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Adapted from "Commander Grace Cheney, Women's Reserve, U.S. Naval Reserve" [biography, dated 1 April 1947] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Awards and Medals
  • People--Women
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Grace Cheney

21 July 1908 - [no death date]

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Commander Cheney, born in Winnetka, Illinois, July 21, 1908 was graduated from Bronxville High School in 1926 and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1930.

Commander Cheney was commissioned Lieutenant (junior grade) in the US Naval Reserve on August 8, 1942 and was first officer of the Women’s Reserve to report for duty in the Third Naval District, New York, New York. Her subsequently promotions were as follows: Lieutenant, November 3, 1943; Lieutenant Commander, April 10, 1944 and Commander, December 18, 1945.

After being commissioned in the US Naval Reserve, commander Cheney was engaged in the procurement of Waves in the Third Naval District, from August 1942 until June 1943. She then reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, Washington, DC, for duty as Executive Assistant to the Director of Women’s Reserve and served in that assignment until she was ordered to duty as Assistant Director of Women’s Reserve (Operations) in February 1946. For her outstanding services as executive officer of the Office of the Director of Women’s Reserve she received a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon.

Commander Cheney was detached from duty in the US Naval Reserve on December 9, 1946.

In addition to the Commendation Ribbon, Commander Cheney is entitled to the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. 

END

Published: Thu Feb 18 10:35:25 EST 2021