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United States. Coast Guard. Women's Reserve

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1942 - 1973

Historical Information

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Women's Reserve, also known as the SPARS, was the women's branch of the USCG Reserve in World War II. It approved the acceptance of women into the reserve as both commissioned officers and at the enlisted level for the duration of the war plus six months. United States Congress established this branch and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law on November 23, 1942. It's purpose was to replace male officers and men stationed at shore stations with women, releasing men for sea duty. Dorothy C. Stratton was appointed director of the SPARS with the rank of lieutenant commander and later promoted to captain. Previously, she had been the Dean of Women on leave from Purdue University and an officer in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). Stratton is credited with creating the nautical name of SPARS.

After World War II, SPARS was demobilized and in 1973 Congress terminated SPARS as a separate branch of the USCG, making women eligible to serve with men in regular and reserve coast guard units.

Citation

Coast Guard Women's Reserve. (19 September 2018). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Coast-Guard-Womens-Reserve

Citation

SPARS. (8 September 2019). Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPARS

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Marylu McEwen papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 102
Scope and Contents The Marylu McEwen papers document the personal and professional life of Marylu McEwen, from her time as a student at Purdue University from 1964-1968 through her long career in higher education. A large portion of the collection depicts her relationships with the Deans of Women and Deans of Students at Purdue University from her time as a student in the 1960s into adulthood and retirement. Types of materials include correspondence, clippings, photographs, speeches, and articles. Also included...
Dates: 1964 - 2014