Waves during world war 2
Making WAVES: Navy Women of World War II by Evan Bachner
The photography team, headed by legendary photographer Edward Steichen, captured these heroic women at work, rest, and play. All the photos are from the National Archives and most have not been previously published.
WAVES in World War II

Official U. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Earlier that summer, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed Public Law allowing women to enlist in the newly formed U. To say it was a success is an understatement. But with thousands of women willing to serve, how best to integrate them into the Navy? With boot camps, of course.
Throughout World War II women contributed to the war effort in various fields of endeavor. Naval Reserve, was one such field. Their numerous contributions proved to be a vital asset to winning the war as well as proving that mixed-gender forces could be successful. Congress was slow to recognize the need for women in the navy, but President Roosevelt realized that servicewomen would be a wartime plus, and signed the corps into law on July 30, Mildred McAfee, president of Wellesley College, was sworn in as a naval reserve lieutenant commander, the first female commissioned officer of the U.
Image Gallery
It was established on July 21, by the U. Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July This authorized the U. Navy to accept women into the Naval Reserve as commissioned officers and at the enlisted level, effective for the duration of the war plus six months.
Test Your Skills! If you are like most, many images may come to mind, including actual waves of water. Why are they important? A more complete answer to these questions necessitates an explanation of their origin, which begins with World War I. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels sought additional workers after learning that the civil service could not meet the need for clerical support.
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