The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was created during World War II to enable women to serve in noncombat positions. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) on May 15, 1942, and converted to an active duty status in the United States Army as the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) on July 1, 1943. Never before had women, with the exception of nurses, served within the ranks of the United States Army. With the establishment of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) more than 150,000 did.
In May 1941, Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts introduced a bill that would establish a womens corps in the United States Army that would secure women a salary and benefits same as the men. The bill did not pass until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Women received the pay but not the benefits equal to men.
In July 1943, after thousands of women enlisted, the United States Army dropped “auxiliary” and the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) received full benefits. Sixteen thousand women who had joined as Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp (WAAC) were belatedly granted veterans’ benefits in 1980 (Brittannica).
The Women’s Army Corp (WAC) was disbanded on October 20, 1978, and all units were integrated with male units.
Women’s Naval Reserves (WAVES), military unit, established on July 30, 1942, as the United States Navy’s corps of female members. During World War II some 100,000 served in a wide variety of capacities, ranging from performing essential clerical duties to serving as instructors for male pilots-in-training. Initially, they did not serve overseas. We would like to honor Specialist 3rd Class Shore Patrol, Hazel Marie Craft Johnston who served in World War II from March 29, 1943 to February 8, 1946.
Thank you to all the women past and present who served our country in so many ways.
God bless you and God bless America.