$Unique_ID{bob01125} $Pretitle{} $Title{(A) History Of The Women Marines 1946-1977 Chapter 15} $Subtitle{} $Author{Stremlow, Col. Mary V.} $Affiliation{U.S. Marine Corps Reserve} $Subject{women marine marines corps first general colonel sergeant anniversary commandant see pictures see figures } $Date{1986} $Log{See Molly Marine*0112501.scf } Title: (A) History Of The Women Marines 1946-1977 Author: Stremlow, Col. Mary V. Affiliation: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Date: 1986 Chapter 15 Laurels and Traditions Women 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 Marine 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 same job. She was the Marine Corps' expert on education and as new programs developed, her responsibilities increased. A member of the second officer candidate class 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 as 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 removed the traditional academic barrier 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 Marines. 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 awarded to four women Marines. Staff Sergeant Barbara O. Barnwell, first woman ever to win the medal, was decorated on 7 August 1953 by General 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 Liaison Company at Fort Schuyler, New York, at the time of the incident. 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 instrumental in saving the Marine's life and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. 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 the 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 herself was only a child of 11 she saved a seven-year old 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 Sergeant Dorothy L. Kearns became the second woman Marine in history to receive the Navy and Marine Corps Medal when it was presented to her by Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, Director of Women 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 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 Service. A World War II Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Kearns had 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 Des 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 lunch in the Federal Building Lunch Shop, the petite lieutenant saw a man taking money from an unattended cash drawer 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 fled. The thief succeeded in breaking away, but he dropped 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 several blocks. It was through her courageous and heroic determination in the face of danger that the handicapped owner was saved from bodily harm and personal loss, and the thief was captured, placed in the hands of the police, and identified as a potentially dangerous user of narcotics. First Lieutenant Brame's heroic action reflected great credit upon herself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. School at Camp Pendleton, then Private Young and a companion, Private First Class Thomas J. Mia 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 Mia removed the occupants one by one, handed them to Private Young, and both Marines administered first aid and comforted the victims until the police and fire departments arrived. Brigadier General Robert J. Chadwick, 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 daring rescue. Her citation read: Upon arriving at the scene of a traffic accident in Oceanside, which left three victims pinned in a burning automobile, lance Corporal Young, with complete disregard for her own safety and fully aware of the personal dangers involved, unhesitatingly assisted her Marine companion in removing 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. Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star, with combat "V," awarded to persons 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 Personnel Section, on the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces, Vietnam, 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. Reinholz were also awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 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 Service Commendation Medal. The first recipient, Captain Elaine I. Primeau, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident while on duty on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Forces, Europe, was decorated posthumously in the spring of 1964. 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 to 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. 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 show for the 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, everything 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 bark to my apartment in time to give all my frozen food to my Dominican neighbors, so I don't feel 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 one can loot it. Joannie, I still can't believe all that has happened. The first day, the Marines landed of course, was quite a thrill and all so exciting. 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, it wasn't so thrilling as we were being fired on by nearby snipers. 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. 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. Since then, the anniversary of the women Marines has been the subject of some controversy - at times celebrated with much' encouragement and at other times purposely neglected by the upper levels at Headquarters in an effort to encourage all Marines to acknowledge one birthday, the 10th of November. To further complicate the issue, the women who served in World War I questioned the use of 1943 as a point of reference. Colonel Towle wrote a memorandum on the subject in 1951 stating: The formation of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve of World War II was officially announced by the CMC, General Thomas Holcomb, on 13 February 1943, under the provisions of the Naval Reserve Act of 1938, as amended. It is that anniversary which is recognized each year by women who served in World War II; hence the Eighth Anniversary, 13 February 1951. During World War II and immediately after, the celebration of the occasion was an effective way to raise morale, keep up the interest of former WMs, and in general to enhance the prestige of women in the service. Celebrations have varied according to local customs, but normally included a cake-cutting ceremony attended by the commanding general, the battalion commander, and all WMs, officers and enlisted, at the 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." 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 anniversary. 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." Colonel Randolph McC. Pate, Director of Division of Reserve during the post-World War II period, inaugurated the tradition of giving red roses to the Director of Women Marines on 13 February - one for each year being commemorated. Major Hamblet, as 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. Sometime in the 1970's, 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 Commandant, 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 the outbreak in Korea has greatly aided our Corps to attain new glories. All ranks in the Corps join me today in a fond salute to our "lady Marines." 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." 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 extending a greeting to you as the representative of 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. 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: 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. The Commandant made known that in the future only 10 November would be acknowledged 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." 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 opportunities for women Marines and to announce the discontinuance of the tradition. General Cushman, therefore, in the final anniversary message, said: With each 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. Accordingly, we pause today to reflect on the day 31 years ago when women became members of our Marine Corps team ready to meet all challenges. Women Marines and Mess Night For a number of years, it was generally understood that formal mess nights were for men only. 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. 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 time honored 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 when the battalion was activated in 1943, and later in 1961 became 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 draft 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. 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 Marine. Molly's many friends blocked this action. Heading the long list of her benefactors was Mr. Frank Zito, 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 namestake 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 resolutions 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. [See Molly Marine: Molly Marine, monument in New Orleans, dedicated to women who served as Marines.] On hand for the occasion, as personal representative 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 Reserve Midshipmen School (WR), Northampton, Massachusetts, 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: 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 to their country 10 November 1943 was changed to: Molly Marine November 10, 1943 Free a Marine to 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 Marine Veterans." 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 Reserve Major Jean Durlee and included former WRs Marion A. Hooper Swope, Mary Jeane Olson Nelson, June F. Hansen, Lois Lighthall, Ila Doolitle Clark, and Babara Kees Meeks. Colonel Margaret M. Henderson, the Director of Women Marines, attended 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 elected; 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 announcements appeared. Subsequent conventions were held in Cleveland, Saint Louis, New Orleans, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Honolulu, Galveston, and in 1976, the nation's bicentennial birthday, in Boston. For the first time in WMA history, the women were addressed by a Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., at the 1974 Texas meeting. The WMA is the only national organization open exclusively to women who serve or have served as United States Marines.