Melvin Cowart Post 274

 

 

 

 

Honoring Women of the Armed Forces – Past and Present      

More than 240 years ago during the American Revolution (1775-1783) Women served as spies and saboteurs. On the battlefield they served as gunners, nurses, water bearers, cooks, and laundresses.

During the 1800’s notable conflicts included: War of 1812, Mexican War (1846-1848), Civil War (1861-1865), and the Spanish-American War (1898):

The 1800”s saw women provide mostly casualty care and nursing for the troops at field hospitals and on ships.  . During the Civil War many enlisted with male names and served in the infantry and front lines. Sometimes they were discovered and discharged. Others served as nurses, laundresses, cooks, and spies. In 1865, Dr. Mary Walker a surgeon in the Civil War receives the Medal of Honor. She remains the only woman to receive the nation's highest military honor. In the Spanish-American War (1898): Thousands of US soldiers sick with typhoid, malaria and yellow fever, overwhelm the capabilities of the Army Medical Department. Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee suggests to the Army Surgeon General that the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) be appointed to select professionally qualified nurses to serve. The Army appoints Dr. McGee Acting Assistant Surgeon General, making her the first woman ever to hold the position. The Army is impressed by the performance of the nurses and as a result the Army and Navy Nurse Corps were established.

The 20^th century saw many major conflicts Including: The Two World Wars, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf Wars 

The first women who enlisted in the United States military joined the Navy and Marine Corps in World War I. Army and Navy nurses serve in military hospitals. Over 230 bilingual women telephone operators served overseas and others worked as skilled stenographers. Many women enlist to serve stateside in shore billets, and fill positions such as clerks and telephone operators.

In the Army Reorganization Act of (1920):  nurses were granted officer status.

World War II (1941-1945): Roles for women expanded in World War II. Approximately 400,000 women served. Women served in every theater of the war and in many nontraditional roles - communications, intelligence, mechanics, drivers, photographers, and logistics.  

The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 granted women permanent status in all branches of the services.

An example of a woman who contributed to the war effort was Mary Feik a leader in aviation, an aviation engineer, master mechanic, pilot, instructor and aircraft restorer. She began working on aircraft engines and military aircraft at the age of 18. However, when she tried to enroll in engineering in college, the registrar told her, "We don't take women." She later took a job at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio working on airplanes and teaching aircraft maintenance. During World War II, Feik became an expert on many military aircraft, and taught aircraft maintenance for the United States Army Air Corps.  Feik logged more than 6,000 hours as an engineer, engineering observer, and pilot.

The pilot training manuals and technical engineering reports she authored were distributed throughout the Armed Forces.

A recipient of many aerospace honors, Mary Feik’s proudest professional honor was bestowed in 2003. She stated "My ultimate honor 'is' the Civil Air Patrol cadet achievement created in my name.

During the Korean Conflict the majority of women worked in the MASH units and more women were promoted to higher ranks.

Vietnam War (1965-1975):/Cold War

During the Cold War Era equal rights and opportunities increased for women.

The Reserve Officers Training Corps opens to women.

An Air Force woman completes Aircraft Maintenance Officer's School and becomes the first woman aircraft maintenance officer.

The first woman is assigned as a flight surgeon in the Air Force

The first female earns the Navy flight wings.

The Navy accepts its first woman chaplain.

A woman becomes the first army helicopter pilot.

The Air Force places the first woman on crew flight status.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Public law removing legal ceilings on women's promotions that had kept them out of the general and flag ranks. This law also dropped the two percent ceiling on officer and enlisted strengths for women in the armed forces.

In the fall of 1976, women enrolled in the military service academies.

War in the Persian Gulf (1990-1991):  The largest single deployment of military women in US history took place during the Persian Gulf Wars. They served in all areas of the operation except direct combat.

During this time the Army names a woman "Drill Sergeant of the Year". The first women were assigned to command Missile and air refueling squadrons. Women participated in the space program in ground support, as shuttle mission specialists and space shuttle commanders.

In this century women have been added to the ranks of embassy guards, Presidential Military Aide, drug interdiction officers, and the military sniper program.

Col Nicole Malachowski a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a former Civil Air Patrol Cadet was the first woman to join the Airforce Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds.”

In 2008: For the first time in US military history, a woman is promoted to the 
rank of four-star general. Currently there are 57 active-duty women serving as generals or admirals

Just two years ago the ban on women serving in combat roles was lifted.

This past year 3 women graduated Army Ranger School.

The future – the future will have many opportunities and challenges. Most of us will set and reset goals and will add a dash of persistence.