performing the administration. On 13 August 1973,

the academic section of WOS moved to The Basic

School and two days later the newly commissioned

officers of the 32d WOBC moved into quarters at

Graves Hall, Camp Barrett.8 From that time until

January 1977 the women officer students were trained

in separate, independent companies, receiving selected

academic and leadership instruction from The Basic

School staff. Course curriculum varied in length from

10 to 12 weeks.

Closer ties were made with the Officer Candidates

School when the reporting date for the 35th WOCC

was scheduled so that its graduation date would coincide with that of the 90th OCC on 20 December 1974.

The two separate classes shared related training, participated in a combined parade on 19 December 1974

Future BGen Margaret A. Brewer, then a captain, inspects o cer candidates at MCS, Quantico in 1959.

^4,-

142

Lea
132 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

at Brown Field, and graduated together the following day. Once again, to save personnel and to avoid

duplication of training effort, the Commanding

General, MCDEC, had recommended that WOS be

dissolved, suggesting 20 December, graduation day of

the 35th WOCC, as a target dateP Accordingly, WOS

was disestablished and the WOCC and the WOBC

were mainvained as separate courses under the direction of the Officer Candidates School and The Basic

School 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 being

briefed for her duties as company commander, questioned the differences in training given male and female officers. At the time, WOBC was 12 weeks

compared to 26 weeks for the men's basic course. Just

as she was wondering, "Why can't the women do itn'll)

the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Wilson, published White Letter No. 5-76 on the subject

of Women Marines, and addressed it to all general

officers, commanding officers, and officers in charge.n

In it he stressed the fact that increased opportunities

In order to pass the swimming qualification test all

1960s women officer candidates were required to jump

from the high platform into the pool at Quantico.

143

Daily personnel inspection was held in officer candidate barracks at Quantico, Virginia, in 1960s.

for women demanded positive leadership and management action on the part of commanders relative to

their assignment, training, utilization, and welfare. He

suggested that the requirement for separate women's

units be reviewed, and continued, "In the same view,

commanders who are responsible for the conduct of

professional schools should review curricula to ensure

that the training offered prepares Marines to lead, irrespective of sex.'1 2

The promulgation of the White Letter prompted

Colonel Clyde D. Dean, Commanding Officer at The

Basic School, to discuss its possible ramifications with

Major Dolyak. And so, at this time, the summer of

1976, the thought of combined training for men and

women officers was in the serious talking stage. It

gained momentum with the arrival in August of the

lieutenants of the 38th WOBC, several of whom had

completed totally integrated Naval Reserve Officers'

Training Corps (NROTC) in college. In Major Dolyak's

words, "These women were ready to go." 13 They were

enthusiastic and like a good many women of their

generation, they expected a more integrated training

program.

During a talk to the students of TBS, the Commanding General of MCDEC, Lieutenant General

Joseph C. Fegan, Jr., was questioned by the women

on their abbreviated course. They were not satisfied

with the answer. Later, participating in a combined

field exercise which required carrying but not firing
OFFICER TRAINING 133

a weapon, the women were incensed when they were

issued rubber rifles.

Coincidentally, Lieutenant Colonel Edward M.

Mockler, at The Basic School, was conducting a review

of the program of instruction for male lieutenants.

Traditionally, the mission of the school had been to:

... educate newly commissioned officers in the high standards of professional knowledge, esprit de corps and leadership traditional in the Marine Corps to prepare them for

duties of a company grade officer in the Fleet Marine Force,

with particular emphasis on duties of a rifle platoon commander."

However, in 1976, only 18 percent of the newly

commissioned male officers were classified as infantry officers, and in 1977 the projection was to be only

12 percent. The remaining 82 percent were assigned

to aviation, combat support, and combat service elements, all of whom exist solely to support the infantry unit. Plans were being made to shorten the male

officer basic course from 26 weeks to 21 weeks and to

create an advanced infantry officer course as followon training for those assigned an infantry MOS. In this

way, all male officers, sharing a common education

and mindful of the interdependence between combat and support units, would be better prepared to

lead the Marines under their command.

In the course of staff briefings on the reduced syllabus, Major Dolyak posed the incisive question, "If

it is essential that male Marine lawyers and supply

officers share this commonality of experience with the

infantryman, why isn't it important for the women?" 5

Lieutenant Colonel Mockler responded, "You've got

me, I don't have a logical answer.""

In Lieutenant Colonel Dolyak's view, that was the

turning point in the training of women officers. Her

question was mulled over and discussed but not immediately acted upon.

The Basic School carried through with the proposal

for a 21-week course, briefing first Brigadier General

Paul X. Kelley, Director of the Education Center and

Future Col Vea J. Smith (left), then an o cer candidate, takes a sailing lesson from Lt

Patsy 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 commissioned women officers at Quantico, in April 1969.

then Lieutedant General Fegan on 20 October 1976.

The plan was sent to the Commandant in early

November 1976, and on the 24th it was approved in

concept. The possibility of a combined male/female

class was not yet broached in either briefings or correspondence.

During November and December, The Basic School

staff reviewed the new 21-week syllabus with an eye

toward a combined class. With this in mind, Major

Dolyak visited the United States Naval Academy and

the Army's combined Officer Candidates School at

Fort Benning, Georgia, to discuss lessons they had

learned in the process of integrating training. Then,

on 20 December, Lieutenant General Fegan wrote the

Commandant of his intention to conduct a pilot consolidated male/female Basic Course beginning with

Basic Class 3-77 (BC 3-77) on 4 January 1977.'7 The

Commandant's White Letter 5-76 was referenced as

the basis for an evaluation of the training at TBS. The

conclusion drawn was that the 60-day course for women was not comparable to the 105-day course offered

male officers. General Fegan reasoned:

In order for the woman officer to provide the Marines under her command with knowledgeable, professional leadership, it is considered that she, too, must develop an awareness

145

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

and understanding of such fundamental subjects as the Fleet

Marine Force, Marine air-ground task forces, and the field

environ men t.'

Timing was crucial. WOBC-39 was scheduled to begin in two weeks on 4 January and there would not

be another class of women until August. Quantico intended to move quickly and needed waivers of Marine Corps policies that prohibited women from firing

the rifle and pistol for qualification and from participating in field exercises. There was never any intent to train women for combat, but, rather, ". . . to

provide each woman officer with . . . commonality

of origin, experience, and education in order to

broaden her perspective and make her a more effective leader of those Marines placed in her charge',"

In reply to General Fegan's letter, the Commandant

stated his commitment to preparing women for their

increasing duties and responsibilities associated with

their support role. But, he added, ". . . in conducting

the pilot program, due consideration must be given

to the noncombatant role of women and to the physiological differences between men and women."2°

Regarding weapons and tactics skills, guidance dictated

an emphsis on orientation, familiarization, and defensive training.

The fact that the women lieutenants had not

received comparable physical conditioning during the

Officer candidates prepare for inspection with a coin

and a ruler. Blankets pulled tightly enough to allow

the coin to bounce and an eight-inch top sheet fold

are two marks of a properly made military bunk.

11.

ttir
135

,

;sic School

pril 1977.

rting arms, land naviiications, and combat

re divided into groups

ke remaining five male

1, Company C (Charlie

3 male and 22 female

[ajor Guy A. Pete, Jr.

77 TV show based on

detectives, 2d platoon

ingels."

conditions, the womce in leadership posifatoon sergeants, squad

them heretofore out-

:n and developing the

dealing with problems

eviously, women lieu-
136 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

tenants took over male-dominated sections without

having this experience to fall back on.

Like thousands of male lieutenants before them, the

WMs took part in the Basic School Landing Exercise

(BaScoLEx) in which a company of student officers

storms ashore on Ons low Beach at Camp Lejeune during a practice amphibious assault. To their consternation the women were bused from Quantico to Camp

Lejeune while the men made the trip by sea. The law

forbade their service on board ship, so when at 0900,

20 April 1977, about 200 male lieutenants swept across Ons low Beach, they were confronted by the 2d Platoon (women) and the 5th Platoon (men) playing the

role of inland aggressors.

The new twist to the BaScoLEx prompted a number of remarks of a sexist nature from the men. A few

said the women should not be in the field at all.

Others thought it unfair that the law prevented them

from taking part in the entire exercise. Most of the

men, at any rate, seemed to support the women's efforts and liked to see them do well in the field.

The platoon commander, Captain Austin, ac- knowledged some prejudice in the company, but she

also cited a contradictory incident which had occurred

three days before the BaScoLEx. "We all completed

a 12-mile forced march and 4-m1 -Ile explained.

"Following the run, a male lieuter. as the

company's worst chauvinist, gave us a smile and the

okay sign. We felt accepted."2'

There were some problems at the outset, most of

which were expected. The women tended to stragee

and bring up the rear on the long marches, but eventually made it. Some suffered stress fractures of the

lower leg just as the women at the military academies

had. A woman lieutenant on crutches was not an unfamiliar sight. As the pilot program progressed, emphasis on conditioning was stressed during scheduled

periods of physical training and by the midpoint of

the program the female officer students were able to

keep up with their male counterparts during field

problems, conditioning hikes, and company runs.22

One factor that had not been anticipated and that

affected training to a degree was the intense and continuous interest of the news media. Initial stories were expected, but not 21 weeks of interminable coverage.

It became tiring for the women, distracting for the

men, and a source of resentment dividing the sexes. Charlie Company found itself on the front page of The

nshington Post and in newspapers around the world.

Brigadier General Kelley was questioned repeatedly

on the purpose of the combined training. He summed

up the prevailing philosophy, saying:

Our decision is based on a firm conviction that our young

women officers must be informed on all facets of our Corps,

to include rigors of field environment, if we expect them

to fulfill the broad variety of tasks we have and will assign

to 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. Belanger

Second Lieutenant Christine A. Benson

Second Lieutenant Patricia P. Blaha

Second Lieutenant Diana C. Day

Second Lieutenant Mary A. Devlin

Second Lieutenant June M. Dignan

Second Lieutenant Colleen M. Flynn

Second Lieutenant Robin C. Garrett

Second Lieutenant Megan A. Gillespk

Second Lieutenant Gayle W. Hanley

Second Lieutenant Georgia J. Jobusch

Second Lieutenant Bonnie J. Joseph

Second Lieutenant Rosa K. Knight

Second Lieutenant Janie D. Loftis

Second Lieutenant Bonnie L. MacPherson

Second Lieutenant Jennifer J. Martell

Second Lieutenant Ann M. Milinovich

Second Lieutenant Angelica V. Ritscher

Second Lieutenant Judith C. Shaw

Second Lieutenant Gloria M. Stottlemyre

Second Lieutenant Jo Ann Taylor
CHAPTER 11

Administration of Women

Supervision and Guidance of Women MarinesBarracksDaily RoutineDisapline

The Woman Marine Company was long a standard

unit on posts and stations wherever WMs served. It

was Colonel Towle's expressed policy that no woman

Marine would serve alone and that a woman officer

would be assigned wherever enlisted women were located., Since it was bothersome to arrange billeting

for a small number of women, it naturally evolved that

women were only assigned to bases that could utilize

and support a sizable number and where women could

be organized into a single WM unit. Women Marines

have long been considered an integral part of the Marine Corps, and the WM company was fitted into the

existing command structure. For administrative purposes all WMs were carried on the rolls of the Woman Marine Company, which normally was part of

Headquarters or Headquarters and Service Battalion.

The table of organization of a typical WM company

indicated only the personnel required to command

and administer it: the commanding officer, the executive officer, the first sergeant, clerks, and a police

and property NCO. The strength of the company bore

no relation to the table of organization as the women

making up the company were filling other authorized billets throughout the base.

There has been a certain amount of confusion over

the name of WM units. Colonel Hamblet, when she

was Director of Women Marines, settled the issue in

1958, drawing attention to the variety of titles in existence. She cited such examples as Women Marine

Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Camp

Pendleton; Women Marines Detachment Two, Marine

Corps Air Station, Cherry Point; and Woman Marine

Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. In the interest

of uniformity, it was decided to use the words "Woman" with an "a" and "Marine" without an "s" in the

title designations? Once in a while the WM companies were given letter namesmost often Company

D, which lent itself to the nickname, "Dolly Company?' In one instance, at Pearl Harbor in 1952-1956, the

women Marines were Company A no recorded nickname. At Marine Corps air stations, the women were

organized into a detachment, which was a squadronlevel 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 into

one company while they worked throughout the command, differed from the organization of male Marines

who were attached to a company within the same battalion for which they worked. For the male Marine,

his work supervisor and his company commander were

in the same chain of command; for the WM, her work

supervisor could belong to one battalion while her

commanding officer belonged to another. A cooperative spirit among commands was absolutely essential

since often the interests of the work supervisor and

those of the commanding officer clashed. Leave and

liberty, for example, were granted by the commanding officer, based upon a written release by the work

supervisor. Company duty assignments, inspections,

and barracks field nights infringed on women's work

responsibilities and vice versa. On matters of discipline, if a work supervisor put a woman on report,

it was handled not within his chain of command, but

through her wmpany and, when necessay, battalion.

In spite of these areas of potential conflict, the system worked relatively smoothly from 1948 until 1974

when an emphasis on a "total Marine Corps" brought

into question the need for separate women's commands. An ad hoc committee met in 1973 and made

a number of proposals which opened new career opportunities for women in the Marine Corps and also

recommended changes in policies that tend to set the

women apart as if a separate entity. As women moved

into more and more previously all-male fields, commanders challenged the tradition of woman Marine

companies. From posts and stations came the suggestion to disband the units and to treat the women as

all other Marines. The Commandant's White Letter

No. 5-76 also addressed this matter:

With the achievement of more complete integration of

women, the requirement for separate women's units should

be reviewed. Positive benefits can be derived from assigning women Marines administratively to their duty units. During transition periods, you may find it desirable to establish

additional duty billets for a woman officer or staff noncommissioned officer to work as "Special Assistants" in providing guidance relative to woman Marine matters?

8

137
ADMINISTRATION OF WOMEN 139

a separate platoon, and thought was being given to

integrating the women into the male platoons.4

At Quantico, things were handled differently.. After the deactivation of the WM company in 1976 women Marines from 11 Marine Corps Development and

Education Center units lived in three barracks. That

fall it was decided to put the women under one roof

again and a new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters was renovated for them? This system paralleled the one in existence in 1977 at Cherry Point where the WM

detachment was deactivated on 31 December 1974.

The women were administratively transferred to the

various squadrons and the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing,

but they remained in the same barracks they had

previously occupied. Under this arrangement, a woman NCO was responsible for the barracks, its cleanliness, maintenance, and security. She checked women

in and out, held linen call, and prepared duty rosters.

On a three-month assignment, she was away from her

regular job for that length of time?

These barracks NCOs, like Corporal Kay Frazier at

Twentynine Palms in 1975, Staff Sergeant Sandra

Hoolailo at Quantico, and Sergeant Carol Fox at Cherry Point in 1977 found that they were involved in many

areas formerly handled by women commanding

officers or first sergeants. Disputes between roommates, personal problems, and work dissatisfaction

were some of the matters brought to the NCO. Infractions of barracks regulations and the preparation

of duty rosters still required coordination between the

battalion or squadron maintaining the barracks and

the duty units of the women.

Sergeant Fox, who was stationed at Cherry Point

when WMD-2 was active, and who carried the colors

at the deactivation ceremonies, compared both systems. In her view, the women had more esprit and

were a closer unit when under one command. The

commanding officer and first sergeant Icnew the women personally and were interested in them as individuals. Since the deactivation of the detachment,

Sergeant Fox felt that unit pride had virtually disappeared; the barracks was no longer a scrupulously clean

showplace; WM activities, like picnics or ball games,

were nonexistent; and the women never paraded or

marched as a unit. She particularly recalled the spirit

and pride they had felt in the past after events such

as IG inspections.7 Private First Class Katie Jones Dixon and Lance Corporal Judith Coy, interviewed at

Cherry Point were, on the other hand, quite satisfied

with the arrangement and voiced no complaints.8

One found, in 1977, senior WMs, officer and enlisted, who were unsure of the merits of the newer way

for two reasons: first, deactivation of WM companies

eliminated the primary source of command experience

for company grade officers; and second, the WM company was a source of group spirit and pride for the

women Marines. A not uncommon sentiment was that

women would never truly be accepted as Marines by

male Marines, and therefore they needed some visible unit to identify with. Othersmost often junior

WMs saw the deactivation of WM companies as a

sign that women Marines were truly Marines and not

a separate corps.

An offshoot of the deactivation of WM companies

was the new experience for women having male commanding officers and the novel experience for the

mencommanding women. Staffs of mixed gender

were no longer unusual, and male Marines were not

apt to suffer fits of apoplexy when reporting in and

finding the company clerk or executive officer wearing a skirt.

Colonel Margaret A. Brewer, the Director of Women Marines during this period of change, when asked

if she thought that the venture of integrating women

into male units was successful, answered that much

depended upon the quality of the leadership. Where

the commanding officers took positive steps to integrate the women and to make them feel welcome, the

system worked? Women Marines told her that they

felt more like Marines like they belonged. More importantly, the men took the trouble to learn about

WMs, their regulations, concerns, and problems. It

happened less frequently that male Marines called on

WM officers and SNCOs to handle the routine matters involving women: uniform discrepancies, poor

work habits, and lapses in military courtesy. Some "old

salts" discovered that the presence of a few WMs had

a beneficial effect on behavior, language, and discipline of the entire unit.

Supervision and Guidance

of Women Marines

A long-standing tradition, wherever WM companies were found, was that all women Marine officers

and staff noncommissioned officers regardless of their

assignment, accepted some responsibility for the company. The commanding officer naturally had the

primary responsibility of administration, discipline,

training, morale, and billeting of the enlisted WMs,

but all company grade officers, SNCOs, and NCOs

stood WM company duty; took their turn giving lecfkl 4.1

150
140 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

tures on the training schedule; were apt to be assigned

as platoon leaders; and attended all companysponsored athletic and social happenings. Every WM

second lieutenant left Quantico well indoctrinated

with the idea that the health, happiness, performance,

and appearance of all WMs junior to her were matters of her concern, and the same theme was reiterated in all phases of NCO training.

Colonel Towle set the example in the very beginning when, in 1949, she invited all newly integrated

WM officers to her apartment for tea. Lieutenant

Colonel Munn remembers the care with which they

dressed hat and gloves and in 1977 reflected on

how wise it was of the colonel to bring them all

together, even though they worked throughout the

Headquarters.

Colonel Harnblet, who succeeded Colonel Towle as

Director of Women Marines, believed that senior women Marines, officer and enlisted, in their relationship

with juniors, should be concerned with the "total" person and her development. The receptions that women Marines customarily gave for the Director when she

made her annual visit were a part of this philosophy.

The purpose was not only to give the women and the

Director an opportunity to meet informally and look

each other over, but it was an enjoyable way to learn

something about entertaining, extending invitations,

making introductions, and carrying on social conversations. In most cases, the work supervisors and their

wives were invited and in Colonel Hamblet's view, it

was beneficial for them to see the WMs in their own

environment often leading to a better understanding between the sexes.

To be sure, not all the women wanted to get involved

in these affairs, but gentle persuasion and a little welldirected leadership on the part of the commanding

officer and the first sergeant worked wonders. Very

often, younger women were uncomfortable with the

prospect of entertaining senior Marines and this accounted for their apparent disinterest. When the party

was over, obviously a success, and when the women

received the compliments of the invited Marines and

their ladies, they were in Colonel Hamblet's words,

tl.

. pleased as punch."

All women staff noncommissioned officers took an

active role in the supervision and guidance of younger WMs. They were considered a vital link between

the commanding officer and her women, spotting

potential problems and alert to changes in mood and

morale. During the 13-year period between the time

r.. r 1 51

postwar enlistment was opened to nonveterans in January 1949 until World War II WMs began to retire in

1962, there existed a group of staff noncommissioned

officers, older and more experienced, who felt a real

obligation to the younger Marines. Due to the fact that

there was no recruiting of women from 1945 to 1949,

and because the WMs Were at least 20 years old when

they enlisted during the war, the age difference was

quite pronounced. First Sergeant Schultz remembers

that when the enlistment age was lowered to 18, the

officers and NCOs felt a real obligation to ". . . these

youngsters."' °

Women Marines who served in the 1950s and early

1960s tell many anecdotes that attest to thc concern

of these SNCOs for the WMs junior to ,them. One

name often mentioned was that of Master Sergeant

Lucretia E. Williams, retired in 1976, a supply NCO

who was known to buy items for the barracks and mess

hall out of her own money. When the WMs scheduled ball games or hikes, she often arranged for cool

drinks and then carried the large thermos jugs to the

field herself." Colonel Hilgart remembers a time as

the commanding officer of WMD-1 when a snafu held

up a check meant to pay for a WM ball team trip and

Master Sergeant Williams appeared at the company

office with a personal check for over $200.12

Another woman remembered by many is Master

Sergeant Catherine G. Murray who on 30 November

1962 became the first enlisted woman Marine to transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve at the completion of nearly 20 years of service. Master Sergeant

Murray could be found in the barracks every Sunday

morning rousing up all the Roman Catholics and driving them to Mass. Returning with one group from the

early service, she gathered up more for the next one.

All women with obvious Irish or Italian names were

presumed Catholics and taken to church. Major Joan

Collins, as an enlisted WM at Quantico, was a member of Master Sergeant Murray's "Volunteer" group

that helped the nuns prepare the altar at nearby St.

Francis parish in Triangle, Virginia. A Lutheran with

an lrish name, she nonetheless spent three consecutive Saturdays cleaning and arranging altar cloths.'3

Warrant Officer Eileen R. Scanlon relates another

story that typifies the relationship of these women to

the WM company. On a bitter cold day in January

1961, the women Marines of Henderson Hall marched

in President Kennedy's inaugural parade. The women having been instructed to dress warmly, layered

flannel pajamas, woolen bermuda shorts, and whatever
ADMINISTRATION OF WOMEN 141

else they could fit under their uniforms. Not able to

wear boots in a parade, they wore woolen socks cut

off at the top so as not to show above the oxfords. But

simple advice was not enough. Before leaving the barracks, all the SNCOs went through the squadbays inspecting each woman to ensure she had carried out

the instructions."

Several factors have combined to change the role

played by women officers and staff noncommissioned officers in the supervision and guidance of women

Marines and the very personal concern evidenced in

the incidents related above is now relatively rare. In

the late 1960s, as a result of recommendations made

by the Woman Marine Program Study Group, women SNCOs were allowed to move out of the barracks,

and more officers were given permission to move off

base, making them far less accessible.15 Attrition was

much higher in the 1950s and 1960s before the change

in regulations which allowed women with children to

remain on active duty, thereby causing a shortage of

older, mature SNCOs. Finally, the World War II WMs

began to retire in 1962 and the women Marines lost

this nucleus of officers and noncommissioned officers

which for many years felt a special motherly responsibility to new WMs and to the success of the WM

program.

Barracks

Marines have never disputed the philosophy that

men are different from women. But even acknowledging th;s or expecting it in no way lessened the initial

jolt ra a male "old salt" the first time he set foot in

a WM barracks. Women are vitally concerned with

their living areas, they spend more time in their quarters, and they have needs unique to the distaff community.

Colonel Streeter and her officers in World War II

recognized these things early on and even in the midst

of a war felt it was important to insist upon certain

amenities for the women. A guest lounge became standard. One room, usually furnished with comfortable

chairs, sofa, TV (later), and record player was set aside

to greet and entertain male guests. The regulations

regarding proper attire and behavior were quite strict:

Marines, men and women, had to dress in full uniforms or comparable civilian clothing. For the women, sportswear, shorts, or slacks were definitely not

considered appropriate for the guest lounge.

Very often the barracks boasted a sewing room, hair

dryers, refrigerators, and some cooking equipment.

Adequate laundry appliances were the subject of no

small number of memoranda from the Director's

Early in the 1950s women were issued a dresser and permitted to display one stuffed

animal per bunk as shown in this photograph taken at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

152
142

"1, .,

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

'gka ..

."r

In the 1970s, a move from less military to more feminine and personalized decorating

was allowed in the WM barracks. Colo7ful bed spreads as pictured here were popular.

office. It had to be explained that women, as opposed

to men, do not send personal clothing to commercial

laundries and therefore needed more washing

machines, dryers, and ironing boards than government

specifications allowed. There was some feeling among

WMs of that era that, in the end, the men's barracks

had been improved and better equipped as an outgrowth of the women's insistence on nicer living conditions.

Barracks life in the days of the open squadbays offered little privacy, so whenever possible, the commanding officer would set aside a "quiet room." It was

a place to read, to study, to write letters, or to cry:

it helped fulfill a woman's need to just be alone. For

privacy's sake another distinguishing mark of the distaff barracks took holdthe fence. Discreetly, a fence

hid from public view the dainty unmentionables drying on the clothes line while at the same time providing a spot for sunbathing.

Where the WMs excelled at making a squadbay a

home was in the decoration of their individual areas.

Before the Department of Defense regulations requiring more space and privacy were published in 1973,

most Marines were quartered in open squad rooms

outfitted with double metal bunks, lockers, and locker

boxes.'6 Wooden dressers were a concession to the

women, and normally had to be shared. Much ingenuity went into the arrangement of the furniture

to form cubicles, thereby assuring a measure of privacy to the several occupants.

A persuasive commanding officer could often talk

the battalion commander and S-4 into pastel colored

paint a very radical innovation in the 1950s. Colored

rugs, bedspreads, and towels; perfume bottles, prayer books, and photos on the dressers; and finally

stuffed animals on the bunks were all privileges eventually won, but often not easily. To keep some semblance of order, the company regulations specified how
ADMINISTRATION OF WOMEN 143

many items per dresser, and how many stuffed dolls

by size per bunk.

Understandably, many male Marines had a difficult

time adjusting to this desecration of a barracks. Before long, however, the idea gained remarkable acceptance, and at most posts and stations the WM barracks

was a mainstay on the itinerary of visiting dignitaries.

Daily Routine

Life on board a Marine base in 1977 would have

been only vaguely familiar to the WM of 1949 or even

1959. The most obvious difference would have focused

on the barracks building itself, apt to be motel-like

with outside entrances for each room or hotel-like with

rooms opening on a long passageway. Closets and

dressers would have replaced lockers and locker boxes

and the metal double bunks would have become

unknown items of the past. Reveille would still come

too soon, but would be more likely to be announced

over a public address system than by means of a bugle.

WMs, until the mid-1950s, held an outdoor formation at rollcall each morning, summer and winter, in

utilities. Since then rollcalls have become less :,nd less

regimented and are generally taken by an NCO vvith

the Marines standing by in their areas.17

Mess halls, once furnished with long tables and

benches, have become known as dining facilities and

feature restaurant-style tables and chairs. Mandatory

chow formations for the morning and evening meals

are all but a memory since 1960. The requirement to

wear a uniform to the mess hall was eased to allow

civilian clothing first on weekends, then for the evening meal, and finally for all meals. In 1977, at Henderson Hall, appropriate attire for the dining facility

permitted neat, but not frayed jeans and excluded only

shorts, halters, tank tops, and physical training

outfits.' 8

Liberty cards and liberty logs also had joined "Old

Corps" lore by 1970. Before that time all Marines

signed 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
144 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

closely inspected to see that he or she was properly

dressed. WM company regulations generally went a

step further. At most commands women Marines could

not sign out on liberty after a certain time, perhaps

2130 or 2200, and liberty often expired within an hour

after the service clubs closed. Cinderella liberty, as it

was called, and the motherly concern of commanding officers, served to challenge the inventiveness of

the women who found some ingenious ways to circumvent the rules.

The WM of 1977 walked out of the barracks at will.

Dressed in slacks, she did not find it necessary to prove

that 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 washing in the immediate vicinity of the barracks. She was expected to be back on time by reveille, but beyond

that she was largely her own boss.

Discipline

Regulations regarding apprehension, arrest, restrictions, and confinement, from a technical standpoint

have been equally applicable to all Marines, however,

philosophical and practical consideration have dictated

unequal enforcement. The differences primarly involve investigative procedures and confinement policies. Since women did not have a military obligation,

there was a tacit agreement that the best interests of

the Marine Corps were served by removal of habitual

offenders. WMs who just could not adjust to military

life, who caused more work than they produced, and

who had a negative effect on command morale and

discipline were, when possible, administratively discharged. The Marine Corps expeditious discharge program, which was initiated in 1975 to improve the

quality of personnel serving in the Corps, was based

on much the same idea.

The interrogation of women poses problems for

both civilian and military police. In order to protect

women from abuse and at the same time to protect

the police from false accusations, authorities usually

demand the attendance of a woman witness during

the questioning. It had been Marine Corps policy to

require on these occasions the presence of a woman

officer or mature staff noncommissioned officersenior to the woman being interrogated who

could counsel and advise the suspect. The accused

could waive this privilege as long as it was done in writing and before a woman officer or her own commanding officer.

For a time it was planned to train enough women

investigators so that each post and station would have

available a capable officer or NCO to assist the provost

marshal when necessary. There was no intention to as- sign these women to any sort of police duty. Second

Lieutenant Marjorie E. O'Hanlon and Ruth F. Reinholz were the first two women Marine officers to attend Provost Marshal General's School Investigative

Officers Course at Camp Gordon, Georgia, from 6 July

to 2 September 1953. The two-month class covered

surveillance techniques, photography, fingerprinting,

and interrogation. The women were well trained but

the idea backfired. No one, not even their best friends,

trusted the new investigators, and after sending women

Marines to several more classes, the project was abandoned.19

There always existed a reuctance to confine women, and policy prohibited the use of brigs and guardhouses for them. Those guilty of civil crimes could be

sent to civilian prisons. Women who rated confinement as a result of a court martial were more apt to

be restricted to the barracks and fineda punishment

that did not require posting a guard.

When WM companies were routine, and if the offense was serious, women could be confined in the barracks. A number of barracks had a room set aside

specifically for that purpose. It was sparsely furnished, had a door with a small window, and could be

locked from the passageway. The conacment or a

woman Marine in the barracks invariably affected the

morale of the entire unit. Gualds were posted around

the clock causing many extra duty assignments for the

NCOs; meals had to be brought in; and merely passing the locked door was unnerving to the others.2°

With the disbandment of WM companies and the

resultant loss of appropriate barracks, confinement

posed additional problems. Punishment had not

necessarily been diminished; on the contrary, policy

changes have allowed a more liberal use of civilian jails.

In 1977, a woman Marine convicted by a court martial could face restriction plus a fine or detention in

an approved civilian prison depending Upon the

judgment of the commanding officer.

Based on the number of courts martial per total

strength, the woman Marine disciplinary rate was less

than one percent?, Although there have been few

cases, each one is disproportionately magnified due

to the very rarity of occurrence and the lingering

hesitancy to confine women.

155
CHAPTER 12

Promotions

Public Law 90-130Enlisted Promotions

By law women officers had always been selected for

promotion under a different process and by separate

board action from their male colleagues. The provisions of the Armed Forces Integration Act of 1948 held

until 1967 when certain restrictions were lifted.'

For 20 years women in the Marine Corps as well as

the other Services could aspire to no higher permanent rank than lieutenant colonel. Additionally, the

number of women allowed to serve in the grades of

major and lieutenant colonel was rigidly limited by

the number of regular women officers on active duty.

As the women officers who integrated in the 1948-1950

period moved into the field grade ranks, two things

occurred: it became irksome to them to stagnate for

years in one rank as the male officers passed them by;

and the upper ranks were virtually closed until the

mid-1960s when these women became eligible to retire. During these years, women were selected for promotion by a separate board convened to consider all

women officer ranks. The limited duty officer program, a major opportunity open to male enlisted Marines to achieve commissioned rank, was legally closed

to women Marines.

Warrant officer status has been available to women

and the early history of the first women Marine warrant officers is told in a letter from CWO-4 Ruth L.

Wood:

Of course the biggest event for me was being selected for

warrant officer. On 14 April 1952 we took the 3-hour examination. I believe there were about 57 women applicants,

and Lillian Hartley (Disbursing) and I (Administration) were

the two lucky ones selected. We took the same exam the

men did, at the same time, which included making decisions on questions whether to dig a one-man or a two-man

fox hole, when to retreat from an air strip and by whose

authority, etc.! A couple of years later when the Marine Corps

decided to select another woman warrant, the Testing and

Education Unit at Quantico called me, as I was stationed

at QuantIco, to say they couldn't find a copy of the "women's main" and were quite astonished when I told them we

took the men's exam. They proceeded to make a separate

exam for the women.

Lillian Hartley was stationed at HQMC so she received

her warrant soon after selection. Mine didn't come so Colonel Hamblet called HQMC to ask about it as she wanted

to assign me as adjutant and instructor at the Women Officer Training Detachment there before the next class began. At the time, Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet was the

commanding officer of the detachment and not Director

of Women Marines. When they told her the delay in my

warrant was due to the break down of the "fancy typewriter,"

she suggested they write it in longhand if necessary to get

it down here! It soon came typed, but not in the "fancy

type."

Lillian Hartley's and my date of rank was 13 June 1952,

but in the "Blue Book" (Combined Lineal List of Officers

on Active Duty) I was listed first for some reason, with a

man next, and then Lillian Hartley, so I am the senior woman warrant officer. Three years later we made CWO-2. That

same year we had the opportunity to apply for permanent

warrant officer, and on 16 Dec 1955 the list came out showing we had been selected over again with a permanent date

of rank of 1 July 1954, and Lotus Mort was selected with

a permanent date of 14 Dec 1955. Margaret Robertson was

selected in 1956, Alice McIntyre in 1957, Elaine Freeman

in 1958, and Mary Thompson in 1959, none in 1960, then

one a year for some time thereafter.

When on 1 Jan 1961 I was the first woman promoted to

CWO-4, they made a big event of it (altho I had been the

first CWO-2 and CWO-3 also so it was quite logical!), and

I made permanent CWO-4 on 13 June 1967.2

A change was made in the warrant officer program

in 1975 when for the first time women warrant officers

attended the Warrant Officer Basic School with their

male counterparts.

Public Law 90-130

The first signifkant change in law directly affecting

servicewomen occurred when Congress enacted Public Law 90-130. In a colorful ceremony in the East

Room of the White House, President Lyndon B. Johnson on 8 November 1967 signed into law the bill giving women officers in the armed forces equal

opportunity for promotion with their male colleagues.

Present at the signing were servicewomen and former

servicewomen, including directors and former directors of the WAC, WAVES, WAF, Women Marines, the

three Nurse Corps, and three Women's Medical Service Corps. High-ranking male officers were there as

well, including members of the Joint Chiefs of Sta.ff.

The Marine Band, which normally plays at Presidential ceremonies, relinquished the stage for the occasic ,n to the 14th U.S. Army Band, the only all-women

official band in the Armed Forces. The United States

flag and the flags of the various services were carried

156

145
146 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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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 President entered the East Room through a cordon of 50

women from all branches of the Services, including

12 women Marines.

Heading the list of Marines present at the ceremony was General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., then Commandant. Four of the five women who had held

appointment as Director of Women Marines were in

attendance: Colonels Ruth Cheney Streeter, Julia E.

Hamblet, Margaret M. Henderson, and Barbara J.

Bishop. Sergeant Majors Ouida Craddock and Rosa

Harrington topped the roster of enlisted women Marines at the historic ceremony.3

Significant among the President's remarks was the

statement that:

Our Armed Forces literally cotIld not operate effectively

or efficiently without our women . . So, both as President

and as the Commander in Chief, I am very pleased and very

proud to have this measure sent to me by the Congress.4

15

This long-awaited law repealed the legal limitations

on the number of women in the Armed Services and

also removed some, but not all, of the assignment and

promotion restrictions. There were still certain legal

limitations such as the prohibition against the appointment of women as limited duty officers, the legal limitations on the promotion of women officers

to flag and general officer rank in the Navy and Marine Corps, and the differences in the criteria for the

involuntary separation of male and female officers who

were not selected for promotion. In the Marine Corps,

a male first lieutenant or captain was involuntarily

separated if he was considered as having twice failed

selection for promotion to the next higher grade.

Historically, due to the upper rank promotion restrictions for women, a female first lieutenant or captain

was not involuntarily separated until she had completed seven or 13 years of commissioned service, respectively, and was not on a promotion list.

The law also precluded female commissioned of-
PROMOTIONS 147

ficers in the Marine Corps from competing for promotion with male officers. This restriction combined

with the smaller numbers of women officers made it

difficult to maintain an equitable rank structure. As

a result, women officers by the 1970s were sometimes

promoted earlier than their male contemporaries. In

order to achieve comparability, a goal was set to slow

down the women's promotions and to "age them in

grade." A selection board was not convened in 1976

to consider women for the rank of colonel nor in 1977

to consider selections to lieutenant colonel. In some

cases, as a result, a few women served more time in

grade than average.

Although the law required selection boards for male

and female Marine officers, women since August 1974

had been selected for promotion by the same board

membership as the men with the addition of a woman officer. If that woman officer was a colonel, she also

served as a member of the male officer selection board.

The law further precluded the selection of a woman officer to flag and general officer rank in the Navy

and Marine Corps although there was a provkion for

temporary appointment as a rear admiral or brigadier

general while serving in specific billets.5

On the positive side, PL 90-130 allowed for permanent promotions to colonel for women. In April

1968, some six months after it was enacted, selection

boards were convened at Headquarters Marine Corps

to select Regular and Reserve women lieutenant colonels for promotion. Colonels Towle and Hamblet

were called from retirement to sit on these boards. The

Director of Women Marines, Colonel Barbara Bishop,

, Lotus T. Mort, third woman Marine to be appointed a permanent warrant o cer, receives

her new insignia from Col Julia E. Ham blet (left), Director of Women Marines, and

LtCol Pauline B. Beckley, in a ceremony at Headquarters Marine Corps, in January 1956.

158
148 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

and Lieutenant Colonel Jeanette Sustad, former

Deputy Director of Women Marines, were the first

Regular women officets selected for permanent promotion to the grade of colonel. Of the six Reserve

officers selected, two, Lieutenant Colonel Hazel E.

Benn, deputy head of the Special Services Branch at

Headquarters, and Lieutenant Colonel Ruth H. Broe,

special projects officer for the Division of Information,

were serving on active duty. The four remaining

Reserve colonels were Lieutenant Colonels Mary L.

Condon, Helen A. Wilson, Dorothy R. Dietz, and Rilda M. Stuart.°

Enlisted Promotions

For the most part, promotions for enlisted women

in the Marine Corps were made under the same policies and by the same boards as for the men. Except

in scattered individual cases, there has never existed

the dissatisfaction or charges of sex discriminationvoiced either by WMs who felt held back or by male Marines who thought the women to be

favored that was evident in the case of officer promotions.

The notable exception was the first sergeant and ser- geant major program opened by the Marine Corps in

1955. At first only male Marines were eligible and the

Director, Colonel Hamblet, fought the exclusion for

three years. In a report dated 21 September 1956 after noting the defined duties of the first sergeants and

sergeants major, she reasoned that all of them apply

equally to men and women Marines. She continued:

Paragraph 4 g, however, denies the program to women on the basis that the "senior NCO present must have the

capability of leading the unit in a combat, or other type

situation.

It is felt that it is uniealistic to deny the first ser- geant/sergeant major program to women on thc basis that

they cannot supervise a unit in the field nor lead a unit in

combat. The mission of male Marines, officer and enlisted,

is preparedness for combat; however, we do not refuse to

commission women officers because they cannot lead com- bat platoons nor do we fail to promote enlisted women from

private to master sergeant because they cannot serve "in the

field."

Attention is invited to the fact that women Marines did

attend First Sergeants School, were designated first ser- geants/sergeant major, and did wear the distinctive insignia

of those ranks during World War H; consequently, a precedent 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 recommendations that were in the realm of possibility. She asked

that the:

. . . first sergeant/sergeant major program be opened to

women Marines in event of national emergency when not

only would the increased strength and billets in the women's program justify their selection, but undoubtedly women would, as they did during World War H, replace male

first sergeants/sergeants major who were ordered to combat

duty.8

and that:

... the policy be continued that women's units will have

billets designated for first sergeants/sergeants major and the

women assigned to these billets will hold the billet title while

so serving even though they are not authorized the disdn cfive insignia.°

Two years later, on 20 November 1958, she personally brought her case to the Commandant, General

Pate, and on the following day she submitted a report

of the conversation to the chief of staff. She wrote:

The pros and cons of selecting women Marines for the

permanent rank of sergeant major and first sergeant to fill

sergeant major and first sergeant billets existing within the

women's program were discussed. The Commandant and the

undersigned were in accord that because of the limited number of these billets (probably 3 sergeants major and 10 first

sergeants) it would not be in the best interests of the Marine Corps to select women to these ranks and restrict their

assignment to the few billets in the women's program. Instead, it would appear more advantageous to have thewomen

filling these billets have the rank, pay, title, and insignia

while so assigned. It vas agreed that the selection ofwom !

en for these billets would rest with the Director of Women

Marines.10

The brevet system discussed by the Commandant

and Colonel Hamblet materialized when Marine

Corps Order 1421.6, dated 3 May 1960, was published ailowing for temporary appointments to first sergeant. and sergeant major for women. They were not

considered to be promotions as the women eligible

for them had to be master gunnery sergeant in order

to move into the sergeant major slot or master sergeants to become first sergeantsactually comparable

pay grades.

These top-rated enlisted women held the appointment, wore the appropriate chevrons, and received full

pay and the privileges of the rank as long as they were

in the designated billets and reverted to their permanent rank on transfer out of the jobs. At the time,

there were three sergeants major billets: the senior enlisted women at the Woman Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island; the Women Marines Detachment

at Quantico; and in the office of the Director of Women Marines. There were 10 first sergeant spots, one at
PROMOTIONS

CWO4 Ruth L. 'Food, the first woman Marine to achieve that grade, has her insignia

of rank pinned on by Col Clifford P. Quilici and Col Charles E. Dobson, in 1966.

each of the existing women Marine companies which

were then located at: Headquarters Marine Corps;

Quantico; Norfolk; Cherry Point; Camp Lejeune; Parris

Island; San Diego; Camp Pendleton; El Toro; and

FMFPac, Hawaii."

By modern standards, the policy appears restrictive,

but, in fact, the brevet system was adopted to protect

the women. The policies governing assignments of

women at the time prohibited them from serving in

these billets in male organizations. Had the appointment been permanent, the 13 women would have

been limited to these billets, thereby restricting their

potential utilization and at the same time, precluding others from serving as sergeants major and first

sergeants.

As it turned out, for a number of years, there were

so few women master gunnery sergeants that it was

not until December 1964 that a woman Marine eligible for a sergeant major appointment reported to Parris

Island. Sergeant Major Doris Derrick was the first WM

to be authorized the chevrons, pay, and privileges inherent in the title of Sergeant Major, Woman Recruit

Training Battalion.'2

149

Women who served in the temporary positions

could, upon retirement, ask for a permanent appointment to first sergeant or sergeant major as appropriate, providing they had performed satisfactorily

in the rank for at least a year.

The brevet system was in effect for 12 years. Surprisingly, the suggestion that women be promoted permanently 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 dated

1 November 1971, the sergeant major stated:

It is realized that billets for Women Marine First Sergeants/Sergeants Major are few. However, I feel the Women Marines are treated unfairly, not being able to compete

on the same promotion system as Male Marines. This subject was brought up as an agenda item at the SNCO Symposium. The vote was 95 percent in favor for Women

Marines to be promoted to First Sergeant/Sergeant Major

the same as Male Marines. It was surprising to learn the number of Male Marines who were unaware of the fact that Women Marines were not promoted the same as males in those

two 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 tempoi

could, upon retirement, ask for a p(

pointment to first sergeant or sergeant

propriate, providing they had performe(

in the rank for at least a year.

The brevet system was in effect for

prisingly, the suggestion that women be

manently to the top enlisted ranks cam,

the Sergeant Major of the Marine Cori

Daily. In a memorandum to the OMIT

1 November 1971, the sergeant major

It is realized that billets for Women Mai

geants/Sergeants Major are few. However, I f

en Marines are treated unfairly, not being ab

on the same promotion system as Male Marii

ject was brought up as an agenda item at the

posium. The vote was 95 percent in favoi

Marines to be promoted to First Sergeant/Si

the same as Male Marines. It was surprising to I

ber of Male Marines who were unaware of the f

en Marines were not promoted the same as r

two ranks.13

Furthermore, the Sergeant Major end

160

NI.. 44..
150 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

of women filling these positions in male units as he

continued:

If Women Marines were ever promoted in First Sergeant/Sergeant Major, they could fill other billets as they

are now interchangeable in many jobs with Male Marines,

This would also help the Woman Marine become more

professional in the T.4irst Sergeant/Sergeant Major billet.

It is strongly recommended that Women Marines be given

the same opportunitr as Male Marines in our promotion system and that it should commence with the Fiscal Year 1972

Board. . .14 A debate on the issue ensued finding the Director

of Women Marines, Colonel Sustad, opposed due to

the short time given WMs to consider career alternatives. Directives at the time allowed male gunnery

sergeants to indicate on their fitness reports their

preference for promotion to either master sergeant or

first sergeant the selection having a bearing on their

future assignments. Colonel Sustad recommended

that action be deferred until a study could be conducted to determine whether a permanent system or

the brevet system was actually best fitted for women

Marines.' 5

In due time, the colonel was on the side of permanent promotions, and her stand received timely support by way of a memorandum signed by Roger T

Kelley, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manpower and

Reserve Affairs, directing the Services to eliminate inequities. On 31 July 1972, the Commandant of the

Marine Corps approved the selection of an unlimited

number of women Marines as designated sergeants

major and first sergeants. The new policy was implemented by the E-81E-9 promotion board already

in session, having convened on 18 july.le

Apart from the particular designations as sergeant

major and first sergeant, the ninth pay grade was

opened to women in the spring of 1960 when Geraldine M. Moon became the first and only WM at the

time to hold the rank of master gunnerysergeant. She

was promoted to that rank in April 1960 by Captain

Valeria F. Hilgart, commanding officer of Woman Marine Detachment 1, El Toro.17 Master Gunnery Sergeant Mary G. Vaughn, believed to be the first black

woman Marine E-9, received her promotion warrant

from Lieutenant General John N. McLaughlin, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in

Hawaii in April 1977.
CHAPTER 13

Marriage, Motherhood, and Dependent Husbands

MarriageMotherhoodDependency RegulationsThe Military CoupleMarine Wife, Civilian Husband

Right from the start, Colonel Towle had to field

questions from newspeople insinuating that the Marine Corps was against matrimony for women Marines.

Tactfully, she, and then later, her successors, Colonels

Hamblet and Henderson, assured the reporters that

Marines certainly were not antimarriage. The laws,

Department of Defense regulations, and Marine Corps

regulations of the time supported their statements:

marriage was indeed acceptable; husbands and children, however, posed some problems. Generally, it can

be said that from 1948 Until 1964 a woman Marine

could marry, and almost immediately ask for a discharge; the acquisition of natural, adopted, foster, or

stepchildren under 18 years of age, in fact required

discharge. Husbands were not considered dependents

unless they were actually dependent upon the wife for

more than 50 percent of their support.

Mam'age

Under the policy in effect from 1949 until the Vietnam War, enlisted WMs who married could ask for

an administrative discharge based solely on marriage.

Providing they had completed one year of their enlistment beyond basic training, they were discharged

for the convenience of the goverment. Regular officers

were eligible for release two years after their appointment. During the Korean War, regulations were more

stringent, but were relaxed immediately after the

emergency.' This liberal view toward discharges and

release from contractual obligations reflected society's

negative attitude toward working wives. Needless to

say, it contributed to instability in the WM program.

With changing values, a manpower crisis in the

1960s, and a need to improve the attrition rate of women Marines, Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, by then the

Director, led the fight to tighten the rules. Colonel

Bishop reasoned that women must honor their enlistment contract. To make it easier, husbands and wives,

whenever possible, would be stationed at the same or

nearby bases. A joint household policy was put into

effect on 14 July 1964 which stated:

A married enlisted Woman Marine may be discharged

at her written request, provided she is not stationed at or

sufficiently close to the duty statioh o. residence of her husband to permit thc maintenance of a joint residence, and

provided she meets all of thc following conditions,

a. A transfer request to the same or nearby duty station

or place of residence of her husband has been submitted

to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and has been

denied.

b, Thc separation of husband and wife has exceeded 18

months.

c. The enlisted woman is not %crying on an extension of

enlistment or reenlistment entered into subsequent to

marriage.

d. The enlisted woman has completed 24 rrfonths of service subsequent to completion of a service school if the length

of school was more than 24 weeks,

A married woman Marine officer does not become eligible for separation or release from active duty, simply because of her marital status, until she has completed her

period of obligated service (3 years),2

In August of the following year, 1965, due to the

demands of the Vietnam War, discharges based upon

marriage were suspended regardless of place of residence. Then, once again, on 31 October 1966, the

joint household policy was reinstated.

The desired effect of these new regulations to

lengthen the service of many WMs was realized

almost immediately. The rate of discharges for reasons

of marriage was dramatically reduced from 18.6 percent in fiscal year 1964 to 6.3 percent in fiscal year 1965

and, finally, to 2.3 percent in fiscal year 1966.3

Motherhood

A study group in 1943 meeting to discuss proposed regulations governing the discharge of women

stated:

It is believed that pregnancy and motherhood Oso facto

interfere with military duties. . . , Granting of maternity

leave would result in having ineffectives; replacement could

not be procured while the woman remained on the active

list; and the mother of a small child would not be readily

available for reassignment. Necessary rotation of duty assignments would require the family unit to be broken up

for considerable periods of time, or at least until the husband made the necessary provisions to establish the home

at the mother's new duty station . . It is believed that

a woman who is pregnant or a mother should not be a member of the armed forces and should devote herself to the

responsibilities which she had assumed, remaining with her

husband and child as a family unit:,

162

151
152

q;.70

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

In 1971 a change in regulations allowed natural mothers to continue on active duty service. Capt Joan Collins, company commander, reenlists pregnant GySgt Donna Murray.

This sort of reasoning, typical of the times, formed

the basis for Marine Corps regulations on the subject

until 1970. The rules were very strictly enforced, and

any responsibility for children forced the separation

of a woman Marine from the service.

The first step toward a more liberal view was taken

in the fall of 1970 when Headquarters announced that

a WM who is the stepparent of, or who has personal

custody of, or adopts, a child could ask to stay on active duty. Each case had to be reviewed, taking into

163

consideration such factors as length of service, performance record, ages and number of children involved,

and the commanding officer's evaluation of the situation. Waivers were granted if it could be determined

that parenthood would not interfere with the Marine's

job.5

On 12 August 1970, Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad,

Director of Women Marines, startled the women attending the Women Marines Association Convention

in 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 the

long-standing regulations were set aside. Times had

changed, women had changed, mores had changed.

It was 1970 and women no longer accepted the old

order as dogma.

Colonel Sustad invested a great deal of her time

locating and attempting to gain acceptance of this view

at Headquarters. Colonel John L. Ostby of the Legal

Division was her trusted advisor and mentor, supplying her with facts, legal interpretations, and whatever

ammunition she needed to get by each stumbling

block. Certain that success was within reach, Colonel

Sustad kept at least one Reserve officer's separation

papers in staffing lost in the administrative maze--

until the regulations were changed allowing for a more

favorable disposition of her caseP

And, change did come in 1971 when a waiver policy for natural mothers was tested. Again, each case was

carefully considered by Headquarters and women with

good records who were able to show that they could

adequately care for the child were allowed to remain

on duty:" Gunnery Sergeant Frances L. Gonzales, the

first WM to take advantage of the program, never

missed a day of work other than annual leave and the

travel time involved with her transfer at the timeP Lieutenant Colonel Carolyn Auldridge Walsh, the first

officer to remain on active duty after having a child,

lost little time as well. Colonel Sustad credits the positive example of these first cases with helping to calm

the fears of some, but not all, of the opponents to the

ideaP

Women who had been discharged from the Marine

Corps for pregnancy took new hope, and some asked

to be allowed to return. Major Mary Sue Stevens

League, separated in March 1970 because of pregnancy,

was one of these former WMs who suught to regain

her commission. On 24 January 1972, she was given

the commissioning oath in the Marine Corps Reserve

by her husband, Lieutenant Commander William C.

League, a Navy chaplain, in ceremonies at the Marine

Barracks in the Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth, Virginia. She reportedly was the first woman Marine to

regain her commission after becoming pregnant and

being separated.")

The Department of Defense in 1975 published instructions which precluded the involuntary separation

of servicewomen on the sole basis of pregnancy. Marine Corps Order 5000.12, dated 16 July 1975, specified that WMs who are pregnant may, upon request,

be discharged or retained on active duty if otherwise

qualified. Women who chose to remain in the Service were cautioned that parenthood did not entitle

them to special treatment or consideration in duty assignments, and commanding officers had the obligation to initiate action for discharge in cases where

women failed to carry out their duties after the birth

of the child."

Pregnant WMs could wear civilian clothes when the

uniform no longer looked appropriate. The seemingly unlikely prospect of a regulation maternity outfit

was under study by the military services and later approved.

Under normal circumstances, and based upon the

advice of a medical officer, a pregnant servicewoman

was expected to lose no more than 10 weeks of duty

four before delivery and six after. If the mother wanted more time off, for reasons other than medical, she

could ask for annual leave. A 1977 study showed that

even with time off for maternity leave and other strictly

female matters, servicewomen lost much less time than

men because of their lower incidence of absence

without leave, desertion, and drug- and alcohol-related

problems.12

Finally, in respect to the demands of both motherhood and her job, if a Marine asked to remain on duty,

but later found it impossible to do justice to her

responsibilities, she could ask for an administrative discharge.

In early 1949, when the policies were being formulated that would eventually cause the discharge of

all pregnant servicewomen, Rear Admiral Clifford A.

Swanson, Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, stood alone in an attempt to protect the careers of women in the military.

Taking a somewhat radical position, one not even espoused by the leading military women of the day, he

wrote:

Inasmuch as pregnancy is a normal biological phenomenon in women in the military age group it must be assumed

that the possibility that women entering the regular military service become pregnant was recognized by Congress

when reference (a) [Women's Armed Services Integration Act

of 1948] was enacted. It would appear to this Bureau that

the apparent purpose . . . was to afford women an opportunity to enter into and remain in the military service as

a career and that the subject proposed regulation is inconsistent with this apparent purpose of the Women's Armed

Services Integration Act of 1948.

In connection with the foregoing, it cannot be presumed

to be the policy of the military service to regard either the

institution of marriage or the raising of a family with disfavor. However, it is recognized that if such personal interests

164
154 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

seriously interfere with military duties, or if female military

personnel desire to give up their military career voluntarily

in order to raise a family.. . . it would be desirable to have

means available whereby such personnel can be expeditiously

separated from the service. Aside from these considerations

there would appear to this Bureau to be no reason for terminating the service of personnel who are pregnant but physically able to perform their duties. . . Admiral Swanson made specific recommendations

regarding time off, maternity leave, and discharges,

and while the regulations published 27 years later are

not precisely his, the philosophy is unmistakable.

Dependency Regulations

In a report to the House Armed Services Committee on 6 March 1972, Colonel Sustad wrote:

Title 37 contains different criteria for defining dependents

of men and women military members. This results in an

inequality of treatment between the married military man

and the married military woman. It also causes a difference

in treatment between the military man married to a civilian

and the military man married to a military woman.

To this simple statement of fact, she added her personal view, "The present law is clearly unfair to the

military woman. In recent years this inequity has become the primary complaint among women in the Marine Corps."14

The question of dependency had long been an irritant causing ever increasing dissatisfaction to those

who found themselves adversely affected by the law

and 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. Joining

in the ceremeny are Maj Nannette I, Beavers, USMCR (second from right), and her mother, Mrs. Leola A. Beavers (far right), a World War I Marine, on 24 January 1972.

IG5

, ;, r""--

AM.,' P". I N"..*" r
MARRIAGE, MOTHERHOOD, AND DEPENDENT HUSBANDS 155

vice, the traditional American family concept was that

of a unit financially supported by the male member.

For many years, women accepted the inequities with

only a minimal amount of grumbling; but few, if any,

considered challenging the law until the era of women's rights approximately 1970.

The Military Couple

For WMs married to servicemen the problems focused on quarters and the basic allowance for quarters (BAQ) normally provided to members of the

Armed Forces with dependents. Since the Marine wife

in a military family received military pay, she was not

considered a dependent. It then followed that the husband was entitled only to the lower BAQ provided

to members without dependents. Furthermore, if the

husband was assigned to sea duty, field duty, FMF

duty, or combat, where presumably adequate quarters were furnished him, even the without-dependents

allowance was denied to him as it was denied to all

of the bachelors. The wife was not entitled to any allowance for quarters unless she was a major or above,

and unless there was no available space for her in the

Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ).

Put into effect, this policy financially penalized not

only WMs, but their service husbands. The experience

of two lieutenants stationed at Camp Lejeune in the

mid-1960s is typical of the inconvenience caused

many. Since there was at Camp Lejeune a BOQ for

women with plenty of available space, the WM lieutenant, although married, was assigned a room. She,

therefore, was not entitled to a monetary allowance.

Her Marine husband, because he was married, was not

required to live in the BOQ, but since his wife was

a Marine, he was paid BAQ at the rate of a single man.

They rented a house together and she merely ignored

the assigned quarters. When the husband left for a

six-month Mediterranean cririse, his entitlement to an

allowance stopped and they were left with two alternatives: maintain the house anyway or put their furnishings in storage ar their own expense for six

months, and have the wife move into the BOQ. They

kept their house.

As to public quarters for families on board a base,

when they were Ade, only the husband was eligible, and the s,:cj.1-e,11,,nt was based upon his grade

regardless of wit° was senior.

Marx,' WifeCivilian Husband

During the legislative hearings that preceded the

passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration

Act of 1948, much attention was paid to the question

of military women with civilian husbands. There was,

in the minds of many, a real fear of an army of indigent mencamp followers, in effectwho would take

unscrupulous advantage of the largesse of the United

States Government and military wives. The ensuing

laws, Title 10 and 37 of the United States Code, laid

down specific tests of dependency which were interpreted for 25 years to mean that a civilian husband

was not the dependent of his military wife unless he

was dependent upon her for more than 50 percent of

his support due to total and permanent mental or

physical disability. The ramifications were considerable, and especially difficult for young Marines who

upon discharge enrolled in college while their Marine

wives continued on active duty.

The civilian husband had no type of identification

card and hence had to obtain a visitor's pass each time

he came on the base, and could not, of course, go to

the service club, post exchange, ic commissary, or use

any recreational facilities such as the swimming pool,

golf course, or theater unless accompanied by his wife

as her guest. Additionally, he was not entitled to medical care. The couple was not eligible for family housing, travel and transportation allowances for the

husband, dislocation allowance, overseas station allowances, or a family separation allowance.16

Because of a quirk in commissary regulations which

used the term "authorized agent" rather than "dependent," occasionally local authorities ruled that civilian

husbands could, with a special pass, shop for groceries. Other times, under stricter interpretations, the

man was given a pass that only allowed him to accompany his wife into the store and help her carry out the

purchase, but not to shop on his own. Most often, the

civilian husband was not allowed to enter the commissary at all. The Armed Services Exchange Regulations, on the other hand, specifically limited the use

of post exchanges to dependents, thereby summarily

barring all civilian husbands of servicewomen.16

Lieutenant Colonel Clowers, perhaps the only woman Marine officer of her time to be married to a civilian

husband for the majority of her career, was never permitted to live on board a Marine base with her husband. In fact, although she was always permitted to

draw the single quarters allowance, she lived under

the constant threat of being assigned quarters in a

BOQ and losing that entitlement. In 1956, the colonel

was ordered to Parris Island to take command of the

Woman Recruit 'Raining Battalion and she was advised

166
156 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

of the commanding general's desire that all battalion

commanders live on board the base. The Quartermaster General at Headquarters, however, tuled that

her husband absolutely could not live with her on base

except for visits of a maximum of 30 days since he was not dependent on her due to mental and physical incompetence. In the end, the dilemma was solved by

cancelling Lieutenant Colonel Clower's orders to Parris Island, and sending her instead to Quantico to command the Women Officers Training Detachment.

The first major change in interpretation of the law

came on 3 July 1972 when it was ruled that a husband could be considered a depeP:dent when there

is sufficient evidence to establish his dependence on

his service wife for over half of his support without

regard to his mental or physical capacity to support

himself. Thus, a student husband, for example, if his

veteran's benefits did not make up more than 50 percent of his support, became eligible for an identification card and the attendent privileges.

Women Marines, as all married servicewomen, still

resented the narrow interpretation of the term "dependent" since wives of servicemen were automatically

granted all privileges regardless of their financial, physical, or mental status. Morale was significantly raised

in the female ranks therefore, when on 14 May 1973,

in the Frontiero vs. Richardson case, the Supreme

Court ruled that servicewomen were eligible for all

benefits, privileges, and rights granted servicemen under the same circumstances. Furthermore, former or

retired servicewomen could file claims for retroactive

payment of with-dependents quarters allowances for

periods of active duty during which they were married but not receiving the increased allowances.19 The

single, major complaint of WMs at the time of the

ruling was thus resolved.
CHAPTER 14

Uniforms

The Beginnings of Change, 1950The Mainbocher Wardrobe, 1950-1952After Mainbocher

Grooming and Personal AppearanceUtilities

A composite of the 1943 Marine Corps Women's

Reserve uniform regulations with several changes made

during World War H was published on 30 April 1945

as Uniform Regulations, US. Marine Women's

Reserve, 1945.1 These regulations remained in force

until 1952 when newly ti.Fi.fned uniforms were introduced. When women joined the Regular Marine

Corps in November 1948, the subject of uniforms was

on their minds since fashions had changed, most

noticeably skirt lengths. From short knee-length styles,

hems dropped to midcalf with the coming of the "New

Look." Male Marines responsible for supplies and

money were unshakeable. There would be no new uniforms 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 officers

wore green, detachable epaulets on the shoulder straps

of summer uniforms and had additional dress uniforms. For dress, officers wore gilt and silver-colored

emblems traditionally worn by Marine officers while

the enlisted women wore the gilt emblems of enlisted Marines. Both wore the bronze eagle, globe, and

anchor on their service uniforms. While the vertical

axis of the hemisphere paralleled the crease line of the

jacket collar for officers, it was worn perpendicular to

the floor for enlisted women. Coats, caps, shoes,

gloves, handbags, and mufflers were the same for all

ranks. Enlisted women wore the same large chevrons

as the men.

Winter Service: The winter service uniform consisted

of a man-tailored jacket and straight-lined skirt made

of forest green serge. A long-sleeved khaki shirt with

four-in-hand necktie, green cap, brown shoes and

gloves, and bronze metal buttons completed the outfit. A heavy green overcoat or khaki trenchcoat with

detachable lining, and a red wool muffler were worn

when needed. All women Marines were required to

maintain a pair of plain black galoshes, boots, or rubbers to fit the oxfords.

Officer Winter Dress: Women Marines did not have

a dress blue uniform until 1952. During World War

II and the seven years following, officers turned the

winter service uniform into a dress uniform by exchanging the khaki shirt for one of white and the khaki

necktie for one of forest green. Enlisted women had

no comparable dress outfit.

Summer Service: The summer service uniform was

a two-piece green and white seersucker or plisse dress.

It was V-necked and was fastened with green plastic

buttons. The jacket came in both short and long

sleeves. The traditional dress cap in matching green,

with white cap cord and bronze buttons, or a garrison style cap in the same shade was worn with the summer service uniform. Shoes, oxfords or pumps, were

brown. When the trenchcoat was worn, a white rayon

muffler was required.

Officers' uniforms were distinguished by green

shoulder boards worn over the regular epaulets and

held in place by the shoulder strap button and rank

insignia.

Summer Dress: Perhaps the favorite uniform of

World War II WRs was the short-sleeved, V-necked

white twill uniform worn with gilt buttons on the jacket and cap, dress emblems, and white pumps. The stiffly starched uniform never failed to evoke

compliments. Enlisted women Marines were disappointed when a white uniform was not included in

the new 1952 wardrobe. It was discontinued because

male enlisted Marines had no equivalent uniform.

Officer Summer Dress: Officers had three summer

dress uniforms: the one worn by the enlisted women

with the green shoulder straps, summer dress "B," and

summer undress "C." The latter two were made of

white twill, worsted, or palm beach fabric. Both were

worn with a short-sleeved white blouse, and without

a necktie or shoulder strap. The "C" uniform was longsleeved and collarless. On these two uniforms the dress

uniform emblems were worn, not on the collar as

usual, but on the epaulet, three-fourths of an inch

from the armhole seam. The insignia of rank was then

centered between the ornament and epaulet button.

Lieutenant Colonel Nita Bob Warner remembered

that even a lieutenant looked like a four-star general

with so much metal on her shoulders.2

Handbags, Shoes, and Hose: There was only one

handbag, a brown, rough textured leather purse with

a spring closure and shoulder strap. It was always worn

168

157
158

Ft

eed.ww.i

w

ate silf

_ Issued uniform items and gear, cleaned, ironed, and

labeled 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 to

salute, and until 1952 the strap could be worn either

over or under the epaulets of coats. A green cover and

strap were added for wear with the summer service and

summer dress uniforms.

Women Marines wore smooth leather oxfords or

pumps in dark brown, dark russet, or cordovan color

with the service uniform. The pumps, with heels between one and one-half and two and one-half inches

were trimmer! with a flat bow. Similar white pumps

were prescribed for wear with the summer dress

uniforms.

Full length, beige stockings were worn with all uniforms. Mesh and seamless hose were prohibited, and

cotton hose were worn in ranks. When, during World

War II and immediately after, nylon, rayon, and silk

stockings were rationed, some women in the other

Services used leg makeup, but the Directors of the

Women Marines remained firm. Women in the Marine Corps would wear stockings, but never with more

than three runs.3

Utilities and Exercise Suits: During World War II,

WRs had covert slacks which could be worn for certain duties. The most common work uniform, however,

1G9

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

was the olive-drab, cotton utility uniform. The trousers were topped by a bib front and long crossed straps

in back. A short-sleeved, matching shirt was worn underneath, and a long-sleeved jacket over all. Enlisted

women stenciled their rank on the shirt and jacket

sleeves.

The exercise suit was a light beige, seersucker, onepiece bloomer outfit covered by a front-buttoned skirt.

Known as the peanut suit, because of the color and

the crinkled appearance, it was issued until the late

1950s.

Grooming, Handkerchiefs, and Unmentionables:

During this period, the regulations specified that, if

worn, lipstick and nail polish would harmonize with

the color of the red cap cord on the winter service cap.

The same rule applied in the summer, even though

the red cap cord was stored out of sight for the sea- son. Rouge, mascara, and hair tints, if used, had to

be inconspicuous. It was nearly impossible for a woman

to color or bleach her hair since it had to be the color

indicated on her identification card. Hair could touch,

but not cover, the collar.

The woman Marine winter service "A" uniform

is 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 the

time, the regulations did not specify color or style.

Handkerchiefs could be khaki when the khaki shirt

was worn, otherwise, they had to be white.

The Beginnings of Change 1950

Formal Evening/Mess Dress Uniforms

Officers: A new uniform was added in November

1950 when the famed designer, Mainbocher, designed a formal evening dress uniform for Colonel Towle.

She wore it, the first time, to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on 10 November, held at the Sail Loft of the

Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C.

Tall and stately, Colonel Towle wore the uniform

beautifully, and Major Harry D. Elms, a member of

the Uniform Board at the time, remembers that Mainbocher was much taken with Colonel Towle's appearance and demeano0 When she suggested to the

couturier that the uniform fit too closely, Mainbocher

told her "Just remember, Colonel, when you drink a

martini, do not eat the olive."5

Patterned after the full dress uniform of the men,

Colonel Towle's uniform consisted of a midnight blue

mess jacket with a straight, formal skirt slightly flared

at 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 and

the cuffs of the sleeves were adorned with gold and

silver bullion embroidery in the form of oak leaves and

acorns. A broad, square-lipped tie was worn at the neck,

held with a siker ring bearing the Marine Corps officer's dress ornament.

Colonel Towle's insignia of rank, the eagle, was emCol Katherine A. Towle poses in the evening dress

suggested for women officers. The uniform designed

by Mainbocher was patterned after the evening dress

uniform of the men. It was officially adopted one day

prior to the Marine Corps' 175th birthday celebration.

s 170
160 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

broidered in silver bullion on the shoulder tabs. Also

in silver and gold bullion were small replicas of the

Marine insignia on the collar points. The headpiece

was a scarlet wool tiara, also embroidered. Colonel

Towle carried a small, envelope-style handbag of her

own on which she pinned her insignia of rank. A cloak

was not designed so she borrowed a male officer's boat

cloak for the occasion. Newspaper accounts spoke of

the stunning ensemble and dazzled guestsP

The evening dress uniform was initially intended

to be worn by women officers at state and diplomatic

functions, but its manufacture presented some problems. The original had been made, in the manner

of high fashion, expressly for Colonel Towle. There was

no pattern to be adopted for general use. All the embroidery had been done by hand by an Italian woman in New York City and mass production was out of

the question?

When Colonel Hamblet became Director of Women Marines in 1953, she had a similar uniform made

up by Rienzi in Philadelphia. She selected a softer,

more feminine shirt with a pleated front to conceal

the buttonsP She felt, however, that the new unifiprm

fit her poorly, so Mainbocher was commissioned to

make another and she subsequently gave the Rienzi

uniform to Colonel Henderson, her successor. When

Colonel Hamblet left for Naples in 1959, it was discovered that there was no sample woman's cloak at the

Marine Corps Uniform Board, so she left her own behind. The third Director of Women Marines, Colonel

Henderson, borrowed the cloak on the occasions when

she wore the evening dress uniform. Between 1950 and

1964, only two evening dress uniforms for women were

made: one for Colonel Towle and the other for Colonel

Hamblet?

Colonel Henderson was not completely satisfied

with the tiara. To begin with, the scarlet color was not

becoming to the redheaded Director. During her tenure a black tiara was made optional, a uniform

modification that caused no concern since only the

Director was required to have the formal dress outfit.

When asked by the President of the Uniform Board

fix comments on the evening dress uniform, she submitted:

TiaraIt is suggested that an attempt be made to slightly redesign this tiara. As it is presently designed, the wearer

has difficulty in keeping it on her head. In addition, the

extreme points on the tiara makes the wearer feel as if she

had wings or horns on her head depending upon her

mood.")

The tiara was not redesigned. When in 1964 evening dress uniforms finally became available to all officers, a plain unembroidered one in keeping with

tradition was made for company grade officers. Field

grade officers still wore the tiara decorated with gold

bullion embroidery. Finally, in 1973, to the pleasure

of some, and the dismay of others, it was deleted as

a uniform item.

In 1964, Major Jenny Wrenn, on her own initiative,

designed an evening dress uniform that resembled a

long, formal, evening suit. It was much less complicated than the Mainbocher model. Master Sergeant

Barbara Jean Dulinsky made the sketches which were

sent to the Marine Corps Supply Depot at Philadelphia for evaluation. The Marine Corps tailors made

a uniform, of Major Wrenn's design, for the Director

of Women Marines, Colonel Barbara J. Bishop."

The Wrenn uniform included a white mess dress

jacket, as well as the midnight blue evening dress jacket, both trimmed with a scarlet collar. The collar of

the field grade model was lightly embroidered. Rank

insignia and Marine emblems were the standard

detachable type rather than of embroidered gold bullion. A short skirt was added for less formal occasions

and a plain black envelope style handbag was carried.

Shoes were black suede or fabric.

In November of 1964, when Lyndon B. Johnson was

elected President, the Presidential Inaugural Committee asked for Marine field grade officers to act as military aides during the Inaugural events. For the first

time, two women were nominated, Lieutenant

Colonels Wrenn and Mary E. Bane. Since neither

owned the requisite evening dress uniform, the Marine Corps tailors in Philadelphia again made up the

Wrenn-designed uniform. There was little time between the election and the Inauguration, so the women had to make several quick round trips to

Philadelphia and at the very last moment the uniforms

were delivered to them in Washington by staff car. UnfiDrtunately, the beautifully tailored uniforms were not

worn for the intended occasion as the women officers

were assigned to less fiDrmal functions, a reception for

the governors and a distinguished ladies reception at

the National Gallery of Art to which they wore their

dress blues.,2

By 1966, the pattern and a kit of fabric and findings was available to women officers. Due to the small

number involved no manufacturer was interested in

making the uniform, so each had to find a willing

tailor. It was not an easy task because the pattern and
UNIFORMS 161

Col Barbara J. Bishop, the Direcior of Women Marines, wears the officer mess dress umiorm with a short

black skirt, a red cummerbund, white gloves, and

white jacket trimmed with scarlet collar, in June 1964.

specifications resembled a technical manual. The kit

cost 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 Cushman, approved a recommendation of the Uniform

Board that an experimental staff noncommissioned

officer evening/mess dress uniform be made for, and

tested by the Sergeant Major of the Women Marines.

It was styled after the officer uniform with a few

modifications. There were no shoulder straps, nor collar or cuff ornamentation. The sleeves were finished

with the uaditional peaked cuffs. Since male staff noncommissioned officers had no corresponding formal

uniform, it was decided to forego the long skirt. The

dress insignia of grade, gold on scarlet, was sewn on

the sleeves. Gilt Marine Corps emblems were worn.

Sergeant Major June V. Andler was the first to wear

the test uniform. She introduced it at the Marine

Corps League Banquet on 11 August 1972 in Anaheim, California, and at the Woman Marine Association convention a week later in Hawaii. She took it

on inspection trips and modeled it for the WMs at

Parris Island, El Toro, Camp Pendleton, San Diego,

Hawaii, and, of course at Headquarters Marine Corps.

The response was enthusiastic and the uniform was

approved on 30 May 1973. Subsequently, long skirts

became very stylish and acceptable at even casual affairs, a fashion change that prompted the Marine

Corps to add a long skirt to the staff noncommissioned

officers' evening dress uniform on 13 September 1976.

The Mainbocher Wardrobe, 1950-1952

The Commandant, General Clifton B. Cates, wantSgtMaj June V. Andler, Sergeant Major of Women

Marines, is photographed in 1972 wearing the staff

noncommissioned officer evening dress uniform with

short skirt, red cummerbund, and miniature medals.
162

ed dress blue uniforms for the women Marines. In the

fill of 1950 well-known American designers were contacted, and First Lieutenant Ben Alice Day (later

Munn), a World War II supply officer, and Captain

Harry Elms of the Uniform Board personally interviewed couturiers including Hattie Carnegie and

Mainbocher.13 Mainbocher was the unanimous choice

of the Uniform Board, Quartermaster General of the

Marine Corps, and the Director of Women Marines.

The Chicago-born designer, most expensive of the

world's dressmakers, was not very interested, but his

enormous respect for Colonel Towle prevailed and he

accepted. Lieutenant Colonel Munn believes his lack

of enthusiasm stemmed from the fact that when he

designed the World War II WAVE uniform he was not

paid the one dollar stipulated in the contract and

would have liked it as a remembrance. When the new WM uniforms were finished, Lieutenant Day and Captain Elms made a point of presenting him a framed

dollar bill, the price agreed upon.

Mainbocher, once involved, asked to do an entire

new wardrobe, redesigning the current uniforms to be

more feminine and more becoming. Further, he wanted to work with the accessories, to include chevrons

and service stripes, which he found too large and out

of proportion for women. One item he did not change

was the cap which Mainbocher said was the most attractive hat worn by women of any service.

He not only designed the uniform but coordinated

manufacturing and fabric selection. He personally supervised every run at the manufacturers, since at the

time quality control was not yet a standard business

practice.

Lieutenant Day and Captain Elms visited his elegant salon in New York bringing with them photographs of the male Marines' complete wardrobe as well

as historical prints of old Marine Corps uniforms.

Working with these and aware of Marine Corps traditions and standards of appearance, he produced a blue

uniform, winter and summer service uniform, raincoat and overcoat for all WMs along with new chevrons

for the enlisted women and a white uniform for the

officers.

When interviewed by the press, Mainbocher ex- pressed his theories on feminine uniforms thus:

Whether a woman is wearing a custom designed suit or

a uniform, she should look feminine. That was the thought

I kept in mind while working on the Marine uniforms, and

it was quite a job, considering all the traditions that had

to be incorporated in the design."

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

The final designs, approved on 27 December 1951,

went into production, with the exception of the

officer's white uniform. Mainbocher supervised all fittings and was a meticulous taskmaster not only of his

tailors, but of the women Marine models. With a glance, by the drape of the uniform, he could tell

whether or not a model was wearing a girdle and slip.

He never 'allowed his fashions to be worn without

either item no matter how thin and svelte the wearer. When all was ready, a formal presentation was held

on 28 August 1952 in the auditorium of the Marine

Barracks, 8th & I Streets, Washington, D.C. The Commandant sent invitations to a selected guest list including all the Marine Corps general officers in the

area. At the showing, each model was escorted by a

male Marine in comparable uniform. Colonel Towle

modeled her formal evening dress ensemble.

Sergeant Mary Ann Kennedy modeled the summer

uniform, a one-piece shirtwaist dress of green and

white striped nylon-dacron, with a matching longsleeved jacket. The jacket worn over the short sleeved

dress had a nipped-in waist and its collar, epaulets,

and cuffs were outlined in green piping. The accompanying overseas cap was of the same fabric. Washing

ease and wrinkle resistance were the chief features of

the new summer fabric.

Sergeant Lois King modeled the forest green serge

winter uniform. The fitted jacket featured sleeves

finished with the traditional peaked cuff. A six-gore

skirt, an entirely new pale green cotton broadcloth

skirtwaist, and an ascot-shaped forest green necktie

completed the outfit.

Technical Sergeant Margaret Babcock introduced the

new dress blue uniform of a design similar to the green

serge. Inspiration for the trim was provided by a print

of an 1859 Marine officer's overcoat. Scarlet piping emphasized the collar and shoulder detail of the blue

jacket, traditional Marine bracket-shaped cuffs had

three gold buttons. Chevrons for the enlisted women

were gold on scarlet. A short-sleeved, action-backed

dacron shirtwaist was worn with a blue, ascot-shaped

tie.

Sergeant Patricia Norman modeled the lightweight,

green raincoat of nylon and rayon. It featured a

squared-off collar rather than points, bone buttons,

and a full belt.

Sergeant Jo Anne Monette wore the forest green

double breasted overcoat of kersey. Of a modified princess design, a box pleat held in by a belt gave fullness

in the back.

173
UNIFORMS 163

eer-,e

Designed by Mainbocher in 1952, new uniforms are modeled on the lawn of the National Capitol by PFC Margaret Keefe and Sgts Margaret Dill and Jo Anne Monette.
164 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

The fashion show over, the guests attended a sunset parade followed by a reception at Quarters 1 hosted by the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps,

Lieutenant General Gerald C. Thomas and Mrs. Thomas.'s This was the same General Thomas who, as the

Director, Plans and Policy Division in 1946, opposed

so steadfastly the integration of women into the Regular Marine Corps. , The new uniforms were well received and a model

in dress blues was featured on the cover of Parade, the

Sunday picture magazine, on 31 August 1952.

Mainbocher was willing to design a utility uniform

but since there were plans for a standardized utility

uniform among the services, his offer was declined.

Rather, Headquarters Marine Corps had the bib over- alls redesigned. The bib was removed and the olive

green slacks were made of the male Marines' utility

fabric. The aim was to keep it simple. The overseas cap was redesigned slightly to follow the new dacron

one which fit the women better. To get a manufacturer to accept such a small order, it was appended

to a much more lucrative order for men's uniforms,

a ploy often used in procuring WM uniform items.

Male Marines at Headquarters became uncommonly

interested in the ne-. uniforms, not because of style

but due to the new fabrics. Dupont Corporation sent

a team of scientists to demonstrate the properties of

dacron, a new material at the time. It was a pure, fireproof fabric and the men were greatly impressed. They

could picture its usefulness for men's uniforms to save

laundry expense and for combat purposes. When first

introduced this particular dacron was used to make

firehoses.

Eventually the World War II uniforms were declared

obsolete; old summer uniforms could not be worn after December 1956, winter uniforms after June 1957.

Officers' Dress White Uniform: Main bocher

designed a white uniform at the time he did the new

wardrobe in 1952. Distribution was delayed until 1958

due to difficulty in obtaining a suitable wash-and-wear

fabric that would remain white. The uniform was styled after the winter service uniform, and worn with

the same white short-sleeved dacron shirt prescribed

for the dress blues. A bright blue-green cap, ascot

shaped tie, and white pumps completed the outfit.

At first, a green cover was worn over the brown handbag, just as was done in World War II. When the

brown handbag was later replaced by a new style, a

small 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 keeping with Marine Corps tradition. During World War

II, enlisted WRs had a dress white uniform while the

men did not. Conversely, the men had a dress blue

uniform while the women did not.

After Mainbocher

The Mainbocher wardrobe was the only large-scale

uniform change for women Marines. His theories on

dressing military women have proved sound since at

least two of his designs, the dress blue and winter service uniforms, have remained virtually unchanged for

the 25 years from 1952 until this writing. Ensuing

changes came piecemeal and usually were directed by

economy rather than style.

The Department of Defense plan to standardize certain items and fabrics made their impact on WM uniforms in the early 1960s.

Summer Uniforms 1961-1977: There was no middle ground for the acceptance of the one-piece dress.

Either a woman liked it or did not. For those who were

long- or short-waisted, the summer uniform with its

band at the waist was nearly impossible to alter properly. But the fabric was all it was touted to be. After wear- ing and caring for the easily wrinkled seersucker

uniform which by custom was starched so that a skirt

could stand at attention, unsupported on the liundry room floor, the women Marines found the dacron

dress to be truly carefree. One could wear it all day,

get caught in the rain, and still look fresh. Unfortunately, the fabric became scarce and expensive and

the Marine Corps had no choice but to consider a

material shared by the other servic-s since the increased

quantity ordered reduced the price. Colonel Margaret

M. Henderson remembers that one of her most disappointing days as Director of Women Marines was one when she had to acquiesce on the fabric for the

summer uniforms.'6

In 1962, a dacron-cotton cloth used by the Women's Army Corps was approved for use by women Marines. Logistically, it became very complicated since

uniforms of mixed fabric could not be worn. The dress,

jacket, and cap had to match, and supplies available

for each issue to recruits varied from one item to

another and from one size to another. When the fabric

was again changed to polyester-cotton, more confusion resulted.

In 1966, an entirely new two-piece dress made of

the same polyester-cotton, corded, green-and-white
UNIFORMS 165

visor, without gold embroidery. In 1969, the regulations were broadened and officers could wear the dress

cap on an everyday basis except when in formation.

This privilege was extended to staff noncommissioned

officers in 1971.

Coats: In time the nipped-in waist and full-pleated

back of the Mainbocher coat went out of style. Furthermore, the complicated styling, and excess fabric

made it expensive to manufacture. It clearly did not

flatter short, stocky figures. In 1966 Mario Mariani,

the Marine Corps' designer, introduced a straightlined, serge overcoat styled after the civilian coats in

vogue at the time." By the winter of 1967, as old stocks

were depleted the new overcoat was issued to recruits.

Shoes: In 1954 the bows on the brown dress shoes

became optional except that they could not be removed from the issue pumps. By 1962, long after they

became 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 wool

scalf is modeled by Cpl Carla J. Sacco in 1959.

striped material was approved. Recruits began to

receive it in July 1967. The old-style uniform became

obsolete and could no longer be worn after 1 July 1972.

Women officers did not wear rank insignia on their

new summer caps. Because male Marines continued

to wear rank ornaments on their garrison caps, this

difference for the women caused a certain amount of

confusion. Marines who failed to salute were justified

in their claim that it was difficult to recognize women officers. On 20 October 1971, the rank insignia officially was reinstated on the women officers' caps.

Another change involving summer uniforms was

seen in 1966 when women officers were authorized to

wear the summer dress cap, a bright green version of

the winter service and dress blue cap, as an optional

item when on leave or liberty. When worn with summer uniform, bronze buttons and insignia were worn

rather than gilt buttons and dress insignia. Field grade

officers, if they elected to wear the dress cap with the

service uniform, were lequired to wear one with a plain

The green utility uniform with rank stenciled on the

sleeves is worn by Sgt Mary A. Kennedy in 1952.
166

never in fotmation. The regulation was reversed in

1965 when hose with seams became optional and

could not be worn in formation. Finally in 1966, snagproof, run-resistant stockings of inconspicuous mesh

were authorized. In January 1971, the color of hose

to be worn with dress blues changed from everyday

beige to a gray, smoke shade.

The cotton hose worn by WRs in World War H and

for years by WM recruits and officer candidates were

universally unpopular. Because of the extreme heat

and strenuous schedule followed at both training commands, the absorbent property of cotton stockings was

long considered to be a health and comfort feature.

Civilian women, upon arriving at Parris Island or

Quantico and seeing staff members wearing the unbecoming lisle hose were disbelieving that anyone

The woman officer white dress "A " uniform with a

green tie, purse, and field grade gold embroidered

hat, is modeled by Maj Adele Graham in 1971.

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

younger than a grandmother would allow themselves

to be seen in public in such an item. It was not an

unwelcome announcement that Colonel Bishop made

in the Woman Marine Newsletter, Winter 1968, when

she wrote:

A traditional article of clothingnot altogether appreciated by the recruits wearing themwill be obsolete

when the current stock of cotton hose is exhausted. The old

lisle or cotton hose were a necessity for WRs when nylons

"went to war". . . . Discarded years before by other women's

services, the Marine Corpsalways long on tradition became the "sole user" of cotton hose. At some future date this year, Women Marine recruits may have "lighter"

pocketbooks and tender feet, but higher morale and trimmer limbs."'

Umbrellas: All Marines know that umbrellas are not

a military item. There is a theory that several armies

of old who carried umbrellas went down in defeat because they were more concerned with keeping dry than

winning the battle. Women Marines had a plastic cover

called a havelock that fit over their cap and a hood

that matched their raincoat, but there was always some

question about wearing them without the outer coat.

The havelocks were difficult to procure and tore easily; the rainhoods were not authorized with the overcoat. Clearly, many WMs wanted an umbrella. In

1972, the Commandant authorized WMs to carry an

all-black, plain, standard or folding umbrella as an

optional item. The announcement included the caution to carry the umbrella in the left hand so that salutes could be properly rendered. They were not

permitted in formation. A story circulated that

Colonel Sustad, Director of Women Marines, in her

effort to have the umbrella adopted as a uniform item,

slipped the proposal through the Commandant by

asking him to approve a red umbrella to harmonize

with the red cord. He was said to have replied, "Absolutely not! They'll carry a black umbrella:' thereby

sanctioning its use. When asked about the story,

Colonel Sustad disclaimed it saying, "I would never

have been so fresh with the Commandant.""

Handbags: When black accessories became mandatory, and women of all services adopted a single

handbag, WMs lost the rough-textured leather bag

for a black vinyl model. In 1970 regulations changed

to permit the individual option to carrying the handbag over the left shoulder as usual or with a shortened strap, over the arm. A woman sergeant major asked,

"How can you stand at attention for morning colors

with a handbag over your arm?" The question remains

unanswered.
UNIFORMS

Grooming and Personal Appearance

The grooming and personal appearance of women

Marines changed slowly. World War II regulations

prevailed for nearly 30 years. Bright red lipstick, "Montezuma Red," created by Elizabeth Arden for the WRs,

and later Revlon's "Certainly Red" were the only shades

sold at post exchanges that catered to WMs. The policy

was clear: lipstick had to harmonize with the red cap

cord of the blue and green caps and the scarlet trim

on the formal evening dress uniform, even when the

wearer was in the green and white summer uniform

or dress whites. In 1971, the regulations were relaxed

to allow others shades of iipstick in the summer. Extremes of lavender, purple, white, or flesh color remained prohibited. Nail polish, if worn, had to

harmonize with the lipstick or be colorless.

Hairstyles and Wigs: The first major change to hair

styles and color regulations came in 1970 when specific

hairstyles were not prohibited as long as they were

feminine and allowed for the proper wearing of the

cap. One reason for the change was the popularity of

the Afro hairdo worn by young black women. It also

accommodated chignons and twists. Hair tints and

bleaches were no longer taboo but were required to

harmonize with the person's complexion and color

tone. Natural looking wigs were permitted as long as

they conformed to regulations.

Lingerie: Girdles and light-colored, full-length slips

were the modest underpinning of WMs for 30 years.

Paula W. Sentipal remembers that when she reported to boot camp in 1950 she was so thin that with

a girdle on her uniform could not be taken in enough

to fit her, so she was ordered to buy a larger girdle

that would nnt hold her in.20 Bras were one unmentionable that dui not have to be mentioned. Until the

women's liberation movement made going braless

fashionable in the 1970s, it was never an issue. The

uniform regulations of 1976, in the spirit of the times,

stated:

Adequate undergarments to include support garments

shall be worn to ensure the proper fit, appearance, and

opaqueness of the uniform. The conservative appearance of

the uniform shall be maintained and undergarments shall

not be conspicuously visible.21

Hem lengths: The style of the uniform was able to

withstand fashion changes from 1952 to 1977, but hem

lengths were as controversial for servicewomen as

civilians. When the Mainbocher wardrobe was issued,

the regulations specified that skirts would be of a conventional sweep and length, approximately mid-calf.

167

The green and white striped two-piece summer service dacron uniform with black handbag and pumps

was worn by officers and enlisted women in the 1970s ,

By the early 1960s, fashion dictated shorter skirts, but

regulations persisted. At one point, Lieutenant

Colonel Elsie E. Hill, Commanding Officer, Woman

Recruit Training Battalion, wrote to the Director of

Woman Marines, Colonel Henderson, and asked for

guidelines since she agreed with the women 0.1at

". . . we look like a bunch of hicks from the sticks.2

Women's fashions being fickle, Headquarters did not

want to give specific rules that would necessitate printed changes as skirts went up and down, so in 1963,

following the phrase "midcalf' a parenthetical guideline was added that read, "(adjusted to current styles

but 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 below the knee was officially considered acceptable. In

more than one women Marine company, skirt shortening parties were held under the watchful eyes of staff

noncommissioned officers and officers, who, on their

knees and using the width of two fingers as a measuring device, passed judgement on the length of unifotm skirts, dresses, and coats.

Skirts continued to rise to the mini-length, and all

services except the Marine Corps relented. In a Inman Marine Newsletter of 1970, Colonel Bishop wrote:

comentional sweep and length is currently interpreted

as mid-knee, i.c., between tne top of the knee and the bot.

torn of the knee. Since the skirt can be worn anywhere between tl.e top of the knee and the bottom of the knee, this

allows for some flexibility so that the individual can wear

her skirt the length that is most becoming to her.

No doubt the young WMs hoped for more flexibility

since civilian skirts were being worn 4 to 6 inches above

the knee, but the message from the top woman Marine clearly marked the limits.

The 1976 regulations called for knee-;7ngth skirts,

not more than one inch above the top of the knee cap

nor one inch below the bottom of the knee cap. Alas,

as the order was being piinted, civilian skirts were back

down to mid-calf, completing the full cycle.

Utilities

The hastily designed green utilities available in the

early 1950s were not beautifirl, but they served their

intended purpose as a work uniform. Unfortunately,

they were part of the woman Marine wardrobe when

most WMs were working th offices. Wearing utilities

was vigorously discoutaged except when considered absolutely essential because the effect was too masculine.

Great pains were taken to keep them out of view and

it was an unwritten law that photographs of WMs in

utilides were not to be published. The standardization of uniforms by the four services resulted in a corn79

mon blue utility outfit, dark blue slack3, cap, and

sweater, ary! a light blue shirt. Recruits received the

new blue utilities in July 1.967 and the green ones were

not permitted after July 1971. The new uniform, while

mote feminine in appearance, was never truly accepted by WMs because it made them loek like WAVEs

and was not durable. Even male Marines who were

chauvinistic about keeping the Marine Corps for men

found the blue uniform offensive and decided that

tiny preferred their womcn Marines to look like Marines. At first, the black insignia of service was worn

(r: ie blue cap but the dark color lacked contrast and

the gold emblem was adepted on dr utility cap in

1910.

The blue utilities were threadbare by the time a

woman graduated from boot camp and commanders

made their dissatisfaction known to Headquarters.

With women Marines subject to assignrnent as heavy

equipment operators, welders, and to similar occupations, a more functional work uniform was needed. On 22 September 1975 the Commandant

authorized as an inmirn measure, a supplementary

allowance of male utilhies to women to bc worn undc:r restricted con&tions depending upon their job.24

Wear-testing of several styles began in an effort to find

a suitable uniform to replace the blue, which by 1975

had been abanckned by all the other services. In June

1977, General Wilson approved the wearing by women of the: male camouflaged field uniform. Combat

boots replaced the black oxfords and cushion-sole socks

took the place of anklets for WMs at work in certain

jobs and in training.25

Consistent with an age when male/female roles were

less dearly defined, there appeared to be less urgency

to 11:nye that service women were feminine. Photographs of the jet mechanics, welders, and officer candidates wearing utilities were taken and published and

only the older officers and staff noncommissioned

officers were scandalized.
CHAPTER 15

Laurels and liaditions

Legion of MeritNavy and Marine Corps MedalBronze Star MedalJoint Service Commendation Medal

Dominican RepublicWM AnniversaryWomen Marines and Mess Night

Molly MarineWomen Marines Association

Worr 2n Marines recognized for meritorious performance and bravery have been awarded many of the

same medals, ribbons, and letters of appreciation and

commendation presented to male Marines under similar circumstances. The highest decoration, at this writing, worn by women in the Corps is the Legion of

Merit. A few are privileged to wear the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Bronze Star, and the Navy Commendation Medal, and a number have been awarded

the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy

Achievement Medal.

Legion of Merit

Following a tradition set in World War II, the Legion

of Merit, the Navy's fifth ranking decoration, falling

immediately below the Silver Star and conferred on

individuals ". . . who have distinguished themselves

by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. . . ." has been awarded to all Directors of Women Marines. Their citations

underscore the particular challenges faced by each one,

and read consecutively, they trace the history of women in the Maririe Corps through the stages of organization, expansion, and total integration.'

Only one woman Marine, other than the Directors,

was the recipient of the Legion of Merit. Upon retirement in May 1975, Colonel Hazel E. Benn, Head,

Educational Services Branch, was cited for her work

in formulating educational programs for both officers

and enlisted Marines?

Colonel Benn's career was unique in that as a Reserve

officer on active duty, she worked for 24 years at the

ame job. She was the Marine Corps' expert on education and as new programs developed, her responsibilities increased. A member cf the second officer

candidate cbss at Mount Holyoke College in 1943, she

served as a personnel/administrative officer in World

War II. Following the war, after receiving a graduate

degree in education, she worked for the Navy os an

education specialist, and in 1951, was asked to return

to the Marine Corps. A principal architect of the Serviceman's Opportunity College, she helped to develop

the concept that rc,moved the traditional academic barfier in the areas of residency, transfer of credit by examination, and acceptance of service schools and

service experience for academic credit, thereby easing

the road to college degrees for countless MarinesP

Colonel Benn was among the first women Marines to

be promoted to colonel in 1968, only months after

that rank was opened to women.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal, ranking eighth

in precedence between the Distinguished Flying

Cross and the Bronze Star and the Naval Service's

highest recognition for heroism not involving combat

has been awardec to four women Marines. Staff Sergeant Barbara 0. Barnwell, first woman ever to win

the medal, was decorated on 7 August 1953 by Ger:t.ral

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., Commandant of the Marine

Corps, for saving a Marine's life in the Atlantic Ocean

off Camp Lejeune. A Marine since May 1949, she was

attached to the staff of the Inspector-Instructor, 1st

Air and Naval Gunfire Lialvin Cornpanv at Fort

Schuyler, New York, at the time of the incident:1 Her

citation reads:

Hearing a cry for help from a man struggling in the heavy

surf some 50 feet outward from her position while she was

swimming in deep water approximately 120 yards from the

shore, Sergeant Barnwell immediately swam to the rescue

and, although severely scratched on the arm and repeatedly dragged beneath the surface by the drowning Marine, secured a hold on him and commenced to swim to the beach.

Despite the treacherous undertow which constantly carried

her outward from the shore, she bravely maintained her hold

until she had reached shallow water and, assisted by a

lifeguard, succeeded in bringing the unconscious man to

the safety of the beach. By her exceptional courage, daring

initiative and selfless efforts on behalf of another in face of

grave peril, Sergeant Barnwell was directly instmracntal in

saving the Marine's life and upheld the highest traditions

of the United States Naval Service.5

Staff Sergeant Barnwell struggled for 20 exhausting

minutes to rescue Private First Class Frederick Hernandez Roman. Once she saw that artificial respiration

was successful and that file man was going to live, she

walked away without even giving her name. Roman's

was, after all, the third life she had saved. When she

'to A 8

169
170

In 1955, Maj Hazel

Education andInfon

Personnel Departm6

Legion of Merit upon

ing innovative educ

SSgt Barb,

dal on 7 . the Attar,
170

In 1955, Maj Hazel E. Benn, USMCR, was head of

Education and Information Section, Special Services,

Personnel Department, HQMC. She received the

Legion of Merit upon retirement in 1975 for formulating innovative educational programs for Marines.

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

herself was only a child of 11 she saved a seven-yearold from drowning. Later, at 16 she brought a young

woman safely to shore.

In addition to the medal presentation in the Commandant's office, Staff Sergeant Barnwell was honored,

along with six male officers, at a retreat ceremony at

the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. It was the first

time that a woman was so honored!'

Gunnery Sergcant Dorothy L. Kearns became the

second woman Marine in history to receive the Navy

and Marine Corps Medal when itwas presented to her

by Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, Director ofWomen Marines, on 25 June 1963 at a parade at the Iwo

Jima Memorial in Arlington? The award read:

For heroic conduct on the morning of 5 February 1961

while serving with the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Station, San Francisco, California. Hearing cries from

help emanating from an upstairs apartment in the same

building in which she resided, Gunnery Sergeant Kearns immediately rushed to the assistance of a woman who was being attacked with a knife by a mentally deranged man. After

SSgt Barbara 0. Barnwell (third from left) was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on 7 August 1953 by Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., for saving a Marine's life in

the 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, and

forcing him away, she rendered first aid to the victim and

attempted to calm the attacker. She then telephoned the

hospital which, in turn, notified the police. While Gunnery

Sergeant Kearns was admitting the police at the apartment

building entrance, the deranged man again armed himself

and succeeded in inflicting fatal wounds upon the victim

as the police were entering the room. By her courageous and

selfless efforts in the face of grave personal risk, Gunnery

Sergeant Kearns upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Servire.6

A World War H Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Kearns haLl

been one of the women retained at Headquarters Marine Corps after the war, serving continuously until

her retirement in May 1966.

First Lieutenant Vanda K. Brame (later Bresnan),

serving at the Marine Corps Officer Selection Office

in Dcs Moines, Iowa, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for thwarting the holdup of a blind

man's shop on 10 April 1970. Having Iunth in the Federal Building Lunch Shop, the pc-tite lieutenant saw

a man taking money from an unattended cash drawGySgt Dorothy L. Kearns is presented the Navy and

Marine Corps Medal by Col Margaret M. Henderson,

Director of Women Marines, in 25 June 1963 c,:iernonies, for rushing to the assistance of a woman being

attacked with a knife by a mentally deranged mon.

1 stLt Vanda K. Brame was presented the Navy and

Marine Corps Medal by BGen Harry C. Olson, Commanding General, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, California, on 24 November 1970, for heroism

in thwarting the holdup of a blind mart's shop in Iowa.

er while an accomplice stood guard. The citation

describing her heroic reaction read:

Immediately realizing that the owner was unaware of the

attempted robbery and helpless to defend his property, First

Lieutenant Brame unhesitantly, and without regard for her

own safety, pursued, seized, and threw the thief to the floor.

The accomplice became unnerved by her aggressive action

and fit: .. The thief succeeded in breaking away, but he

diopped the stolen money as he attempted to escape on foot.

She continued to pursue him and attracted the attention

of several onlookers who joined the chase and apprehended

the man after he had run teveral blocks. It was through her

courageous and heroic determination in the face of danger

tLat the handicapped owner was saved from bodily harm

and personal loss, and the thief was captured, placed in the

hards of the police, and finally identified as a potentially

dangerous met of narcotics. First Lieutenant Brame's heroic

acaon reflected great credit upon herself and upheld the

highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States

Naval Service?

Brigadier General Harry C. Olson, Commanding

General, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow,

presented the medal to Lieutenant Brame, then commanding officer of the Woman Marine Company

there, at an awards and retirement parade on 25

November 1970.10

Lance Corporal Sheryl L. Young received the highest

noncombat decoration for heroism in June 1977 for

her part in freeing a mother and two small children

from a wrecked car moments before it exploded. On

15 October 1976, while students at the Legal Services

W, 182
172

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School at Ca_

a companion,

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to the interse

gulfed in flan

occupf rits on

and both Max

the victims

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Brigadier C

the Judge Act

Marine Corps

half of the Pr,

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Upon arriv

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own safety an

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the victims ft

Her courageo

sonal risk unt

great credit u

tions of the

Service!'
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 Robert

J, Chadwick, Director, Judge Advocate Division, in June 1977, for her part in freeing

a mother and two small children from a wrecked car moments before it exploded.

School at Camp Pendleton, then Private Young and

a companion, Private First Class Thomas J. Maue, were

walking in town when they heard a crash. Running

to the intersection, they heard cries from an auto engulfed in flames. Private First Class Maue removed the

occup- ats one by one, handed them to Private Young,

and both Marines administered first aid and comforted

the victims until the poi .;.e and fire departments

arrived."

Brigadier General Robert J. rreAdwick, Director of

the Judge Advocate Division, presented the Navy and

Marine Corps Medal to Lance Corporal Young on behalf of the President of the United States for the &ring rescue. Her citation read:

Upon arriving at the scene of a traffic accident in Oceanside, which left three pinned in a burning automobile, Lance Corporal Young, with complete disregard for her

own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers invol. .cl,

unhesitatingly assisted her Marine companion in re,oving

the victims from the vehicle before the gas tank exploded.

Her courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved three lives; thereby reflecting

great credit upon herself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval

Service.12

." C..)

183

Bronze Star Medal

The Bronze Star, with combat "V," awarded to per-,

sons who have distinguished themselves by heroic or

meritorious achievement or service in connection with

military operations against an armed enemy, has been

awarded to three women Marine officers, all of whom

served in Vietnam. The first recipient, Captain Shirley

E. Leaverton, served as the Marine Corps Officer in

Charge, Marine Corps Personne: Section, on the staff

of the Commander, Naval Forces, Vieinam, from April

1970 until 1971. Serving as Historians, Military History Branch, Secretary, Joint Staff; United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Lieutenant

Colonel Ruth J. O'Holleran and later Lieutenant

Colonel Ruth F. 1, r:inholz were also maded the

Bronze Star Meda1.13

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Women Marines recognized for superior performance on joint staffs, especially for duty in Europe

and in Vietnam, have often been awarded the Joint

Servicc Commendation Medal. The first recipient,

Captain Elaine I. Primeau, who was fatally injured in

an automobile accident while on duty on the staff of
LAURELS AND TRADITIONS 173

the Commander in Chief, U. S. Forces, Europe, was

decorated posthumously in the spring of 1964.14

Dominican Republic

The first woman Marine to be assigned attache duty coincidentally became the first to serve under hostile

fire. Staff Sergeant Josephine S. Gebers (later Davis),

intelligence specialist and administrative assistant a)

the Air Force attache, reported to Santo Domingo in

July 1963. During the turmoil that followed the overthrow of the government in April 1965, Staff Sergeant

Gebers was offered the opportunity to leave with the

American women and children but chose to remain

at her post. She assisted in the evacuation and then,

in addition to her duties, took charge of the commissary to ensure equitable distribution of available supplies; prepared food armed with only an electric fry

pan, a toaster, and a hot plate; brought meals to the

ambassador twice daily; and took turns at the embassy

switchboard.15

At the outbreak of the revolt, rebels surrounded the

embassy complex and the staff was confined for nearly 10 days until the 6th Marine Expeditionary Unit

landed. 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 the

floor, chair or anything I can grab, fixing chow for thc attaches and male clerks etc., running across the street with

messages as the telephones were out under gunfire, wandering around in the dark .. . no electricity or water, every.

thing was out. Almost all the Americans here have invested

in freezers and we all lost hundreds of dollars of frozen foods.

I managed to get back to my apartment in time to give all

my frozen food to my Dominican neighbors, so I don't fed

it was a total loss. My apartment is located in a neutral zone

and has not been the center of activity. My landlord and

neighbors are watching my apartment so no ot e can loot it.

Joannie, I still can't believe dl that has happened. The

Erst day, the Marines landed of course, was quite a thrill

and all so excidng. They drove in in trucks, jeeps, tanks,

LVTs, etc. and scattered into their positions all around the

embassy. Of course that night and for a few days following,

SSgt Josephine S. Gebers, who later was authorized to wear the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Combat Action Ribbon as a resull of hostile action in the overthrow

of the Dominican Republic government in April 1965. reads the Commandant's Marine

Corps birthday message on 10 November 1965, at the U.S. Enthassy, Santo Domingo.

)

) 3:

184
174 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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Capt Elaine T. Carville, company commander, serves cake to TSgt Mary Quinn on the

8th anniversary of the Women Marines, 13 February 1951, at Marine Corps Schools.

it wasn't so thrilling as we were being fired on by nearby

snipers.0

On 1 September 1966, in a ceremony in his office,

General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., presented the Joint

Service Commendation Medal to Gunnery Sergeant

Gebers, then administrative chief to the Commandant. Additionally, she was authorized to wear the

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and later, the

Combat Action Ribbon reportedly the first WM to

do so. First Sergeant Josephine Gebers Davis remained on active duty until August 1971.'7

WM Anniversary

The tradition began on 13 February 1944 when

much was made of the first anniversary of the entry

of women into the Marine Corps. Mrs. Franklin D.

Roosevelt, wife of the President; Acting Secretary of

the Navy Ralph A. Baird; the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Vandegrift; and Colonel Streeter

headed the list of dignitaries at a ceremony conducted at Fort Myer, Virginia.18 Since then, the anniversary 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 wrote

a memorandum ou the subject in 1951 stating:

The formation of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve of

World War II was officially announced by die CMC, General

Thomas Holcoml- on 13 February 1943, ,inder the provisions of the Naval eeserwe Act of 1938, as amended. It is

that anniversary which :s recognized each year by women who served in World War II; hence the Eighth Anniversary,

13 February 1951,"A

During World War II and immediately after, the

celebration of the occasion was an effective way to raise

morale, Iv. p up the interesz of former \VMs, and in

general to enhance the prestige of women in the service. Celebrations have -;aried according to local customs, but normally included a cake-cutting ceremony

attended by the commanrUng general, the battalion

commander, and all WMs, officers and enlisted, at the

1 8 5
LAURELS AND TRADITIONS

noon meal at the mess hall; formal messages from the

Commandant and the Director of Women Marines;

a women Marine color guard to raise the flag; and an

evening party, often a formal dance. A sizable number Of male Marines took up the habit of joining the

women in celebrating the anniversary. Long after he

retired, former Commandant General Greene continued to call the Director of Women Marines on 13

February 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 anniversary since it coincides with her wedding anniver-.

sary. Twice the battalion commander of women

Marines, the general made it a point to celebrate their

mutual anniversaries together. Mrs. Cook remembers

that one 13 February in Philadelphia, when he was

not commanding women Marines, the general took

her to a restaurant for dinner, but as soon as the meal

was finished, he said, "Well, let's go the club and have

a drink with the WMs."21

Colonel Randolph McC. Pate, Director of Division

of Reserve during the post-World War H period, inaugurated the tradition of giving red roses to the

Director of Women Marines on.13.Fe? ruary one for

each year being commemorated. Major Hamblet, as

Woman Marine anniversary cake prepared by the Mess

Hall, Camp Pendleton, California, in February 1966.

-

175

Director of the Women's Reserve, received the first

bouquet. Later, when the Director became a member

of the Commandant's staff, each succeeding Commandant continued the custom.22 Sometime in the 1970s,

as emphasis on a separate anniversary for women

waned, Colonel Sustad received the last bouquet of

red roses from General Cushman.

In addition to the roses, for many years, the Commandant sent a formal message to all women Marines

to mark the special day. On the occasion of the eighth

anniversary of the founding of the Women's Reserve,

General Cates, then Command an, , wrote gallantly to

Colonel Towle:

It was a proud day in the annals of the Corps when the

women joined us in 1943. Your record of achievement since

then well merited the permanent recognition of Women Marines, The filling of your ranks by Regulars and Reserves since

th_ nutbreak in Korea has greatly aided our Corps to attain

new glories. All ranks in the Corps join me today in a fond

salute to out "lady Marines."23

In 1953, Headquarters encouraged all commands

to promote, celebrate, and publicize the observance,

but in 1954, the Chief of Staff directed that nothing

should ". . . emanate from this Headquarters in connection with the 11th anniversary of the women Marines, 13 February 1954."24 Two years later, the

Commandant, General Pate sent a similar message to

the Director which stated:

I have directed no specific Marine Corps-wide observance

of the 13th Anniversary of the service of women in our Corps.

This was for the sound and satisfying reason that Women

Marines are now a completely integrated part of our Corps.

I felt certain that as a permanent and integral part of our

Corps and sharing alike in all our traditions, our Women

Marines would consider a separate celebration to be inappropriate.

However, I cannot let this occasion pass without ex:ending a greeting to you as the representative cf all Women

Marines. I should also like to congratulate you on the splendid manner in which you are discharging this responsibility.

My very best wishes to you and all Women Marines for

the future.25

The local celebrations continued, nevertheless, and

General Pate relented by resuming the habit of sending greetings to all women Marines in the ensuing

years.

Apparently, when General David M. Shoup became

Commandant the propriety of the observance was

again questioned. Colonel Henderson, the director,

prepared a year-by-year study of the celebrations and

concluded with the thoughts:

186
176 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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The women Marines of Camp Pendleton are aided in celebrating their 28th anniversary

at the traditional cake-cutting ceremony by Col Emil J. Radics, base chief of staff From

left are PFCs Julia Krauss and Brenda Baker, Col Radics. and Maj Georgia Swickheimer.

It is my personal belief that the Women Marines think

of 13 February 1943 not as a birthday, but as the date which

commemorates the opportunity given them to become a part

of the Marine Corps and to share in all its traditions. Because of this belief and their esprit de corps, I recommend

that they continue to celebrate their anniversary.

I know that it will please every woman in the Corps to

have a personal message of recognition from the Commandant and make her prouder than ever of being a woman Marine."

And so it went until the question was settled once

and for all in 1974. file Commandant made known

that in the future only 10 November would be ac- knowledged by a CMC message. Colonel Brewer,

Director of Women Marines, agreed with the theory

that, with ". . . increased effectiveness in the utilization of women Marines as an integral part of the Corps,

it is appropriate and timely to discontinue the practice of publishing 'WM Anniversary' messages by the

Commandant and the Director of Women Marines."27

Referring, however, to the wide reaching changes in

policy approved by the Commandant in 1973, she reasoned that a final message would be an excellent way

to reemphasize the increased opportunties for women Marines and to announce the discontinuance of the

tradition." General Cushman, therefore, in the final

anniversary message, said:

With ,.ich passing year, we Marines working together will

meet the challenges of the future, willing and able to fulfill our responsibilities as the "Nation's Force In Readiness."

In recognition of the role of the women members of our Corps in fulfilling this mission, and since all Marines share

one Birthday, it seems appropriate to recognize your achievements for this, the last time, as a separate, special occasion.

i:ccordingly, we pause today to reflect ri the day 31 years

ago when women became members of our Marine Corps

team ready to meet all challenges."
LAURELS AND TRADITIONS 177

The tradition of giving red roses, one for each year,

to the Director of Women Marines on .13 February was

kgun by Col Randolph McC. Pate, post-World War

II Director of Reserve. Col Jeanette I. Sustad receives

the bouquet of roses from the Commandant, Gen

Leonard F. Chapman, Jr., in the early 1970s.

Women Marines and Mess Night

For a number of years, it was generally understood

that formal mess nights were for men only.3° Women

officers did not expect to be included and indeed they

were not. As women were assigned to more and more

billets outside the WM program, the situation became

increasingly awkward, and on rare occasions, they were

invited to take part in the ancient social custom. The

first woman to attend a mess night was probably

Colonel Helen A. Wilson.*

*"In August, 1957, while on active duty for training at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, to atrend the US. Marine Corps

Reserve Administrative Course, I toc.k part in a formal mess night.

The announcement was made that I was the first woman in history

to participate in thy- ancient and solemn ceremony. For me, it was

almost a terrifying experience, having been direly warned :..nd incriminated by my fellow Marines as to the solemnity of the occasion. They coached me and warned me of the deep significance of

a formal mess night, and the importance of my role on this auspicious occasion. My memorized speech dissolved into a few halting

(but sincere) phrases memorializing the important event itself, and

the Marine Corps. After the meat was declared "fit for human consumption," e feast began, the wine flowed freelyand glasses were

raised in countless toasts, each more fervent than the last. Then,

as I quivered . my turn came Gentlemen a toast to the Director

of Women Marines!"which was by then most enrhusistically

received. In my "memento box" I still have the cigar they gave me

that night, carefully wrapped and labeledand unsmolted!" Col

Helen A. Wilson comments on draft manuscript, dtd 1Jan80.

The date of the first formal mess night sponsored

by a WM unit is known-12 February 1970. To

celebrate the 27th anniversary of the women Marines,

officers of the Women Marine Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, and the women officers of the

neighboring Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort,

gathered at the officers' club and followed the timehonored procedures under the direction of Major

Roberta N. Roberts (later Patrick), Madam President.

Madam Vice, the junior officer present, was Chief Warrant Officer Bertha Peters Billeb, who had been one

of the original staff members wher, the battalion was

activated in 1943, and later in 196) 'iecame the first

Sergeant Major of Women Marines.

The battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jenny Wrenn, invited the guests of honor, Major General Oscar F. Peatross, Commanding General, Marine

Corps Recruit Depot, and Colonel Richard J. Schriver,

Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station. In

his remarks, General Peatross praised the women for

their patriotism. He said:

You have no obligation to serve in the military. You are

not subject to the drait or to any other impetus to serve except your own patriotism and desire to serve your country

and fellow man. You must be counted as the most patriotic

among the citizens of our nation?'

Subsequently, the most frequent WM-sponsored

mess nights occurred at The Basic School, Quantico,

when the training schedule precluded a joint affair.

With the complete integration of women into the Basic School program in 1977, scheduling problems disappeared and separate mess nights along with them.

At all commands where women now serve, they take

their place at formal mess nights along with their male

colleagues.

Molly Marine

"Molly" is the nickname of a statue which has stood

at the intersection of Elk Place and Canal Street in

downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, since it was originally dedicated on the Marine Corps Birthday in

1943.32 Originally cast in marble chips and granite because of wartime restrictions, Molly had become

weather beaten. In 1961, a local committee decided

to erect a monument to women who had served in

all branches of the service in all wars, but, they proposed to erect their monument on Molly's beachhead, and

remove the statue of the woman Mnine.

Molly's many friends blocked this action: Heading

the long list of her benefactors was Mr. Frank Zito,

.A
178 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Jr., former State Commandant, Marine Corps League,

Louisiana, who pledged that Molly would be bronzed

and placed on a new pedestal. Thus, Mr. Zito established the Molly Restoration Fund for her refurbishing.

During the ensuing controversy, it was pointed out

that New Orleans was the site of the first statue of a

woman in the United States, that of Margaret Haughery, erected in 1884; that the first statue of a woman

in uniform anywhere in the world was Joan of Arc,

in her armor, in Orleans, France; that New Orleans

was the nan-iestake of Orleans, France; and that therefore, it was appropriate that Molly Marine, the first

statue of a woman in uniform in the United States,

should remain in New Orleans.

At the 1964 national convention for the Women Marines Association and the Marine Corps League, both

organizations unanimously passed resolutiois pledging support to the restoration project. The Marine

Corps Reserve Officers Association added its aid with

a Support the Restoration of Molly Marine resolution

passed by the national delegates in 1966 at Houston,

Texas. Through the efforts of the New Orleans Cajun

Chapter of the Women Marines Association, and local friends of the Corps, a full-scale drive was launched

for the final completion of Molly.

After many years of working and waiting, Molly

received her new dress. She was taken from her post

to be returned dressed in her new bronze finery where

she awaited her unveiling which took place during the

Women Marine Association National Convention, 29

June-1 July 1966.

On hand for the occasion, as personal repreFentathe

of the Commandant, was Brigadier General Edward

H. Hurst, Director, Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center, Quantico, who as a major in 1943

had been the commanding officer of the Marine Training Detachment, Naval ReL2rve Midshipmen School

(WR), Northampton, Massachussetts, and later the

commanding officer of the Officer Training School,

MCWR, Camp Lejeune; Colonel Barbara J. Bishop,

Director of Women Marines; and Gunnery Sergeant

Helen Hannah Campbell, USMCR, President, Women Marines Association. Many of Molly's benefactors

were at the ceremonies to see the culmination of their

efforts in the restoration.

The original inscription, which read:

LtCol Jenny Wrenn, Commanding Officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris

Island, presides at the first Mess Night sponsored by a woman Marine unit, in 1970.

89
LAURELS AND TRADITIONS 179

: 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
180 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Dedicated by the People of New Orleans

TO THE WOMEN OF AMERICA

In the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve

for recognition of the patriotic service

rendered their country

10 November 1943

was changed to:

Molly Marine

November 10, 1943

FREE A MARINE TC) FIGHT

REDEDICATED JULY 1, 1966 IN HONOR OF

WOMEN MARINES WHO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY

IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS

OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Women Marines Association

The Women Marines Association (WMA) traces its

origin to a 1923 dream of a couple of World War I

veterans, Florence Miller and Louise Budge, who tried

without success to organize the "Girl Marinc Veterans."33 The idea lay dormant for years until a handful of members at large met at the first WMA

convention in Denver in 1960. The founders who laid

the groundwork for the unofficial organization of

women Marines were headed by Reservc Major Jean

Durfee and included former WRs Marion A. Hooper

Swope, Mary Jeane Olson Nelron, June F. Hansen, Lois

Lighthall, Ila Doon, -le Clark, and Barbara Kees Meeks.

Colonel Margaret M. lenderson, the Director of

Women Marines, al irNIded the convention and gave

her support and encouragement.

A constitution was adopted, setting forth WMA objectives and providing for biennial conventions, national officers and directors were ekcted; and the

attendees returned home to mount a vigorous membership campaign which netted approximately 350

charter members by February 1961. Shortly thereafter,

the first issue of a quarterly newsletter, WMA Nounr,,

ments appeared. Subsequent conventions wc;e neld

in Cleveland, Saint Louis, New Orleans, San FL -risco, Philadelphia, Honolulu, Galveston, and itthe nation's bicentennial birthday, in Bostol

first time in WMA history, the women were

by 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 United States Marines.
CHAPTER 16

The Sergeants Major of Women Marines

Bertha 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, one

of which was marked for the senior enlisted woman

in the office of the Director of Women Marines. The

system at that time provided for the temporary appointment to sergeant major of women already in the

ninth pay grade, master gunnery sergeant. The first

woman to be promoted to master gunnery sergeant,

Geraldine M. Moran, was stationed at El Toro where

no billet for a WM sergeant major existed. The second

woman to be selected for the top enlisted pay grade

was Bertha Peters (later Billeb), who at the time was

in the Director's office. Promoted on 18 January 1961

to master gunnery sergeant, Peters coincidentally became eligible and was appointed as the first Sergeant

Major of Women Marines.

Officially, no special provisions were made for the

billet, but much ceremony and publicity attended the

appointment. Colonel Henderson strongly believed

that an experienced staff noncommissioned officer,

through close liaisan with enlis:.ed WMs in the field,

could provide the Director with valuable insights

which would help in the development of meaningful

policies concerning women Marines. She enhanced the

prestige and position of the sergeant major most notably by taking her on trips to inspect women Marine

units. The top enlisted WM visited the women on the

job and in their barracks. She spoke to work supervisors and the WM company staff. Back at Headquarters, she made public appearances and she was the

expert in residence on enlisted women Marine matters.

Selection of the succeeding sergeants major was

done by a special board convened at Headquarters.

The senior member was a woman officer and the

Director of Women Marines was an advisor. The

guidance given board members describing the desirable qualifications specified:

1. In personal appearance, an outstanding representative

woman Marine I-Jr her age and grade. Feminine in mannerism and person; impeccable in uniform and knowledgeable in presenting an appearance in civilian clothing

appropriate to any social occasion.

2. Poised and mature in military presence; socially aware

and approachable; tactful and capable of achieving a nicely

balanced relationship with officers, senior staff NCOs, and

personnel of lower pay grades, mcn and women,

3, Possessed of an excellent ability to communkate orally 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 and

in contrast to assignments limited solely to duty in her MOS.

Consideration cbuId bc given to her performance in her

OF and to the past selection for such other assignments as

,auctoi, recruiter, DI, or as 1stSgt/SgtMaj.:

Six women were eventually designated through 1976

as Sergeant Major of Women Marines. They are:

Sergeant Major Bertha L. Peters (Billeb)-18)an1961-13Nov1963

Sergeant Major Evelyn E. Albert 13Nov1963-1Dec1966

Sergeant Major Ouida W. Craddock-1Dec1966-1Aug1969

Sergeant Major Mabel A. R. OttenlAug1969-30Apr1972

Bertha L. Peters, Sergeant Major of Women Marines

18 January 1961-13 November 1963.

192

181
182

Evelyn E. Albert, Sergeant Major of Women Marines

13 November 1963-1 December 1966.

Sergeant Major June V. Andler-30Apr1972-30Apr1974

Sergeant 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 Colonel Lily H. Gridley (who was still in a WAVES uniform) in San Francisco, was enlisted in the Marine

Corps Reserve on 5 March 1943 and entered training

on 19 April 1943 in the second recruit class of WRs

at Hunter College in New York. She served on continuous active duty at Headquarters Marine Corps in

the 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 Corps

by General Clifton B. Cates.

In February 1949, she was transferred to Parris Island where she became the Battalion Chief Clerk fur

the newly organized 3d Recruit Training Battalion.

Upon the discharge of MSgt Elsie Miller, the Battalion Sergeant Major, GySgt Peters assumed the duties

of Sergeant Major. Stthsequently she was assigned as

Sergeant Major of the Woman Marines Officer TrainA HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

ing Command, Quantico; First Sergeant, Company A,

Pearl Harbor, and in 1955 once again, as Sergeant

Major, Women Recruit 'Raining Battalion. In 1959 she

was selected and assigned to the senior enlisted woman Marine billet, Office of the Director of \Woman Marines. She was selected for promotion to master

gunnery sergeant in 1961 and redesignated as sergeant

major. She became the first Sergeant Major of Women Marines. After her marriage in 1962 to Gunnery

Sergeant William N. Billeb she joined her husband

at Quantico and was assigned for the st..cond time as

Sergeant Major, Women Officers Training. In 1966 after her husband had been promoted to warrant officer

(temporary) she accepted promotion to warrant officer

(temporary) and was transferred to her third tour of

duty ...vith the Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Is!2sid, where she was assigned to the billet of Battalion adjutant. In 1970 the Billebs, both

commissioned officers, reverted to their permanent

ranks. Master Gunnery Sergeant Bertha Billeb was

transferred to MCB, Camp Pendleton. She was 'redesignated tu permanent sergeant rnajnr in 1972 when all

women Marines who held that rank were given permanent warrants. At this ,ime the Billebs were the only

husband-wife sergeant major team in the Marine

Corps. In 1973, Sergeant Major Bertha Billeb, being

the first woman to complete 30 years' continuous active duty, was retired with honors at MCB, Camp Pendleton. She requested and was placed on the retired

list 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, Headquarters Marine Corps, on 13 November 1963. She was

the second woman to hold that billet since its creation in April 1960.

A 1943 graduate of Wagner College, Staten Island,

New York, with a BA degree in English, Sergeant

Major Albert enlisted from her native New Jersey in

April 1943, following the call to active duty of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in February. She was in

the third class of WRs to train at the Naval Training

School at Hunter College prior to the transfer of the

WR training to Camp Lejeune. One of the first WRs

assigned to Camp Lejeune, she served there until July

1943, when she was transferred to the Marine Corps

Air Station, Cherry Point.

While at Cherry Point, she was temporarily

detached to the Aerological School Training Unit at

the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey. Upon
THE SERGEANTS MAJOR OF WOMEN MARINES 183

completion of school, she was promoted to corporal

and returned to Cherry Point as an aerographer. She

remained there until the general demobilization of

the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in December 1945.

On her return to civilian life, she completed the Executive Secretary Course at Berkley School in New York

City.

In July 1948, Staff Sergeant Albert enlisted in the

Inactive Reserve and, following the 1948 Worlif I's

Armed Forces Integration Act, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and returned to active duty. She was the

first woman Marine to serve as a receptionist to the

Secretary of Defense. She served n this capacity until

December 1951 under Secretaries Louis A. Johnson,

George C. Marshall, and Robert A. Lovett.

After serving as a recruiter for a few years she attended Personnel Administration School at Parris Island and upon graduation she was assigned to Marine

Corps Schools, Quantico, as first sergeant of the Woman Marine Company.

From December 1958 until December 1960, Albert

served on the staff of Commander in Chief, Allied

Forces, Southern Europe, Naps, Italy, where she was

promoted to master sergeant. She then served as Sergeant Major, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, and duL4ig this tour was promoted to fir

sergeant in February 1961. In October 1963, she was

detached from her duties and reported to Headquarters as Sergeant Major of Women Marines. At the end

of her cour she was transferred to the Marine Corps

Air Station Facility, Santa Ana, where she was promoted to master gunnery sergeant. From January 1968 until her retirement in December 1969, she served with

the Awards Unit, Force Adjutant Section, FMFPac.

Ouida W. Craddock, Sergeant Major of Women Marines, 1 December 1966-1 August

1969, 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, Oklahoma, and grew up in Oakland, California. During

World War II she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps

Reserve at San Francisco and served on active duty as a private first class in San Francisco and El Toro until

discharged in April 1946.

She reenlisted in July 1949 and was integrated into

the Regular Marine Corps in August 1951. Assigned

to active duty, she served as electric accounting

machine operator, and later, noncommissioned officer

in charge, Civilian Payroll and Fiscal Accounts,

Machine Records Section, San Francisco, California.

She was promoted to staff sergeant in June 1952 and

to technical sergeant in May 1953.

From August 1953 until July 1954, Sergeant Craddock served at Headquarters as assistant projects planner, and later, as supply accountant. She attended the

Recruiters School, then was transferred to the 12th Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District, San Francisco, where she served as "WM recruiter from

September 1954 until October 1958.

She returned to Parris Island and joined the Woman Recruit Training Battalion, serving as recruit platoon sergeant. She attended Noncommissioned

Officer Leadership School at Quantico and then was assigned duty as chief drill instructor back at the Woman Recruit Company, serving in that capacity from August 1959 until September 1960.

For the next three years she saw duty with the Woman Marine Company at Camp Smith, Hawaii. She

served first 2S project planner and later became the

first woman to be designated as a data processing installation chief. While serving in Hawaii, she was promoted to master sergeant in January 1962.

In January 1964, Sergeant Craddock returned to

Headquarters and was assigned as operation analyst,

Operation Management Branch, Data Processing Division. Transferred in February 1965, she was assigned

duty once again as iecruiter in San Francisco. While

there, she was selected as the top ranking noncommissioned woman Man'ne in the Corps, with the rank

of sergeant major. At the time of her selection she was

the senior enlisted woman in the data processing field,

and was the first woman to be promoted to the senior

pay grade from outside of the administrative field.

Sergeant Major Craddock served as Sergeant Major

of Women Marines until she retired on 2 August 1969.

Sergeant Major Mabel A. R. Otten

Sergeant Major Mabel Annie Rosa Otten became

the fourth Sergeant Major of Women Marines in

ceremonies held at Headquarters on 1 August 1969.

Born in Centerville, Illinois, she graduated from Dupo

Community High School. She enlisted in the Marine

Corps Reserve during the national emergency on 16

May 1944, in St. Louis, Missouri, and received recruit

training at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.

During World War H, she served at the Depot of

Supplies in San Francsico, in Hawaii, at Mare Island,

and again at the Depot of Supplies, San Francisco.

While stationed in San Francisco, she was discharged

as a sergeant following demobilization of the Marine

Corps Women's Reserve in August 1946.

In April 1947 , she reenlisted in the Marine Corps

Reserve and in November 1948 integrated into the

Regula, Marine Corps. Following her return to active

duty, Staff Sergeant Otten served in the disbursing

field at Headquarters from April 1948 to October 1951

and at Cherry Point from October 1951 to June 1954,

where she was promoted to master sergeant on 1 June

1952. Master Sergeant Otten completed Recruiters

Mabel A. R. Otten, Sergeant Major of Women Marines

1 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 duty

at South Charleston, West Virginia.

In October 1957, she became disbursing chief at

Quantico and in March 1960 was assigned duty as S-3

operations chief at the Woman Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island serving there until June 1962.

For the next seven years, she served as disbursing

chief consecutively at Camp Lejeune, Treasure Island,

and at Futema in Okinawa. She was promoted to

master gunnery sergeant on 1 August 1967 and

returned to the United States in June 1969.

Sergeant Major Otten served as Sergeant Major of

Women Marines until she retired on 30 .1..prit 1972.

Sergeant Major June V Andler

Sergeant Major June (Judy) V. Andler became the

fifth Sergeant Major of Women Marines on 30 April

1972. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, she graduated from

St. Paul High School in 1940. She enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 9 March 1944 and received

recruit training at Camp Lejeune. During the war, she

served at Quantico and at Headquarters Marine Corps.

In 1948; she integrate I into the Regular Marine

Corps and in February 19,',9 was transferred to Parris

June V Andler, Sergeant Major of Women Marines

30 April 1972-30 April 1974

!,

8

Grace A. Carle, Sergeant Major of Women Marines

30 April 1974-30 October 1976

Island as one of the original members of the staff of

the 3d Recruit Training Battalion. She served there until September 1952, first as battalion chief clerk, then

as a drill instructor. While at Parris Island, she completed the Personnel and Administrative Course in

1950.

Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, she saw duty as Chief Clerk, Officer

Personnel Section and, later, served as an investigator

in the Base Provost Marshal's Office. During this assignment, in 1953, she attended the Noncommissioned Officers Leadership School at 'Camp

Lejeune and the Criminal Investigation Course at

Camp Gordon, Georgia. For the next 28 months, she

saw duty as administrative chief of the Woman Marine Company at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii.

Promoted to gunnery sergeant in December 1959,

during the same month she was assigned to El Toro

and subsequently served as administrative chief of

Woman Marine Detachment One. From April 1962

until November 1963, Gunnery Sergeant Andler

served, successively, as First Sergeant, Woman Officers

Candidate Class, and Administrative Chief of Woman Marines Detachment at Quantico.

196
186 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Following this assignmmt, she returned to Camp

Pendleton for duty as noncommissioned officer in

charge, Officer Personnel Section, Marine Corps Base,

and later as administrative chief of Headquartets Regiment. She was promoted to master strgeant in June

1966, and that September, became S-3, operations/special subjects instructor for the Woman Recruit

Training Battalion at Parris Island.

Transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at

San Diego, she served from April 1969 until February

1970 as First Sergeant, Woman Marine Company. She

was promoted to first sergeant on 1 May 1969. Upon

promotion to master gunnery sergeant on 1 February

1970, she became the Headquarters and Service Battalion administrative chief.

In January 1971, Master Gunnery Sergeant Andler

assumed duty as Personnel Chief, Marine Corps Communications Electronics School at Twentynine Palms.

While serving in this capacity, she was namcd the fifth

Sergeant Major of Women Marines.

Completing 30 years of continuous active duty, Sergeant Major Andler retired on 30 April 1974.

Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle

Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle became the sixth and

last Sergeant Major of Women Marines in ceremonies

held at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., on 30

April 1974. Born in Yankton, South Dakota, she

graduated from Pender High School, Pender, Nebraska, in 1940. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in April

1943 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 in

Hawaii. She was released from active duty in November 1945.

The all-woman Volunteer Training Unit which she

joined in 1948 became thc nucleus of the WR Platoon, 13thlInfantry Battalion and was mobilized in

1950 at the beginning of the Korean War. Before leaving for San Francisco, she, along with others in the

platoon, was ordered to the home armory for two

weeks active duty during which the women helped the

rnen to pack and to get their paperwork in order. Initially, she served in San Francisco as a Reservist and

then integrated into the Regular Marine Corps in

1951.2

Other duty assignments took her to El Toro, Parris

Island, Camp Pendleton, and to New Orleans, as assistant to the woman officer selection officer. She

served as first sergeant of the Woman Marine Companies at Camp Lejeune and on Okinawa. At the time

of 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 Women Marines, a woman Marine mess night was held at

the Sheraton Hotel on 29 October 1976, an occasion

attended by women Marine officers and enlisted, from

all East Coast posts. The next day, upon retirement,

she was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and

honored at parade at the Marine Barracks, 8th and

I Streets, Washington, D.C.

An era ends as the last Sergeant Major of Women Marines, Grace A. Carle retires at

ceremonies held at Marine Barracks, 8th and I, rashington, on 30 October 1976.

1

e:ee
CHAPTER 17

The Directors of Women Marines

Katherine A. TowleJulia E. Hamb letMargaret M. HendersonBarbara J. BishopJeanette I. Sustad

Margaret A. BrewerThe Position

Colonel Katherine A. Towle

Originally of Vermont stock, Colonel Katherine

Amelia Towle was born in Towle, California, a lumber mill hamlet in the Sierras founded by hcr grandfather. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1920 at the

University of California at Berkeley with honer; in political science and received her master's degree there

in 1935. Prior to 13 February 1943, she had served successively as an assistant in the admissions office at the

University of California; resident dean and headmistress of Miss Ronsom and Miss Bridges School for Girls

at Piedmont, California; a teaching fellow in political

science at the University of California; and senior editor of the University of California Press.,

On 15 March 1943, she accepted an appointment

as captain in the Marine Corps Reserve with rank as

of 24 February. Having never attended basic training

of any sort, Colonel Towle in later years laughingly

remarked that she was not even a 90-day wonder. After six clays of indoctrination with the Division of

Reserve at Headquarters Marine Corps, Captain

Towle was assigned as a staff offices (WR) with the

Training Brigade, Marine Training Detachment, U.S.

Naval Training School, Bronx, New York.

When the WR battalion was established at Camp

Lejeune in June 1943, she was transferred ther..: and

became the senior Marine Corps Women's Reserve

School officer and assistant executive officer. In that

position, she promoted to major on 2 February

1944, and in September of that year she became Colonel Streeter's assistant at Headquarters Marine Corps.

She remained at Headquarters, was appointed a

lieutenant colonel on 15 March 1945, and succeeded

Colonel Streeter as Director nine months later on 8

December. A colonel by virtue of her billet, she spent

her remaining months in the Marine Corps directing

the demobilization of the women Reservists and laying plans and policies for a postwar Marine Corps

Women's Reserve.

On 14 June 1946, tertain that all World War II WRs

would be released within a few months, Colonel

Towle returned to the Berkeley campus as assistant

dean of women. For her meritorious wartime service,

she carried with her the Letter of Commendation with

ribbon by the Secretary of Navy and a letter of appreciation from Geneial Alexander A. Vandegrift, the

Commandant of the Matine Corps.

When Congress provided for Regular components

of women in the Armed Forces, General Clifton B.

Cates, then Commandant, asked Colonel Towle to

direct the new Regular women Marines. She returned

to Washington as one of the first 20 women Regular

officers and became the first Director of Women

Marines.

Recruit and officer training programs were organized and a gradual buildup of women in the Regular

Marine Corps began. At the same time, 13 women's

platoons welt established in the Marine Corps Organized Reserve, Colonel Towle was particularly proud

Col Katherine A. Towle, Director of Women Marines

18 October 19484 May 1953

.47

198

187
THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES 189

Colonel Towle frankly answered that there were varying degrees of enthusiasm but with one or two exceptions the feminine presence had been taken with good

grace. The day after the interview was published nearly

every general officer at Headquarters stopped by her

office, poked in his head, and asked, "You didn't mean

me, did you, Colonel?" The Colonel replied, "Oh no,

sir, of course notr but by the end of the day neither

she nor her administrative assistant, Lieutenant

Colonel Kleberger, could keep a straight face as the

parade by her office continued,4

On 1 May 1952, Colonel Towle was retired under

the statutory age provision of the Women's Armed

Services Integration Act of 1948 which required retirement for colonels at age 55. A special sunset parade

had been held in her honor the evening before at the

Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., and for the first

time in the history of the famous barracks, a platoon

of women Marines joined the contingent of Marines

who passed in review. Upon retirement, the colonel

was awarded a Letter of Commendation from the

Commandant of the Marine Corps and a Legion of

Merit from the President of the United States.*

Colonel Julia E. Hamblet

The third Director of the Marine Corps Women's

Reserve and the second Director of 'Women Marines

was Colonel Julia Estelle Hamblet, called Judy by her

friends. Born in Winchester, Massachusetts, Colonel

Hamblet attended the Hartridge School in Plainfield,

New Jersey, and graduated from Vassar College in 1937

with a bachelor of arts degree.5 The first woman Marine to be afforded the opportunity to attend graduate sc:lool while on active duty, she earned a master

of science degree in public administration at Ohio

State University in 1951. Appropriately, her thesis was

entitled, "The Utilization of Women in the Marine

Corps."

Colonel Hamblet worked for the U.S. Information

Service in Washington, D.C., from 1937 until 1943

when she became the first woman from the nation's

capital to join the Marine Corps. Her motive for entering military service, like thousands of Americans

during those critical days, was a patriotic desire to do

her part. Her reason for choosing the Marine Corps

*C&onel Towle returned to the University of California at Berkeley as the dean of women and associate dean of students. Later

she filled the very demanding post of dean of students during the

famous free speech movement and anti-war demonstrations on the

Berkeley campus.

it

Col Julia E. Hamblet, Director of Women Marines

1 May 1953-2 March 1959

was less noble; with one brother in the Army and

another in tilt- Navy, she wanted to remain impartial.

Graduating from the first woman officer training

class on 4 May 1943, she, along with several of her

classmates, was commissioned a first lieutenant. Captain Towle, then senior woman officer on the staff at

the Marinc Corps Training Detachment in the Bronx,

personally selected Lieutenant Hamblet to fill the

billet of adjutant of that unit. She served in that post

at Hunter College and later at Camp Lejeune when

the Women's Reserve schools were transferred there in

July 1943. Her subsequent tours during World War

II included six months with the Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion at Camp Lejeune, first as adjutant and then as executive officer; adjutant and

executive officer, Women's Reserve Battalion, Camp

Pendleton; commanding officer, Women's Reserve Battalion, Quantico; assistant for the Women's Reserve on

the staff of the commanding general at Quantico; and

finally commanding officer, Aviation Women's Reserve

Group 1, Cherry Point. For her services during World

War II, she was awarded a letter of commendation.

In a distinguished career marked by numerous

achievements, one stands out as having the most direct

impact on the entire Marine Corps. As a major and

!3kj 200
190 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

the Director of the postwar Women's Reserve,

1946-1948, she was responsible for maintaining the interest of the WRs during those critical years and for

organizing the WR platoons, all of which were ready

when the Korean War erupted.

The year of graduate work was followed by a tour

of duty in Honolulu as the assistant G-1, FMFPac. Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet was the first WM to return

to Hawaii since the departure of the WRs in 1946. In

less than a year, she was assigned as officer in charge

of the Women Officer Training Detachment at

Quantico.

On 1 May 1953, she assumed the position of the

second Director of Women Marines, again succeeiiiig

Colonel Towle, who was retiring. Only 37 years old,

she was the youngest director of women in the armed

services. Colonel Towle, in praising her successor said,

"She has had practically every type of duty a woman

Marine officer can have. I have followed her military

career since her assignment as my adjutant. She has

brains, ability, personality, and looks." Colonel Hamblet held the post of Director until March 1959, longer

than any other woman.

Col Margaret M. Henderson

Director 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 colonel, so Colonel Hamblet reverted to her permanent

rank of lieutenant colonel and was then transferred

to Naples, Italy, where she served as military secretary

to the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern

Europe. Before leaving, her friends feted her with a "demotion" party which featured a large cake decorated with an eagle flying away.

Lieutcnant Colonel Hamblet, uncommonly attractive and poised, became a favorite among the servicewomen 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 only

woman officer to accept. "In fact," said Sergeant Major

Judge, a WM in Naples at the time, "she was the only

woman officer to give us the time of day. She was so

gracious; she didn't just come to say hello, she stayed

and had a good time. No one forgot that. It was mentioned for a long time by the WAVEs and the WACs."7

In April 1962, Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet was

transferred to Parris Island, where she was commanding officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, until her retirement on 1 May 1965. Colonel Hamblet

was awarded the Legion of Merit and according to

regulations, upon retirement she was reappointed to

the rank of colonel, the highest rank in which she

served.

Colonel Margaret M. Henderson

Colonel Margaret Henderson became the fourth

Director of Women Marines on 2 March 1959, suc- ceeding Colonel Hamblet. Born in Cameron, Texas,

Colonel Henderson earned a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Texas in

1932 and taught in the secondary schools of Lubbock,

Texas, before her enlistment in the Marine Corps in

1943.8

After completing the Marine Corps Women's

Reserve Officer Training School at Mount Holyoke,

Massachusetts, she was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve on 29 June 1943. Lieutenant

Henderson began her career as a general subjects instructor at the Marine Corps Women's Reserve Schools

at Camp Lejeune and was later assigned as officer in

charge of the Business School, Marine Corps Institute,

Washington, D.C. In later years, Colonel Streeter

wrote:

As this was a teaching job, it was natural enough for her

to be Ysigned w bu it soon became evident thv her

capacity 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 well

that her Commanding Officer would not let her be transferred! Willie and I put our heads together and she finally

wheedled him into letting Margaret go to a better job, where

she promptly showed her fine qualities?*

The "better job" was that of executive officer, Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion, Camp Lejeune.

On 14 June 1946, Captain Henderson was released

from active duty.

She went home to Lubbock where she taught at

Texas Technological College for two years. Selected to

be one of the first 20 Regular woman Marine officers,

Captain Henderson returned to the Marine Corps in

December 1948.

Her academic and professional background made

her the obvious choice to head the embryonic 3d

Recruit 'Raining Battalion. Interviews with officers and

enlisted members of the original staff confirm the wisdom of the assignment. From Parris Island, Major

Henderson was transferred in 1950 to the Division of

Plans and Policy at Heack9uarters Marine Corps where,

in addition to her regular duties, she was concerned

with developing personnel and assignment policies for

the newly integrated WMs. She played an important

role in the return of women Marines to posts and stations during the Korean War.

During subsequent tours she served consecutively

as commanding officer, Woman Officer Training

Detachment; assistant G-1, Marine Corps Base, Camp

Pendleton; and as head, Women's Affairs Section, Division of Plans and Policy at Headquarters Marine

Corps.

As Director of Women Marines, Colonel Henderson worked to establish the billet for Sergeant Major

of Women Marines, since she believed that enlisted

women would speak more freely to the Sergeant Major than to the Director. Sergeant Major Bertha L.

Peters (later Billeb), already assigned to the Director's

office since June 1959, was elevated to the new position of Sergeant Major of Women Marines in January

1961.

Completing her tour as Director in January 1964,

and, once again a lieutenant colonel, she was assigned as assistant G-1, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San

Diego. Colonel Henderson, reappointed to the rank

of colonel, received the Legion of Merit, by the commanding general, Major General Bruno A. Hoch-

*Willie, referred to by Colonel Streeter, was Major Cornelia

D. T. Williams, World War II detail officer.

Col Barbara J. Bishop, Director of Women Marines

3 January 1964-31 January 1969

muth, at a parade marking her retirement on 31

January 1966?

Colonel Barbara J. Bishop

Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, the fifth Director of

Women Marines, was born in Boston, schooled in

Everett, Massachusetts, and graduated from Yale

University in January 1943 with a bachelor of fine arts

degree.,0

She enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 February

1943, just five days after the public announcement of

the new Women's Reserve program. Colonel Bishop

received her Marine officer training as a member of

the second officer candidate class at Mount Holyoke

and was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on

1 June 1943.

Throughout World War II Lieutenant Bishop held

a variety of command and administrative assignments:

commanding officer, Marine Training Detachment at

the University of Indiana; executive officer, Marine

Aviation Detachment at the Naval Air Station in Atlanta, Georgia; commanding officer, Aviation Wom-
192 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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 on

10 November 1946 with the rank of captain.

During the next two years, Captain Bishop earned

a master of arts degree at the University of Chicago

and was working toward a doctorate when, following

the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, she returned to active duty, selected as one of the original 20 Regular women officers. She

served 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 the

Woman Marine Company at Camp Lejeune, and was reassigned to Headquarters in 1955 as head, Women's Branch, Division of Reserve, with the additional

duty as Deputy Director of Women Marines. A lieutenant colonel, she returned to the field in October

1956 for consecutive tours as commanding officer,

Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island; and

assistant G-1, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. In

March 1962 she went to Europe, reporting for duty

in Naples, Italy, as military secretary to the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe.

From Italy, she was once again assigned to Headquarters, this time to succeed Colonel Henderson as

the leading woman Marine on 3 January 1964. Colonel Bishop served as Director during a time of sweeping changes in programs and policies affectingwomen

Marines. When she was named Director there were about 1,500 WMs serving at 10 Marine Corps posts

and stations throughout the United States and in a

few overseas billets. Four years later, there were 2,600

active duty WMs serving 25 posts and stations as well

as in Europe, the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, and

the Republic of Vietnam.

Colonel Bishop worked toward improving the living accommodations of women Marines, increasing

their assignment opportunities, and raising the rate

of their retention. During her tour, women officers

for the first time were assigned to career military

schools.

When Public Law 90-130 was signed by President

Johnson on 8 November 1967, removing certain res- trictions to the promotion to field grade of women

officers, Colonel Bishop was among the first group of

WMs to be selected for promotion to the permanent

rank of colonel. Therefore, she, unlike Colonels Hamblet and Henderson, retained her rank when she eventually left the position of 'Director of Women Marines

on 31 January 1969.

Colonel Bishop, whose last assignment was congressional liaison officer to the Senate, retited in

November 1969 and was awarded the Legion of Merit

during ceremonies held in the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Colonel Sustad, her successor, presented

Colonel Bishop a citation lauding her for her service

to the women in the Marine Corps. The unofficial

award was signed by all active duty WM officers and

was given in recognition of personal efforts on their

behalf.

Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad

Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad, sixth Director of Women Marines, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and

raised in Tacoma, Washington. She earned a bachelor

of arts degree in sociology at the University of

Washington in Seattle in 1943.11 On 8 May of that

year she enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve,

received officer training at Camp Lejeune, and was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on 27 December.

Her first assignment was special services liaison

officer, at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point.

Subsequently she served as field operations officer at

the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Facility, Oak Grove,

North Carolina, and assistant communications watch

officer at the Marine Corps Air Station in Ewa,

Honolulu. She returned to inactive status on 17 December 1945.

Following demobilization, she spent a year in graduate study at the University of Minncsota and later was employed as a veterans counselor by the U.S. Employment Services in Tacoma. Upon passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, she

accepted a Regular commission as a first lieutenant

and reported to Headquarters in December.

Transferred to Parris Island the following month, she

was assigned as executive officer of the newly formed

3d Recruit Training Battalion. From May to July 1950,

she served temporarily as the executive officer of the

Woman Officer Training Detachment at Quantico.

The Korean War brought changes to the WM assignment policies, and she was one of the first to head

west to assume duties at Camp Pendleton. Captain

Sustad became the adjutant of the Marine Corps Base,

perhaps the first postwar WM to be so assigned; and

upon activation of the first post-World War II WM
THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN M

Col Jeanette I. Sustad, Director

31 January 1969-31 Jar,

Company at Camp Pendleton, Ix

ing officer, serving in that capacit

The first woman Marine office

ty in Europe, she served in the St

Branch, Headquarters, United St

mand, Frankfurt, Germany. Afti

major in July 1953, she became

branch and in the spring of 19 !

quarters was moved to Paris, Franc

tinued her assignment there.

Upon her return to the Unite

ber 1954, she served consecutive

tive officer, Woman Recruit Train

Island; officer-in-charge, Procun

Headquarters, 9th Marine Cor]

Chicago; assistant to the executi

officer, G-1 Division, Headqu.

Corps; and as operations officer,

cation Center, Quantico.

Lieutenant Colonel Sustad bec;

Deputy Director of Women Marir

at Camp Pendleton serving as the

1968, she was one of the first Reg
Marines

193

f a bc 'promoted to thc rank of colonel after promoLion rcstrictions wcrc lifted by Congressional legislation.

Colonel Sustad was named Director of Women Marines in 1968, the same year shc celebrated hcr 25th

anniversary as a WM, and shc assumed thc top post

on 1 February 1969. Widcr assignment and training

opportunities materialized under the guidance of

Colonel Sustad, and she worked to cither change or

to set aside many outmoded regulations regarding

grooming, marriage, pregnancy, and dependency.

Colonel Sustad retired on 31 January 1973. In the

citation accompanying her Legion of Merit was written, "She worked tirelessly for the welfare of each individual under her purview . . ." a sentiment endorsed

by many of the WMs who knew her."

Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer

Then-Colonel Margaret A. Brcwer, seventh and last

Director of Women Marines, was the only post-World

War II woman to hold that position. She succeeded

Colonel Sustad on 1 February 1973. Born in Durand,

Michigan, shc received her primary cducation in

Michigan but graduated from the Catholic High

School of Baltimore, Maryland, prior to entering the

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She received a

bachelor's degree in geography in January 1952 and

was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in

st 1952. March of that year."

led du- Candidate Brewer attended the Woman Officer

Control Training Class as an undergraduate during the sumn 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 the

summer of 1951 that all would be retained

involuntarilyand 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- )i

d 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 the ps 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 Lieutenant

55. Back Brewer was assigned with -to more than 12 weeks of

in June officer candidate training. She attended neither the

Marines Woman Officer Indoctrination Course nor the Com-
194 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

munications Officers School. Plans were made to send

her to the WOIC in September, but when the time

came she had already successfully served as an officer

for six months and the command at El Toro declined

to release her.14

She was then transferred to Brooklyn to activate the

post-Korea WM Communications Platoon to be attached to the 2d Signal Company, USMCR. Lieutenant

Brewer served as the assistant inspector-instructor until late summer 1955. ROM September 1955 until June

1958, in the rank of captain, she served as commanding officer of the Woman Marine companies at Norfolk, Virginia, and Camp Lejeune. During the 18

months following, she was a platoon commander for

women officer candidates at Quantico, during summer training sessions, and a woman officer selection

officer during winter and spring, with headquarters

in Lexington, Kentucky. Transferred to Camp Pendleton in November 1959 for duty with the Commissioned Officers Mess, she was promoted to major in

September 1961. In April 1963 she returned to Quantico to serve as executive officer and later, as commanding officer, of the Woman Officer School. From 1966

to February 1968, Major Brewer was assigned to the

Public Affairs Office, 6th Marine Corps District, in

Atlanta, Georgia, and she was promoted to lieutenant

colonel in December 1966.

Lieutenant Colonel Brewer served as Deputy Director of Women Marines at Headquarters Marine Corps

from March 1968 to March 1971. Reporting to Quanrico, she assumed duty as special assistant to the Director, Marine Corps Education Center. Promoted to

colonel in December 1970, she became chief of the

Support Department, Marine Corps Education Center,

in June 1972, and served in that capacity until she became the Director of Women Marines in February

1973.

During her last weeks as Director, Colonel Brewer

spoke enthusiastically, not only of the increased opportunities for women in the Marine Corps, but of the

notable change in attitude on the part of male Marines in positions of influence at Headquarters. For

several years she had devoted her energies to effecting

a smooth transfer of responsibility for women in the

Marine Corps to the agencies at Headquarters where

it rightly belonged. She confidently turned the reins

over, certain that these agencies had come to recognize women Marines as Marines.15 Cok;nel Brewer was

reassigned as the deputy director, Division of Information, Headquarters, Marine Corps on 1 July 1977.

General Brewer became the Marine Corps' first

woman general officer when, on 11 May 1978, she was

assigned as the Director of Information, Headquarters Marine Corps, and appointed a brigadier general.

At the time there was no legal provision for the routine selection and promotion of a woman to flag rank

in either the Navy or the Marine Corps. Women could,

however, be designated by the Secretary of the Navy

for the billet of a rear admiral or brigadier general.

A woman officer so designated could be appointed

to that rank while so serving. A Navy woman of the

time had previously been so appointed. A special

board was convened at Headquarters to select the

Director of Information. Four women colonels were

considered.

The Position

As women became more accepted in the Marine

Corps; as policies, law, and traditions were changed;

as discriminatory restrictions fell; the position of the

Director of Women Marines evolved from one of nearly

complete control to one of an advisory nature.

Although technically they were always considered advisors, the early Directors, with the exception of

Col Margart A. Brewer, Director of iVomen Marines

31 January 1973-30 June 1977

1 05
ME DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES 195

Colonel Streeter, were members of the Commandant's

staff and were directly involved in recruiting, training, uniforming, and assigning women Marines. The

careers of senior officers and enlisted women were

managed by the Director and all were personally

known to her.

The Director's stated mission belied her real influence. According to the Marine Corps Manual, "The

Director of Women Marines advises the Commandant

and staff agencies on all matters of policy and procedure concerning women in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve The functions of the officer were

listed as:

(1) Initiates policies and makes recommendations on all

policies and procedures affecting women initiated by other

divisions and departments.

(2) Advises and makes recommendations on duty assignments of Women Marines.

(3) Advises cognizant staff agencies in the execution of

approved policies affecting Women Marines.

(4) Visits and assists in the inspection of activities where

Women Marines are stationed.

(5) Maintains liaison with directors of women in the other

Armed Services and with the Office of the Secretary of

Defense in connection with the Defense Advisory Committee

on Women in the Armed Services."

As a result of a reorganization of Headquarters Marine Corps in October 1973, the Director was placed

under the cognizance of the Manpower Department,

which encompassed the major areas of concern to her.

Colonel Brewer spent increasingly more time transferring the functions of her office to the appropriate

;

Headquarters departments. The 26th Commandant,

General Louis H. Wilson, Jr., had directed that women Marines were to be treated more truly as Marines;

recruited, trained, and assigned as members of a

single and united Corps.17

The news that there would no longer be a Director

of Women Marines was made public on 16 June 1977

and on that day Colonel Brewer reaffirmed her confidence in the planned disestablishment of the position."' The office created in 1943 and reinforced in

1948 was to be disbanded at a time when the Corps

proposed to almost triple the women's strength of

3,700. Only the Army would be left with a director

of women.

Ceremonies marking the dissolution of the Director's position were held on 30 June 1977 in the Commandant's office. Among the guests was retired

Colonel Julia E. Hamblet, the woman who had held

the position of Director of Women Marines longer

than any other, and who additionally had served as

Director of the Women's Reserve immediately after

World War H. General Wilson traced the history and

accomplishments of women Marines since World War

II, and he recalled the often-told story that when

General Thomas A. Holcomb authorized the acceptance of women into the Marine Corps, former Commandant Archibald Henderson's portrait fell from the

wall. The 1977 Commandant gallantly added that if

sometime in the future, the announcement should be

made 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 Marines files, 1918-1973, 7 boxes, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps

Records (RG 127-76-36, Federal Records Center, Suidand, Maryland),

hereafter WMs HQMC Records; Office of the Director of Women

Marines files (Collections Section, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter

Dir WMs files; Women Marines Research File, (Hist&Mus Div,

HQMC), hereafter WM Research file.

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this section is derived

from: Postwar MCWR I file, box 3, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Postwar MCWR I file; Col Julia E. Hamblet interview with

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Hamblet Interview.

1. Gen Gerald C. Thomas memo to CMG, dtd 300ct45 (Postwar 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 1

A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, 1946-1948

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from: File 2385-50-30, Organizations, Central Files, HQMC, hereafter Organizations file; Postwar MCWR I file; liamblet interview;

Muster rolls, Company E, 1st HqBn, HQMC, 19Apr46-31Jan47 (RefSec, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC); Scrapbook loaned by Col Julia E. Hamblet to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Hamblet scrapbook; LtGol

Mary J. Hale interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 14Dec77 (Oral Hist

Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Hale interview; Personal papers loaned by LtGol Emma H. Glowers to Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, hereafter Glowers papers; Scrapbook and papers loaned by

Dorothy M. Munroe to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Munroe

scrapbook; The Reserve Bulletin, Division of Reserve, HQMC, hereafter 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 (Postwar MCWR I file).

4. Col Joseph W. Knighton memo to CMG, dtd 13Mar46 (Organizations file).

5. Gen Gerald C. Thomas memo to CMG, dtd 15Mar46 (Organizations file).

6. CMC ltr to Col Randolph McG. Pate, dtd 28Mar46 (Postwar

MCWR I file).

7. Board to recommend policy for administration of postwar

MCWR, HQMC, dtd 17Apr46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

8. Col Joseph W. Knighton memo to Gen Allan H. Turnage, dtd

15May46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

9. Cited from Joy Hancock, Lady in the Navy (Annapolis: Naval

Institute 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, dtd

6May46 (Postwar MCWR I file).

12. Col Katherine A. Towle memo to Director of Personnel, dtd

14Jun46 (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 MCWR

I 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 blet

scrapbook).

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 (Munroe 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 (Munroe scrapbook).

28. VTU 1-1 (WR), Notices for the week of 12Nov47, undtd (Munroe 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 (Washington: Division of Reserve, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1966),

p. 130.

33. LtGol Ben A. Munn ltr Hist&MusDiv, dtd 26Jan77 (WM

Research file).

197

207
198 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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. Thomas, 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 (Postwar 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 Tupperware, Jan77, p.5 (WM Research file).

CHAPTER 2

WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES LEGISTATION:

PUBLIC LAW 625

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from: Hearings -WR Bill file (Dir WMs file), hereafter WM Bill

file; 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 Affairs Committee on H.R. 5915, undtd (WR Bill file).

3. House of Representatives Naval Affairs Committee, U.S. Congress, To Amend the Naval Reserve Act of 1938, As Amended, So

as to Establish the Women's Reserves on a Permanent Basis, and

fir Other Purposes, House Report 226, 79th Congress, 2nd Session (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, To

Authorize the Enlistment and Appointment of Women in the Regular Navy and Marine Corps and the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve

and 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 & Discharge

file, 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 3

GOING REGULAR

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from: WMs HQMC Records; The Reserve Bulletin, 1948-1949; WM

Research File; Old Studies Matters Women Marines, box 3, WMs

HQMC Records, hereafter Old Studies; Clowers papers; Personal

Papers, copies, donated by LtCol Doris V. Kleberger to Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, hereafter Kleberger papers; Hamblet interview; Col Margaret M. Henderson interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd Oct76 (Oral

Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Henderson interview; LtCol Elsie E. Hill interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd

30Apr77 (WM Research file), hereafter Hill interview; Hale interview; LtCol Elaine T. Carville interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd

1May77 (WM Research file), hereafter Carville interview; Pauline

Riley Wilson interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 1Apr77 (Oral Hist

Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Wilson interview;

SgtMaj Ruth Ryan interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 24Mar77 (WM

Research file), hereafter Ryan interview; lstSgt BerthaJ. Schultz interview 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 Research

file), hereafter Draughon interview; lstSgt Esther D. Waclawski interview with Hist&MusDiv dtd Nov76 (WM Research file), hereafter

Waclawski 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 HQMC

Records).

28. Marine Corps Memorandum No. 7-48, dtd 16Nov48 (File

1300, Assignment & Distribution 1944-1956, box 3, WMs HQMC

Records).

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, Organization of, draft (File P. 11/2, Recruit Training, box 5, WMs

HQMC 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 4

ME KOREAN WAR YEARS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from: 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 Organized Reserve file; Colonel Valeria F. Hilgart interview with

Hist&MusDiv, dtd 23Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC), hereafter Hilgart interview; Lieutenant Colonel Nita Bob

Warner interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Judge interview; GySgt

Frances Curwen Bilski interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 23Mar77

(WM Research file), hereafter Bilski interview; Theresa "Sue" Sousa interview with Hist&MusDiv, dtd 31Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection,

Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Sousa interview; Personal papers

loaned by Lieutenant Colonel Pauline B. Beckley to Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, hereafter Beckley papers; Clowers papers; Scrapbook donated by MSgt Julia Bennke Stacy to Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter 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
200 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

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 interview 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 5

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS, 1951-1963

Unless otherwise noted, the matilial in this chapter is derived

from: "Maximum Utilization ofWoro m in the Marine Corps," report

by Procedures Analysis Office, Nov51 File, Approved Policies on

Utilization, Assignment of WMs since 1943, box 1, WMs HQMC

Records, hereafter Procedures Analysis Report Nov51; File 1300, Assignment & Distribution (1944-1956), box 3 WMs HQMC Records,

hereafter Assignment file 44-56; File, Utilization of Women Marines, DirWMs files, hereafter Util WMs file; File Utilization of

Women, box 7, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Util of Women

file; DirWM reports on Women on Active Duty By MOS compiled

by Author on chart, Utilization Section, box 1, WM Research File,

hereafter MOS Chart; "Enlisted Jobs in the Marine Corps Which

Can Be Performed By Women In the Event of Mobilization," a thesis 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 Island, 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 appropriate 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 Policies, 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 Policy Division, Office of Asst SecDef, dtd 31Mar53 (File, Requirement

for 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 (Manpower 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 HQMC

Records), hereafter Training file.

35. DirWMs memorandum to Asst Chief of Staff, G-3, dtd

11Aug52 (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 6

UTILIZATION AND NUMBERS: PEPPER BOARD,

1964-1972

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from: File 5300, WM Program Study Group, box 6, WMs HQMC

Records, hereafter WMPSG file; Notebook, Pepper Board Backup

Material, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Pepper Board notebook; File, Study No. 1-64, box 6, WMs, HQMC Records, hereafter Study 1-64 file; File, Major Accomplishments (Code AW)

1967-1973, box 1, WM Research file, hereafter Maj Accomplishment

file; Woman Marine Newsletters, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter WM Newsletter, File, 1200 Classification and Designation, Box

3, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Classificadon and Designation

file; File, Assignment & Distribution (1957-1971), box 3, WMs

HQMC Records, hereafter Assignment & Distribution file; File 5200,

General Management file, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter

General 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; LtCol

Jane L. Wallis interview wifh Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 9Mar77,

hereafter Wallis interview; Lt Col Vea J. Smith interview with

Hist&MusDiv, dtd 2Feb77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC), hereafter Smith interview.

1. DirWMs comments on replies from MCBulletin 5312 of

27Feb63, 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/Fact

Sheets, 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), hereafter

Collins 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,.4

29. 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) hereafter

Bane 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 Subcommittee, House of Representatives. Dec69 (Laws and Legal Matters 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 (Archives, 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., donated 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 (General Management file).

53. WM Newsletter, Autumn 66.

54. DirWMs report to Chief of Staff, dtd 16Sep66 (WMs to WestPac 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 (Assignment & Distribution file).

CHAPTER 7

UrALIZATION AND NUMBERS: SNELL

COMMITTEE, 1973-1977

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from Ad Hoc Committee on Increased Effectiveness and Utilization 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 notebook; File, WMs in FMF, Pilot Program, box 1, WM Research file,

hereafter WMs in FMF file; Bane interview; Maj Kathleen V. Abbott Ables Itr to Hist5cMusDiv, HQMC, dtd 7Jul77 (WM Response

file, WM Research file), hereafter Ables kr; Biographies of WMs

in the Marine Corps Band file, Box 1, WM Research file, hereafter

Marine 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 Deputy C/S (Manpower), dtd 3Jul73 (Ad Hoc Committee file).

5. Recommendation No. 7, Report of Ad Hoc Committee (Ad

Hoc Committee file).

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

6. Report of Ad Hoc Committee (Ad Hoc Committee file).

7. Remarks by Col Margaret A. Brewer, Defense Manpower Comdtd 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 memorandum 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 8

RESERVES AFTER KOREA

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from Files, Reserve 46, box 7, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter

Reserve 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 Research

file, hereafter Res after Korea file; Sousa interview; MSgt Lama J.

Dennis interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, hereafter Dennis interview. (The author was I&I, WM Platoon, Boston, 1957-1958, and

in 1975-1976 prepared two staff studies for the Division of Reserve

on the training of senior Women Reserve Officers.)

1. Reserve Memorandum 2-52, concept of the Woman Marine

Platoons 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 9

RECRUIT TRAINING

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from 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 training, 15Sep71, loaned by Maj Joan M. Collins to Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, hereafter 50P71; MCRD Order P1510.26, SOP for female

recruit training, dtd 20Dec76 (WM Research file), hereafter 50P76;

File P11/2, Recruit 'Raining, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Recruit 'Raining file; File 1510, Enlisted 'Raining, box 3, WMs

HQMC Records, hereafter Enlisted Training file; File 1103/1, New

WM Complex, Woman Recruit Training Command files, PISC, hereafter WM Complex file; Hill interview; Judge interview; LtCol Vera

M. Jones interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd 24Mar77 (Oral

Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC) hereafter Jones interview;

Capt Nancy A. Davis interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC, dtd

7Jun77 (WM Research file), hereafter Davis interview; CWO Virginia 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 (Oral

Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Connolly interview. (The author served as S-3, WRTB; commanding officer, Recruit

Company; 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 Training file).

8. CMC ltr to CG MCRD, PISC, dtd 24Apr58 (Enlisted Training te).

9. Leatherneck, Dec58, p. 35.

10. Ibid., p. 38.

11. Ibid., p. 39.

12. CG MCRD, PISC, ltr to CMC, dtd 6Mar61 (Enlisted Training file).

13. IVM Newsletter, 1967-1969 (WM Research file); Maj Accomplishments 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 interview

37. 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 Cornpkx file).

42. Jones interview.

CHAPTER 10

OFFICER TRAINING

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from File, Woman Officer School, MCDEC, MCB, Quantico, 20

December 1974, Disestablishment, WM Research file, hereafter

WOS File; LtCol Barbara E. Dolyak interview with Hist&MusDiv,

HQMC, dtd 13Sep77, hereafter Dolyak interview. (The author attended officer candidate training in 1953 and 1954, attended WOIC

in 1955, and served on the staff as supply officer and instructor in

1957 and 1958. She served as instructor at WOS from 1965 until

1970.)

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 11

ADMINISMATION OF WOMEN

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from a compilation of information, oral, written, and taped,

gathered by means of letters and interviews. All women Marines

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

interviewed for this history, active and former, were asked to comment on the subject of WM companies, barracks, and regulations

and the relationship between officers and enlisted women. Regulations vary from post to post so that the information presented

in this chapter is representative of most WM commands but not

necessarily all of them. In March 1977, the author visited the WM

Company, Headquarters Battalion, HQMC; the WM Barracks at

Cherry Point, and Headquarters and Service Company, Base Material

Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

1. Col Katherine A. Towle ltr zo MajGen Leroy P. Hunt, dtd

23Dec48 (File A1/8, Reserve, Division of, box 7, WMs HQMC

Records).

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 General

Officers, all Commanding Officers, and all Officers In Charge, dtd

23Jun76 (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, dtd

16Jun77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter

Brewer 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), hereafter Reinholz interview.

19. Maj Ruth D. Woidyla interview with HiFt&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd 20Jun77 (WM Research file).

20. Ibid.

CHAPTER 12

PROMOTIONS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter was derived

from File 1412, Promotions, box 5, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Promotions file; and Director of WMs Newletters 1966-1970.

All women Marines interviewed for this history were asked to comment on promotion policies and their effect on careers and on

morale.

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 sergeant/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 the

first 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 Commandant, 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, Manpower, dtd 7Aug72 (Promotion file).

17. News article undtd, Dir of WMs scrapbook (WMs HQMC

Records).

CHAPTER 13

MARRIAGE, MOTHERHOOD, AND DEPENDENT

HUSBANDS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter was derived

from 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/Ref

Book items/Fact Sheet), box 5, WMs HQMC Records, hereafter Misc

file; Col Jeanette I. Sustad interview with Hist&MusDiv, HQMC,

dtd 20Jun77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Sustad interview; Capt Katherine A. Gordon, interview with

Hist&MusDiv, dtd 29Jun77 (WM Research file), hereafter Gordon

in 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-Navy

Nurses Act of 1947 and the Women's Armed Forces Integration Act

of 1948 (Marriage file).

5. LtCol Margaret A. Brewer comments to Mary Ann Kuhn of

the 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, dtd

May77 (WM Research file).

205

13. RAdm Clifford A. Swanson ltr to Office of the Judge Advocate General, dtd 5Jan49 (Marriage file).

14. Col Jeanette I. Sustad remarks to Special Subcommittee on

Utilization of Manpower in the Military, House Armed Services Committee, dtd 6Mar72 (File Laws and Legal Matters, box 5, WMs

HQMC Records).

15. Equal Opportunity Actions Affecting Military Women

(1972-1976) (WM Research file).

16. B. J. Simmons, Jr., Department of Navy Bureau of Personnel

memo 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 14

UNIFORMS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from: Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Uniform Regulations U.S.

Marine Corps Women's Reserve, 1945, dtd 30Apr45 (Marine Corps

Historical Library, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC), hereafter Uniform Regulations, 1945; Marine Corps Manual, 1949, with all changes (Marine Corps Historical Library, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC); Marine Corps

Order P1020.34, dtd 2Jun61, with all changes to inchde MCO

P1020.34C, dtd 12Mar76 (Central Files, HQMC), hereafter MCO

P1020.34; 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 Marine Corps Uniform Board, dtd 13Mar62 (Uniform notebook, box

2, WM Research file), hereafter Uniform notebook.

10. DirWMs memorandum to President, Permanent Marine Corps

Uniform 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 unidentified, 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 (box

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

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 HQMC

Records).

23. MCO PI020.34A, CI, dtd 4Nov63.

24. MCB 1020, dtd 22Sep75 (Central Files, HQMC).

25. Navy Times, 20Jun77.

CHAPTER 15

LAURELS AND TRADITIONS

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter was derived

from Laurels and Traditions Section, WM Research Notebook 3,

box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Laurels file; WM Anniversary

file, box 2, WM Research file, hereafter Ann file; and Molly Marine 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 citation (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 citation (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 Research

file), hereafter Davis papers.

16. SSgt J. Gebers ltr to SSgt Joan Ambrose, dtd 7May65 (Laurels

file)

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 16

THE SERGEANTS MAJOR OF WOMEN MARINES

Unless otherwise noted, the material in this chapter is derived

from the official biographies of the sergeants major (File Sergeant

Major, WM Research file).

1. Qualification for Sergeant Major of Women Marines (File Sergeant Major, WM Research file).

2. Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle interview with Hist&MusDiv,

dtd 15Mar77 (Oral Hist Collection, Hist&MusDiv, HQMC).

CHAPTER 17

THE DIRECTORS OF WOMEN MARINES

Unless otherwise noted, the material for this chapter was derived from the official biographies of each of the Directors of Women 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. (The

author attended the ceremony marking the disestablishment of the

Director 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, WM

Research file).

17. Brewer interview, 16Jun77.

18. Ibid.

216
Appendix A

Women Marines Strength, 1948-1977

DATE OFFICERS ENLISTED TOTAL

30 June 48

30 June 49

30 June 50

30 June 51

30 June 52

30 June 53

30 _bine 54

30 June 55

30 June 56

30 June 57

30 June 58

30 June 59

30 June 60

30 June 61

30 June 62

30 June 63

30 June 64

30 June 65

30 June 66

30 June 67

30 June 68

30 June 69

30 June 70

30 June 71

30 June 72

30 June 73

30 June 74

30 June 75

30 June 76

30 June 77

8 159 167

31 322 353

45 535 580

63 2,002 2,065

115 2,347 2,462

160 2,502 2,662

163 2,339 2,502

135 2,113 2,248

113 1,634 1,747

107 1,510 1,617

115 1,530 1,645

123 1,703 1,826

123 1,488 1,611

117 1,495 1,612

121 1,576 1,697

135 1,563 1,698

128 1,320 1,448

140 1,441 1,581,

153 1,697 1,832

189 2,122 2;311

228 2,555 2,780

284 2,443 2,727

299 2,119 2,418

277 1,981 2,258

282 2,066 2,348

315 1,973 2,288

336 2,402 2,738

345 2,841 3,186

386 3,133 3,519

407 3,423 3,830

207
Appendix B

Occupational Fields for Women Officers

Occupational fields in which women officers are eligible to serve, and percentages in each, as of 31

December 1976.*

01 PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

NO.

WOMEN

OFFICERS

142

PERCENTAGE

OF WOMEN

OFFICERS

33.41

PERCENTAGE

OF USMC

OFFICERS

30.80

02 INTELLIGENCE 18 4 23 9 42

04 LOGISTICS 0 0 00 0 00

13 ENGINEER AND SHORE PARTY 4 0 94 0 56

14 DRAFTING, SURVEYING, AND MAPPING 0 0 00 0 00

15 PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION 0 0 00 0 00

21 ORDNANCE 0 0 00 0 00

23 EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL 0 0 00 0 00

25 OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 20 4 70 2 22

26 SIGNALS INTEL/GROUND ELECT WF (s 0 00 0 00

28 TELECOM MAINTENANCE 0 0 00 0 00

30 SUPPLY ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS 6 59 2 25

31 TRANSPORTATION 1 17 16.67

32 REPAIR SERVICES 0 00 0 00

33 FOOD SERVICES 1 90 20.51

34 AUDITING, FINANCE, AND ACCOUNTING 6 10.80 21.00

35 maroR TRANSPORT 6 1 40 4 41

40 DATA SYSTEMS 18 4 23 6 47

41 MC EXCHANGE 12 2 82 44.44

43 PUBLIC AFFAIRS 14 3 29 35.90

44 LEGAL SERVICES 26 6 11 5 21

46 PHOTOGRAPHY 5 1.17 5 26

49 TRAINING AND TRAINING AIDS 3 0 70 17.65

55 BAND 0 0 00 0 00

57 NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL 0 0 00 0 00

58 MILITARY POLICE AND CORRECTIONS 5 1 15 5 26

59 ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE 1 0 23 0 71

60/61 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 4 0 94 1 98

65 AVIATION ORDNANCE 0 0 00 0 00

66 AVIONICS 0 0 00 0 00

68 WEATHER SERVICE 3 0 70 21.43

70 AVIATION OPERATIONS 1 0 23 4 17

72 AIR CONTROL/SUPPORT/ANTIAIR WF 9 2 11 1 61

73 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 13 3 05 13.40

99 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 Women

Occupational fields in which enlisted women are eligible to serve, and percentages in each, as of 31

December 1976.*

01 PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

02 INTELLIGENCE

04 LOGISTICS

00 UTILITIES

13 ENGINEER AND SHORE PARTY

14 DRAFTING, SURVEYING, AND MAPPING

15 PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION

21 ORDNANCE

23 EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

25 OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

26 SIGNALS INTEL/GROUND ELECT WF

28 TELECOM MAINTENANCE

30 SUPPLY ADMINISTRATION/SUPPLY

31 TRANSPORTATION

32 REPAIR SERVICES

33 FOOD SERVICES

34 AUDITING, FINANCE, AND ACCOUNTING

35 MOTOR TRANSPORT

40 DATA SYSTEMS

41 MC EXCHANGE

43 PUBLIC AFFAIRS

44 LEGAL SERVICES

46 PHOTOGRAPHY

49 TRAINING AND TRAINING AIDS

55 BAND

57 NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL

58 MILITARY POLICE AND CORRECTIONS

59 ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE

60/61 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE

65 AVIATION ORDNANCE

66 AVIONICS

68 WEATHER SERVICE

70 AVIATION OPERATIONS

72 AIR CONTROL/SUPPORT/ANTIAIR WF

73 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

98 U.S. MARINE CORPS BAND

99 IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING MOS'S

03, 08, 18, 75not eligible for assignment

*(Source: WM Research file)

NO. PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE

ENLISTED OF ENLISTED OF ENLISTED

WOMEN WOMEN MARINES

950 30.42 9 05

4 0 12 0 33

22 0 70 1 84

38 1 21 1 63

31 0 99 0 37

5 0 16 1 59

14 0 44 6 90

2 0 06 0 07

0 0 00 0 00

155 4 96 1 21

0 0 00 0 00

166 5 31 4 11

443 14.18 3 87

69 2 21 8 59

8 0 25 2 60

16 0 51 0 39

139 4 45 8 17

186 5 95 1 41

101 3 23 6 18

75 2 40 12.02

53 1 69 15.19

91 2 99 16.98

19 0 60 4 52

47 1 50 14,78

28 0 89 3 76

0 0 00 0 00

90 2 88 2 12

1 0 03 0 05

13 0 41 0 12

0 0 00 0 00

57 1 84 0 81

22 0 70 7 24

25 0 80 1 27

0 0 00 0 00

15 0 48 1 86

11 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 1946

Captain Elizabeth J. Elrod 31 Dec 1946-19 Dec 1948

Captain Pauline B. Beckley 20 Dec 1948-31 May 1950

Officers carried on rolls of Company C, Headquarters Battalion; enlisted women carried on rolls

of Companies D and E, Headquarters Battalion, according to their work section.

Company D, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginth, activated 1 July 1952

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, 20 May 1970; deactivated 4 August 1977

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Elaine T. Carville 1 Jul 1952-7 Jul 1953

Major Jeanette Pearson 8 Jul 1953-2 Jun 1954

Captain Joyce M. Hamman 3 Jun 1954-9 Nov 1954

Second Lieutenant Elizabeth M. Faas 11 Nov 1954-1 Feb 1955

Second Lieutenant Florence E. Land 2 Feb 1955-6 Mar 1955

Second Lieutenant Valeria F. Hilgart 7 Mar 1955-19 Jan 1956

Captain Virginia Caley 31 Jan 1956-31 Jul 1957

Captain Patricia A. Maas 1 Aug 1957-9 Jun 1959

First Lieuten2nt Dorothy A. Olds 10 Jun 1959-5 Jan 1960

Captain Pa.tricia A. Watson 6 Jan 1960-25 Nov 1962

Captain Carol J. Carlson 26 Nov 1962-31 Jan 1964

Captain Gail M. Reals 3 Feb 1964-23 Dec 1966

Captain Nancy J. Mackie 24 Dec 1966-13 Jun 1968

Captain Melba J. Myers 14 Jun 1968-3 Jul 1968

First Lieutenant Mary G. Nitsch 4 Jul 1968-23 Jul 1968

Captain Jeanne A. Botwright 24 Jul 1968-1 Apr 1970

Captain Charlene M. Summers 2 Apr 1970-23 Jan 1972

First Lieutenant Karen I. Kelly 24 Jan 1972-7 Feb 1972

Captain Joan M. Collins 8 Feb 1972-11 Jul 1974

Captain Shelley B. Mayer 12 Jul 1974-18 Jul 1977

First 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, Quantico, 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 session during 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 1965 Woman Officer School redesignatedas a school under the Education Center, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia 12 June 1973; disestablished 20 December 1974

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Elsie E. Hill 20 Jun 1949-24 Sep 1951 Captain Emma H. Hendrickson 25 Sep 1951-30 Nov 1951 Lieutenant Colonel Julia E. Hamblet 16 May 1952-6 Apr 1953 Major Dorothy M. Knox 7 Apr 1953-31 May 19.53 Major Margaret M. Henderson 1 Jun 1953-10 Dec 1954 Major Mary Janice Hale 11 Dec 1954-11 May 1955 Lr,-zitenant Colonel Pauline B. Beckley 12 May 1955-10 Feb 1957 Major Nita Bob Warner 11 Feb 1957-15 May 1957 Lieutenant Colonel Emma Henderickson Clowers 16 May 1957-23 Mar 1959 Major Nita Bob Warner 24 Mar 1959-1 May 1959 Lieutenant Colonel Dorothy M. Knox 2 May 1959-11 Jun 1962 Lieutenant Colonel Doris V. Kleberger 12 Jun 1962-16 Jun 1965 Major Margaret A. Brewer 17 Jun 1965-30 Jul 1965 Lieutenant Colonel Elsie E. Hill 31 Jul 1965-31 Oct 1966 Major Ruth F. Reinholz 1 Nov 1966-31 Jan 1967

Lieutenant Colonel Valeria F. Hilgart 1 Feb 1967-9 Apr 1970 Lieutenant Colonel Theresa M. Hayes 10 Apr 1970-10 Jan 1972 Lieutenant Colonel Carolyn J. Auldridge Walsh 11 Jan 1972-10 Jul 1973

Lieutenant Colonel Roberta N. Roberts Patrick 12 Jul 1973-20 Dec 1974

3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, activated 23 February 1949

Redesignated Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 May 1954

Redesignated Woman Recruit Training Command, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 28 May 1976

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Margaret M. Henderson 23 Feb 1949-19 Jun 1950 Captain Mary J. Hale 29 Aug 1950-17 Sep 1950

I 221
WOMEN MARINE UNITS, 1946-1977 215

Major Pauline B. Beckley

Major Helen M. Tatum

Major Nita Bob Warner

Lieutenant Colonel Elsie E. Hill

Major Jeanette I. Sustad

Lieutenant Colonel Barbara J. Bishop

Major Doris V. Kleberger

Lieutenant Colonel Elsie E. Hill

Lieutenant Colonel Julia E. Hamblet

Lieutenant Colonel Dorothy M. Knox

Major Mary E. Bane

Lieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'Holleran

Lieutenant Colonel Jenny Wrenn

Lieutenant Colonel Roberta N. Roberts

Major Gail M. Reals

Lieutenant Colonel Ruth F. Reinholz

Major Gail M. Reals

Lieutenant Colonel Jenny Wrenn

Lieutenant Colonel Vera M. Jones

Lieutenant Colonel Gail M. Reals

18 Sep 1950-25 Nov 1952

26 Nov 1952-11 Jan 1953

12 Jan 1953-7 Apr 1954

8 Apr 1954-2 Sep 1956

3 Sep 1956-21 Oct 1956

22 Oct 1956-25 Jul 1959

26 Jul 1959-2 Dec 1959

3 Dec 1959-15 May 1962

16 May 1962-25 Apr 1965

26 Apr 1965-4 Apr 1967

5 Apr 1967-26 Oct 1967

27 Oct 1967-15 Jul 1969

16 Jul 1969-9 Feb 1971

10 Feb 1971-11 Jul 1972

12 Jul 1972-15 Aug 1972

16 Aug 1972-20 Dec 1972

21 Dec 1972-6 May 1973

7 May 1973-30 Jul 1975

31 Jul 1975-14 Sep 1977

15 Sep 1977-

Post Troops, 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, activated 11 January 1950

SECTION COMMANDER

Second Lieutenant Mary S. Mock 11 Jan 1950-21 Aug 1951

Captain Emily Schultz 22 Aug 1951-14 Nov 1951

Company W, Marine Barracks, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, activated 13 October

1950

Redesignated Camp Headquarters .Women Marines Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 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 1953

Captain Elaine T. Carville 6 Sep 1953-16 Oct 1953

Major Barbara J. Bishop 17 Oct 1953-11 Apr 1955

First Lieutenant Nancy L. White 12 Apr 1955-11 Jul 1955

Captain Mary Sue Mock 12 Jul 1955-4 Mar 1957

Captain Margaret A. Brewer 8 Mar 1957-12 May 1958

Captain Ellen B. Moroney 13 May 1958-11 Sep 1961

222
216 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Captain Jane L. Wallis 12 Sep 1961-20 Mar 1964 Captain Carol A. Vertalino 21 Mar 1964-26 May 1966 Major Elsa L. Farman 27 May 1966-10 May 1967 Captain Jo H. Hall 11 May 1967-23 Jan 1969 Captain Della J. Elden 24 Jan 1969-19 Jul 1970 Captain Ruby J. Chapman 20 Jul 1970-29 Nov 1971 Captain Juanita A. Lamb 30 Nov 1971- 20 Jur) 1973 Captain Carol L. Pollack 21 Jun 1973-13 Nov 1975 Captain Linda Essex Edwards 14 Nov 1975-2 Aug 1977

Woman Marine Company, Service Battalion, Marine Barracks, Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, California, activated 1 June 1951

Redesignated Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Maine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, 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 1952 Second Lieutenant Valeria F. Hilgart 28 Aug 1952-29 Nov 1952 Second Lieutenant Catherine M. Gregory 30 Nov 1952-27 Mar 1953 Captain Frances M. Johnson 28 Mar 1953-6 Sep 1954 Second Lieutenant Ruth J. O'Holleran 7 Sep 1954-3 Dec 1955 Captain Jenny Wrenn 4 Dec 1955-28 Feb 1957 First Lieutenant Dorothy A. Olds 1 Mar 1957-10 Mar 1957

Captain Marguerita C. Russell 11 Mar 1957-26 Jan 1958 Captain Clarabelle M. Merritt 27 Jan 1958-10 Jan 1960 Captain Martha A. Cox 11 Jan 1960-19 Sep 1961 Captain Shirley L. Mink 20 Sep 1961-9 Oct 1963 Major Florence E. Land 10 Oct 1963-4 Jul 1964 First Lieutenant Cath H. Bednar 5 Jul 1964-1 Dec 1964 First Lieutenant Sara R. Beauchamp 2 Dec 1964-1 Mar 1965 First Lieutenant Jolana Johnson 2 Mar 1965-1 Oct 1966 Captain Estella C. Rhodes 2 Oct 1966-30 Jun 1967 Captain Mary S. Stevens League 1 Jul 1967-2 Dec 1968 Captain Anna H. Williams 3 Dec 1968-2 Jul 1969 Captain Sharyll A. B. Plato 3 Jul 1969-9 Sep 1969 Captain Anna H. Williams 10 Sep 1969-19 Nov 1969 Second Lieutenant Alice F. Jones 20 Nov 1969-30 Dec 1969 Captain Barbara A. Schmidt 31 Dec 1969-29 Nov 1970 Major Georgia L. Swickheinter 30 Noy 1970-6 Apr 1971 First Lieutenant Sue E. Vanhaastert 7 Apr 1971-19 Jul 1971 Second Lieutenant Roberta 11. Baro 20 Jul 1971-2 Aug 1971

:(5 223
WOMEN MARINE UNITS, 1946-1977 217

Captain Lillian Hagener 3 Aug 1971-16 Aug 1973

Captain Nancy J. Lewis Hackert 17 Aug 1973-12 Jan 1974

First Lieutenant Donna M. Hug 11 Jan 1974-10 Feb 1974

First 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 Corps

Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 May 1954

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit

Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina (date unknown)

Redesignated Permanent Personnel Company, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps

Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 April 1958

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Woman Marine Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit

Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 27 April 1964; deactivated 25 May 1976

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Emily Schulyz 15 Nov 1951-25 Nov 1952

Second Lieutenant Phyllis J. Young 26 Nov 1952-26 Jun 1953

First Lieutenant Muriel J. Katschker 27 Jun 1953-18 Jul 1954

Captain Essie M. Lucas 19 Jul 1954-12 Mar 1955

First Lieutenant Ruth F. Reinholz 14 Mar 1955-12 Jun 1956

Second Lieutenant Francis B. Newman 13 Jun 1956-7 Jul 1956

Captain Constance Baker 8 Jul 1956-1 Nov 1957

Captain_Gussie R. Calhoun 2 Nov 1957-2 Mar 1959

Major boris V. Kleberger 3 Mar 1959-5 Jul 1959

Captain Donrue Weyer 6 Jul 1959-11 Jun 1960

First Lieutenant Betty L. Leonard 12 Jun 1960-20 Aug 1960

Captain Patsy A. Twilley 21 Aug 1960-22 Mar 1962

First Lieutenant Jo Ann Kilday 23 Mar 1962-10 Sep 1962

Captain Leah M. Draper 12 Sep 1962-30 Jun 1963

First Lieutenant Jacqueline Leffler White 1 Jul 1963-31 Jan 1964

Second Lieutenant Barbara J. Oliver 1 Feb 1964-16 Feb 1964

First Lieutenant Vera M. Jones 17 Feb 1964-3 Jan 1965

Captain Mary S. Stevens 4 Jan 1965-15 Aug 1966

First Lieutenant Johnena J. Cochran 15 Aug 1966-6 Feb 1967

First Lieutenant Suellen A. Beaulieu 7 Feb 1967-1 Aug 1967

Captain Loretta J. Ross 2 Aug 1967-17 Mar 1968

First Lieutenant Marie L. Arnold 18 Mar 1968-22 Dec 1968

Captain Jean M. Panzer 23 Dec 1968-23 Sep 1969

Major Karen G. Wheeler 24 Sep 1969-31 Oct 1969

First Lieutenant Bonnie J. Tervo 1 Nov 1969-21 May 1970

Second Lieutenant Elizabeth T. Agaisse 24 May 1970-3 Jul 1970

Captain Emma G. Ramsey 5 Jul 1970-28 Feb 1971

First Lieutenant Elizabeth T. Agaisse 1 Mar 1971-15 Apr 1971

First Lieutenant Cheryl J. McCauley 18 Apr 1971-20 May 1971

Captain Shirley E. Leaverton 21 May 1971-16 Jul 1973
218 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

First Lieutenant Barbara J. Gard 17 Jul 1973-11 Sep 1973 Captain Carolyn Bever Wiseman 12 Sep 1973-23 Apr 1974 First Lieutenant Susan V. Wagner 24 Apr 1974-26 Sep 1974 Captain Carol A. Barber 30 Sep 1974-9 Jul 1975 Second Lieutenant Bonnie L. Duphiney 10 Jul 1975-2 Aug 1975 Captain 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 Corps Air 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 1952 Major Shirley J. Fuetsch 16 Dec 1952-8 Jan 1953

First Lieutenant Wilma Morris 9 Jan 1953-4 Feb 1953 Major Ben Alice Day 5 Feb 1953-30 Dec 1954

First Lieutenant Shirley A. Tate 1 Jan 1955-14 Mar 1955

Major Helen A. Tatum 15 Mar 1955-29 Apr 1955 Major Dorothy M. Knox 30 ATI 1955-3 ATI 1958

Captain Valeria F. Hilgart 4 Apr 1958-17 Oct 1960 First Lieutenant Sonia Rivera-Cuevas 18 Oct 1960-16 Jan 1961

Captain Marie J. Halvorsen 17 Jan 1961-11 Feb 1962

First Lieutenant Nancy Talbot Rick 12 Feb 1962-13 Nov 1963

Captain Nanette L. Beavers 14 Nov 1963-5 Nov 1966

Major Roberta N. Roberts 6 Nov 1966-20 Aug 1967 Captain Judith K. Lund 21 Aug 1967-26 Nov 1969 First Lieutenant Eleanor J. McElroy 27 Nov 1969-22 Sep 1970 Lieutenant Colonel Jane L. Wallis 23 Sep 1970-8 Mar 1971 Major Barbara E. Dolyak 9 Mar 1971-1 May 1972 Captain Marcia A. Biddleman 1 Jul 1972-1 Mar 1973

CWO-3 June R. Doberstein 2 Mar 1973-20 Feb 1974

Womag Marine Detachment-2, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, activated 1 March 1951; deactivated 31 December 1974

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Major Helen A. Wilson 1 Mar 1951-3 May 1951 First Lieutenant Nancy J. Mecartney 4 May 1951-8 Sep 1953 Captain Emily Schultz 9 Sep 1953-17 May 1954 First Lieutenant Louise M. Snyder 18 May 1954-12 Sep 1954 Captain Sara F. Hanan 13 Sep 1954-24 Jan 1955 Captain Jeanne Fleming 25 Jan 1955-25 May 1956 Captain Ruth F. Reinholz 16 Jun 1956-25 Nov 1957

Captain 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 1959

Major Anne S. Ritter 20 Jul 1959-17 Mar 1962

Captain Martha A. Cox 18 Mar 1962-10 Dec 1964

Captain Carolyn J. Auldridge 11 Dec 1964-15 Oct 1966

First Lieutenant Elizabeth D. Doize 1 Nov 1966-28 May 1968

Captain Loretta J. Liehs 29 May 1968-16 Jan 1969

Major Nanette L. Beavers 17 Jan 1969-14 Jan 1970

Captain Donna J. Sherwood 15 Jan 1970-23 Aug 1970

Captain Sara A. Beauchamp 24 Aug 1970-25 Mar 1972

Captain Sharon L. Sherer 28 Mar 1972-31 May 1973

Captain 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 15

April 1977

SUPERVISOR OF WOMEN

Second Lieutenant Doris V. Kleberger

First Lieutenant Joan McCormick

Nov 1950

Nov 1951

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Second Lieutenant Mary E. Sullivan 1 Apr 1952-25 Jun 1952

First Lieutenant Natalie Noble 4 Aug 1952-29 May 1953

Captain Dolores A. Thorning 13 Jun 1953-23 Jan 1955

Second Lieutenant Rita A. Ciotti 24 Jan 1955-13 Aug 1955

Second Lieutenant Martha A. Cox 14 Aug 1955-4 Oct 1955

Captain Margaret A. Brewer 5 Oct 1955-6 Feb 1957

First Lieutenant Shirley J. Gifford 7 Feb 1957-30Jun 1958

First Lieutenant Eleanor H. Bispham 1 Jul 1958-26 Aug 1958

Captain Margaret R. Pruett 27 Aug 1958-3 Aug 1960

First Lieutenant Valeria M. Dayton 4 Aug 1960-25 May 1962

Captain Georgia L. Swickheimer 26 May 1962-20 Dec 1965

First Lieutenant M,ry L. Howard 21 Dec 1965-30 Oct 1967

First Lieutenant Lois J. Bertram 31 Oct 1967-13 Mar 1969

First Lieutenant Mary J. Stoakes 14 Mar 1969-6 Aug 1970

First Lieutenant Carolyn K. Bever Wiseman 7 Aug 1970-24 Nov 1971

First Lieutenant Patricia A. Perkins 25 Nov 1971-13 Feb 1974

First Lieutenant Mary E. Mitchell 14 Feb 1974-12 Dec 1974

Captain Kathryn A. Jacob MacKinney 13 Dec 1974-15 Apr 1977

Company D, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, activated 1 March 1952

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Women Marines Detachment, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, I May 1959

Reorganized, Headquarters Company, Woman Officer School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico,

Virginia, 16 April 1965
220 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Redesignated Headquarters Company, Woman Officer School, Marine Corps Development and Education 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 1951

First Lieutenant Marion R. Moore 1 Feb 1951-28 Feb 1952

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Marion R. Moore 1 Mar 1952-20 Dec 1952

Second Lieutenant Ruth F. Reinholz 23 Dec 1952-11 Jan 1953

Captain Bernice M. Pitman 12 Jan 1953-20 Apr 1954 First Lieutenant Ruth F. Reinholz 21 Apr 1954-30 Apr 1954 Captain Jeanne Fleming 1 Mar 1954-9 Aug 1954 First Lieutenant Anne S. Ritter 10 Aug 1954-6 Dec 1955 First Lieutenant Ellen B. Moroney 7 Dec 1955-19 Nov 1956

Captain Eileen F. Parker 20 Nov 1956-31 Dec 1956

Second Lieutenant Marion L. Call 1 Jan 1957-22 Jan 1957

Captain Virginia A. Hajek 23 Jan 1957-3 Aug 1958 Second Lieutenant Grace Ann Entriken 6 Aug 1958-7 Sep 1958 Captain Beverly Schofield Love 8 Sep 1958-31 May 1960 First Lieutenant Shirley N. Arnold 1 Jun 1960-5 Jul 1960

Second Lieutenant Nanette L. Beavers 6 Jul 1960-31 Jul 1960

Captain Jane L. Wallis 1 Aug 1960-11 Aug 1961 Captain Grace A. Overholser 21 Aug 1961-5 Jun 1962 Captain Margaret R. Pruett 6 Jun 1962-18 Nov 1962

First Lieutenant Gail M. Reals 7 Feb 1963-24 Mar 1963

First Lieutenant Nancy A. Carroll 26 Mar 1963-21 Apr 1964 First Lieutenant Vea J. Smith 22 Apr 1964-5 Dec 1965 Captain Jo Anne Kilday 6 Dec 1965-5 Dec 1966

Captain Vera M. Jones 6 Dec 1966-20 Jan 1967

First Lieutenant Dolores R. Noguera 21 Jan 1967-7 Aug 1967 First Lieutenant Ruth D. Walsh 8 Aug 1967-12 Nov 1968 First Lieutenant Barbara A. Schmidt 13 Nov 1968-30 Nov 1969

Captain Janice C. Scott 1 Dec 1969-11 Oct 1971

First Lieutenant Sharon F. Daugherty 12 Oct 1971-30 Apr 1973 Captain Shirley L. Bowen 1 May 1973-11 Jun 1973

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, activated 16June 1952; deactivated 24 February 1977

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Major Emma H. Clowers 16 Jun 1952-23 Apr 1953 First Lieutenant Eileen F. Parker 24 Apr 1953-31 May 1953 Major Helen A. Wilson 1 Jun 1953-2 Jun 1954

Major Shirley J. Fuetsch 3 Jun 1954-31 Oct 1955

227
WOMEN MARINE UNITS, 1946-1977 221

Captain Donrue Weyer 1 Nov 1955-30 Nov 1956

Captain Mary L. Voight 2 Dec 1956-8 Apr 1958

Second Lieutenant Margaret H. Frank 9 Apr 1958-17 Apr 1958

First Lieutenant Katherine M. Donohue 18 Apr 1958-12 Jun 1958

Captain Patricia A. Watson 13 Jun 1958-17 Dec 1959

Major Theresa M. Hayes 18 Dec 1959-15 Jan 1963

Captain Marilyn F. Day 16 Jan 1963-8 Feb 1965

Captain Winifred B. Paul 9 Feb 1965-24 Jul 1965

Major Barbara J. Lee 26 Jul 1965-26 Dec 1966

Second Lieutenant Elizabeth A. Wilson 27 Dec 1966-4 Feb 1967

Captain Gail A. Waugh 5 Feb 1967-7 Aug 1968

Captain Susan Sommers 13 Aug 1968-29 Aug 1969

Captain Marie J. Halvorsen 30 Aug 1969-1 Feb 1970

Captain Lillian Hagener 2 Feb 1970-31 Jul 1971

Captain Barbara Weinberger 3 Sep 1971-25 Jan 1974

Captain Eleanor F. Pekala 26 Jan 1974-2 Sep 1975

First Lieutenant Mary K. P. Lowery 25 Sep 1975-9 May 1976

First Lieutenant Candice A. Lewis 10 May 1976-24 Feb 1977

Woman Recruit Training Company, W omen Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps

Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina

The company was never a reporting unit. What information is recorded here has been gained through

personal 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 1952

First Lieutenant Virginia Caley 11 Oct 1952-31 Jul 1953

Captain Essie M. Lucas 1 Aug 1953-23 Aug 1954

Captain Elaine T. Carville 24 Aug 1954-6 Nov 1956

Captain Theresa M. Hayes . . 7 Nov 1956-22 Dec 1957

Captain Mary E. Bane 21 Jan 1958-11 Jun 1960

First Lieutenant Georgia Swickheimer 6 Aug 1960-29 Sep 1960

First Lieutenant Mary A. Johnson 30 Sep 1960-27 Mar 1961

First Lieutenant Betty L. Leonard 22 Jun 1961-30 Jul 1961

First Lieutenant Dolores A. Schleichert 31 Jul 1961-29 Apr 1962

Captain Mary L. Vertalino 30 Apr 1962-24 Jun 1963

Captain Annie Muriel Trowsdale 25 June 1963-3 Jan 1965

Captain Vera M. Jones 4 Jan 1965-23 May 1966

Captain Eleanor Elaine Filkins 8 Jul 1966-5 Apr 1968

First Lieutenant Suellen A. Beaulieu May 1968

Captain Joan M. Collins 17 Jul 1969-17 Aug 1971

Captain Vanda K. Brame 18 Aug 1971-13 Jun 1972

Major Gail M. Reals 14 Jun 19 12-2 7 Jun 1972

Captain Carolyn K. Bever Wiseman 28 Jun 1972-11 Sep 1973

Captain Linda K. Adams Priest 12 Sep 1973-31 Oa 1975

Captain Nancy A. Davis 1 Nov 1975-June 1977

22 8

S
222 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, FMFPac, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, 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 1952 Captain Valeria F. Hilgart 23 Dec 1952-13 Jan 1955 Captain Virginia Caley 14 Jan 1955-2 Dec 1955 First Lieutenant Theresa M. Hayes 3 Dec 1955-6 Jan 1956 Captain Doris V. Kleberger.. 7 Jan 1956-25 Feb 1957 Captain Jenny Wrenn 10 Apr 1957-5 Apr 1959 First Lieutenant Nancy J. Durkin 6 May 1959-15 Jul 1959 Captain Ruth J. O'Holleran 16 Jul 1959-30 Oct 1961 Captain Ellen B. Moroney 2 Nov 1961-18 Nov 1962 Captain Carol A. Vertalino 19 Nov 1962-1 Feb 1964 Captain Elaine E. Filkins 2 Feb 1964-14 Dec 1965 Captain Roberta N. Roberts . 15 Dec 1965-30 Dec 1966 Captain Jeanne A. Botwright 31 Dec 1966-5 Dec 1967 Captain Judybeth D. Barnett 6 Dec 1967-16 Dec 1970 First Lieutenant Cheryl S. Gillespie 21 Dec 1970-16 Jun 1972 Captain Antoinette Meenach 17 .Jun 1972-1 May 1974 Captain 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 1954 Captain Patricia A. Maas 10 Oct 1954-1 Sep 1956

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, California; activated 1 July 1967; deactivated August 1971

COMMANDING OFFICERS

Captain Rebecca M. Kraft 1 Jul 1967-8 Sep 1967 Captain Joan Hammond 9 Sep 1967-26 Oct 1968 First Lieutenant Diane L. Hamel 27 Oct 1968-4 Nov 1969 Captain Alice K. Kurashige 5 Nov 1969-14 May 1970 First Lieutenant Geraldine E. Peeler 15 May 1970-15 Jul 1970 First Lieutenant Vanda K. Brame 16 Jul 1970-31 Apr 1971 First Lieutenant Linda J. Lenhart 7 Jul 1971-31 Jul 1971
WOMEN MARINE UNITS, 1946-1977 223

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, Georgia, activated 13 September 1967; deactivated August 1971

COMMANDING OFFICERS

First Lieutenant Emma G. Ramsey during forming

Captain Sara R. Beauchamp 13 Sep 1967-5 Jan 1969

Captain Mary S. League 6 Jan 1969-20 Mar 1970

Captain Bonnie J. Allman May 1970-May 1971

23 0
Appendix E

Women Marines Who Served in Vietnam

1967-1973

First Lieutenant Lois J. Bertram

Captain Elaine E. Filkins (Davies)

Captain Vera M. Jones

CWO-2 Ernestine A. Koch

Officers

First Lieutenant Shirley E. Leaverton

Lieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'Holleran

Lieutenant Colonel Ruth F. Reinholz

First Lieutenant Lila Jean Sharpsteen

Enlisted Women

Sergeant Barbara J. Aaron (Avant)

Staff Sergeant Bridget V. Connolly

Sergeant Doris L. Denton

Staff Sergeant Adelina Diaz (Torres)

Lance Corporal Teresa A. Dickerson

Corporal Marilyn L. Dorsey

Master Sergeant Barbara J. Dulinsky

Corporal Andrea L. Edwards

Corporal Jeanne L. Francoeur (Bell)

Corporal M. R. Gehant

Sergeart Mary E. Glaudel

Staff Sergeant Franccs I. Gonzales (Shore)

Staff Sergeant Donna L. Hollowell (Murray)

Corporal Alaine K. Ivy

Sergeant Carol E. Lester

Lance Corporal Jeanette I. Hensley

Corporal Nellie Mach (Perkins)

Corporal M. Del Martinez

Corporal Nola E. Mackinster

Staff Sergeant Loretta M. Morrison

Sergeant Ella L. Netherton

Corporal Diane L. Potter

Sergeant Jacqueline K. Roach

Staff Sergeant Ermelinda Salazar (Esquibel)

Corporal Sandra Spaatz

Sergeant Helen J. Varden

Sergeant Mary P. Walsh (McDermott)

Corporal Pauline W. Wilson

225
Appendix F

Enlisted Women Marines Retained

After World War II Who Served

Until Retirement

List provided by Master Sergeant Annette Parziale. She titles it, "Chronological listing of continuous

active duty retirees fortunate enough to be in the right place, at the right time, and holding the right

SSN number to be retained after WV/ II" (MSgt Parziale ltr to Hist&MusDiv, WM Research file).

Catherine G. Murray. . E-7 29Mar43-30Nov62

Geraldine M. Moran . E-9 22Feb43-31Mar63

Ruth M. Haungs E-7 25Jun43-31Mar63

Annette Parziale E-7 2Jul43-31Mar63

Bertha J. Schultz E-8 290ct43-31Ju163

Helen Gardner Redmond E-6 25Mar43-25Dec63

Myrtle Butler Borg Stinson E-7 21Sep43-31Jan64

Bettye R. Hollis E-7 80ct43-29Feb64

Beatrice M. Kent E-6 9May44-31Mar64

Martha E. Kirchman . E-7 6Apr44-31May64

Lucy Cozzi E-7 20Feb45-30Sep64

Marion 0. Ahearn E-8 9Nov43-310ct64

Dorthea E. Hard E-6 26May44-310ct64

Esther D. Waclawski E-8 100ct44-30Nov64

Alice J. Connolly E-8 9Jun43-28Feb65

Juel C. Pensock E-7 15Nov43-6May66

Elizabeth Pinter E-8 20Sep43-31May66

Dorothy L. Kearns. E-7 160ct44-31May66

Betty J. Alley E-6 18Jun45-31Jan67

Jessie L. Van Dyke E-9 6May43-31Ju168

Anna Peregrim E-8 1Feb45-22Aug68

Martha J. Clark E-8 1Mar45-31Aug69

Vera E. Piippo E-8 17Ju143-30Sep69

Catherine L. Quinlan E-9 160ct43-30Sep69

Margaret H. Crowel E-8 .18May45-31May70

Loraine G. Bruso E-8 15Dec43-31Jan71

Elizabeth M. Tarte E-8 10ct43-23Nov71

Bertha Peters Billeb E-9 5Mar43-30Apr73

June V. And ler E-9 9Mar44-30Apr74

Sarah N. Thornton E-9 11Dec43-31Jul74

232

227
Index

A-4 Skyhawk power plant; illus., 95

Ables, Maj Charles K., 100

Ables, Maj Kathleen V., 99-100; illus., 99

Acting Secretary of the Navy, 174

Active Duty for Training, 43-44, 101-102, 105-106,

177n

Adam, TSgt Dolores M., 7

Adams, SSgt Carmen, 81; illus., 75

Adams, Pvt Norma, 48

Ad-Hoc Committee on Increased Effectiveness in the

Utilization of Women in the Marine Corps (See

Snell Committee.)

Ad Hoc Committee to Study Reserve Training for

Women Marines (See Pepper Board)

Administration/Gymnasium Building 914, MCRD,

Parris Island, South Carolina, 28

Administration of women's affairs, 18, 24

Administrative discharge, 144, 151, 153

Advanced Communication Officer Course, 93

Aerial Surveillance Officer Course, Fort Holabird,

Maryland, 74

Aerological School Training Unit, NAS, Lakehurst,

NeW Jersey, 182

Air Force Attache, Santo Domingo, 173

Air Force Reserve, 18

AFSE, Naples, Italy, 88

Air Traffic Control Officers Course, NAS, Glynco, Georgia, 74

Airmen's Open Mess, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan,

83

Albert, PFC Dennis M., 79

Albert, PFC Donna L., 79

Albert, SgtMaj Evelyn E., 80, 181-184; illus., 182

Albertson, Capt Eileen M., 92-93; illus., 93

Alexander, Sgt Judith A., 97

Allegree, 2dLt Patricia A., 74

Allgood, Cpl Doris, 52

All-volunteer force, 89-90

Almon, SSgt Lucille, 42

Almonte, GySgt Virginia, 78

Ambrose, SSgt Joan S., 173

American Nazi Party, 99

American Spirit Honor Medal, 121

Ames, TSgt Barbara A., 28

Amphibious Warfare School, 34, 36, 73-74, 76, 107

Anderson, Gen Earl E., 99

Anderson, lstLt Fern D., 42

Anderson, lstLt Marie K., 12n

Anderson, Sgt Norine, 60

Anderson, 2dLt Sara J., 37

Anderson, Cpl Shirley, 52

Andler, SgtMaj June V., 25, 28, 161, 182, 185-186;

illus., 161, 185

Andlott, Cpl Mary J., 82

Anniversary of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve,

8; illus., 13

Anniversary of the Women Marines, 67, 83, 85,

174-177; illus., 174-177

Appointments, 3, 5, 17, 21-23, 36 (See also Promotions)

Appropriations, 12, 22, 39, 104, 106, 125-126

Arcure, SSgt Mary K., 50

Arden, Elizabeth, 167

Arlington, Virginia, 26, 170

Armed Forces Day, 43, 101

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 174; illus., 1,73

Armed Forces Leave Act of 1946, 6

Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, 77

Armed Forces Television Station, Saigon, Vietnam, 85

Armed Services Exchange Regulations, 155

Armitage, Maj Gerald T., 30

Armstrong, BGen Harry G., 17

Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 107

Army I Corps, 85

Army Officer Candidates School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 134

Arnby, SgtMaj John W., 81

Arney, lstLt Kathleen J., 23, 28

Artz, SSgt Muriel V., 50; illus., 51

Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manpower and Reserve

Affairs, 150

Assistant to the Commandant for Woman Marine

Matters (See Director of Women Marines)

Atau, LCpl A. Digman; illus., 70

Atlanta, Georgia, 11, 39, 65

Atlantic Ocean, 169

Attaya, Sgt Mary L., 40

Austin, Capt Robin L., 135-136

229
230 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Automotive Mechanics School, MCB, Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina, 94

Aviation Radar Repair Course, (See CommunicationsElectronic School)

Aviation Women's Reserve Group 1, MCAS, Cherry

Point, 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, 162

Bach, 2dLt Eleanor M., 36; illus., 34

Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ), 84-85, 139

Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ), 36, 81, 84-85,

125, 129, 155

Baird, Ralph A. (See Acting Secretary of the Navy)

Baker, PFC Brenda; illus., 176

Baker, Maj Charles E., 71

Baker, LCp1 Virginia E., 82

Ballard, LtCol George J., 138

Baltimore, Maryland, 10, 103, 113

Baltimore Signal Depot, Fort Holabird, Maryland, 60

Bandsmen, 94-95

Bane, Col Mary E., 77, 98-100, 160

Bantzhaff, OC Joan G.; illus., 126

Barnes, TSgt Marion n., 25

Barnes, SSgt Ros,

Barnett, Capt Jucl; D., 76

Barnwell, SSgt Barb i, 169-70; illus., 170

Barracks 60, MCB, Can. ieurie, North Carolina, 48

Barracks 63, MCB, Camp eune, North Carolina, 48

Barracks 65, MCB, Camp . jeune, North Carolina, 66

Barracks 182, Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow,

California, 79

Barracks 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,

Parris Island, South Carolina,

Parris Island, South Carolina,

Quantico, Virginia, 34, 125

Quantico, Virginia, 125

Quantico, Virginia, 125

Corps Supply Center, Albany,

,

Base Materiel Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North

Carolina, 138

Base Materiel Battalion, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California; illus., 94

Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ), 155

Basic Class 3-77, 134-136

Basic Electronic Course (See CommunicationsElectronic School)

Basic Music School, NAB, Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, 95

Basic School Landing Exercise, 136

Basic Supply School, 72

Baughman, lstLt Debra J., 91; illus., 92

Beach and Port Operations Company, Headquarters

and Service Battalion, 4th FSSG, FMF, USMCR,

San Jose, California, 107

Bean, lstLt Annie V., 39

Beauchamp, Capt Sara R., 74, 79

Beaufort, South Carolina, 31-32, 114

Beavers, Mrs. Leola A.; illus., 154

Beavers, Maj Nannette I,; illus., 154

Beck, LCp1 Linda C., 82

Beckley, LtCol Pauline B., 23, 46-47, 53, 109; illus.,

58, 147

Belanger, 2dLt Linda L., 136

Belcher, PFC Henrietta L., 52

Belletto, SSgt Mary S., 67

Benjamin, TSgt Grace L.; illus., 13

Benn, Col Hazel E., 64, 148, 169; illus., 170

Bennett, Pvt Nancy L., 57

Bennke, MSgt Julia L., 42

Benson, 2dLt Christine A., 136

Benziger, MSgt Marie B.; illus., 13

Berkeley, California, 5, 21, 34, 187, 189n

Berkley, School, New York, New York, 183

Bien Hoa, Vietnam, 83

Bierlein, 1stLt Ardath, 42

Billeb, CWO Bertha P., 25, 177, 181-182, 191; illus., 24, 181

Billeb, GySgt William N., 182

Billet 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

Bills

H.R 5919, 4

S. 1529, 16

S. 1103, 16

S. 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., 50

Black Women Marines, 31-33

Blacks in the Marine Corps, 32n

Blaha, 2dLt Patricia P., 136

Blair, CO Susan W , 82

Blessing, Sgt Alameda, 42

Bloomsburg State College, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, 93

Blue Book (See Combined Lineal List of Officers on

Active Duty)

Board of Corrections of Naval Records, 37

Boberg, PFC Inga, 48

Boerner, SSgt Margaret E., 52

Boot 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, Maj

Jeanne B.)

Bouker, MajGen John G., 82n, 83

Bowe, Cpl Sharon L., 82

Bowen, Capt Shirley L., 93

Bowlin, GySgt Gail A., 95

Boyd, lstSgt Charlie L., 138

Bradek, LCp1 Barbara L., 79

Bradley, Gen Omar N., 17

Brame, Capt Vanda K. (See Bresnan, Capt Vanda K.)

Breckenridge Hall, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

Bresnan, Capt Vanda K., 79, 79n, 171; illus., 171

Brevet system, 148-149

Brewer, BGen Margaret A., 54, 89, 95, 101, 139, 176,

193-195; illus., 103, 131, 194

Brigotti, Capt Elena D,; illus., 58

Brink, lstLt Eunyce L., 23, 33-34

Broe, Col Ruth H., 148

Bronze Star Medal, 169, 172

Brooklyn, New York, 104; illus., 103

Brown LCp1 Brenda R., 82

Brown Field, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 132

Brown, Cpl Lillian, 52

Brusack, GySgt Helen A., 10, 60

Bruso, TSgt Loraine G., 67

Bryant, LCp1 Suzanne, 79

Budge, Louise, 180

Bungcayo, Cpl Mary F., 91

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, 153-154

Bureau of the Budget, 39

Burger, Col J. C.; illus., 34

Burger, LCp1 Maryann, 81

Burke, Sgt J. S.; illus., 94

Burkland, SSgt Annette, 48

Burns, 2dLt Mary S., 96

Brynes, OC Jean M.; illus., 126

C-9B Skytrain, 94

Calender, 2dLt Nedra C., 37

Cameron, Texas, 190

Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 125, 130, (See also

The Basic School)

Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan 79-80, 88

Camp Fuji, Okinawa, Japan, 83

Camp H. M. Smith, Oahu, Hawaii, 53, 88, 184-185

Camp Smedley D. Butler Law Center, Okinawa,

Japan; illus., 93

Campbell, GySgt Helen H., 178

Capitol Hill, 15

Carey, Cpl Joan A., 81

Carle, SgtMaj Grace A., 111, 182, 186; illus., 185-186

Carlson, Cpl Maxine H., 49

Carlson, LCp1 Priscilla, 59n

Carnegie, Hattie, 162

Carpenter, Capt Bernice V., 103

Carrera, Pvt Jo, 48

Carrillo, LCp1 Victoria, 97-98

Carroll, OC Nancy A.; illus., 130

Carville, LtCol Elaine T., 36-37, 42-43, 45, 50-51, 67;

illus., 66-68, 174

Casual Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCRD, San Diego, California, 100

Cataldo, 2dLt Judith A., 92

Cates, Gen Clifton B., 21, 23, 161-162, 175, 182,

187; illus., 22, 24

Cathcart, Cpl Helen C., 34

Catholic University, Washington, D.C., 75

"Cattle car"; illus., 131

Centerville, Illinois, 184

"Certainly Red" (lipstick), 167

Certificate of Commendation, 82n

Cessna, PFC Daci R., 79

Chadwick, BGen Robert J., 172; illus., 172

235
232

Chaffer, 1stLt Elva B., 39

Chambers, Maj Helen T., 40

Champlin, 2dLt Anna F., 36; illus., 34

Chance, PFC Jessie, 60

Chapman, Gen Leonard F. Jr., 80, 192; illus., 177

Chapman, Cp1 Olive G., 52

"Charlie's Angels" (See Company C, The Basic School)

Chicago, Illinois, 11, 32, 39, 42, 46, 102

Chief of Naval Operations, 16-17, 89

Chief of Naval Personnel, 3-4, 17

Childers, TSgt Eleanor L., 67

C!Aristopher, LCp1 Christina M., 79

Cinder City BOQ, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

Ciotti, lstLt Rita A.; illus., 58

Citizen Committee of the Army, Navy and Air Force,

121

Civil Service, 13, 72

Clark Ila, 180

Clark, Pvt Jay C., 94

Clark, SSgt Martha J., 49

Class 9, NCO Leadership School, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina; illus., 67

Clement, BGen William T., 12

Clements, LtCol F.D.; illus., 73

Clements, PFC Mary H., 52

Clerk Typist School, MCRD, Parris Island, South

Carolina, 109

Cleveland, Ohio, 103, 180

Clowers, LtCol Emma H., 8, 23, 25, 49, 64, 125-126,

155-156; illus., 64

Collins, Maj Joan M., 76, 113, 140; illus., 152

Collins, MajGen W. R., 10-11

Combat, 7, 15, 18, 50, 59, 62, 78, 83, 85, 95, 97-98,

101, 106, 118, 133-134, 148, 155, 164, 172

Combat Action Ribbon; illus., 173-174

Combat Engineer School, 97

Combined Lineal List of Officers on Active Duty, 145

Command and Staff College, 34, 70-73, 76-77, 107

Commandant 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, 146

Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe, Naples Italy, 160, 183, 190, 192

Commander in Chief, U.S. Forces, Europe, 173

Commander, Naval Forces, Vietnam, 83, 172

Commanding Officer's Trophy, 102

Commissioned Officers Mess, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 194

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Committee on Naval Affairs, 15

Communication Officers Orientation Course, MCS,

Quantico, Virginia, 74, 194

Communications-Electronic School, MCRD, San Diego, California, 59n

Communications Electronics School, MCB, Twentynine Palms, California, 186

Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion,

FMFPac, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Habor, Oahu,

Hawaii, 52-53, 60, 149, 182

Company B, Headquarters Battalion, MCDEC, Quantico, Virginia, 131

Company B, Headquarters Battalion, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 98

Company B, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Beirut,

Lebanon, 87

Company B, 2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 10 (See

also Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot)

Company C, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Manila, Philippines, 87

Company C, The Basic School, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 135-136

Company D, Headquarters Battalion, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

Company D, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Panama Canal Zone, 87

Company E, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters

Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, 6, 12n, 46, 149

Company L, The Basic School, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 132

Company W., Officer Candidates School, Quantico,

Virginia, 131

Condon, Col Mary L., 43, 143

Conference of Women Marine Commanding Officers

and Women Representatives of Marine Corps

Reserve and Recruitment Districts; illus., 58

Congress, 6, 15-17, 78, 145-146, 153, 187

Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, 8

Congressional Liaison Officer to the Senate, 192

Conley, Cpl Sue; illus., 96

Connell, 1stLt Mary J., 66-67

Connolly, SgtMaj Alice J., 25, 33n, 51; illus., 51

Connolly, MSgt Bridget V., 83, 112, 120

Cook, BGen John B., 175

Cook, Mrs. John B., 175

Cook, Col John H., 68

Cooke, lstLt Mildred N., 39

Cookson, SSgt Mary S., 34

Cooper, PFC Margaret, 48
INDEX 233

Correll, LCpl Donna L., 79, 94

Cottingham, Sgt Karen; illus., 91

Court-martial, 144

Court of Military Appeals, 76

Coy, Maj Betty F., 103

Coy, LCp1 Judith C., 139

Craddock, SgtMaj Ouida W., 42, 79, 146, 181, 184;

illus., 183

Criminal Investigation Course, Camp Gordon,

Georgia, 185

Crites, Capt Rosalie; illus., 58

Crosby, Cpl San, 81

Crowell, SSgt Margaret H., 49

Curtiss, SSgt Phyllis J., 48, 67

Curwen, 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., 149

Dale, Cpl Anita F., 52

Dallas, Texas, 11, 43, 103, 105

DaNang, Vietnam, 85

Davenport, lstLt Judith, 76

Davies, LtCol Elaine E., 76, 84-85; illus., 82

Davis, Honorable James V., 79

Davis, lstSgt Josephine G., 173-174; illus., 173

Davis, 2dLt Phyllis, 42

Davis, LCp1 Suzanne, 81

Dawson, 2dLt Dorothy, 48

Day, lstLt Ben A., 10, 23, 40, (See also Munn, LtCol

Ben A.)

Day, 2dLt Diana C., 136

Day, LCp1 William; illus., 90

Deactivation of WM companies, 138-139

Deactivation of WM Organized Reserve platoons,

104-105

Dean, Col Clyde D., 132

Deberry, 2dLt JoAnn, 74

Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the

Armed Services, 195

DeGarmo, Charlotte; illus., 41

Dehart, Sgt Connie, 94

Delaney, Cpl Anna M., 34

Deleskiewicz, LCp1 Sue, 94; illus., 96

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 83

Demobilization, 3, 5-6, 11-12, 16, 183-184, 187, 192

Denbo, lstLt Frances A., 23

Denfeld, VAdm Louis E., 3-4, 15-16

Dennis, MSgt Laura J., v

Denton, Sgt Doris; illus., 82, 87

Denver, Colorado, 104, 180

Department of Defense, 16, 19, 53, 70, 72, 121, 142,

151, 153, 164

Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California,

17, 26-27, 42, 46-48, 62; illus., 45

Department of the Air Force, 17

Department of the Army, 17

Department of the Navy, 17

Dependents of servicewomen, 18, 21, 71, 141,

151-156, 193

Depot Development Board, MCRD, Parris Island,

South Carolina, 124

Depot of Supplies, San Francisco, California, 17, 48,

62, 184

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 78

Deputy Director of Women Marines, 72, 148, 192-194

Deputy Surgeon General, 17

Derrick, SgtMaj Doris, 149

Designation of Women Marines, 27

Detroit, Michigan, 10, 31, 43, 54, 102; illus., 44

Devers, Gen Jacob L., 17

Devlin, 2dLt Mary A., 136

Dewaele, PFC Linda A., 79

Dickey, SSgt Leona, 42

Dietz, Col Dorothy R., 8, 148

Dignan, 2dLt June M., 136

Diliberto, Capt Carol A., 76; illus., 74

Dill, Sgt Margaret, 163

Director, 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 Director

of 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, 78

Director, Women's Army Corps, 76, 145

Discharge of WRs, 3, 8, 11, 15, 23

Distinguished Flying Cross, 169

Dixon, PFC Katie J., 94, 139; illus., 95

Doberstein, TSgt June V., 67

Dobson, Col Charles E.; illus., 149

Doctor of Laws, 188

Doize, Capt Elizabeth D., 107
234 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Dolence, MSgt Lillian V., 66

"Dolly Company", 137

Dolyak, LtCol Barbara E., 89-90, 132-134

Dominican Republic, 173-174

Donnelly, Ralph W., 32n

Doolittle, Ila (See Clark, 11a)

Dooner, lstLt Genevieve M., 42

Doser, lstLt Nancy L,; illus., 58

Dougherty, Capt Margaret E.; illus., 58

Douglas, LCp1 Marsha A., 96

Dowd, GySgt Helen A., 82, 86

Dow ler, 2dLt Essie M., 36, 52; illus., 34

Draughon, SSgt Jack W., 30-31

Dress Blue Uniform Award, 121-123; illus., 122

Drew, PFC Elizabeth, 60

Drill Instructor School, MCRD, Parris Island, South

Carolina, 116, 118

Drill instructors (D.I.$), 30, 63, 101, 107, 109,

112-121, 123, 184-185; illus., 118-119, 128

Drill pay, 39-40, 105

Drum and Bugle Team, MB, Treasure Island, San

Francisco, California, 94; illus., 96

Drummond, LtCol John F., 94

Dubinsky, lstLt Dolores L., 39

Dugan, LtCol James, 40

Dulinsky, MSgt Barbara J., 52, 60, 83-85, 160

Duncan, Sgt Donna K., 81

Dupont Corporation, 164

Dupont, Capt Mildred, 8

Dupuy, Cpl Joyce R., 52

Durand, Michigan, 193

Durant, lstLt Regina M., 6, 12n

Durfee, Maj Jean, 180

Eastman, PFC Dorothy P., 52

Education Center, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 33-34,

63

80th Congress, 16, 22, 31

Eisenhower, Gen Dwight D., 16-17

Eitel, GySgt Elizabeth A., 95; illus., 97

Elms, Maj Harry D., 159, 162

Elrod, Capt Elizabeth J., 12n

Embassy duty (See Marine Security Guard Battalion)

Enlisted transfer program, 23, 26-27, 182

Enlistments, 7, 17, 21-25, 31, 40, 43, 63, 72, 74, 90,

95, 105:106, 140, 151, 182-186 (See also Reenlistments)

Equal opportunity/affirmative action plans, 89-91

Esposito, LtCol Robert J., 93

Esprit de corps, 8, 27, 42, 107, 109, 133, 139, 176

Esquibel, SSgt Ermelinda, 86-87; illus., 84

Europe, 62n, 88, 172-173, 183, 192

Evans, Sgt Rosalie C., 34

Evans, Sgt Ruby A., 25

Eveland, PFC Martha, 94; illus., 96

Extended active duty, 42-43, 46, 53-54

Exum, lstLt Frances M., 39, 42

F8 link trainer; illus., 70

Fairbanks, Alaska, 46

Fagan, Pvt Nita L., 48

Family Assistance Program, 64

Fargo Building, Boston, Massachusetts (See Navy

Building-Marine Corps Reserve Armory)

Fegan, LtGen Joseph C. Jr., 132, 134

Field night, 114-115, 137

Fields, Capt Grace "San" 0., 18n

Fields, MajGen Lewis J., 71

Figueroa, SSgt Elnora T., 95

Filkins, Capt Elaine E., (See Davies, LtCol Elaine E.)

Finnigan, SSgt Anna M., 67

Fiocca, OC Helen L.; illus., 126

1st Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, USMCR,

Fort Schuyler, New York, 169

1st Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 10

1st Marine Corps Reserve District Headquarters, 8, 41

1st Marine Division, FMF, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 95-98

First Sergeants School, 148

Fischer, MSgt D. W., 107

Fisher, GySgt Frances J., 81

Fisher, Capt Mary J., 23, 28, 48

Fleet Home Town News Center, Great Lakes, Illinois,

72

Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, 140

Fleet Marine Force, 62-63, 68-69, 79, 90, 93-98,

104-105, 133-134, 136

Fleming, Capt Jeanne, 23, 98; illus., 58

Flight Jacket, 50

Flynn, 2dLt Colleen M., 136

Foley, SSgt Michelle, 95

Ford, lstSgt K.L., 81; illus., 75

Formal 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, 180

Forrestal, 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, 119

14th Signal Company, USMCR, 10

14th U.S. Army Band, 145

4th Force Service Support Group, FMF, USMCR, 107

4th Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF, USMCR, 106

4th Marine Division (Rein), FMF, USMCR, 106

Fox, Sgt Carol, 139

Fox, Cpl Leona M., 46

Fraser, PFC Beth A., 107

Frazer, lstLt Mary W., 39

Frazier, 2dLt Catherine L., 37

Frazier, Cpl Kay, 139

Freeman., Sgt Carolyn J., 67

Freeman, CWO Elaine G., 74, 145

Freeman, Rachel; illus., 41

Frisbie, BGen Jack M., 107

Fritts, lstLt Ethel D., 43

Frontiero vs Richardson, 156

Fuetsch, Maj Shirley J., 39, 42; illus., 58

FutterMan, Sgt Elsie F.; illus., 13

G.I. Bill, 1

Gaffney, lstLt Esther N., 42

Gallo, Col James A. Jr., 82

Galveston, Texas, 180

Gannon, Maj Mildred D., 42, 102

Garden party, 115

Garrett, 2dLt Robin C., 136

Gebers, SSgt Josephine S. (See Davis, lstSgt Josephine

G.)

Geiger Hall, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

General Office Procedures Course, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 110-111

George, lstLt Dian S., 93, 96

George, SSgt Nellie C., 67

Gibbs, Sgt Mary E., 118

Gibson, Edmund A., 47

Gibson, TSgt Josephine R., 47

Gillespie, Pvt Mary E., 121

Gillespie, 2dLt Megan A., 136

Girl Marine Veterans, 180

Globe and Anchor (See Marine Corps Emblem)

Goings, MSgt Margaret A., 25, 59n, 66; illus., 24

Gonzales, GySgt Frances L., 100, 153

Gonzales, LCp1 Virginia, 79

Good, MajGen George F. Jr., 68

Goodrich, Cpl Victoria, 118

Gormley, Capt Patricia M., 75-76, 92; illus., 73

Graham, Maj Adele; illus., 166

Graham, Pvt Annie E., 31-32 (See also Black Women Marines)

Graham, BGen Paul, 99

Graham, Capt Vernon C., 138

Grande, TSgt Mary E., 52

Grant, Capt Karen G., 76

Graves Hall, Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, 131

Greathouse, Maj Evelyn J., 102

Green, Sgt Sonya A., 67

Greene, LCp1 Kimberly, 98

Greene, 2dLt Marcella J.; illus., 159

Greene, Gen Wallace M. Jr., 69, 72n, 72-73, 76, 80n,

88, 146, 174-175, 183

Greifenstein, SSgt Wilma, 25

Gridley, LtCol Lily H., 63-64, 75, 182

Griffith, LtCol Joe B. Jr., 105; illus., 105

Grimes, CWO Annie L., 32; illus., 32, (See also Black

Women Marines)

Groht, Cpl Marjorie W., 79, 94

Gruetzemacher, SSgt M. M.; illus., 120

Guenther, SSgt Betty, 42

Guidon, 120; illus., 120-121

Guyman, Cpl Suzanne T., 82

Haasarud, Capt Florence I., 103

Hagener, Cpl Lillian, 118

Hair styles, 31, 158, 167

Hajek, lstLt Virginia A., 104

Hale, LtCol Mary J., 6-7, 12n, 23, 26, 28, 30-31, 39,

43, 53; illus., 22

Halla, Col John, 11

Hallaway, PFC Naomi M., 52

Hamblet, 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., 79

Hemel, Col Lester S., 22

Hamman, 2dLt Joyce M., 49

Hammond, Capt Joan M., 79

Hancock, Capt Joy, 15

Hanley, 2dLt Gayle W., 136

Hannah, TSgt Helen L., 13

Hansen, June F., 180

Hard, SSgt Dorothea E., 50

Hardy, Pvt Joy, 48

Harper, PFC Beatrice I., 52

Harper, Maj Sara J., 93

239
236 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Harrington, SgtMaj Rosa V., 29, 44, 146

Harris, Cpl J., illus., 70

Harry Lee Hall, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 129

Hart, MajGen Franklin A., 47

Hartley, CWO Lillian, 145; illus., 146

Harwell, TSgt Margaret L., 67

Haskell, Oklahoma, 184

Haughery, Margaret, 178

Hawaii, 7, 52-53, 60, 65, 88, 95, 161, 180, 184-186,

190, 192

Hayes, GySgt Carol, 95

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS,

Cherry Point, North Carolina, 100

Headquarters 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, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 59n

Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB, Camp Pendleton, California, 98-99

Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCRD, San Diego, California, 186

Headquarters and Service Company, Base Materiel

Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,

138

Headquarters and Service Company, Supply Battalion, 4th FSSG, FMF, USMCR, Newport News, Virginia, 93

Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps,

Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, 25-26

Headquarters Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North

Carolina, 68

Headquarters Battalion, MCDEC, Quantico, Virginia,

130

Headquarters Battalion, MSC, Quantico, Virginia, 51,

125 (See also Headquarters Battalion, MCDEC)

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, FMFLant, Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Virginia, 52

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, FMFPac, Camp H. M. Smith, Oahu,

Hawaii, 52

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, MCB, Twentynine Palms, California,

100

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina,

28, 124

Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, MCRD, San Diego, California, 48-49

Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, California, 48

Headquarters Company, Women Marines Detachment, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

Headquarters, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany, 62, 88

Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLant),

Norfolk, Virginia, 52, 54; 62, 138; illus., 54

Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPac),

Oahu, Hawaii, 52, 62, 97, 150, 184, 190, 192; illus., 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, 117

Data Processing Division, 184

Decorations and Medals Section, 12

Division of Aviation, 12n, 59, 61, 71, 182, 192

Division of Information, 148, 194

Division of Plans and Policies, 1, 4, 23, 39, 53, 57,

164, 191

Women's Affairs Section, 191

Division of Recruiting, 17

Division of Reserve, 4, 7, 12, 39-40, 64, 89, 106,

175, 187; illus., 177

Women's Branch, 69, 104, 192

Educational Services Branch, 169

Fiscal Division, 71

G-1 Division, 71, 73, 77, 89, 193; illus., 64

G-3 Division, 65, 71, 76

G-4 Division, 71

History and Museums Division, 36, 80

Judge Advocate Division, 153, 172; illus., 172

Manpower Department, 195

Personal Affairs Branch, 64

Personnel Department, 5-7, 18, 60-62, 64, 70-72,

89

Procurement Branch, 36, 193

Separation and Retirement Branch, 77n

Special Services Branch, 148

Supply Department, 12n

Headquarters Regiment, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 186

Headquarters Squadron, MCAS, Cherry Point, North

Carolina, 51

240
INDEX 237

Headquarters, U.S. European Command, Frankfurt,

Germany, 193

Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command,

Saigon, Vietnam, 79

Heidelberg, Germany, 16n

Heitman, lstSgt Gayle R., 99-100

Henderson, Gen Archibald, 195

Henderson Hall, 11, 17, 21, 25-27, 138, 140, 143

Henderson, 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, LtCol

Emma H.)

Hendrickson, June, 26

Henritze, SSgt May A.; illus., 13

Henry, 2dLt Marie L., 37

Hensley, Cpl, 85

Hernandez, Capt Manuela, 79

Hernadnez, lstLt Maria T., 96

Hilgart, Col Valeria F., 60, 72, 91, 140, 150; illus., 58

Hill, Col Elsie E., 10, 23, 25-26, 33-34, 36, 38, 64,

104, 111, 118, 167; illus., 35, 37, 58

Hill, MajGen William P., 26

Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot, 10

Hirshinger, TSgt Agnes T., 10; inns., 13

Hochmuth, MajGen Bruno A., 191

Hockenhull, LCpl Brenda; illus., 90

Hodges, LtCol Charles T., 25

Holcomb, Gen Thomas A., 174, 195

Holloway, LCp1 Robin M., 79

Holmberg, lstLt Dorothy A., 42, 53

Homan, Sgt Carol J., 67

Homza, Sgt Anna, 42

Honor Graduate, 121-123; illus., 122

Hook, Maj Patricia A., 107

Hoolailo, SSgt Sandra, 139

Hooper, Marion A. (See Swope, Marion A.)

Homer, Maj Emily, 41; illus., 58

Hornsby, 2dLt Julia M., 10

Horton, Capt (USN) Mildred H., 3

Hostess House, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125

House Armed Services Committee, 17, 154

House Armed Services Subcommittee, 90

House Naval Affairs Committee Hearings on H.R. Bill

5919, 4

Houston, Texas, 178

Hovatter, LtCol Eugenous E., 71

Hull, 2dLt Laura A., 98

Humphrey, Senator Hubert H., 26

Humphrey, Maj Jeanne B., 76, 106-107

Humphrey, 2dIt Margaret A., 96

Hunt, SSgt Dorothy T., 10, 29 (See also Stephenson,

SSgt Dorothy T.)

Hunt, MajGen Leroy P., 26

Hurlburt, Cpl Patricia, 81

Hurst, BGen Edward H., 178

Hutcheon, Capt Lily S. (See also Gridley, LtCol Lily

H.)

Hutchinson, SSgt Naomi, 67

Illich, Capt Mary V., 5-7, 12n, 25-26

Image Development Course, MCRD, Parris Island,

South Carolina and MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 72n,

111-112; illus., 134

Inactive status, 22, 25, 33, 40, 42, 191-192

Inactive Women's Reserve, 1, 3, 183 (See also Volunteer Marine Corps Women Reserves)

Indianapolis, Indiana, 11

Inspections, 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, North

Carolina, 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., 87

Iwo Jima Memorial (Marine Corps War Memorial),

Arlington, Virginia, 170

Jackson, TSgt Beatrice J., 67

Jackson, 2dLt Pearl A., 10, 37

James, Cpl V(tcla R., 118

Jaquet, LCpl Linda C. (See Beck, LCpl Linda

Jason, Capt Mary R.,. 102

Jet Hangar Service Club, 51-52

Joan of Arc, 178

Jobusch, 2dLt Georgia J., 136

Johnson, SSgt Jeanette M., 25

Johnson, Louis A., 183

Johnson, President Lyndon B., 145-146, 160, 192

Johnson, lstLt Maralee J., 96

Johnson, Capt Rosalie B., illus., 41

Johnson, GySgt Ruth S., 95; illus., 97

Johnson, 2dLt Virginia M., 36; illus., 34, (See also

241
238 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Sherman, 2dLt Virginia M.)

Joint Army-Navy Personnel Board, 4

Joint Chiefs of Staff, 145

Joint Examining and Induction Stations, 104

Joint household policy, 151

Joint Service Commendation Medal, 87, 169,

172-174; illus., 87

Jones, Cpl Geneva, 94

Jones, 2dLt Phyllis L., 37

Jones, LtCol Vera M., 85, 121; illus., 120-121

Jordhal, Col Russell N., 30

Joseph, 2dLt Bonnie J., 136

Judge Advocate General (JAG), 12, 37, 76

Judge Advocate General of the Navy, 89

Judge Advocate General School, Charlottesville, Virginia, 93

Judge, SgtMaj Eleanor L., 40, 48, 100, 112, 190

Juhan, Col Jack C., illus., 188

Junior School (See Amphibious Warfare School)

Junk on the bunk, illus., 114, 158 (See also Inspections)

Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, 81; illus., 80

Kansas City, Missouri, 11, 39-40, 104

Karl, Sgt Grace M., 29, 44

Kasdorf, 2dLt Barbara B., 37

Kathan, lstLt Grace E., 43

Katherine Towle Trophy, 102

Kearns, GySgt Dorothy L., 67, 170-171; illus., 171

Keefe, SSgt Katherine, 40, 51

Keefe, PFC Margaret, illus., 163

Keeler, 2dLt Doris M., 82-83

Kees, Barbara (See Meeks, Barbara)

Kegel, Cpl Virginia S., 47

Kegel, W. G., 47

Keller, LtGen Robert P., 131

Kelley, BGen Paul X., 133, 136

Kelley, Roger T. (See Assistant Secretary of Defense,

Manpower and Reserve Affairs)

Kelly, 2dLt JoAnne, 94

Kennedy, President John F., 140

Kennedy, Sgt Mary A., 162; illus., 158, 165

Kent, Sgt Beatrice M., 47-48

Kindig, Sgt Carol A., 81

King, Sgt Lois, 162

King, Sgt Mary E., 67

Kinser, Capt George A., 81

Kirchman, SSgt Martha E., 50

Kisczik, PFC Kathleen A., 79

Kleberger, 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., 136

Knighton, Col Joseph W., 3-4, 13, 16-17

Knox, Col Dorothy M., 10, 41, 129; illus., 58

Koeppler Compound, Saigon, Vietnam, 83, 85

Kohen, MSgt Bette A., 49

Kopp, TSgt Ann M., 52

Korea, 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., 52

Kraft, lstLt Rebecca M., 78-79

Krauss, PFC Julia, illus., 176

Krulak, LtGen Victor H., 80

Krusa, 2dLt Mary A., 92

Kurashige, Capt Alice K., 74, 79

Lady In The Navy (See Hancock, Capt Joy)

Lafond, lstSgt Gene A., 100

LaHue, LtCol Foster; illus., 188

Laing, Col Robert B. Sr., 82

Laird, Melvin R., 89

Lamb, Pvt Ann E., 31-32 (See also Black Women

Marines)

Lamb, 2dLt Carol S., 98

Lamont, LCpl Rosemary, 79

Lanagan, BGen William H. Jr., 26

Landing Force Development Center, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, illus., 50

Lane, OC Mary E.; illus., 126

Larison, LCp1 Cheryl L., 79

Laws, Capt Ellen T., 76

Lawyer's Course, Naval Justice School, Newport,

Rhode Island, 75-76

League, Maj Mary S., 153; illus., 154

League, LCdr William C., 153; illus., 154

Leatherneck, v, 30, 123

Leatherneck Award, 121-123; illus., 122

Leaverton, Capt Shirley E., 172

Lee, Capt Barbara J., 76

Lee, Sgt Payton L., 30

Legal Services School, MCB, Camp Pendleton,

California, 171-172

Legion of Merit, 169, 189-193

Legislation, v, 4, 7, 11-12, 15-19, 22, 64, 193

Leier, Sgt Margaret K., 29

Leigh, Vivien, 42

Lemnke, PFC Betty, 42

242
INDEX 239

Lenhart, lstLt Linda J., 79

Leppaluoto, lstLt Diane, 79

Le Qui Don Hotel, Saigon, Vietnam, 84-85

Letter of Commendation, 187, 189

Lexington, Kentucky, 194

Ley, Sgt Dorothy L., 67

Liberty, 51, 52n, 72, 80, 101, 111, 114, 127, 137,

143-144

Liddle, 2dLt Lynn A., 74

Lighthall, Lois, 180

Limited Duty Officer (LDO), 145-146

Lindahl, SSgt Hazel A., 40, 59n

Linscott, MajGen Henry D., 66

Locksburg, Arkansas, 31

Loftis, 2dLt Janie D., 136

London, England, 6, 88

Loper, PFC Pamela, 94

Los Angeles, California, 11, 25, 39, 42, 102

Los Angeles Times, 97

Love, lstLt Katherine W., 42

Lovelace, lstLt Florence E., 102

Lovett, Robert A., 183

Lovil, Pvt Connie J., 31

Lowrie, Capt Janet M., 104

Lubbock, Texas, 190-191

Lucas, 2dLt Essie M., 36, 52; illus., 34 (See also DoN\

er, 2dLt Essie M.)

Ludlow, Representative Louis L., ln

Ludwig, PFC Martha M., 52

Lugo, Cpl Eva J., 96

Lundin, Col \William M., 81; illus., 75

Lute, Cpl Paul D., 30

Lyon, Cpl Evangeline L., 52

M-16 service rifle, 119

Maas, Maj Patricia A., 71

McCall, TSgt Blossom J., 67

McCarty, Capt Olive P., 102

McCullough, BGen William L., 97

MacDonald, 1stLt Mary C., 39, 42

McDonnell Douglas School, 94

MaGauren, LCpl Maureen, 83

McGraw, Capt Helen J., 23

McIntyre, CWO Alice, 10, 66, 145

McKeown, Pvt Mary P., 93

MacKinnon, lstLt Marjorie B., 104

McLain, SSgt Mary L., 81; illus., 75

McLamore, 2dLt Sara F., 62n

McLaughlin, LtGen John N., 150

MacPherson, 2dLt Bonnie L., 136

Mahaffey, LCpl Joan, 94; illus., 96

Mainbocher, 159-165, 167

Malnar, Sgt Patricia, 81

Mangrum, Col Richard C., 4

Mare Island, 184

Mariani, Mario, 165

Marine Air Reserve Training Center, Glenview, Illinois, 72

Marine Auxiliary, 1

Marine Aviation Detachment, NAS, Atlanta, Georgia, 191

Marine Aviation Detachment, NAS, Memphis, Tennessee, 77-78

Marine Band, 47, 95, 145; illus., 97

Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, Washington, D.C.,

162, 170, 186, 189; illus., 186, 188

Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Long Beach, California,

25

Marine Barracks, Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, 153

Marine Barracks, Treasure Island, San Francisco,

California, 76, 185

Marine Barracks and Marine Corps Supply Depot,

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 45

Marine Barracks and Marine Corps Supply Depot,

mp Pendleton, California, 45

Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina,

72, 78, 94, 177

Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North arolina, 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, 192

Marine Corps Air Station, Futema, Okinawa, Japan,

81-83, 88, 185

Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, 79-81, 83,

88; illus., 75

Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe, Hawaii, 52, 62,

72, 78-79, 88

Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina, 72, 78

Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana, California, 72,

78, 183

Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, 72, 78

Marine Corps Association, 129

Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Facility, Oak Grove, North

Carolina, 192

Marine Corps Aviation History Board, 12

Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,

46-48, 53, 59n, 62, 65-66, 75, 91, 93-94, 138, 169,
240 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

182, 184-185, 187, 189; i11us., 92, 141

Marine 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., 121

Marine Corps Gazette, v

Marine Corps Institute, 17, 28, 190

Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center,

Quantico, Virginia, 178

Marine Corps Landing Force Tactics and Techniques

Board, Quantico, Virginia, 50

Marine Corps League, 161, 178

Marine Corps Letter of Instruction 1391, 7

Marine Corps Letter of Instruction 1397, 8

Marine Corps Manual, 27, 90, 98, 195

Marine Corps Officer Selection Office, Federal Building, Des Moines, Iowa, 171

Marine Corps Postal School, 65

Marine 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, 107

Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Course, MCB,

Camp Pendleton, California, 177n

Marine Corps Reserve Data Services Center, Kansas

City, Missouri, 72

Marine Corps Reserve Districts, 17, 39, 46, 62, 104

Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, 178

Marine 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 Corps

Development 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, Pennsylvania, 160

Marine Corps Uniform Board, 159-161

Marine Corps Women Reserves (MCWE ), 1, 5-8, 12

Marine Corps Women's Reserve, 3, 6-8, 13, 23, 27,

31, 36, 174-175, 182-184, 187, 191-192

Marine 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, American

Legion, Chicago, Illinois, 8

Marine Corps Women's Reserve Schools, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 184-185, 187, 189-190,

192

Marine Detachment, London, England, 88

Marine Fighter Squadron 132, USMCR, 10

Marine Security Guard Battalion, 87-88

Marine Training Detachment, Naval Reserve Midshipmen School (WR), Northampton, Massachusetts,

178

Marine Training Detachment, University of Indiana,

191

Marriage, 1, 22, 63, 71, 73, 130, 151, 193

Married Officers' Quarters (MOQ) 3078, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 34

Marshall, George C., 183

Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William

and Mary, 93

Martell, 2dLt Jennifer J., 136

Martin, Sgt Cynthia, 94

Martin, PFC Gertrude, 79

Martin, PFC Margaret M., 52

Martin, lstLt Pearl, 8

Martinez, MGySgt Rosita A., 42, 60

MAS NATO Brussells, Beligum, 88

Maue, PFC Thomas J., 172

MCWR Band, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 94

Medford, Maj Ernest L. Jr., 4

Meeks, Barbara, 180

Meid, LtCol Patricia A., 107

Memorial Day, 101

Mess Hall 900, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 28

Mess Night, 177, 186; illus., 178

24 4
INDEX 241

Metal Body Repair Course, Ordnance Center and

School, Aberdeen, Maryland, 93

Meyer, Capt Leontone A., 102

Meyers, Capt Margaret E., 103

Miami, Florida, 104

Mickey's Bootery, Beaufort, South Carolina, 114

Midshipman's School, Northampton, Massachusetts,

75

Milburn, TSgt Josephine R., 66

Milholen, lstSgt Doris P., 53

Milinovich, 2dLt Ann M., 136

Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Saigon, 83-84, 86, 88

Military Career, 6, 15, 21-22, 25, 32, 40, 42, 57, 60,

70, 76, 112, 130, 137, 150, 153-154, 190, (See also

Retirement)

Military History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, U.S.

MACV, 83, 87, 172

Military Intelligence Officer Course, Fort Holabird,

Maryland, 74

Military Intelligence Orientation Course, Fort

Holabird, 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, 91-92

Military Police Officer Orientation Course, Fort

McClellan, Alabama, 92

Military Police School, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 91

Military subjects, 26, 30-31, 40, 48, 66, 101, 109-112,

134-135; illus., 113

Miller, MSgt Elsie J., 25, 28, 182; illus., 24

Miller, Florence, 180

Mills College, Oakland, California, 188

Milwaukce, Wisconsin, 11

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 11, 42, 45, 50, 103, 192

Miss Ronsom and Miss Bridges School for Girls, Piedmont, California, 187

Moak, PFC Grace, 42

Mobilization, 11, 28, 39-40, 43-49, 57, 59, 62, 65,

69, 78, 101, 104, 106, 186, 188

Mobilization Stations, 104

Mock, Capt Mary S., 37, 46, 50; illus., 58

Mockler, LtCol Edward M., 133

Moesel, Capt Karyl L., 96

Molly Marinc, 129, 177-180; illus., 179

Molly Restoration Fund, 178

Monette, Sgt JoAnne, 162; illus., 163

"Montezuma Red" (lipstick), 167

Montford Point Branch Post Office, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 65

Moore, SgtMaj J. F., 81; illus., 75

Moore, LCp1 Sheryl L., 79

Moore, SSgt Virginia L., 48

Moran, MGySgt Geraldine M., 6, 150, 181

Moran, Cpl Marion M., 118

Morise, PFC Gail F., 94

Moroney, Col Ellen B., illus., 126

Morrissey, 2dLt Joan, 36, 38, 44

Morrow, 2dLt Mildred D., 37

Mort, CWO Lotus T., 13, 145; illus., 138, 147

Mortenson, PFC Ruth, 42

Motelewski, Col Joseph R., 93

Motherhood, 151-154, 193

Motor Transport and Maintenance Company, 2d

Maintenance Battalion, Force Troops, 2d Force

Service Support, 94

Motor Transport Division, MCAS, Cherry Point,

North Carolina, 94

Municipal Court, Cleveland, Ohio, 93

Munn, LtCol Ben A., 10, 23, 40, 140, 162

Munn, LtGen John C., 10

Munroe, Cpl Dorothy M., v, 40

Murphy, Capt Patricia A. (See Gormley, Capt Patricia

M.)

Murray, PFC Betty S., 68

Murray, MSgt Catherine G., 48, 140; illus., 47

Murray, GySgt Donna H., illus., 86, 152

Musselman, Peggy, 43

Musser, PFC Regina T.; illus., 91

Nadeau, MSgt Cecilia, 42, 48

Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, 98

National Gallery of Art, 160

National Organization of Women (NOW), 99

National Women Reserve Rifle Team Trophy, 102

Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Dallas, Texas, 105

Naval Gun Factory, Washington, D.C., 159

Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California, 76

Naval Reserve Act of 1938, 4, 15, 174

Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC), 132

Naval Training School, Hunter College, New York,

New York, 182, 186, 189

Navy Achievement Medal, 169, 186

Navy and Marine Corps Medal, 79n, 169-172; illus.,

170-172

Navy Building-Marine Corps Reserve Armory, Boston,

Massachusetts, 10
242 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Navy Commendation Medal, 64, 169

Navy Field Medical Research Laboratory, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 66

Navy Instructors School, Norfolk, Virginia, 66

Navy Judge Advocate General, 3-4, 17

Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, St.

Louis, Missouri, 43

Navy nurses, 51, 52n, 53, 80-81, 145; illus., 130

Navy Reserve, 17

Nelson, Mary J., 180

Nelson, PFC Sonia, 123; illus., 122

New Orleans Cajun Chapter, Women Marines Association, 178

New Orleans, Louisiana, 11, 39, 177-178, 180, 186;

illus., 179

New York, New York, 7-8, 10-11, 31, 39, 160, 162

Nichols, BGen Robert L., 98

Nickerson, LtCol Herman, Jr., 30

Nigro, MSgt Petrina "Pete" C., 25; illus., 45, 67

Nimitz, Adm Chester W., 16-17

19th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, 10

90th Officer Candidate Class, 131

9th Marine Amphibious Brigade Band, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, 82

9th Marine Corps Reserve District, Chicago, Illinois,

46, 193

Noble, MajGen Alfred H., 28-29, 31 32n

Noble, lstLt Elizabeth, 42

Noble, 2dLt Natalie, 37, 51

Noffke, Cpl Alma, 50

Noguera, 2dLt Alpha R., 74

Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, 184-185

Nonjudicial punishment, 51, 100

Noren, Maj Wesley C., illus., 61

Northwestern University Traffic Institute, Evanston,

Illinois, 92

Novotny, Sgt Mildred A., 13, 25; illus., 24

Nunn, Capt (USN) Ira H., 17

Nurse Corps, 145

Oakland, California, 11, 184

Oakland Tribune, 188

Oberfell, .PFC Ann, 60

"OC" pins, illus., 129

Ocean Beach, North Carolina, 49

O'Donnel, 2dLt Mary E., 37

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Central All-volunteer Task

Force 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, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 178

Officer transfer program, 23, 25-26, 36, 46

Ogborn, Pvt M. B., 91

Ogburn, 2dLt Emily C., 37

O'Hanlon, 2dLt Marjorie E., 144

Ohio State University, 73, 76n, 189

O'Keefe, TSgt Katherine, 33n

Okinawa, Japan, 79-83, 85, 88, 93, 186, 192

Old Corps, 13

Oliver, Laurence, 42

Oliver, PFC Nita M., 52

Olsen, lstLt Lucille M., 39

Olson, BGen Harry C., 171; illus., 171

Olson, Mary J. (See Nelson, Mary J.)

O'Neil, 2dLt Joan P., 37

Onslow Beach, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 136

Ordemann, lstSgt Margaret S., 23

Orden, Col George 0., 41

Organized Women's Reserve, 4, 6-8, 10-11, 15, 17-18,

39-46, 53, 187

Organized Women's Reserve Program, 17, 39,

101-107 (See also Organized Women's Reserve)

Orleans, France, 178

Ostby, Col John L., 153

Otten, SgtMaj Mabel A., 43, 181, 184-185; illus., 184

Outstanding Recruit, (See Honor Graduate)

Packwood, Norval E., 30

Pallant, LCp1 Doris H., 79

Palmer, OC June E., illus., 126

Pan American World Airways International Stewardess

College, 111

Parade, 164

Paris, France, 193

Parris Island Drum and Bugle Corps, 31

Pate, Gen Randolph M., 3n, 4, 16, 39, 148, 175; illus., 177

Paterson, TSgt Janet R., 34

Patrick, Maj Roberta N., 177

Patriotism, 1, 8, 109, 177, 189

Paul, LtGen Willard S., 17

Pauley, lstLt Mabel A., 104

Peacetime Military Status, 1

246
INDEX 243

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 52-53, 60, 62, 137

Pearson, Capt Jeanette, 43

Pease, WO M.,ry E., 87

Peatross, MajGen Oscar F., 177

Pederson, LCpl Debora, 98

Pederson, Sgt Gladyce, 42

Peeler, lstLt Geraldine E., 79

Pender, Nebraska, 186

Pentagon, 78

Pepper Board, 57, 71-88, 90, 93, 105, 130, 141

Pepper, Maj Frances W., 12n

Pepper, LtGen Robert H., 71, 88

Perate, Maj Pauline E., 23

Peregrim, SSgt Anna, 25; illus., 24

Permanent rank, 3, 18, 23, 145

Personnel Administration School, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 31-32, 57, 112, 183, 185

Personnel Monitors, 71

Pete, Maj Guy A. Jr., 135

Peters, SgtMaj Bertha L. (See Billeb, CWO Bertha P.)

Peters, GySgt Esther F., 96

Pfeiffer, PFC Patricia, 48

Phelan, TSgt Eileen P., 111

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10-11, 25, 39, 41, 48,

102, 152, 160, 175, 180

Philippines, 99, 192

Physical fitness, 97, 100, 107, 109, 116, 119-121,

134-136; illus., 119

Pierce, LCpl Cathy L., 79

Pierce, Sgt Julia M., 52

Piippo, MSgt Vera E., 25, 49

Pirhalla, Maj Paul P., 71

Pittman, Capt Bernice M., 51

Plans and Operations Branch, Marine Corps Education Center, Quantico, Virginia, 77

Platoon 1A, 31, 121; illus., 120 (See also Recruit

Training

Platoon 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, 33

Plourde, Sgt Jeanette M., 118

Plowman, SSgt Doris M., 49

Police Department, Westminster, California, 91

Policy, 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, 113

Porter, Col Frank R. Jr., 71

Portland, Oregon, 11

Post Personnel Company, 3d Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 50

Post Theater, Henderson Hall, 26

Postwar Personnel Reorganization Board, 12n, 40

Postwar Women's Reserve, 1-11, 16

Postwar Women's Reserve Board, 4

Potomac River, 34, 125

Potter, Sgt Kathy A., 107

Pounders, Sgt Elva M., 81

Powell, Sgt Lynn J., 97

Powell, Representative Adam C., 31

Prackevich, Cpl Emilie, illus., 13

President of the United States, 15, 18, 26, 140,

145-146, 160, 172, 189

Presidential Inaugural Committee, 160

Preston, 2dLt Betty J., 25, 36, 44; illus., 24, 34

Primeau, Capt Elaine I., 172

Pritzker, 2dLt Shirley A., 37

Procedures Analysis Office Study, 57-59

Processing Centers, 105

Promotions, 3, 18, 21, 23, 63n, 64, 76-77, 107, 123,

145-150, 182-187, 193-194; illus., 66, 146-147,

149

Prospector, 78

Proalx, Sgt Marie A., 29

Provost Marshal General's School-Investigative

Officers Course, Camp Gordon, Georgia, 144

Provost Marshal Office, 91-92, 144, 185

Public Law 90-130, 76, 106, 145-148, 192

Public Law 625 (See Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948)

Puller, MajGen Lewis B., 68

Purdie, SSgt Denna S., 95

Quantico, Virginia, 125

Quarters 1, MB, 8th and I Streets, Washington, D.C.,

164

Querry, MSgt Bernice P., 79

Quilici, Col Clifford P., illus., 149

Quinlan, PFC Frances, 48

Quinn, TSgt Mary C., 50; illus., 174

Racial Segregation, 23, 31

Radar Fundametnals Course (See CommunicationsElectronic School)

247
244 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Radics, Col Emil J., illus., 176

Ramos, Pvt Sunny, 113

Ramsey, Capt Emma G., 52, 79

Range Company, Camp Fuji, Okinawa, Japan, 83

Rarrick, Pvt Rebecca, 48

Read, 2dLt Margaret B., 74

Reals, BGen Gail M., 63, 76, 87, 113, 120

Recall of released women, 12-13, 46

Recruit Company, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 112; illus., 120, 122 (See ako Recruit Training)

Recruit regulations, 116

Recruit 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 Training Battalion)

Recruiter School, MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, 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, 116

Redding, Cpl Sue, 94

Reenlistments, 3, 23, 40, 80, 90, 151, 184; illus., 152

Reeves, Cpl Edith M., 118

Regular Air Force, 18

Regular Army, 3, 15-17

Regular commission, 8, 10, 21-23, 25, 33-34, 36-37,

40, 54, 187, 191-192

Regular Navy, 3-4, 15, 17

Regular status for women, 4, 11, 15-18, 21-26, 187

(See also Integration into Regular Marine Corps;

Transfer program)

Reinemond, Sgt Ida J., 118

Reinholz, LtCol Ruth F., 83, 144, 172

Reny, MSgt Alice M., 66-67

Reserve commission, 3, 5, 33, 36-37, 40, 75, 93, 182,

184-185, 187, 190-192

Reserve of Women, 1

Reserve Structure Board, 104

Reservists on continuous active duty, 1-2, 4, 6-8,

10-12, 16, 18, 21-22, 33, 39-41, 46, 55, 64

Resignation of WRs, 3

Retention of Women Reserves at HQMC, 5-6, 11-13,

15, 23-25, 171

Retired Marine, v

Retirement, 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, 46

Revlon, 167

Reynolds, Cpl Jane L., 50

Rhindress, Sgt Chadeane A., 49

Ridgely, BGen Reginald H. Jr., 61

Rienzi, 160

Riley, lstLt Pauline "Polly" F., 12n, 23, 40

Risegari-Gai, Capt Constance, 8, 10, 39-41; illus., 9

Ritscher, 2dLt Angelica V., 136

Ritter, lstLt Anne S., illus., 58

Roach, Capt Mary E., illus., 103

Robbins, PFC Hazel E., 60

Roberts, LtGen Carson A., illus., 74

Roberts, 2dLt Margaret C., 37

Roberts, Capt Nancy M., 8, 23, 42

Roberts, Maj Roberta N. (See Patrick, Maj Roberta N.)

Robertson, CWO Margaret, 145

Robinson, Cpl Cynthia, 98

Roche, MSgt Mary E., 25, 52; illus., 24

Rochester, New York, 11

Roddy, LtCol Mary E., 39, 46, 105; illus., 105

Roman, PFC Fredrick H., 169

Roosevelt, Mrs. Franklin D., 174

Rowe, SFC Thomas, 107

Rubel, Sgt Deborah, A., 94

Russia, 11

Ruth Cheney Strceter Trophy, 102

Ryan, MajGen Michael P., 106

Ryan, MSgt Ruth, 29-30, 44, 48, 65

Rzepny, Cpl Dorothy, 118

Sacco, Cpl Carla J., illus., 165

Saigon, Vietnam, 82-88

St. Francis Catholic Church, Triangle, Virginia, 140

Saint Francis Hotel, San Francisco, California, 21

St. Louis, Missouri, 11, 42-43, 49, 102, 180, 184

St. Paul, Minnesota, 185

St. Vincent DePaul Orphanage, Saigon, Vietnam, 86;

illus., 84

Salazar, SSgt Ermelinda (See Esquibel, SSgt Ermelinda)

Salzman, BGen Elmer H., 42

San Bruno, California, 103

San Diego, California, 10-11, 45, 48-49, 59n, 68

San Diego Chevron, 53, 59n

San 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., 130

Savage, LCp1 Diana, 81

Savannah, Georgia, 32

Saxon, LCp1 Carrie M., 79
INDEX 245

Scanlon, WO Eileen R., 140

Schaffer, 2dLt Margaret., 52

Scherman, TSgt Anna M., 25

Schirmer, TSgt "A" Fern, 34, 44, 46, 48

Schneider, Capt David A., 93

Schoenecker, PFC Kathleen, 42

Schools Company, Headquarters Battalion, MCS,

Quantico, Virginia, 33

Schriver, Col Richard J., 177

Schultz, SSgt Bertha J., 25, 29, 44

Schultz, lstSgt Betty J., 26, 31, 53, 140; illus., 30

Schultz, Capt Emily, 50

Scott, 2dLt Janice C., 74

Scott, Cpl Pamela S., 96

Scudder, Cpl Mary E., 52

Seattle, Washington, 8, 11, 39, 42, 53, 102

2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Boston, Massachusetts, 10

2d Infantry Battalion Band, USMCR, Boston, Massachusetts, 47

2d Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF, MCAS, Cherry Point,

North Carolina, 96-97

2d Marine Division, FMF, MCB, Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina, 68

2d Platodn;Company C, Basic Class 3-77, 135-136;

illus., 135

2d Wing NCO Leadership School, 68

Secretary of Defense, 17, 89, 183, 195

Secretary of the Navy, 1, 187, 194

Seibi Yamanaka Orphanage, Okinawa, Japan, 83

Seman, PFC Mary A., 52

Senate Armed Services Committee, 17

Senate Subcommittee Hearings (See 80th Congress)

Senior School (See Command and Staff College)

Sentipal, Pvt Paula W., 167

Separation Company, Headquarteis Battalion, Headquarers Marine Corps, 25

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, 149

Sergeant Major of Women Marines, 42, 79-80, 111,

161, 177, 181-186, 191; illus., 161, 181-186

Service Battalion, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 51

Service benefits, 18

Serviceman's Opportunity College, 169

79th Congress, 15-16

Sexton, Cpl Naomi J., 52

Shafer, Cpl Constance A., 120

Shaffer, Sgt Margaret A., 67

Shaffer, MajGen Richard F., illus., 87

Shaw, Henry I. Jr., v, 32n

Shaw, 2dLt Judith C., 136

Sheftz, GySgt Sharly E., 96

Shepherd, Gen Lemuel C. Jr., 3n, 11, 17, 36, 169;

illus., 170, 188

Sheraton Hotel, Arlington, Virginia, 186

Sherman, 2dLt Virginia M., 36; illus., 34

Sherwood, 2dLt Donna J., 74

Shoup, Gen David M., 175

Silver Star, 169

Silvey, Bat Wanda R., 78

Simpson, LtGen Ormond R., 89

Sims, Maj Gerald W., 138

6th Marine Corps District, Atlanta, Georgia, 194

6th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 173

Slaton, PFC Earlene, 52

Smith, PFC Cathy E., 93

Smith, Capt Edna L., 12

Smith, SSgt Inez E., 67

Smith, Representative Margaret C., 4, 15-17

Smith, MajGen Oliver P., illus., 47

Smith, Capt Vea J., 78; illus., 133

Smith, PFC Vivia, 52

Snedeker, BGen Edward W., 68

Snell, Col Albert W., 89-90, 98

Snell, Committee, 57, 89-100, 137

Snyder, lstit Kathyrn E., 10, 39, 42, 48

Somers, Capt Barbara, 39

Sousa, Sgt Theresa "Sue" M., 43, 60; illus., 41

South Charleston, West Virginia, 185

Spaatz, Cpl, 85

Spaatz, Gen Carl T., 17

Spanjer, MajGen Ralph H., 97

SPARS, 1, 42

Special Education Program, 76

Speer, Albert, 16n

Squantum, 10

Staff NCO Leadership School, MCB, Camp Lejeune,

North Carolina, 66-68; illus., 66-67

Staff NCO Leadership School, MCB, Quantico, Virginia, 67-68

Staff Noncommissioned Officers Club, Camp Butler,

Okinawa, Japan, 82-83

Standage, lstLt Marilyn J., 104

Status of women in the Marine Corps, 69

Steele, SSgt Elizabeth J., 7, 10

Stephenson, 2dLt Barbara J., 37

Stephenson, SSgt Dorothy T., 10, 29

Stevenson, lstlt Margaret L., 23, 27

Stolarchyk, SSgt Linda D., 95

Stottlemyre, 2ndLt Gloria M., 136

Strain, Capt Christine S., 42, 102

Streeter, Col Ruth C., v, 1, 3, 6, 8, 15, 18, 23-24,

141, 146, 174, 187, 190, 195; illus., 5, 13
246 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Stremlow, Col Mary L., illus., 122, 126

Strong, lstLt Beatrice R., 39

Strong, Capt Virginia B., 102

Strothers, BGen Dean C., 17

Stuart, Col Rilda M., 148

Sullivan, SSgt Dorothy E., 29, 31; illus., 30

Sullivan, 2dLt Mary E., 52

Summer camp (See Active Duty for Training)

Summers, lstLt Charlene M. (See Itchkawich, lstLt

Charlene M.)

Supervisor of Women Marines, 48, 50-52

Supply Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB, Twentynine Palms, California, 99; illus., 99

Supply School, MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 48

Supported Activity Supply System, 93

Supreme Court, 156

Sustad, Col Jeanette I., 18n, 23, 28, 31, 44, 48, 62n,

72, 78, 148, 150, 152-154, 166, 175, 192-193; illus., 29, 47, 177, 193

Swanson, RAdm Clifford A., 153-154

Swanson, LtCol Emmet O., 42

Swickheimer, Maj Georgia, illus., 176

Swope, Marion A., 180

Table of Organization (T/O), 23, 53, 57-58, 67, 137

Tacoma, Washington, 192

Tallman, lstLt Anne S., 81; illus., 80

Tampa, Florida, 103-104

Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Vietnam, 84

Tanalski, TSgt Katherine F., 60

Tanh Anh, Vietnam, illus., 86

Tarte, MSgt Elizabeth, 51

Tate, Cpl Ruth V., 52

Tatus, Maj Helen M., illus., 58

Taylor, Capt A., 103

Taylor, 2dLt JoAnn, 136

Taylor, LtCol Robert W., 81

Taylor, 2dLt Vicki B., 96

Teletype Operator School, 72

Temporary rank, 18, 21, 23, 148-149, 182, 190-191

Tenteris, lstLt Carolyn, 40

Termination of Wartime Women's Reserve, 5

Test Instrument Course, Albany, Georgia, illus., 90

Testing and Educational Unit, MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 38, 145

Tet offensive of 1968, 83, 85

Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas, 191

The 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, 115-116

The Plaza, Saigon, Vietnam, 84-85

The Washington Post, 136

Thies, Pvt Cynthia L., 57

3d 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 Woman

Recruit Training Battalion; Woman Recruit Training Command)

32d Woman Officer Candidate Class (See Company

W)

35th Woman Officer Basic Course, 91

35th Woman Officer Candidate Class, 131-132

38th Woman Officer Basic Class, 132

39th woman Officer Basic Class, 134-135

Thomas, Sgt Agnes C., 29, 44

Thomas, LtCol Alfred I., 71

Thomas, Cpl Erlene A., 118

Thomas, LtGen Gerald C., 1, 11-12, 164

Thomas, Mrs. Gerald C., 164

Thompson, CWO Mary, 145

Thorning, Capt Dolores A., illus., 58

Thornton, MSgt Sarah N., 67, 83

Tiffany, LCpl Judy A., 94

Toledo, Ohio, 11

Tomlinson, 2dLt Norma L., 74

Topping, LtCol Robert W., 99

Towle, California, 187

Towle, 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, 101

Tracked Vehicle Maintenance Unit, MCB, Camp Pendleton, California, illus., 91

Training, 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 Active

Duty for Training; Officer Training; Recruit Training; 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, 81

Treasure, 2dLt Tommy L., 74

Triangle, Virginia, 51, 140

Troche, PFC Adoree R., 52

250
INDEX 247

Trowsdale, LtCol Annie M., 100

Truck Company, 4th Service Battalion, USMCR, Erie,

Pennsylvania, 106

Truman, President Harry S., 15, 18, 26

Turner, Cpl Elizabeth, 81

12th Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District,

San Francisco, California, 184

20th Woman Officers Basic Course, 74

Twilley, lstLt Patsy A., illus., 133

Tyler, 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., 47

U.S. Embassy, Santo Domingo, 174; illus., 173

U.S. Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, 52

United States Code, Titles 10 and 37, 89, 155

U.S. Employment Services, Tacoma, Washington, 192

U.S. Information Service, Washington, D.C., 189

United States Naval Academy, 134

University of California, 5, 21, 34, 187, 189n

University of California Press, 187

University of Chicago, 192

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 95, 193

University of Minnesota, 192

University of Montana, 95

University of Southern California, 25

University of Texas, 190

University of Washington, 192

Unsung Heroine Award, s6; illus., 84

USO, 32

Vandegrift, Gen Alexander A., 3-4, 6, 12, 15, 18,

174, 187; illus., 5

VandenBossche, Capt Cecelia, 43; illus., 44

VanDyke, MSgt Jessie, 51

VanStockum, BGen Ronald R., 82; illus., 81

Vardy, Capt Sarah M., 4, 12n

Vassar College, 189

Vaughn, MGySgt Mary G., 150

Venne, 2dLt Michele D., 97

Vertalino, 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, 53

Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, 86; illus., 84

Victory, BGen Randall M., 52

Victory, Mrs. Randall M., 52

Vietnam, 52-53, 62, 64, 73, 80, 83-88, 99, 151, 172,

192; illus., 82

Vietnamese Service Medal, 87

Villanueva, PFC Christin, 60

Vinson, Representative Carl, 15

Voisine, LCp1 Harriett F., 91

Vollmer, SSgt Dorothy L., 67

Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve, Class III, 44

Volunteer Marine Corps Women Reserve (VMCWR),

1, 3, 46

Volunteer 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, Alabama, 76

Waclawski, lstSgt Esther D., 25, 48

Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, 182

Walker, Sgt Dorothy, 48

Wall, PFC Allis V., 44

Wallace, Capt Marilyn E., 81

Waller, Col Littleton W., ln

Wallis, Maj Jane L., 81-83; illus., 73, 81

Walsh, LtCol Carolyn J., 125, 153

Walsh, Cpl Joan V., 52

Walsh, MSgt Rita M., 49, 79

Walsh, 1stLt Ruth (See Woidyla, lstLt Ruth)

Wancheck, TSgt Mary F., 11, 25; illus., 24

Warner, LtCol Nita B., 33-34, 37, 43, 49, 157; illus.,

58, 138

Warrant Officer, 10, 13, 18, 32, 145

Warrant Officer Basic School, 145

Wartime Women's Reserve, 1-3, 5, 7 (See also Retention of Women Reserves at HQMC)

Wasco, California, 182

Washington, D.C., 8, 11, 21, 25-26, 39, 41-43,

46-48, 54, 60, 72, 75, 95, 103, 160, 187 (See also

Headquarters Marine Corps)

Water Supply and Plumbing Course, MCB, Camp

Lejeune, North Carolina, 93

Watson, 1stLt Patricia, illus., 112

WAVES, 1, 3-4, 7, 15, 17-18, 40, 42, 49, 52, 69, 76,

84-85, 145, 162, 168, 182, 190

Way, Maj John D., 81

Wayae, John, 101

Weede, MajGen Richard G., 71
248

Wegener, Cpl Margaret G., 79

Welchel, Pvt J. E., 91

Wendel, 2dLt Harriet T., 74

West, TSgt Lillian J., 67, 111

WestPac, 79-88

West Point, 17

Wheeler, Sgt Ardella M., 29

White House, 145

White Letter No. 5-76, 132, 134, 137

White, LtCol Robert D., 98

Wiese, Sgt Charlene K., 96

Wilbur, Col James R., 34

Wilcox, Sgt Ethyl, 46

Wilkie, MSgt Margery R., 66

Willard, OC Antoinette S., 126

Williams, Maj Cornelia ID. T., 4, 191n

Williams, MSgt Lucretia E., 140

Williams, Sgt Mary, 60

Williamson, Pvt M. L., 50

Wilson, Cpl, 85

Wilson, Col Helen A., 33n, 39, 41-42, 51, 52n, 89,

104, 148, 177, 177n; illus., 51-52

Wilson, Gen Louis H. Jr., 31, 90-91, 93, 132, 168,

195

Winchester, Massachusetts, 189

Windsock, 96

Wing, Maj Marion, 4

WMA Nouncements, 180

Woidyla, lstLt Ruth, illus., 134

Wold-Chamberlain Naval Air Station, 42

Woman Marine Company, Camp Butler, Okinawa,

81-83; illus., 73, 81

Woman Marine Company, Camp H. M. Smith,

Hawaii, 184-185

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, FMFLant, Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Virginia, 149, 194

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, MCB, Camp Pendleton, California, 137,

149, 186

Woman Marine Company, Headquarters and Service

Battalion, 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 Supply

Center, Albany, Georgia, 79

Woman Marine Company, Marine Corps Supply

f

,rt

A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Center, Barstow, California, 78-79, 171; illus., 171

Woman Marine Company, Service Battalion, Marine

Barracks, MCB, Camp Pendleton, California, 48

(See also Woman Marine Company, Headquarters 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 also

Billeting)

Woman Marine Platoon, Headquarters Company,

Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps

Supply Center, Barstow, California, 79

Woman Marine Platoon, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, Georgia, 79

Woman Marine Detachment-1 (WMID-1), MCAS, El

Toro, 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 Bugle

Team, MB, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, 94; illus., 96

Woman Marine Newsletter, 74, 77, 166, 168

Woman Marine Organized Reserve Platoons (WM Platoons), 10, 101-105

WM Administrative Platoon, 1st 4.5-inch Rocket

Battalion, USMCR, Dallas, Texas, 103, 105; illus.,

105

WM Administrative Platoon, 2d 105mm Gun Battalion, USMCR, Miami, Florida, 104

WM Administrative Platoon, 3d Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, St. Louis, Missouri, 102

WM Administrative Platoon, 4th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 103

WM Administrative Platoon, 5th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Detroit, Michigan, 102

WM Classification Platoon, 1st Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, USMCR, Fort Schuyler, New

York, 102

WM Classification Platoon, 1st Engineer Battalion,

USMCR, Baltimore, Maryland, 103

WM Classification Platoon, 2d 105mm Howitzer

Battalion, USMCR, Los Angeles, California, 102

WM Classification Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, Boston, Massachusetts, 102

WM Classification Platoon, 9th Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, Chicago, Illinois, 102

252
INDEX 249

WM Classifica(ion Platoon, 10th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Seattle, Washington, 102

WM Communications Platoon, 2d Communications Company, USMCR, Brooklyn, New York

(See WM Communications Platoon, 2d Sit,nal

Company, USMCR)

WM Communications Platoon, 2d Signal Company, USMCR, Brooklyn, New York, 104, 194; illus., 103

WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st 155mm Gun Battalion, USMCR, Denver, Colorado, 104

WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st Amphibian Tractor

Battalion, USMCR, Tampa, Florida, 103-104

WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st Communications

CoMpany, USMCR, Worcester, Massachusetts,

102, 104

WM Disbursing Platoon, 2d Depot Supply Battalion, USMCR, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 102 (See

also WM Disbursing Platoon, 1st Communications

Company)

WM Disbursing Platoon, 13th Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, Washington, D.C., 103

WM Supply Platoon, 1st Antiaircraft ArtilleryAutomatic Weapons Battalion, USMCR, San Francisco, California, 103

WM Supply Platoon, 2d Depot Supply Battalion,

USMCR, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 102

WM Supply Platoon, 7th Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, San Bruno, California (See WM Supply

Platoon, 1st Antiaircraft Artillery-Automatic

Weapons Battalion, USMCR)

WM Supply Platoon, 10th Automatic Weapons

Battery, Kansas City, Missouri, 104

WM Supply Platoon, 11th Infantry Battalion,

USMCR, Cleveland, Ohio, 103

Woman Marine Program Study Group (See Pepper

Board)

Woman Marine Reserve Company, 102

Woman Marine Special Enlistment Program, 106-107

Woman Officer Basic Course (WOBC), 127, 129-132

Woman 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 also

Woman Officer Basic Course)

Woman Officer Procurement, 33, 36, 40, 88, 90, 1.30,

186, 194

Woman Officer School (1965-1973), MCDEC, Quantico, Virginia, 125, 186, 194

Woman Officer School (1973-1974), Marine Corps

Education 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 also

Woman Officer Candidate Course)

Woman Officer Training Class, Women Marines

Detachment, 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 Island, 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 Training

Battalion; Woman Recruit Training Command)

Woman Recruit Training Command, MCRD, Parris

Island, South Carolina, 107, 109, 124 (See also 3d

Recruit Training Battalion; Woman Recruit Training Battalion)

Woman Reserve Liaison Officer, 101

Womanpower, 7, 16, 100

Women in the Air Force (WAFs), 18, 69, 145

Women Marines (WMs), 25-27 (See also Designation

of Women Marines)

Women Marines Association (WMA), 43, 129, 152,

161, 178, 180

Women Marines Detachment (1958-1965)1 MCS,

Quantico, Virginia, 10, 68, 125, 148, 185 (See also

Woman Officer School)

Women Marines Training Detachment (1955-1958),

MCS, Quantico, Virginia, 125 (See also Woman

Officer School)

Women Officers' Quarters (WOQ), MCRD, Parris Island, 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 Integration 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, 145

Women's Reserve, 3-6, 15, 39 (See also Marine Corps

Women's Reserve)

Women's Reserve Company, 11, 39

25 3
250 A HISTORY OF THE WOMEN MARINES, 1946-1977

Women's Reserve Officer Training School, Mount

Holyoke, Massachusetts, 169, 190-191

Women's Reserve Platoons (WR Platoons), 10, 39,

40-49, 53, 187, 190

WR Platoon, 1st Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Fort

Schuyler, New York, 42

WR Platoon, 2d Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

Boston, Massachusetts, 40, 47-48, 51, 59n, 65

WR Platoon, 3d Infantry Battalion, USMCR, St.

Louis, Missouri, 42-43, 49

WR Platoon, 4th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 42, 45, 50

WR Platoon, 105mm Howitzer.Battalion, USMCR,

Kansas City, Missouri, 40

WR Platoon, 5th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

Washington, D.C., 42-43, 47-48, 60; illus., 41

WR Platoon, 6th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

(See also WR Platoon, 6th Infantry Battalion,

USMCR)

VTU (WR), Portland, Oregon, 11

VTU (WR), Rochester, New York, 11

VTU (WR), St. Louis, Missiour, 11

VTU 11-2 (WR), San Diego, California, 10-11

VTU 12-4 (WR), San Francisco, California, 10

VTU 13-12 (WR), Seattle, Washington, 8

VTU (WR), Washington, D.C., 11

Wood, CWO Ruth L., 111, 145; illus., 126, 149

Woodwind Quintet, U.S. Marine Band, illus., 97

Woodworth, GySgt Lea E., 78-79

Woolger, TSgt Laura H., 67-68

Woolman, Capt Marjorie J., 42, 103

Worcester, Massachusetts, 102, 104

World War I Marinettes, 174, 180; illus., 154

World 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, 53

WR Platoon, 12th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, 42, 48

WR Platoon, 13th Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Los

Angeles, California, 42, 186

WR Platoon, 17th Infantry Battalion, USMCR,

Detroit, Michigan, 43; illus., 43-44

WR Platoon, 23d 155mm Howitzer Battalinn,

USMCR, Dallas, Texas, 43

Women's Volunteer Training Units (VTUs), 7-11

VTU (WR), Atlanta, Georgia, 11

V111 (WR), Baltimore, Maryland, 10

VTU 1-1 (WR), Boston Massachusetts, 8-10, 40, 65

VTU (WR), Chicago, Illinois, 11

VTU (WR), Indianapolis, Indiana, 11

VTU (WR), Kansas City, Missouri, 11

VTU (WR), Los Angeles, California, 11, 186

VTU (WR), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 11

VTU (WR), Minneapolis, Minnesota, 11

VTU (WR), New Orleans, Louisiana, 11

VTU 3-1 (WR), New York, New York, 7, 10

VTU (WR), Oakland, California, 11

VTU 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, 85

Wright, Sgt Kathleen, 82

Wright, Cpl Nancy, 94; illus., 96

Wuerch, Cpl Ronelle, 81

Yale University, 191

Yanics, SSgt Vickie J., 95

Yankton, South Dakota, 186

Yemessee, South Carolina, 113

Yeoman Course, San Diego, California, 57

Young, Cliff, 86; illus., 84

Young, 1stLt Phyllis J., 53

Young, LCp1 Sheryl L., 171-172; illus., 172

Zabriskie, Sgt May E., 29

Zaudtke, 2dLt Patricia M., 93

Zimmer, Cpl Barbara A., 79

Zimmerman, PFC Dawn, 48

Zito, Frank Jr., 177-178

Zumwalt, Adm Elmo R. Jr., 89
The device reproduced on the back cover is

the oldest military insignia in continuous use

in the United States. It first appeared, as

shown here, on Marine Corps buttons adopted in 1804. With the stars changed to five

points this device has continued on Marine

Corps buttons to the present day.

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