Brief History of Women in U.S. Military

http://www.womensmemorial.org/Highlights.html

• Women have served in every military conflict in U.S. history. We do not know how many served prior to the Spanish-American War in 1898 but we do know that they supported the troops on the battlefield and behind the lines in a variety of ways, served as nurses and spies, and sometimes disguised themselves as men in order to serve.
  
  
• 1,500 nurses were assigned to Army hospitals during the Spanish-American War. As a result of their performance, the Army Nurse Corps was established in 1901.
  
  
• In World War I 33,000 women served not only as nurses but in other support roles as well. More than 400 nurses died in the line of duty.
  
  
• During World War II more than 400,000 women served at home and abroad - as nurses, pilots, and in other non-combat roles. Eighty-eight women were captured and held as POWs.
  
  
• The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 granted women permanent status in the military.
  
  
• During the Korean War women in the Reserves were recalled. Over 50,000 women served at home and abroad.
  
  
• In the Vietnam War, 7,000 women were deployed. Most of them were nurses.
  
  
• In 1967 the 2% legal cap on the number of women allowed in the military was repealed.
  
  
• In 1973 the draft is ended and an all-volunteer force formed - creating opportunities for women.
  
  
• In 1975 pregnant servicewomen may elect to remain on active duty.
  
  
• In 1976 women are first admitted to the service academies.
  
  
• In 1978 women are allowed to serve on non-combat ships.
  
  
• In the Persian Gulf War, 41,000 women are deployed. Two are taken captive.
  
  
• In 1991 Congress allows women to fly in combat missions.
  
  
• In 1993 Congress permits women to serve on combat ships.
  
  
• In 1998 a female fighter pilot flies combat missions in Operation Desert Fox.