Between 1954 and 1969, increasing numbers of women served overseas and most WAVES filled administration, training, or communication billets. Since the law allowed only one person in each branch of the military to be in the rank of captain or colonel (0-6) and that was usually the director of the women, there were few promotions to the rank of commander.

Post World War II - 1969 Part I

Post World War II - 1969 Part III

Additional information Women in the U.S. Navy.

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Photo #: NH 106760 Captain Louise K. Wilde (Director of the WAVES) Talks things over with a group of U.S. Naval Air Station, Moffet Field, California WAVES during her visit on 18 August 1954. Pictured are, (left to right): Airman Beth Morse, USN Seaman Barbara Branch, USN Captain Louise K. Wilde, USN Storekeeper Seaman Joan Schneider, USN Storekeeper First Class Olga Meadows, USN NHHC Collection Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 595
Photo #: NH 106761 Lieutenant Charlene T. Suneson, USNR Reports for duty to the Officer of the Day, Lieutenant Junior Grade J. A. Bishop, USN, on board USS General W.A. Mann (AP-112) in 1961. She was the first line WAVES officer to be ordered to shipboard duty. NHHC Collection Online Image: 47KB; 740 x 605
Photo #: NH 106762 Yeoman Second Class Marjorie Powell, USN Handles part of her day's business while having duty overseas. She was assigned to the Military Personnel Office at Headquarters, Allied Forces, Southern Europe (AFSOUTH), May 1967. NHHC Collection Online Image: 86KB; 580 x 765
Photo #: NH 106771 Chief Yeoman Helene Edmondson, USNR Chief Edmondson receives her 7th consecutive commendation for perfect drill attendence at the U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Atlanta, Georgia, November 1964. Pictured: (left to right): LCDR Robert C. Thweatt, USN, Reserve Intelligence Program Officer, 6th Naval District; YNC Helene Edmondson, USNR; and LCDR John R. Garner, USNR, Officer-in Charge, Naval Reserve Intel. Unit 6-1-3 NHHC Collection Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 605
Photo #: NH 106772 Lieutenant Commander Rosemary D. Arenth, USN (Director of Naval Personnel and Discipline and Assistant Director of Navy Woman, First Naval District) In November 1968, Arenth was one of the 12 women Navy-wide who were selected for promotion to Commander. She was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Denison University, Granville, Ohio. NHHC Collection Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615

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