About this Unit
The WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was a unit of the U.S. Navy established during World War II, on July 30, 1942. Created to free up male personnel for combat roles, the WAVES allowed women to serve in non-combat positions such as clerical work, aviation mechanics, and communications. By the end of the war, over 86,000 women had served as WAVES, making significant contributions to the Navy’s wartime operations. Their exemplary service paved the way for the permanent integration of women into the U.S. armed forces after the war.
Historical Facts
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Creation during WWII: WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was established on July 30, 1942, as the women's branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II.
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First Female Officers: Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, president of Wellesley College, became the first female commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy and the first director of the WAVES.
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Breaking Barriers: WAVES was the first time women were allowed to serve in the U.S. Navy in roles other than nursing, opening the door to over 200 job classifications.
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Rapid Recruitment: By the end of WWII, over 86,000 women had served in the WAVES, performing clerical, medical, communications, intelligence, and aviation roles.
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Training Grounds: The first training school for WAVES officers was at Smith College in Massachusetts, while enlisted WAVES trained at Hunter College in New York City.
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Uniform Design: The WAVES uniforms were designed by the famous fashion designer Mainbocher, balancing practicality and style to boost morale and professionalism.
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Limited Deployment: WAVES were restricted to service within the continental United States or U.S. territories and were not allowed to serve on combat ships or overseas.
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Racial Integration: Initially, WAVES was open only to white women, but in 1944, the Navy began accepting Black women, with Edna Young becoming the first African American woman to serve.
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Legacy: The success and professionalism of the WAVES helped pave the way for the permanent integration of women into the regular Navy under the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.
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Famous Alumni: Notable WAVES members included Grace Hopper, who became a pioneering computer scientist and rear admiral, best known for her work on early computers and programming languages.
