Loretta Walsh Timeline
Chronological/Timeline: (Loretta P. Walsh)
What if...what if women were not allowed to enlist in any military? What if they couldn’t be electricians, engineers, not even get the education that men get? What if we were not treated equally? I am Loretta Walsh, you might also know me as Loretta Perfectus Walsh. On April 22, 1896 a blush-faced newborn baby had just come into this world. That little girl was me. I grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an impossible dream at the time of my childhood. Little did I know, that after many years passed, that dream would come true. On January 31, 1917 Germany had announced that they would resume unrestricted warfare on all ships, including American ships.
Shortly after, German U-boats attacked four different Americans ships, resulting in the deaths of fifteen Americans. Later that year, all U.S. merchant ships were ordered to be armed and to take action against German U-boats. Six days later, U.S. Secretary of Navy, Josephus Daniels authorized enrollment of women in the Naval Reserves with the ranking of “Yeoman.” I had taken advantage of this opportunity to bring honor to my family, and my country. A few days after the announcement I was sworn in as the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
That opportunity made me the first woman to serve in a non-nursing capacity in any branch of the armed forces. …show more content…
After it ended other female yeomen and I continued in service until the end of July of 1919, when we were all released from active duty. I remained on inactive reserve status, receiving modest retainer pay, until the end of my four-year enlistment on March 17, 1921. Returning to Olyphant I had been weakened by influenza. Later I suffered from tuberculosis. I, Loretta P. Walsh, died at the age of 29 on August 6, 1925. With confidence, I will be remembered by my story with the Naval reserve and my honorable
What if...what if women were not allowed to enlist in any military? What if they couldn’t be electricians, engineers, not even get the education that men get? What if we were not treated equally? I am Loretta Walsh, you might also know me as Loretta Perfectus Walsh. On April 22, 1896 a blush-faced newborn baby had just come into this world. That little girl was me. I grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an impossible dream at the time of my childhood. Little did I know, that after many years passed, that dream would come true. On January 31, 1917 Germany had announced that they would resume unrestricted warfare on all ships, including American ships.
Shortly after, German U-boats attacked four different Americans ships, resulting in the deaths of fifteen Americans. Later that year, all U.S. merchant ships were ordered to be armed and to take action against German U-boats. Six days later, U.S. Secretary of Navy, Josephus Daniels authorized enrollment of women in the Naval Reserves with the ranking of “Yeoman.” I had taken advantage of this opportunity to bring honor to my family, and my country. A few days after the announcement I was sworn in as the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
That opportunity made me the first woman to serve in a non-nursing capacity in any branch of the armed forces. …show more content…
After it ended other female yeomen and I continued in service until the end of July of 1919, when we were all released from active duty. I remained on inactive reserve status, receiving modest retainer pay, until the end of my four-year enlistment on March 17, 1921. Returning to Olyphant I had been weakened by influenza. Later I suffered from tuberculosis. I, Loretta P. Walsh, died at the age of 29 on August 6, 1925. With confidence, I will be remembered by my story with the Naval reserve and my honorable