The Coast Guard & The Women's Reserve In World War Ii Part I

The 1940s bring memories of tearful train-stationreflected on the issue as a whole. Since fairness and
good-byes, war bond drives, ration cards andindividual consideration of personnel had long been
much-feared telegrams. To the soldiers, sailors andstandard, if not a tradition for the Coast Guard, the
airmen of that era, World War II was not just aservice welcomed the newest ranks - women
far-off conflict, it was a reality. These young menreservists - in the same manner as those before
were in the forefront in war-torn Europe and thethem. The Coast Guard's policy did not change with
battle grounds of the Pacific.the onset of women. It remained to make use of its
A photo of Coast Guard spars But for the womenpersonnel to carry out the varied duties and
left behind, the reality of war was also close toresponsibilities and to equally reward those who gave
home. These mothers, daughters, sisters, wives andfaithful service.
fiancées of the brave young men wanted to10,000 women volunteer
do their part too and became soldiers, sailors andThe Coast Guard and the nation were in need, and
airmen - and even Coast Guardsmen in the globalAmerica's young women responded. More than
war.10,000 women volunteered for service between
On Nov. 23, 1942, legislation was approved creating1942 and 1946. This reserve corps also had its own
yet another arm of the U.S. Coast Guard, one thatcommanding officer, Dorothy C. Stratton.
would pave the way for Coast Guard women ofA photo of Coast Guard spars Stratton was the
today - The U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve, alsodean of women on leave from Purdue University and
known as the SPARs.a lieutenant in the Navy Women's Reserve, also
Although the Coast Guard had done many jobs sinceknown as WAVEs. She was promoted to lieutenant
1790 without taking women into its enlisted or officercommander when she became the director of the
ranks, the onset of a world war changed the courseSPARs and was later promoted to captain. In fact, it
of history for women in all the armed services. Whenis believed that she was the originator of the
World War II came, the Coast Guard and the othernickname SPARs. Their original name, WORCOGS,
services found themselves in great need of moregave way to the nautical term and the contraction of
men at sea and more troops on foreign soil. Theythe Coast Guard's motto - Semper Paratus, Always
acknowledged that filling U.S. shore jobs with womenReady.
would allow more men to serve elsewhere andPatriotism is key
hasten the war effort.There were many reasons why these young women
A photo of Coast Guard sparsSPARs provide thejoined the SPARs. One of the main reasons enlisted
answerSPARs joined was patriotism. They expressed a
The SPARs were the answer to the Coast Guard'sdesire to be of more direct help in the war effort.
problem. These women were under military direction,Other reasons included a wish to relieve a man for
and they were subject to assignment according toactive combat elsewhere, a chance for self
the needs of the service. This was one of the keyimprovement or advancement, an opportunity for
factors in using women as part of the military force.travel, and a desire for excitement and adventure.
The jobs they were filling could not have been doneSoon after the legislation was passed in November
by civilians working for the armed forces because1942, a recruiting drive began to build the SPAR
they were not as mobile and did not fall undercorps. Although military services had been recruiting
military law and discipline.their members for many years, SPAR recruiters
The establishment of the SPARs also showedfaced two challenges - recruiting women and
legislative recognition of a democratic woman's rightrecruiting them for one of the least-known services.
to directly participate as members of the armedIn fact, in early 1944, Coast Guard Headquarters in
services in the joint war effort. Even their maleWashington, issued a guidance memorandum for
counterparts thought highly of the SPARs. "UncleSPAR recruiting officers. The recruiters were told not
Sam needs the SPARs or he'd never have them into sit in an office and wait for the women to walk in;
uniform," said Coxswain Frank Bartlett. "They are athey should go to the field and talk to prospective
saving to the government. If they were civilianapplicants and their families.
employees in civil service, they would be drawing highThey did just that, according to LT Kay Arthur, a
wages."former SPAR and co-author of Three Years Behind
"As it is, they are drawing the same as we are forthe Mast: The Story of the Coast Guard SPARs.
the same job we once had," he said. "We welcome"When the memo arrived at a southern recruiting
them. They gave us our one and only chance for theoffice, the staff had just returned from a trek
job we want, - the sea."through a cotton field to secure enlistment permission
This new influx of personnel on the horizon raisedfrom a girl's irate parents who were at work there,"
some questions for the previously all-male service.Arthur said.
Separate housing and messing facilities and personnelAnother aspect of SPAR recruiting was the
policies were among the issues under considerationmuch-debated Tars and Spars music and dance show.
with this revolutionary concept. The service dealtThe show was on the road in East Coast cities during
with the berthing and messing problem by providingthe summer of 1944. It is not known how much the
separate housing - often dormitory style - for theshow drew the attention of applicants, but SPAR
newest Coast Guard personnel.officers did agree that the show raised the level of
When it came to personnel policies, the Coast GuardCoast Guard-consciousness as a whole.