Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War

DEBORAH SAMSON**DEBORAH SAMSON**

In October of 1778 Deborah Samson of Plympton, In October of 1778 Deborah Samson of Plympton, Massachusetts disguised herself as a young man and Massachusetts disguised herself as a young man and presented herself to the American army as a willing presented herself to the American army as a willing volunter to oppose the common enemy. She enlisted for the volunter to oppose the common enemy. She enlisted for the whole term of the war as Robert Shirtliffewhole term of the war as Robert Shirtliffe

For three years she served in various duties and was For three years she served in various duties and was wounded twice wounded twice

Deborah Samson married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon and Deborah Samson married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon and they had three children. During George Washington's they had three children. During George Washington's presidency she received a letter inviting Robert Shirtliffe, or presidency she received a letter inviting Robert Shirtliffe, or rather Mrs. Gannett, to visit Washington. During her stay at rather Mrs. Gannett, to visit Washington. During her stay at the capital a bill was passed granting her a pension, in the capital a bill was passed granting her a pension, in addition to certain lands, which she was to receive as an addition to certain lands, which she was to receive as an acknowledgment for her services to the country in a acknowledgment for her services to the country in a military capacity as a Revolutionary Soldier military capacity as a Revolutionary Soldier

Disguised as a man Frances Clalin served many Disguised as a man Frances Clalin served many months in Missouri artillery and cavalry units. months in Missouri artillery and cavalry units.

(By courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library(By courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library))

Both the Union and Confederate armies forbade the enlistment of Both the Union and Confederate armies forbade the enlistment of women. Women soldiers of the Civil War therefore assumed women. Women soldiers of the Civil War therefore assumed masculine names, disguised themselves as men, and hid the fact masculine names, disguised themselves as men, and hid the fact they were female. they were female.

it is impossible to know with any certainty how many women it is impossible to know with any certainty how many women soldiers served in the Civil War. Estimates place as many as 250 soldiers served in the Civil War. Estimates place as many as 250 women in the ranks of the Confederate army women in the ranks of the Confederate army

Writing in 1888, Mary Livermore of the U.S. Sanitary Commission Writing in 1888, Mary Livermore of the U.S. Sanitary Commission remembered that: Some one has stated the number of women remembered that: Some one has stated the number of women soldiers known to the service as little less than four hundredsoldiers known to the service as little less than four hundred

In the post–Civil War eraIn the post–Civil War era

Frank Moore's Frank Moore's Women of the WarWomen of the War, published in 1866, devoted an , published in 1866, devoted an entire chapter to the military heroines of the North. entire chapter to the military heroines of the North.

Loreta Velazquez published her memoirs in 1876. She served the Loreta Velazquez published her memoirs in 1876. She served the Confederacy as Lt. Harry Buford, a self-financed soldier not Confederacy as Lt. Harry Buford, a self-financed soldier not officially attached to any regiment. officially attached to any regiment.

The press seemed unconcerned about the The press seemed unconcerned about the women's actual military exploits. Rather, the women's actual military exploits. Rather, the fascination lay in the simple fact that they had fascination lay in the simple fact that they had been in the army. been in the army.

The army itself, however, The army itself, however, held no regard for women held no regard for women soldiers, Union or soldiers, Union or Confederate. Indeed, Confederate. Indeed, despite recorded evidence despite recorded evidence to the contrary, the U.S. to the contrary, the U.S. Army tried to deny that Army tried to deny that women played a military women played a military role role

Discharge document for a soldier with "Sextual incompatibility." (NARA, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's-1917, RG 94)

Sarah Edmonds Seelye served two Sarah Edmonds Seelye served two years in the Second Michigan Infantry years in the Second Michigan Infantry as Franklin Thompson (right). In 1886, as Franklin Thompson (right). In 1886, she received a military pension. she received a military pension. (Courtesy of the State Archives of (Courtesy of the State Archives of Michigan) Michigan)

She participated in approximately forty battles and skirmishes

Much of the information available on female Civil War soldiers is found in their obituaries. (NARA, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's–1917, RG 94)

The women soldiers of the Civil War engaged in The women soldiers of the Civil War engaged in combat, were wounded and taken prisoner, and combat, were wounded and taken prisoner, and were killed in action. They went to war strictly by were killed in action. They went to war strictly by choice, knowing the risks involved. Their reasons choice, knowing the risks involved. Their reasons for doing so varied greatly. Some, like Budwin for doing so varied greatly. Some, like Budwin and Hook, wished to be by the sides of their loved and Hook, wished to be by the sides of their loved ones. Perhaps others viewed war as excitement ones. Perhaps others viewed war as excitement and travel. Working class and poor women were and travel. Working class and poor women were probably enticed by the bounties and the promise probably enticed by the bounties and the promise of a regular paycheck. And of course, patriotism of a regular paycheck. And of course, patriotism was a primary motive. Sarah Edmonds wrote in was a primary motive. Sarah Edmonds wrote in 1865, "I could only thank God that I was free and 1865, "I could only thank God that I was free and could go forward and work, and I was not obliged could go forward and work, and I was not obliged to stay at home and weep."(25) Obviously, other to stay at home and weep."(25) Obviously, other soldier-women did not wish to stay at home soldier-women did not wish to stay at home weeping, either.weeping, either.

The pattern of women disguising themselves as The pattern of women disguising themselves as “men” to serve continued through the next “men” to serve continued through the next several wars.several wars.

Mexican WarMexican War

Spanish AmericanSpanish American

War for the PhilippinesWar for the Philippines

WWIWWIThirty Thousand Women Were Thirty Thousand Women Were There There

1901 and 1908 the establishment 1901 and 1908 the establishment of the Army and Navy Nurse Corps of the Army and Navy Nurse Corps opened the door for women in the opened the door for women in the military but ever so slightly military but ever so slightly

These were the first women in These were the first women in the U.S to be admitted to some the U.S to be admitted to some military rank and status.military rank and status.

Nurses were wounded, and l died Nurses were wounded, and l died overseas and are buried in military overseas and are buried in military cemeteries far from home cemeteries far from home

Lettie Gavin's "American Women in World War I - They Also Served", 1997, University Press of Colorado.

WWIIWWII

Congresswoman Rogers introduced a bill on May Congresswoman Rogers introduced a bill on May 28 th, 1941, to establish a Women's Army Auxiliary 28 th, 1941, to establish a Women's Army Auxiliary Corps for service with the Army of the United Corps for service with the Army of the United States. By virtue of its being an auxiliary corps States. By virtue of its being an auxiliary corps there was no hint of full military status for women there was no hint of full military status for women

The bill was dissected, bisected, stalled, lost, The bill was dissected, bisected, stalled, lost, amended, sandbagged, and all but trashed until amended, sandbagged, and all but trashed until General George C. Marshall took an interest General George C. Marshall took an interest

the Bureau of the Budget continued to stall the Bureau of the Budget continued to stall General Marshall literally ordered the War General Marshall literally ordered the War

Department to create a womens corps. Department to create a womens corps. However an event was to make the creation of a However an event was to make the creation of a

women’s corp a necessity. women’s corp a necessity.

Pearl Harbor Changed the viewPearl Harbor Changed the view

Military nurses were very much involved at Pearl Harbor on Military nurses were very much involved at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 Dec. 7, 1941

Eighty-two Army nurses were serving at three Army Medical Eighty-two Army nurses were serving at three Army Medical Facilities in Hawaii that infamous December morning. Facilities in Hawaii that infamous December morning. Hundreds of casualties suffering from burns and shock were Hundreds of casualties suffering from burns and shock were treated by Army and Navy nurses treated by Army and Navy nurses

The Chief Nurse at Hickam Field, 1st Lt. Annie G. Fox, was The Chief Nurse at Hickam Field, 1st Lt. Annie G. Fox, was the first of many Army nurses to receive a Purple Heart and the first of many Army nurses to receive a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.the Bronze Star.

Four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Bureau of Four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Bureau of the Budget stopped objecting, planners began to plan and a the Budget stopped objecting, planners began to plan and a director, a training center and the appropriate equipment director, a training center and the appropriate equipment was gathered. was gathered.

Finally on May 14th 1942 the bill to "Establish a Women's Finally on May 14th 1942 the bill to "Establish a Women's Army Auxiliary Corps" became law Army Auxiliary Corps" became law

Womens Naval Reserve and the Marine Corps Womens Naval Reserve and the Marine Corps Womens reserve.Womens reserve.

the first WAAC contingent was serving at the the first WAAC contingent was serving at the Allied Forces Headquarters in Algiers, North Africa Allied Forces Headquarters in Algiers, North Africa

By January of 1944 the first WACs arrived in the By January of 1944 the first WACs arrived in the Pacific and in July of 1944 ,WACs landed on the Pacific and in July of 1944 ,WACs landed on the beach at Normandy beach at Normandy

There were over one hundred thousand women in There were over one hundred thousand women in uniform at this point in time (non nurses)uniform at this point in time (non nurses)

NursesNurses Two days after the bombing of Pearl Two days after the bombing of Pearl

Harbor, 5 Navy nurses on Guam were Harbor, 5 Navy nurses on Guam were taken prisoner taken prisoner

They were repatriated in August of 1942. They were repatriated in August of 1942. Nurses received 1,619 medals, citations, Nurses received 1,619 medals, citations,

and commendations during the war, and commendations during the war, reflecting the courage and dedication of reflecting the courage and dedication of all who served. Sixteen medals were all who served. Sixteen medals were awarded posthumously to nurses who awarded posthumously to nurses who died as a result of enemy fire. Thirteen died as a result of enemy fire. Thirteen flight nurses died in aircraft crashes flight nurses died in aircraft crashes while on duty.while on duty.

Countless women served in all branches Countless women served in all branches of the service and yet were denied full of the service and yet were denied full miltary status.miltary status.

When the flag waving stopped and Johnny came When the flag waving stopped and Johnny came marching home, G.I. Jane was out in left field marching home, G.I. Jane was out in left field without a ball game, and millions of civilian without a ball game, and millions of civilian women were literally kicked out of jobs and sent women were literally kicked out of jobs and sent back to the kitchen. The war was over and there back to the kitchen. The war was over and there was no place for women in the military in the was no place for women in the military in the minds and hearts of many. The buzz word was minds and hearts of many. The buzz word was demobilization and out- processing demobilization and out- processing

Eleanor Roosevelt had much to do with pushing Eleanor Roosevelt had much to do with pushing the regularization of women in the military. the regularization of women in the military.              

Poetic irony digression: When Eleanor Roosevelt taught at the Todhunter School years ago, one of her mottos, posted on the wall , was "Be All That You Can Be!"

General Eisenhower strongly recommending that General Eisenhower strongly recommending that women become a part of the U.S. military.women become a part of the U.S. military.

On the 12th of June, then President Harry On the 12th of June, then President Harry Truman signed Public Law 625, The Women's Truman signed Public Law 625, The Women's Armed Services Act of 1948 in to effect. Armed Services Act of 1948 in to effect.

A law that was vague and full of loopholes. But it A law that was vague and full of loopholes. But it opened the door for dedicated women to serve opened the door for dedicated women to serve their country in peace time. One thing it did not their country in peace time. One thing it did not do, that is often misinterpreted, is create do, that is often misinterpreted, is create separate women's branches, corps or forces. The separate women's branches, corps or forces. The only unit to retain that distinction was the WAC. only unit to retain that distinction was the WAC. The rest of the women in the other branches of The rest of the women in the other branches of service were, for all intents, but not every service were, for all intents, but not every purpose, fully integratedpurpose, fully integrated

It just didn't happen that way. It just didn't happen that way.

KOREAN WAR (police action)KOREAN WAR (police action)

When General MacArthur landed at Inchon, Army When General MacArthur landed at Inchon, Army Nurse Corps officers also came ashore on the Nurse Corps officers also came ashore on the very same day of invasion. The 13 Army nurses of very same day of invasion. The 13 Army nurses of the 1st MASH and those of the 4th Field Hospital the 1st MASH and those of the 4th Field Hospital made the landing and by the end of 1950 over made the landing and by the end of 1950 over two hundred Army Nurse Corps officers were in two hundred Army Nurse Corps officers were in Korea Korea

During the Korean era over 120, 000 women were During the Korean era over 120, 000 women were on active duty. In addition to the nurses actually on active duty. In addition to the nurses actually in Korea, many women served at support units in Korea, many women served at support units nearby, in Japan and other far eastern countries nearby, in Japan and other far eastern countries

By 1950's, almost a million women had worn the By 1950's, almost a million women had worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. They uniform of the United States Armed Forces. They had been prisoners of war; they had been had been prisoners of war; they had been wounded; they flew planes, planned strategies, wounded; they flew planes, planned strategies, nursed the casualties, and died for this country. nursed the casualties, and died for this country.

Viet NamViet Nam

Over five hundred WACs were stationed in Vietnam.

Women Marines were in Vietnam.

Over six hundred Women in the Air Force were there.

Army, Navy and Air Force Nurses and Medical Specialists numbered over six thousand.

Untold numbers of Red Cross, Special Services, Civil Service and countless other women were there.

Accurate records on how many women were there, what decorations they earned, where they served - and most important - what after effects they have suffered - and continue to suffer - are nonexistent.

http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/

MANY OF THE FOLLOWING SLIDES ARE FROM SANDI CLAUSON

Numbers of Female VeteransNumbers of Female Veterans

There are about 1.4 million women vetsThere are about 1.4 million women vets From the American Revolution to Panama, Bosnia, From the American Revolution to Panama, Bosnia,

Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, women have Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, women have served in every conflictserved in every conflict

33,000 women served in WW I33,000 women served in WW I 500,000 served in WWII500,000 served in WWII 120,000 served in Korean War120,000 served in Korean War 10,000 women deployed during Vietnam10,000 women deployed during Vietnam

Military Women TodayMilitary Women Today

Constitute almost 15% of active duty forces; 5% Constitute almost 15% of active duty forces; 5% all vets are women.all vets are women.

About 216,000 women are on active duty today About 216,000 women are on active duty today with another 150,000 in the reserves and with another 150,000 in the reserves and National GuardNational Guard

Their roles have changed to include more Their roles have changed to include more involvement in combat zonesinvolvement in combat zones

WOMENS ROLES PAST AND PRESENTWOMENS ROLES PAST AND PRESENT400 women generals and admirals on active duty400 women generals and admirals on active duty

NURSESNURSES

STAFF SUPPORTSTAFF SUPPORT

MASH UNITS / HOSPITALSMASH UNITS / HOSPITALS

CREW ON MEDICAL EVACUATIONS CREW ON MEDICAL EVACUATIONS

INTELLIGENCE POSITIONSINTELLIGENCE POSITIONS

OPERATIONS GROUPSOPERATIONS GROUPS

INFORMATION OFFICERSINFORMATION OFFICERS

CLERICAL CLERICAL

Naval PilotsNaval Pilots Commanders of Naval ShipsCommanders of Naval Ships

Policy ChangesPolicy Changes In spite of a presidential commission advising against In spite of a presidential commission advising against

lifting the female exclusion, it was lifted.lifting the female exclusion, it was lifted.

1992:1992: The Defense Authorization Act repealed The Defense Authorization Act repealed combat exclusion law for combat exclusion law for women pilotswomen pilots in the in the Navy and Air ForceNavy and Air Force

19931993: President Clinton signed the military bill : President Clinton signed the military bill ending combat exclusion for women on ending combat exclusion for women on combatant shipscombatant ships

19941994: Defense Sec. Aspin approved a new gen’l : Defense Sec. Aspin approved a new gen’l policy to allow Army women to serve with some policy to allow Army women to serve with some ground combat unitsground combat units during fighting. during fighting.

And, the USS Eisenhower, a Naval And, the USS Eisenhower, a Naval combat aircraft combat aircraft carriercarrier received its first 60 women. received its first 60 women.

Policy ChangesPolicy Changes

Female officers can serve in all of the Female officers can serve in all of the Navy’s Navy’s officer communitiesofficer communities except submarines and except submarines and with SEALS, and that is under review.with SEALS, and that is under review.

Women can occupy 93% of the officer billets in Women can occupy 93% of the officer billets in the Navy and are the Navy and are eligible to serve in 97% of eligible to serve in 97% of career fields;career fields; 10 women now 10 women now command ships.command ships.

238 female Naval officers serve as Pilots and 238 female Naval officers serve as Pilots and Naval Flight Officers; 54 women have reported to Naval Flight Officers; 54 women have reported to combat aviation squadronscombat aviation squadrons..

Military Positions ClosedMilitary Positions Closed

Army: Army: infantry, armorinfantry, armor, cannon field artillery, , cannon field artillery, short range defense artilleryshort range defense artillery

Navy: Navy: submarine warfaresubmarine warfare, seals, fire control , seals, fire control techs, missile techs, sonar techs in submarine techs, missile techs, sonar techs in submarine component.component.

Marine Corps: Marine Corps: infantry, armorinfantry, armor, field artillery, , field artillery, security force guard protecting nuclear material, security force guard protecting nuclear material, amphibious, assault units, and fleet anti-terrorism amphibious, assault units, and fleet anti-terrorism security teamssecurity teams

Air Force: combat control, special forces, rotary Air Force: combat control, special forces, rotary aircraft, weather assignments with infantry/spec.aircraft, weather assignments with infantry/spec.

Except all coast guard occupations are openExcept all coast guard occupations are open

Studies of PTSD involving women soldiersStudies of PTSD involving women soldiers

The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment study The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment study (NVVRS(NVVRS) is the only national study of ) is the only national study of VietnamVietnam vets vets that included women.that included women.

Of the 1,632 Vietnam vets in study, 432 were women, Of the 1,632 Vietnam vets in study, 432 were women, most were RNsmost were RNs and over ½ had served for 4 yrs. and over ½ had served for 4 yrs.

Study found that 27% suffered from PTSD during their Study found that 27% suffered from PTSD during their post war livespost war lives

PTSD affects more than 5 million Americans during the PTSD affects more than 5 million Americans during the course of a year and course of a year and 30% are women vets who are 30% are women vets who are at twice the risk to develop PTSD than men.at twice the risk to develop PTSD than men.

Other Study Findings R/T Sexual TraumaOther Study Findings R/T Sexual Trauma

A Dept. of Defense study in 1996 found that 69% A Dept. of Defense study in 1996 found that 69% of women experienced some form of sexual of women experienced some form of sexual harassment while on duty.harassment while on duty.

Often they do not report the crime due to issues Often they do not report the crime due to issues of loyalty to their service, betrayal, role of loyalty to their service, betrayal, role identification-soldier/victim.identification-soldier/victim.

They may be medically boarded or given bad They may be medically boarded or given bad discharges, effecting their careers, and future.discharges, effecting their careers, and future.