"Sailing Through History: Women's Enduring Impact on the U.S. Navy"

By

Daniel Tobias Flint

In commemoration of Women’s History Month, it's imperative to pay homage to the indelible mark women left on the U.S. Navy during World War II, epitomized by the dedicated service of my late great aunt Polly, who proudly served as a Wave. Her commitment embodies the spirit of courage and resilience that characterized the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program, shaping the course of naval history.

During World War II, the United States Navy faced a critical shortage of personnel to fulfill its wartime duties at sea and onshore. In 1941, a wartime estimate highlighted the deficiency in manpower, prompting the Navy to seek alternatives. Recognizing the need to relieve men from desk-bound shore duties to serve at sea, the Navy turned to women, echoing a similar effort made during World War I.

However, there was disagreement between Congress and Navy leaders on the structure of women's involvement. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox proposed the creation of a women's branch within the Naval Reserve, while Congress favored establishing a naval women's auxiliary akin to the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Seeking guidance, the Navy consulted a women’s advisory council led by Virginia C. Gildersleeve, Dean of Barnard College. This council supported Knox's proposal, leading to the establishment of the Women’s Reserve as a branch of the Naval Reserve on July 30, 1942, through Public Law 689.

Under this initiative, women in the reserve were designated as Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). Elizabeth Reynard, the first woman appointed as a lieutenant in the reserve, coined the WAVES acronym, emphasizing their volunteer status and temporary nature. Unlike their counterparts in World War I, WAVES entered the Naval Reserve as both officers and enlisted personnel. However, officers held no command authority outside the Women’s Reserve and underwent training at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Smith College, while enlisted personnel received training on college campuses.

Mildred McAfee, the first female line officer in the Naval Reserve, served as the director of the Women’s Reserve and was previously the president of Wellesley College. WAVES were initially restricted from serving on ships or overseas, but this limitation was later lifted. Despite these constraints, WAVES filled various roles at 900 onshore locations, with the majority working in clerical, healthcare, or storekeeper positions. Some WAVES also served as codebreakers and managed fleet post offices.

Particularly receptive to WAVES were the Bureau of Aeronautics and the Bureau of Ordnance, which employed them in traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering, gunnery, and aircraft navigation. Lieutenant Joy Bright Hancock’s influence facilitated WAVES' involvement in aviation-related roles. Additionally, WAVES served in the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, where female physicians entered the Navy through the Women’s Reserve, and the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where civilian attorneys transitioned into naval service.

In October 1944, the Navy began accepting Black women into the Women’s Reserve, with Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills becoming the first two Black officers. By the war's end, over 100,000 women had served in the WAVES, with most being discharged in 1946. In 1948, the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granted women a permanent place in the regular Navy and Naval Reserve, leading to the dissolution of the Women’s Reserve. Nonetheless, the WAVES acronym continued to be used for the next 25 years.

The WAVES program produced notable figures such as Captain Joy Bright Hancock, Captain Mildred McAfee, Grace Murray Hopper, Commander Elaine Toms, Commander Bernice R. Walters Nordstrom, and Captain Joan R. Hankey, who made significant contributions to the Navy during and after World War II. Their service paved the way for future generations of women in the U.S. Navy.

In the throes of World War II, the Navy confronted a pressing need for personnel, prompting a historic shift towards women's inclusion through the WAVES initiative. Despite initial skepticism, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox championed the cause, buoyed by the advocacy of women's advisory councils. This pivotal decision heralded a new era, granting women unprecedented opportunities to serve their nation.

The contributions of WAVES transcended traditional boundaries, encompassing a spectrum of roles from clerical duties to specialized positions in aviation, engineering, and medicine. These women exhibited unwavering dedication and prowess, leaving an indelible mark on naval operations both domestically and abroad, including strategic locations like Hawaii and Alaska.

Noteworthy is the inclusive nature of WAVES, exemplified by trailblazers such as Lieutenant Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Wills, who shattered racial barriers and paved the way for future generations of Black women in the Navy.

Post-war, the influence of WAVES persisted, culminating in the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, which solidified women's place in the regular Navy and Naval Reserve. Although the formal Women’s Reserve disbanded, the ethos of WAVES endured, shaping the fabric of Navy culture.

Today, the legacy of WAVES resonates throughout the U.S. Navy of 2024, with women assuming leadership roles across various domains of naval operations. Their contributions have fostered a more inclusive and diverse Navy, founded on principles of merit and dedication, irrespective of gender.

As we pay tribute to the pioneering women of WAVES during Women’s History Month, let us also honor the ongoing achievements of women in the Navy, perpetuating the legacy of service, valor, and excellence established by their predecessors.

Source:

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/women-in-the-navy/waves.html

Source:

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/women-in-the-navy/waves.html

The Iconic Photo: A Tribute to Aunt Polly

Among the cherished memories of my late Aunt Polly is a striking photograph captured by none other than Bruno Bernard of Hollywood. Bruno Bernard, renowned as "Bernard of Hollywood," etched his name in the annals of photography with his iconic images of Marilyn Monroe. His lens didn't just capture moments; it immortalized legends.

Bruno Bernard's journey to fame was as remarkable as the images he created. Born into poverty in Nazi Germany, he navigated the perilous landscape of wartime Europe as a target of the Gestapo due to his involvement in the underground movement. Escaping to San Francisco in 1937, Bernard embarked on a path that would lead him to the heart of Hollywood's golden era.

Despite lacking formal training in photography, Bernard's innate talent and passion propelled him forward. His apprenticeship at Max Reinhardt's acting studio in Hollywood provided the perfect backdrop to hone his craft. Inspired by the artistry of the film industry, Bernard transitioned from apprentice to master, capturing the essence of Hollywood's biggest stars.

From Clark Gable to Rita Hayworth, Lucille Ball to Elvis Presley, Bernard's portfolio reads like a who's who of Hollywood royalty. His lens not only documented their lives but also shaped their legacies. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown, Bernard's lens found its true muse in Marilyn Monroe.

Monroe's meteoric rise to stardom mirrored Bernard's own ascent in the world of photography. Their symbiotic relationship, captured through Bernard's lens, immortalized Monroe's ethereal beauty for generations to come. In a letter to Bernard, Monroe eloquently expressed, "Remember Bernie, you started it all," acknowledging his pivotal role in her career.

In the midst of Bernard's illustrious career, he had the privilege of immortalizing my Aunt Polly through his lens. This photograph, a testament to her strength and grace, serves as a poignant reminder of her service as a Wave during World War II. Just as Bernard's images endure, so too does Aunt Polly's legacy of valor and dedication to her country.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and reflect on the profound impact of women in the U.S. Navy, let us not only honor the trailblazers like Aunt Polly but also acknowledge the artists like Bruno Bernard who immortalized their stories through their lens.