

The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps was established in May 1942. Lt. Col. Mary Hallaren was a member of the first officer training class. Shortly after the first class graduated, U.S. field commanders were calling for a female battalion to help overseas. Hallaren became that battalion’s commander. After arriving in England, Halleran began touring the posts and facilities where her WAACs would be working. The commandant at the first post she visited welcomed the female Soldiers, but not the regulations that accompanied them. In 1948, Hallaren helped work on the legislation to make the Women’s Army Corps a permanent part of the regular Army and Reserves. From 1942 to 1945, Col. Oveta Culp Hobby served as Director of the Women's Army Corps, and as a result of the success she achieved at this position, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower named her head of the Federal Security Agency and later that year she was elevated to a cabinet position in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as its first Secretary, a position she held until 1955. Brig. Gen. Elizabeth Hoisington advanced through the ranks of the Women's Army Corps. She served as the Director of the WAC from 1966 until 1971. Hoisington was the second woman and first WAC officer to be promoted to the rank of general officer on June 11, 1970. Brig. Gen. Anna Mae Hays received a commission in the Army Nurse Corps in May 1942. Her overseas assignments included service in India, Korea, and Japan. On June 11, 1970, she became the first woman and the first nurse in American military history to attain general officer rank. During her tenure as chief she continued to deal with the imposing challenges of recruitment and retention as the Vietnam War reached its height. She received the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal among her awards and commendations

Col. Oveta Culp Hobby

Brig. Gen. Elizabeth P. Hoisington

Brig. Gen. Anna Mae Hays
WW 1 1300 Women Enlisted In The WW1 Women Drivers
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