It’s the weekend, and time, once again, for our version of Rule 5 Blogging. Robert Stacy McCain described as putting pictures of pretty women somewhat deshabille, but, on this site, our Rule 5 Blogging doesn’t put up pictures of Anne Hathaway in her summer clothes, but women, in full military gear, serving their countries in the armed forces. The terribly sexist authors on this site celebrate strong women, women who can take care of themselves and take care of others, women who have been willing to put heir lives on the line in some not-so-friendly places, women who truly do have the “We can do it!” attitude.
Your Editor’s father served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Tokyo during the Korean War. That was where he met my mother, who was in the Women’s Army Corps, and was working in General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo. Her older sister, my Aunt Pat, was in the WACs during World War II.
Military roles for women have been slowly increasing as time and need and demonstrated capability have justified. This post is in honor of my mother.
The Women's Army Corps (WAC) was the women's branch of the U. S. Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit in May of 1942, then was converted to full status as the WAC in 1943. Its first director was Oveta Culp Hobby, the wife of a prominent Texan politician and also a lawyer and newspaper research editor in her own right. General Douglas MacArthur referred to the WAC as 'my best soldiers', adding that they worked harder, complained less and were better disciplined than the men. Many Generals wanted more women and it was even proposed to draft women at one time. Realizing this would truly provoke considerable public outcry and Congressional opposition, the War Department declined to take such a drastic step. The 150,000 women who did serve released approximately seven divisions of men for combat. General Dwight D. Eisenhower stated that 'their contributions in efficiency, skill, spirit and determination are immeasurable'.
For a publicity photograph, the women of Company H, 2d Headquarters Battalion, Henderson Hall, model the various work and dress uniforms worn by women Marines during the course of World War II. From left are PFC Florence Miller, Cpl Lois Koester, Cpl Carol Harding, Sgt Violet Salela, Cpl Grace Steinmetz, Cpl Rose Mazur, and PFC Mary Swiderski.
Marine Pvts. Bette Wimmer, Betty West and Reba Fitzgerald learn to disassemble aircraft engines for major overhauling at the Assembly and Repair School, Marine Corps Air Station, in Cherry Point, N.C., 1943.
Navy nurse Ensign Jane Kendeigh, USNR, the first Navy flight nurse to reach Iwo Jima, Japan, ministers to serious casualties awaiting evacuation on the air strip, March 1945.
Air Force nurse Captain Bettie J. Vierra tends to a Vietnamese child during the Vietnam War, 1970 or 1971.
U.S. Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester stands at attention before receiving the Silver Star during an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty in Iraq, on June 16, 2005. Hester, a vehicle commander with the 617th Military Police Company of the Kentucky National Guard, is the first female soldier to receive the Silver Star since World War II. Hester won the award for leading her team in a counterattack after roughly 50 insurgents ambushed a supply convoy they were guarding.
[...] First Street Journal has some different Rule 5, featuring military women: Rule 5 Blogging – This One’s For Mom [...]