Military Monday: First Woman Marine
One hundred years ago, today, August 13, 1918, Opha May (Jacob) Johnson, born May 4, 1879, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve during World War I. She just happened to be the first one in line with 300+ other women behind her.
From the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission:
At the onset and throughout the First World War, women in the United States were still denied the same basic rights and privileges as male citizens, including the right to vote. Suffragists would continue to battle on through this time, but their efforts would not culminate into a constitutional revision until 1920. Not only was the political arena considered off-limits for women, but military service was also denied to them. Though legends of women dressing as males to fight for the United States had been spoken of since the Revolution, women were not allowed to legally enlist in the armed services, the Marine Corps being no exception. By the summer of 1918 however, the Corps was in need of more soldiers, many of whom occupied vital administrative and clerical positions throughout the war department at the time. The idea was circulated and eventually approved to allow women into the marines to fill these non-combat positions, relieving this men to head for the front. From Kokomo, Indiana, Opha May Johnson was first in line when the recruiting station in Washington D.C. opened its doors to women and would become a legend as the first woman Marine.
She passed away August 11, 1955 but, her funeral services were held on August 13, 1955…37 years to the day that she first stood in line.
August 25, 2018 at 3:19 PM
Badass Marine.
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August 25, 2018 at 3:29 PM
OORAH! I was married to the Corps for 12 years.
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August 25, 2018 at 3:34 PM
Thank you for your service.
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August 25, 2018 at 3:42 PM
The Corps was freaking awesome. The ex, not so much… I miss it. It takes a very strong wife to hold down the fort while the warrior is away.
We were stationed @ Norfolk (Camp Elmore) when 9/11 happened.
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August 25, 2018 at 4:09 PM
Yeah, the wives are definitely the unsung heroes. Strong women able to hold down the fort, so their men can defend the nation.
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August 25, 2018 at 3:21 PM
Have you ever read about Dr. Mary Walker? The first women (and quite possibly the only woman) ever awarded the Medal of Honor for her service during the Civil War!
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August 25, 2018 at 3:30 PM
I have not. I will have to check into that!
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