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SUBJ/75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S ARMED SERVICES INTEGRATION ACT// 
 
RMKS/1.  12 June 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed 
Services Integration Act (WASIA), which President Harry S. Truman signed into 
law on 12 June 1948.  This Act legally granted women the right to serve as 
permanent, regular members of the U.S. Military Services. 
 
2.  Women had supported and served in the Military Services for generations, 
including as reservists in World War I and World War II. Over 350,000 women 
aided operations during World War II, and their dedication prompted 
congressional leaders to consider the retention of women after the war.  Such 
legislation would overrule temporary approval during wartime and allow women 
to aid in peacetime and war readiness as members of both the reserves and, 
notably, the regular services.  In 1946, the Army requested that the Women's 
Army Corps would remain part of their permanent personnel.  The idea of 
women's permanent inclusion in Military Services received widespread support 
from the Navy, Marine Corps, and War Department. 
 
3.  The 80th Congress debated the legislation for 2 years from 1946 through 
1948.  In her speech to the U.S. House of Representatives, Representative 
Margaret Chase Smith of Maine declared, "The Issue is simple-either the armed 
services have a permanent need of women officers and enlisted women or they 
do not.  If they do, then women must be given permanent status."  Those 
opposed to the bill argued women should compose separate reserve forces 
within each branch.  Military leadership, however, presented a united front 
on integrating women as part of the permanent armed forces, both active and 
reserve. 
 
4.  While the WASIA granted permanent status to women in all Military 
Services (including the newly formed Air Force), several provisions limited 
women's roles and benefits in the Navy.  Women were capped at two percent of 
all personnel, and those with children under age 18 were ineligible for 
service or honorably discharged.  Women were eligible for billets centered 
primarily in clerical, nursing, and aviation support, but could not "be 
assigned to duty in aircraft while such aircraft are engaged in combat 
missions, or onboard vessels of the Navy other than hospital ships." 
 
5.  Navy leadership supported the legislation and used the experiences of the 
Women Accepted for Volunteer Service (WAVES) during World War II to showcase 
women's contributions to the fleet.  Many of these same women, such as 
Captain Joy Bright Hancock, director of the WAVES, also played a key role in 
advocating for the legislation, soliciting Navy leadership support, and 
undertaking preparations for congressional hearings.  In his statement to the 
80th Congress on 2 July 1947, Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz explained the 
advantages of including women in the Navy's permanent structure, arguing that 
women delivered immediate and direct aid in increasing the overall efficiency 
of the Navy and provided a flexible and well-trained core of Sailors.  In 
addition to the Regular Navy, women's inclusion in the Reserve would provide 
an essential reservoir of personnel that permitted rapid mobilization if and 
when necessary.  As he stated, "In any future war, it will be mandatory to 
have at our command immediately all possible resources. Womanpower is one of 
them." 
 
6.  The WASIA marked the beginning of full participation and advancement for 
women in the Military Services.  Though limitations remained and required 
further legislation to repeal pregnancy disqualification and combat 
exclusion, the Act showed an important step toward inclusion that would come 
to define the Navy of the present and future.  As we celebrate the 75th 
anniversary of this momentous legislation and advancements made since its 
adoption, we acknowledge the contributions of all women who have served and 
continue to serve vital roles in the U.S. Navy.  Let us echo the spirit of 
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III that, "To ensure that we continue to 
have the strongest fighting force in the world, we must draw on the full 
power of all our people." 
 
7.  Mission.  Recognize the impact the WASIA had on equal rights and 
opportunities for women in the Navy and the progress the Navy has made since 
its enactment as law in 1948. 
 
8.  Commander's Intent 
    a.  Purpose.  Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Women's Armed 
Services Integration Act (WASIA). 
    b.  Method.  Command-centric execution of a coordinated Navy-wide WASIA 
    commemoration. 
        (1) Use available Navy outreach assets to maximum extent possible. 
        (2) Be guided by, and supportive of, the Navy's strategic messaging. 
    c.  End State:  The commemoration of the Women's Armed Services 
Integration Act becomes a standard community outreach and Navy pride event 
for all Sailors, past and present. 
 
9.  Administrative 
    a.  Suggested resources for this commemoration: 
        (1) S. 1641, A Bill to establish the Women's Army Corps [and] to 
        authorize the enlistment and appointment of women in the Navy and 
Marine Corps (Women's Armed Services Integration Act), July 16, 1947 | U.S. 
Capitol - Visitor Center (visitthecapitol.gov)   
https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/artifact/s-1641-bill-establish-womens-army-
corps-and-authorize-enlistment-and-appointment-women 
        (2) The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 (usmcu.edu)  
https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Women-in-
the-Marine-Corps/The-Womens-Armed-Services-Integration-Act-of-1948/ 
        (3) Flygirls, Women Mechs, and Lady Pilots: The Multi-Generational, 
        Multi-Service Effort to End Combat Exclusion in Aviation > The 
Sextant > Article View (dodlive.mil)   
https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/Recent/Article-
View/Article/3370058/flygirls-women-mechs-and-lady-pilots-the-multi-
generational-multi-service-effor/ 
        (4) Truman and Women's Rights - Truman Library Institute 
https://www.trumanlibraryinstitute.org/truman-and-womens-rights/
        (5) Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on 
        International Women's Day > U.S. Department of Defense > Release 
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3322270/statement-by-
secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-international-womens-day/ 
        (6) Hancock, B. J. (1972). Lady In the Navy. United States Naval 
        Institute. 
        (7) Naval History and Heritage Museum Library. Oral History. The 
WAVES. U.S. NAVY Retired. 
        (8) Naval History and Heritage Museum Library. Oral History. 
        Reminiscences of the WAVES (Officers of World War II). Vol. II. 
    b.  Public Affairs Guidance:  This is an active public affairs posture 
    event. 
 
10.  Point of contact.  NHHC POC is Dr. James Willson-Quayle, james.willson 
-quayle.civ@us.navy.mil. 
 
11.  Released by Mr. Andrew S. Haeuptle, Director, Navy Staff. 
 
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