These were just two objections of an adamant Congress when the military first sought legislation to let women se rve in the regular armed forces. This historic act gave permanent status to women in the armed forces, both regular and reserve.
Female veterans hail the act as the most significant legislation regarding women's military service.
Two of the women who pioneered this cause shared their thoughts and experiences in a ceremony June 12, at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial honors more than 2 million women who have served in the U. S. armed forces. In 1942, Hallaren was one of the first women volunteers selected for officer candidate school in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. During her military career she led the first battalion of women in the European Theater of Operations in 1943 and directed the Women's Army Corps. During World War II, about 100,000 women served in the United States and 22 countries overseas.