$Unique_ID{bob01127} $Pretitle{} $Title{(A) History Of The Women Marines 1946-1977 Chapter 17} $Subtitle{} $Author{Stremlow, Col. Mary V.} $Affiliation{U.S. Marine Corps Reserve} $Subject{marine colonel women corps officer marines director woman reserve headquarters} $Date{1986} $Log{} Title: (A) History Of The Women Marines 1946-1977 Author: Stremlow, Col. Mary V. Affiliation: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Date: 1986 Chapter 17 The Directors of Women Marines Colonel Katherine A. Towle Originally of Vermont stock, Colonel Katherine Amelia Towle was born in Towle, California, a lumber mill hamlet in the Sierras founded by her grandfather. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1920 at the University of California at Berkeley with honors in political science and received her master's degree there in 1935. Prior to 13 February 1943, she had served successively as an assistant in the admissions office at the University of California; resident dean and headmistress of Miss Ronsom and Miss Bridges School for Girls at Piedmont, California; a teaching fellow in political science at the University of California; and senior editor of the University of California Press. On 15 March 1943, she accepted an appointment as captain in the Marine Corps Reserve with rank as of 24 February. Having never attended basic training of any sort, Colonel Towle in later years laughingly remarked that she was not even a 90-day wonder. After six days of indoctrination with the Division of Reserve at Headquarters Marine Corps, Captain Towle was assigned as a staff officer (WR) with the Training Brigade, Marine Training Detachment, U.S. Naval Training School, Bronx, New York. When the WR battalion was established at Camp Lejeune in June 1943, she was transferred there and became the senior Marine Corps Women's Reserve School officer and assistant executive officer. In that position, she was promoted to major on 2 February 1944, and in September of that year she became Colonel Streeter's assistant at Headquarters Marine Corps. She remained at Headquarters, was appointed a lieutenant colonel on 15 March 1945, and succeeded Colonel Streeter as Director nine months later on 8 December. A colonel by virtue of her billet, she spent her remaining months in the Marine Corps directing the demobilization of the women Reservists and laying plans and policies for a postwar Marine Corps Women's Reserve. On 14 June 1946, certain that all World War II WRs would be released within a few months, Colonel Towle returned to the Berkeley campus as assistant dean of women. For her meritorious wartime service, she carried with her the Letter of Commendation with ribbon by the Secretary of Navy and a letter of appreciation from General Alexander A. Vandegrift, the Commandant of the Marine Corps. When Congress provided for Regular components of women in the Armed Forces, General Clifton B. Cates, then Commandant, asked Colonel Towle to direct the new Regular Women Marines. She returned to Washington as one of the first 20 women Regular officers and became the first Director of Women Marines. Recruit and officer training programs were organized and a gradual buildup of women in the Regular Marine Corps began. At the same time, 13 women's platoons were established in the Marine Corps Organized Reserve. Colonel Towle was particularly proud of the response of these women and the low percentage of deferments among women Reservists upon mobilization in 1950. Following the Korean War the Reserve units were reorganized, this time with a total of 19 platoons. As an educator, Colonel Towle recognized the value of formal training and continually worked for increased school opportunities for WMs. Her national stature in the academic community enhanced the prestige of the women Marines and contributed to her success in gaining access to colleges and universities to recruit women officers. Among her honors is the Doctor of Laws conferred on her by Mills College in June 1952. The Oakland Tribune said of her, "Behind the formidably admirable public record is one of the most charming women in the world." Colonel Towle, a lady of style and grace who loved feminine hats, was a paradox in the overtly masculine Marine Corps. Yet, in the opinion of Colonel Hamblet, "She was the perfect one for the job at the time." She had made her reputation as an able administrator and commander in World War II. She was firm but never aggressive and won the respect of Marines - irrespective of their personal views of women in military service. To a newsman's question regarding the acceptance of women in the Marine Corps by senior officers, Colonel Towle frankly answered that there were varying degrees of enthusiasm but with one or two exceptions the feminine presence had been taken with good grace. The day after the interview was published nearly every general officer at Headquarters stopped by her office, poked in his head, and asked, "You didn't mean me, did you, Colonel?" The Colonel replied, "Oh no, sir, of course not," but by the end of the day neither she nor her administrative assistant, Lieutenant Colonel Kleberger, could keep a straight face as the parade by her office continued. On 1 May 1952, Colonel Towle was retired under the statutory age provision of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 which required retirement for colonels at age 55. A special sunset parade had been held in her honor the evening before at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., and for the first time in the history of the famous barracks, a platoon of women Marines joined the contingent of Marines who passed in review. Upon retirement, the colonel was awarded a Letter of Commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps and a Legion of Merit from the President of the United States. Colonel Julia E. Hamblet The third Director of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve and the second Director of Women Marines was Colonel Julia Estelle Hamblet, called Judy by her friends. Born in Winchester, Massachusetts, Colonel Hamblet attended the Hartridge School in Plainfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Vassar College in 1937 with a bachelor of arts degree. The first woman Marine to be afforded the opportunity to attend graduate school while on active duty, she earned a master of science degree in public administration at Ohio State University in 1951. Appropriately, her thesis was entitled, "The Utilization of Women in the Marine Corps." Colonel Hamblet worked for the U.S. Information Service in Washington, D.C., from 1937 until 1943 when she became the first woman from the nation's capital to join the Marine Corps. Her motive for entering military service, like thousands of Americans during those critical days, was a patriotic desire to do her part. Her reason for choosing the Marine Corps was less noble; with one brother in the Army and another in the Navy, she wanted to remain impartial. Graduating from the first woman officer training class on 4 May 1943, she, along with several of her classmates, was commissioned a first lieutenant. Captain Towle, then senior woman officer on the staff at the Marine Corps Training Detachment in the Bronx, personally selected Lieutenant Hamblet to fill the billet of adjutant of that unit. She served in that post at Hunter College and later at Camp Lejeune when the Women's Reserve schools were transferred there in July 1943. Her subsequent tours during World War II included six months with the Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion at Camp Lejeune, first as adjutant and then as executive officer; adjutant and executive officer, Women's Reserve Battalion, Camp Pendleton; commanding officer, Women's Reserve Battalion, Quantico; assistant for the Women's Reserve on the staff of the commanding general at Quantico; and finally commanding officer, Aviation Women's Reserve Group 1, Cherry Point. For her services during World War II, she was awarded a letter of commendation. In a distinguished career marked by numerous achievements, one stands out as having the most direct impact on the entire Marine Corps. As a major and the Director of the postwar Women's Reserve, 1946-1948, she was responsible for maintaining the interest of the WRs during those critical years and for organizing the WR platoons, all of which were ready when the Korean War erupted. The year of graduate work was followed by a tour of duty in Honolulu as the assistant G-1, FMFPac. Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet was the first WM to return to Hawaii since the departure of the WRs in 1946. In less than a year, she was assigned as officer in charge of the Women Officer Training Detachment at Quantico. On 1 May 1953, she assumed the position of the second Director of Women Marines, again succeeding Colonel Towle, who was retiring. Only 37 years old, she was the youngest director of women in the armed services. Colonel Towle, in praising her successor said, "She has had practically every type of duty a woman Marine officer can have. I have followed her military career since her assignment as my adjutant. She has brains, ability, personality, and looks." Colonel Hamblet held the post of Director until March 1959, longer than any other woman. Legal provisions at the time prohibited women, other than the Director, to serve in the tank of colonel, so Colonel Hamblet reverted to her permanent rank of lieutenant colonel and was then transferred to Naples, Italy, where she served as military secretary to the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe. Before leaving, her friends feted her with a "demotion" party which featured a large cake decorated with an eagle flying away. Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet, uncommonly attractive and poised, became a favorite among the servicewomen at Naples. When the enlisted women gave a New Year's party in 1961 to which many officers, American and foreign, were invited, she was the only woman officer to accept. "In fact," said Sergeant Major Judge, a WM in Naples at the time, "she was the only woman officer to give us the time of day. She was so gracious; she didn't just come to say hello, she stayed and had a good time. No one forgot that. It was mentioned for a long time by the WAVEs and the WACs." In April 1962, Lieutenant Colonel Hamblet was transferred to Parris Island, where she was commanding officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, until her retirement on 1 May 1965. Colonel Hamblet was awarded the Legion of Merit and according to regulations, upon retirement she was reappointed to the rank of colonel, the highest rank in which she served. Colonel Margaret M. Henderson Colonel Margaret Henderson became the fourth Director of Women Marines on 2 March 1959, succeeding Colonel Hamblet. Born in Cameron, Texas, Colonel Henderson earned a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Texas in 1932 and taught in the secondary schools of Lubbock, Texas, before her enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1943. After completing the Marine Corps Women's Reserve Officer Training School at Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts, she was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Reserve on 29 June 1943. Lieutenant Henderson began her career as a general subjects instructor at the Marine Corps Women's Reserve Schools at Camp Lejeune and was later assigned as officer in charge of the Business School, Marine Corps Institute, Washington, D.C. In later years, Colonel Streeter wrote: As this was a teaching job, it was natural enough for her to be assigned to it; but it soon became evident that her capacity was far greater than this job would give her opportunity to develop. Unfortunately, she was doing it so well that her Commanding Officer would not let her be transferred! Willie and I put our heads together and she finally wheedled him into letting Margaret go to a better job, where she promptly showed her fine qualities. The "better job" was that of executive officer, Marine Corps Women's Reserve Battalion, Camp Lejeune. On 14 June 1946, Captain Henderson was released from active duty. She went home to Lubbock where she taught at Texas Technological College for two years. Selected to be one of the first 20 Regular woman Marine officers, Captain Henderson returned to the Marine Corps in December 1948. Her academic and professional background made her the obvious choice to head the embryonic 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. Interviews with officers and enlisted members of the original staff confirm the wisdom of the assignment. From Parris Island, Major Henderson was transferred in 1950 to the Division of Plans and Policy at Headquarters Marine Corps where, in addition to her regular duties, she was concerned with developing personnel and assignment policies for the newly integrated WMs. She played an important role in the return of women Marines to posts and stations during the Korean War. During subsequent tours she served consecutively as commanding officer, Woman Officer Training Detachment; assistant G-1, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton; and as head, Women's Affairs Section, Division of Plans and Policy at Headquarters Marine Corps. As Director of Women Marines, Colonel Henderson worked to establish the billet for Sergeant Major of Women Marines, since she believed that enlisted women would speak more freely to the Sergeant Major than to the Director. Sergeant Major Bertha L. Peters (later Billeb), already assigned to the Director's office since June 1959, was elevated to the new position of Sergeant Major of Women Marines in January 1961. Completing her tour as Director in January 1964, and, once again a lieutenant colonel, she was assigned as assistant G-1, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Colonel Henderson, reappointed to the rank of colonel, received the Legion of Merit, by the commanding general, Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth, at a parade marking her retirement on 31 January 1966. Colonel Barbara J. Bishop Colonel Barbara J. Bishop, the fifth Director of Women Marines, was born in Boston, schooled in Everett, Massachusetts, and graduated from Yale University in January 1943 with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 February 1943, just five days after the public announcement of the new Women's Reserve program. Colonel Bishop received her Marine officer training as a member of the second officer candidate class at Mount Holyoke and was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on 1 June 1943. Throughout World War II Lieutenant Bishop held a variety of command and administrative assignments: commanding officer, Marine Training Detachment at the University of Indiana; executive officer, Marine Aviation Detachment at the Naval Air Station in Atlanta, Georgia; commanding officer, Aviation Women's Squadron 21 at Quantico; and officer-in-charge, S&C Files, Division of Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. She was released to inactive duty on 10 November 1946 with the rank of captain. During the next two years, Captain Bishop earned a master of arts degree at the University of Chicago and was working toward a doctorate when, following the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, she returned to active duty, selected as one of the original 20 Regular women officers. She served at Headquarters as officer-in-charge, S&C Files, until January 1952 when she went to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in Hawaii. In September 1953 she assumed command of the Woman Marine Company at Camp Lejeune, and was reassigned to Headquarters in 1955 as head, Women's Branch, Division of Reserve, with the additional duty as Deputy Director of Women Marines. A lieutenant colonel, she returned to the field in October 1956 for consecutive touts as commanding officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island; and assistant G-1, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. In March 1962 she went to Europe, reporting for duty in Naples, Italy, as military secretary to the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe. From Italy, she was once again assigned to Headquarters, this time to succeed Colonel Henderson as the leading woman Marine on 3 January 1964. Colonel Bishop served as Director during a time of sweeping changes in programs and policies affecting women Marines. When she was named Director there were about 1,500 WMs serving at 10 Marine Corps posts and stations throughout the United Stares and in a few overseas billets. Four years later, there were 2,600 active duty WMs serving 25 posts and stations as well as in Europe, the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, and the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Bishop worked toward improving the living accommodations of women Marines, increasing their assignment opportunities, and raising the rate of their retention. During her tour, women officers for the first time were assigned to career military schools. When Public Law 90-130 was signed by President Johnson on 8 November 1967, removing certain restrictions to the promotion to field grade of women officers, Colonel Bishop was among the first group of WMs to be selected for promotion to the permanent rank of colonel. Therefore, she, unlike Colonels Hamblet and Henderson, retained her rank when she eventually left the position of Director of Women Marines on 31 January 1969. Colonel Bishop, whose last assignment was congressional liaison officer to the Senate, retired in November 1969 and was awarded the Legion of Merit during ceremonies held in the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Colonel Sustad, her successor, presented Colonel Bishop a citation lauding her for her service to the women in the Marine Corps. The unofficial award was signed by all active duty WM officers and was given in recognition of personal efforts on their behalf. Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad Colonel Jeanette I. Sustad, sixth Director of Women Marines, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1943. On 8 May of that year she enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, received officer training at Camp Lejeune, and was commissioned a Reserve second lieutenant on 27 December. Her first assignment was special services liaison officer, at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. Subsequently she served as field operations officer at the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Facility, Oak Grove, North Carolina, and assistant communications watch officer at the Marine Corps Air Station in Ewa, Honolulu. She returned to inactive status on 17 December 1945. Following demobilization, she spent a year in graduate study at the University of Minnesota and later was employed as a veterans counselor by the U.S. Employment Services in Tacoma. Upon passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, she accepted a Regular commission as a first lieutenant and reported to Headquarters in December. Transferred to Parris Island the following month, she was assigned as executive officer of the newly formed 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. From May to July 1950, she served temporarily as the executive officer of the Woman Officer Training Detachment at Quantico. The Korean War brought changes to the WM assignment policies, and she was one of the first to head west to assume duties at Camp Pendleton. Captain Sustad became the adjutant of the Marine Corps Base, perhaps the first postwar WM to be so assigned; and upon activation of the first post-World War II WM Company at Camp Pendleton, became its commanding officer, serving in that capacity until August 1952. The first woman Marine officer to be assigned duty in Europe, she served in the Staff Message Control Branch, Headquarters, United States European Command, Frankfurt, Germany. After her promotion to major in July 1953, she became assistant head of the branch and in the spring of 1954, when the Headquarters was moved to Paris, France, Major Sustad continued her assignment there. Upon her return to the United States in September 1954, she served consecutive tours as the executive officer, Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Pattis Island; officer-in-charge, Procurement Aids Branch, Headquarters, 9th Marine Corps Reserve District, Chicago; assistant to the executive officer and plans officer, G-1 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and as operations officer, Marine Corps Education Center, Quantico. Lieutenant Colonel Sustad became the first full time Deputy Director of Women Marines in July 1965. Back at Camp Pendleton serving as the assistant G-1, in June 1968, she was one of the first Regular women Marines to be promoted to the rank of colonel after promotion restrictions were lifted by Congressional legislation. Colonel Sustad was named Director of Women Marines in 1968, the same year she celebrated her 25th anniversary as a WM, and she assumed the top post on 1 February 1969. Wider assignment and training opportunities materialized under the guidance of Colonel Sustad, and she worked to either change or to set aside many outmoded regulations regarding grooming, marriage, pregnancy, and dependency. Colonel Sustad retired on 31 January 1973. In the citation accompanying her Legion of Merit was written, "She worked tirelessly for the welfare of each individual under her purview . . . ." a sentiment endorsed by many of the WMs who knew her. Brigadier General Margaret A. Brewer Then-Colonel Margaret A. Brewer, seventh and last Director of Women Marines, was the only post-World War II woman to hold that position. She succeeded Colonel Sustad on 1 February 1973. Born in Durand, Michigan, she received her primary education in Michigan but graduated from the Catholic High School of Baltimore, Maryland, prior to entering the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She received a bachelor's degree in geography in January 1952 and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in March of that year. Candidate Brewer attended the Woman Officer Training Class as an undergraduate during the summers of 1950 and 1951 at the time of the Korean War. Although the policy was to offer Regular commissions to only a few women graduates of Officer Candidates School, and to release the remaining to inactive duty as Reserve officers, rumors were rampant during the summer of 1951 that all would be retained involuntarily - and undergraduates as candidate Brewer would be ordered to active duty in enlisted status. The scuttlebutt proved foundless and candidate Brewer returned to college to complete her last semester, expecting to graduate in January and attend the Woman Officer Indoctrination Course the following fall. She notified Headquarters of her graduation, and promptly received an unexpected set of orders to the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, where she served as a communications watch officer until June 1953. The personnel shortage was so acute that Lieutenant Brewer was assigned with no more than 12 weeks of officer candidate training. She attended neither the Woman Officer Indoctrination Course nor the Communications Officers School. Plans were made to send her to the WOIC in September, but when the time came she had already successfully served as an officer for six months and the command at El Toro declined to release her. She was then transferred to Brooklyn to activate the post-Korea WM Communications Platoon to be attached to the 2nd Signal Company, USMCR. Lieutenant Brewer served as the assistant inspector-instructor until late summer 1955. From September 1955 until June 1958, in the rank of captain, she served as commanding officer of the Woman Marine companies at Norfolk, Virginia, and Camp Lejeune. During the 18 months following, she was a platoon commander for women officer candidates at Quantico, during summer training sessions, and a woman officer selection officer during winter and spring, with headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. Transferred to Camp Pendleton in November 1959 for duty with the Commissioned Officers Mess, she was promoted to major in September 1961. In April 1963 she returned to Quantico to serve as executive officer and later, as commanding officer, of the Woman Officer School. From 1966 to February 1968, Major Brewer was assigned to the Public Affairs Office, 6th Marine Corps District, in Atlanta, Georgia, and she was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1966. Lieutenant Colonel Brewer served as Deputy Director of Women Marines at Headquarters Marine Corps from March 1968 to March 1971. Reporting to Quantico, she assumed duty as special assistant to the Director, Marine Corps Education Center. Promoted to colonel in December 1970, she became chief of the Support Department, Marine Corps Education Center, in June 1972, and served in that capacity until she became the Director of Women Marines in February 1973. During her last weeks as Director, Colonel Brewer spoke enthusiastically, not only of the increased opportunities for women in the Marine Corps, but of the notable change in attitude on the part of male Marines in positions of influence at Headquarters. For several years she had devoted her energies to effecting a smooth transfer of responsibility for women in the Marine Corps to the agencies at Headquarters where it rightly belonged. She confidently turned the reins over, certain that these agencies had come to recognize women Marines as Marines. Colonel Brewer was reassigned as the deputy director, Division of Information, Headquarters, Marine Corps on 1 July 1977. General Brewer became the Marine Corps' first woman general officer when, on 11 May 1978, she was assigned as the Director of Information, Headquarters Marine Corps, and appointed a brigadier general. At the time there was no legal provision for the routine selection and promotion of a woman to flag rank in either the Navy or the Marine Corps. Women could, however, be designated by the Secretary of the Navy for the billet of a rear admiral or brigadier general. A woman officer so designated could be appointed to that rank while so serving. A Navy woman of the time had previously been so appointed. A special board was convened at Headquarters to select the Director of Information. Four women colonels were considered. The Position As women became more accepted in the Marine Corps; as policies, law, and traditions were changed; as discriminatory restrictions fell; the position of the Director of Women Marines evolved from one of nearly complete control to one of an advisory nature. Although technically they were always considered advisors, the early Directors, with the exception of Colonel Streeter, were members of the Commandant's staff and were directly involved in recruiting, training, uniforming, and assigning women Marines. The careers of senior officers and enlisted women were managed by the Director and all were personally known to her. The Director's stated mission belied her real influence. According to the Marine Corps Manual, "The Director of Women Marines advises the Commandant and staff agencies on all matters of policy and procedure concerning women in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve." The functions of the officer were listed as: (1) Initiates policies and makes recommendations on all policies and procedures affecting women initiated by other divisions and departments. (2) Advises and makes recommendations on duty assignments of Women Marines. (3) Advises cognizant staff agencies in the execution of approved policies affecting Women Marines. (4) Visits and assists in the inspection of activities where Women Marines are stationed. (5) Maintains liaison with directors of women in the other Armed Services and with the Office of the Secretary of Defense in connection with the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Armed Services. As a result of a reorganization of Headquarters Marine Corps in October 1973, the Director was placed under the cognizance of the Manpower Department, which encompassed the major areas of concern to her. Colonel Brewer spent increasingly more time transferring the functions of her office to the appropriate Headquarters departments. The 26th Commandant, General Louis H. Wilson, Jr., had directed that women Marines were to be treated more truly as Marines; recruited, trained, and assigned as members of a single and united Corps. The news that there would no longer be a Director of Women Marines was made public on 16 June 1977 and on that day Colonel Brewer reaffirmed her confidence in the planned disestablishment of the position. The office created in 1943 and reinforced in 1948 was to be disbanded at a time when the Corps proposed to almost triple the women's strength of 3,700. Only the Army would be left with a director of women. Ceremonies marking the dissolution of the Director's position were held on 30 June 1977 in the Commandant's office. Among the guests was retired Colonel Julia E. Hamblet, the woman who had held the position of Director of Women Marines longer than any other, and who additionally had served as Director of the Women's Reserve immediately after World War II. General Wilson traced the history and accomplishments of women Marines since World War II, and he recalled the often-told story that when General Thomas A. Holcomb authorized the acceptance of women into the Marine Corps, former Commandant Archibald Henderson's portrait fell from the wall. The 1977 Commandant gallantly added that if sometime in the future, the announcement should be made that there would no longer be women Marines, he hoped that his portrait too, would fall to the floor.