Military Women: A Brief History

To most Americans, the sight of U.S. women as helicopter pilots, military police and even as prisoners of war during Operation Desert Storm seemed to be a first.

But historically, women have defended their country since its beginning. They just haven’t been recognized, says the Women in Military Service Memorial Foundation, which wants to correct the oversight.

“Women have always done their part to defend our country,” says Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, president of the foundation, whose red, white and blue packet of informational material includes a summary of women’s service in the military:

* During the 18th and 19th centuries, women were routinely present with armies in battle. Because of the Revolutionary War’s constant manpower shortages, women were hired employees, and the medical service was allowed one matron and 10 nurses per 100 wounded.

* In the War of 1812 the “first girl marine” is reputed to have served, as George Baker, for three years on the USS Constitution.

* During the Civil War, women on both sides participated on an unprecedented scale. In addition to cooking, sewing and foraging for supplies, many women--black and white--served as saboteurs, scouts and couriers. One woman, Dr. Mary Walker, received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

* In the Spanish-American War, an epidemic of typhoid fever forced the recruitment of women by the Army under a civilian contract. Eventually, 1,500 served.

* During World War I, both the Navy and Marine Corps enlisted about 12,000 women as clerks, translators and radio electricians. About 23,000 Army and Navy nurses served in field hospitals, on troop trains and transport ships. Some died, some were wounded and many were decorated.

* World War II saw more than 400,000 women serving in all branches and all military theaters and the first female officers received military rank.

* In 1948 the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act gave women a permanent place in the armed forces, but during the 1950s and ‘60s women’s roles in the military became a token. It wasn’t until 1978 that the Army’s Chief of Staff, Gen. Bernard W. Rogers, emphasized that women should not be part-time soldiers but an “essential part of the force.”

* By 1980, the volunteer Army’s ability to meet 1980 recruiting goals was due in large part to the enlistment of 50,000 women, the largest number since World War II.

* Today more than 400,000 women are on active duty, reserve and Guard members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, comprising more than 10% of the country’s armed forces.

“Operation Desert Storm documented women’s military participation,” Vaught says. “Finally news commentators are saying ‘Our men and women in the service.’ ”