Women's First

FIRST TO JOIN THE SERVICE…

The first women to enlist in the United States military joined the Navy and Marine Corps in World War I.

Cathy Williams (Army)

Only woman known to have served as a Buffalo Soldier. A former slave, she served as Private William Cathay for two years before she was discovered to be a woman.

FIRST TO FLY…

Lietenant Colonel Jacquelyn Susie Parker (Air Force)

In 1994, Lt Col Jacquelyn Susie Parker (Jackie) became the first woman in the Air Force to become combat qualified to fly the F-16 and be assigned to a fighter squadron.


Lietenant Colonel Nicole Malachowski (Air Force)

Lt Col Malachowski became the first woman pilot on the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron. She served with the Thunderbirds from November 2005 until November 2007.

FIRST TO COMMAND…

Commander Darlene M. Iskra, USN (Ret.) (Navy)

Commander Iskra took command of the USS OPORTUNE (ARS 41) in Dec 1990 in Naples, Italy becoming the first woman commander of a commissioned naval vessel.

FIRST TO HOLD A NATIONAL POSITION…

Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM) (Air Force)

The first woman veteran to serve in Congress. She is an Air Force Academy graduate and a Rhodes Scholar.

FIRST TO RECEIVE AWARDS…

Sergeant Heather Lynn Johnsen

Was the first woman to earn the badge for guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester (Army)

Was the first woman in history to be awarded the Silver Star for combat action. Leigh Ann Hester (born January 12, 1982) of the 617th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit out of Richmond, Kentucky, received the Silver Star for her actions on March 20, 2005 during an enemy ambush on a supply convoy near the town of Salman Pak, Iraq

FIRST TO WEAR RANKS…

Brigadier General Anna May Hays (Army)

Was the first female general officer. She was promoted June 11, 1970 becoming Chief, Army Nurse Corps. On November 8th, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Public Law 90-130 removing legal ceilings on women’s promotions that kept them out of the general and flag ranks.

Major General Jeanne M. Holm (Air Force)

Was the first woman to obtain the rank of Major General. Maj. Holm attained her rank on June 1st 1973.

Lieutenant General Carol A Mutter (Marine)

Was the first woman to obtain the rank of Lieutenant General. Lt Gen Mutter attained her rank on September 1st 1996.

General Ann E. Dunwoody (Army)

First female four star general. By law, women are excluded from combat jobs, the typical path to four star rank. Gen. Dunwoody was promoted on November 14th 2008.