Women in the United States Navy

=Pre-World War I=

Women worked as nurses for the Navy as early as the Civil War. The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established in 1908. See United States Navy Nurse Corps for the evolution of the Navy Nurse Corps.

World War I

The increased size of the United States Navy in support of World War I increased the need for clerical and administrative support. Since Naval Reserve Act of 1916 authorizing the enlistment of yeomen did not specify that they had to be male, the Navy was able to induct its first female sailors into the U. S. Naval Reserve. Women served around the continental U. S. and in France, Guam and Hawaii, mostly as yeomen, but also as radio operators, electricians, draftsmen, pharmacists, photographers, telegraphers, fingerprint experts, chemists, torpedo assemblers and camouflage designers. The women were all released from active duty after the end of the war. See Yeoman (F).

World War II

World War II again brought the need for additional personnel. This time the Navy organized to recruit women into a separate women's auxiliary, labeled Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES). WAVES served in varied positions around the continental U. S. and in Hawaii. See WAVES.

Korean War Era

Vietnam War Era

Women in the Navy since 1972

Admirals

The first promotion of a woman in the United States Navy to flag rank occurred in 1972.

ee also

United States Navy Nurse Corps

References

Further reading

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Bibliographies

* [http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/bibs/women/womnav.htm Women in the Navy] , a bibliography compiled in 1998 by Diana Simpson, Bibliographer, Air University Library, Maxwell AFB.
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq48-2.htm Women in the U.S. Navy: Bibliography and Sources] from the Naval Historical Center.
* [http://www.usna.edu/LibExhibits/Women_at_USNA/Bibliography_text.html 30 YEARS OF WOMEN AT USNA] , selected bibliography of resources available in the Naval Academy's Nimitz Library.
* [http://www.womensmemorial.org/H&C/Resources/pdfs/bibliography.pdf Bibliography] on women in the military from the Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial

External links

* [http://www.sealeader.org Sea Services Leadership Association] supporting motivated Sea Service officers since 1978. (Formerly Women Officers Professional Association.)