U.S.
Marines Train at Mount Holyoke
The
first class of women Marines arrived
on campus in March, 1943 and became the first
women cadets sworn into the U.S.
Marine Corps. Under the command of Major
E. Hunter Hurst, who was transferred
from Pensacola, Florida Air Training
Station. He was assisted by Major Brewster
Rhoades and Captain Philip McArdle, the
former drill master
of the
Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, who
stated that the physical training regimen
for the recruits would be “tough.”(25)
The
Recruits
The
recruits came from different backgrounds
and had been employed in a cross section
of civilian jobs including teaching,
secretarial and clerical work, and personnel
training. Other professions represented
were those of law, engineering, chemistry,
meteorology, liaison work and interior
decorating. These recruits would become
the first female officers in the U.S.
Marine Corps.(26)
First
Lady Visits
First
Lady Eleanor
Roosevelt visited Mount Holyoke in
March, 1943, specifically to view the
Training Centers for the Marines and
Waves.(27) During the visit, one of many
she made to the Mount Holyoke
campus
in a period spanning three decades,
she watched
the
cadet's
parade down College Street and later
addressed both students and cadets jointly
in Chapin Auditorium.(28)
“What
man can do, woman can do."
This
was theme for all cadets in the service
training centers at Mount Holyoke and
Smith. A secondary theme for the Marines
was “Be
a Marine, Free a Marine to Fight.” The
four month long course for Marines included
a month of indoctrination during which
the Marines studied the history and organization
of the Marine Corps. They began their
first month as buck
privates and were promoted to cadet
after finishing that segment of training.
The next three months they studied Naval
History and Strategy, Communications
and Administration.(29)
First
Graduation
On
April 23, 1943, the first class of women
Marine officers graduated.
The group included five First Lieutenants
and six Second
Lieutenants who were immediately
assigned to active duty. On May 3, 1943,
a large graduation ceremony was held
at Mount Holyoke College that included
all the service branches represented
on campus. This group included 54 Marines,
of whom 12 were First Lieutenants, 85
WAVES, and 46 SPARS, the women’s
auxiliary of the Coast Guard. The SPARS
were sworn in as Coast Guard cadets and
re-assigned to the Coast Guard Academy
at New London, Connecticut for further
training.(30)
On
The Job
The
women trained for active service with
two possible duties after training, staff
or line. Staff officers had jobs similar
to civilian jobs but with military discipline.
These were less demanding than a Line
officer jobs that required living at
a military station and being responsible
for the activities and training of enlisted
personnel. The women Marines went on
to replace men in procurement centers,
in administrative and supervisory duties,
in personnel offices and as instructors.
Some were posted to special assignments.(31)
Saying
Farewell
Later
that same year, in order to consolidate
training, the women’s Marine training
center was transferred to Camp LeJeune,
North Carolina. Mt. Holyoke College received
a special commendation from the Secretary
of Defense for its participation in the
war effort and the training of these
patriotic young women.(32) To
say farewell to Mt. Holyoke College,
the full complement
of Marines held their last muster at Mary
Lyons grave where they placed a
floral wreath in her honor.(33)
