I was astonished to learn that a member of my family was one of the very first women to be enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II. Dorcas Cavett was
born shortly before the end of the First World War and was raised in rural
Nebraska. After graduating from the
University of Nebraska, she became a teacher.
Two years after World War II broke out, Dorcas immediately felt that “every
single unencumbered person ought to help out in any way he or she could, that
we [Americans] were actually in a fight for our lives” (Cavett 71). For five days, she rushed from her job to the
Federal Building to enlist with the women’s reserve branch of the U.S. Navy,
but by the time she got there, the office was closed. On the fifth day, a member of the United
States Marine Corps asked her what she was doing. When she told him, he responded that she
should come to the Marine office, as they were going to start enlisting women
into the Marine Corps the next day. That
is how she became a Lady Leatherneck.
Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit the Lady Leathernecks during their last
week of training, and she was so inspired by these women that she referred to
them as, “the real women of America” (73). During
her time in the Marine Corps, Dorcas was often mistaken for a man because of
her name. In one incident, she was sent
to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to teach weaponry. The moment she got to the base, she was faced
with much opposition. One commanding
officer questioned her because no women were allowed on base. Dorcas stated, “That’s about to change!” as
she showed him her orders (75). As it turned
out, the Marine Corps Headquarters noticed on her enlistment information that
she had teaching experience and assumed that she was a man – just the person to
teach weaponry!
 |
| Dorcas Cavett pictured on right. |
Dorcas was even given a letter of commendation from Col. J.
MacArthur for her outstanding service in the Women’s Reserves of the United
States Marine Corps. Dorcas also became one
of the first female commanding officers in Marine Corps; she was in charge of Company
K of the Women’s Reserves. After the
death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Company K was asked to march in the
funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Throughout all of the amazing things that Dorcas accomplished during her
time in the service, nothing stood out to her more than the words of Marine
Corps director of the Women’s Reserves, Major Ruth Cheney Streeter: “Never before
have the women of America had such a real opportunity to serve their
country. May it be given to us to wear
with integrity the uniform that has been covered with glory from Tripoli to
Guadalcanal" (74). And Dorcas Cavett did just
that.
Works Cited
Cavett, Dorcas. My First 81 Years. Lincoln: Dageforde
Publishing Inc., 1999. Print.
Heather Carlson
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThat is just too cool! My father was a Marine. Second only to Navy Seal training, it is the toughest boot-camp is U.S. Armed Forces. For her to be the first woman marine is quite an accomplishment. I bet it was tough!
ReplyDeleteMary Harper
I think this woman is awesome she worked hard and obtained a degree for education then once teaching leaving a well paid job at a time of War. Joining the marines took a lot and must have been overwhelming being one of the first of all lady leathernecks. I think its great she advanced in her career then becoming a weaponry instructor and the head of her company. WGS T-Th Andrew W. Young
ReplyDeleteI found the story of Dorcas Cavett very interesting, and it was really cool to learn about her. Before this post, I had never heard of the Lady Leathernecks. I like how she advanced her career to the point where she was in command of Company K, and how they marched in the funeral procession. She really paved the way forward for women in the American military.
ReplyDeleteJaleesa Smith
I truly enjoyed reading this story of Dorcas Cavett! Evidentally, she was a very ambitious woman of her time! As a woman, joining the marines during that era was so unheard of, yet she boldly did so. Ambition and boldness are two qualities that more people should strive for today!
ReplyDeleteKenda O'Neal
Dorcas Cavett was my aunt and I have fond memories of her. She was an awesome woman.She was the oldest of six brothers and sisters. My mom also joined the Navy.
ReplyDelete