United States. Naval Reserve. Women's Reserve
Organization
Dates
- Existence: July 21, 1942 - 1946
Historical Information
The United States Naval Reserve (Women's Reserve) or WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was the women's branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. It was established on July 21, 1942 and authorized the U.S. Navy to accept women into the Naval Reserve as commissioned officers to release male officers for sea duty. The process to disband the branch began in 1945 at the end of World War II. In 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was passed, allowing women to serve in the Army or Navy on a permanent basis.