Ruth Cheney Streeter
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| Ruth Cheney Streeter | |
|---|---|
| October 2, 1895 – September 30, 1990 (aged 94) | |
 |
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| Place of birth | Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Place of death | Morristown, New Jersey |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | retired in 1945 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands held | United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
Ruth Cheney Streeter (October 2, 1895 – September 30, 1990) was the first director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve (USMCWR). In 1943, she became the first woman to attain the rank of major in the United States Marine Corps, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel later that year, and to colonel in 1944.[1]
Born Ruth Cheney on October 2, 1895 in Brookline, Massachusetts, she graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1918.[2]
She lived in Morristown, New Jersey where she was involved in civic affairs. She married Thomas W. Streeter, and served as the first woman president of the Morris County, New Jersey Welfare Board. In 1943 she was appointed director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve. She resigned her commission in 1945.
In 1946, she was awarded the Legion of Merit. The accompanying citation states in part:
- "Exercising judgment, initiative and ability, Colonel Streeter rendered distinctive service in directing the planning and organization of the Women's Reserve of the Marine Corps and skillfully integrating women into the basic structure of the Corps, carefully selected, trained and properly assigned them as replacements for men in shore establishments."[2]
In 1947, she was appointed as a member of the New Jersey Constitutional Convention. She died of congestive heart failure in 1990.[3][4]
[edit] See also
- Katherine Amelia Towle, 1st Director of the Women Marines
- Margaret A. Brewer, first female to reach the rank of general in the Marine Corps
[edit] References
- ^ "USC Marine History - 60th Birthday of Women in the Corps". Marine Corps News' (February 12, 2003).
- ^ a b "Colonel Ruth Cheney Streeter", Who's Who in Marine Corps History.
- ^ "Ruth Cheney Streeter Weds", New York Times, January 19, 1986. Retrieved on 2007-05-23.
- ^ "Ruth C. Streeter, 94, Ex-Leader Of Women Reserves in Marines", New York Times, October 2, 1990. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.
- Colonel Ruth Cheney Streeter, USMCWR. Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-11-18.
[edit] External links
- Ruth Chedney Streeter. New Jersey Women's History. Rutgers University. Retrieved on 2007-05-23.
| Preceded by none |
Director of United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve 1943-1945 |
Succeeded by Katherine Amelia Towle |
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