MCB Camp Pendleton

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64th Anniversary celebration of the Women Marines reserve

22 Feb 2007 | Cpl. Dean Davis Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Women Marines Association celebrated Women Marine's 64th year in the Marine Corps Feb. 10 at the South Mesa Staff Noncommissioned Officers' Club. Veterans from World War II through present day were on hand to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of women Marines past and present.

After the “March of the Women Marines” was played by the First Marine Division Band, and recognition of veterans and the guest of honor, Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas, the audience observed a moment of silence to honor Marines deployed to Iraq and those through the country's history who gave their lives serving.

"When the Women Reserves were created in 1943, women were enlisting at a rate of nearly 1,000 per month," said Kara Harris, President of the Edith Macias Vann Southern California Chapter. "As time has passed, women Marines have branched out into more than 200 occupational fields," said Harris.

The first female Marine, Opha Mae Johnson enlisted into the Marine Corps Reserve in 1918. In the year following, about 300 women enlisted to fill clerical duties in the place of male Marines who were needed overseas.

"During World War II, there were more than 23,000 women in the Marine Corps," said Harris. "Women were no longer restricted to just administrative duties. There were also parachute riggers, mechanics, radio operators, map makers, motor transport support and welders."

According to the WMA, women serve in 93 percent of all occupational fields, 62 percent of all billets and constitute 6.2 percent of the Corps’ end strength.

"Sixty-one years ago, in 1946 when it came time to disband the Woman Reserves, the men of the Marine Corps realized what an asset women could be," Harris said. "As time went on, restrictions were lifted and more and more woman were allowed to enlist."

On June 12, 1948, Congress passed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act and made women a permanent part of the regular Marine Corps.

"Their legacy throughout the Marine Corps is a direct tribute to what [women Marines] did in earlier generations," said Col. James B. Seaton III, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

After a ceremonial cake cutting, lunch was served and attendees conversed casually about different stories and memories from their time in the Marine Corps.

"The nation is as proud of you as your fellow Marines," said Harris, quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1944 address to women Marines. "Marine women are upholding the brilliant tradition of the Corps with a spirit of loyalty and diligence worthy of the highest admiration of all Americans."

64th Anniversary celebration of the Women Marines reserve

22 Feb 2007 | Cpl. Dean Davis Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Women Marines Association celebrated Women Marine's 64th year in the Marine Corps Feb. 10 at the South Mesa Staff Noncommissioned Officers' Club. Veterans from World War II through present day were on hand to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of women Marines past and present.

After the “March of the Women Marines” was played by the First Marine Division Band, and recognition of veterans and the guest of honor, Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas, the audience observed a moment of silence to honor Marines deployed to Iraq and those through the country's history who gave their lives serving.

"When the Women Reserves were created in 1943, women were enlisting at a rate of nearly 1,000 per month," said Kara Harris, President of the Edith Macias Vann Southern California Chapter. "As time has passed, women Marines have branched out into more than 200 occupational fields," said Harris.

The first female Marine, Opha Mae Johnson enlisted into the Marine Corps Reserve in 1918. In the year following, about 300 women enlisted to fill clerical duties in the place of male Marines who were needed overseas.

"During World War II, there were more than 23,000 women in the Marine Corps," said Harris. "Women were no longer restricted to just administrative duties. There were also parachute riggers, mechanics, radio operators, map makers, motor transport support and welders."

According to the WMA, women serve in 93 percent of all occupational fields, 62 percent of all billets and constitute 6.2 percent of the Corps’ end strength.

"Sixty-one years ago, in 1946 when it came time to disband the Woman Reserves, the men of the Marine Corps realized what an asset women could be," Harris said. "As time went on, restrictions were lifted and more and more woman were allowed to enlist."

On June 12, 1948, Congress passed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act and made women a permanent part of the regular Marine Corps.

"Their legacy throughout the Marine Corps is a direct tribute to what [women Marines] did in earlier generations," said Col. James B. Seaton III, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

After a ceremonial cake cutting, lunch was served and attendees conversed casually about different stories and memories from their time in the Marine Corps.

"The nation is as proud of you as your fellow Marines," said Harris, quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1944 address to women Marines. "Marine women are upholding the brilliant tradition of the Corps with a spirit of loyalty and diligence worthy of the highest admiration of all Americans."