Ruth Cheney Streeter
Encyclopedia
Ruth Cheney Streeter 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
when she was commissioned as a major on January 29, 1943. She retired in 1945 as a colonel.
. she graduated from Bryn Mawr College
in 1918.
On June 23, 1917, she married Thomas W. Streeter; they went on to have four children. They lived in Morristown, New Jersey
, where she was involved in civic affairs, and served as the first woman president of the Morris County, New Jersey
Welfare Board.
On January 29, 1943, she was commissioned as a major and appointed director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve.
She was promoted to lieutenant colonel later that year, and to full colonel in 1944. She resigned her commission on December 6, 1945. During Streeter's tenure, the Women's Reserve grew to a size of 831 officers and 17,714 enlisted.
In 1946, she was awarded the Legion of Merit
. The accompanying citation states in part:
In addition to the Legion of Merit, Streeter was also awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
In 1947, she was appointed as a member of the New Jersey Constitutional Convention.
Streeter died of congestive heart failure on September 30, 1990 in Morristown, New Jersey. 1990. She is buried in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
when she was commissioned as a major on January 29, 1943. She retired in 1945 as a colonel.
Biography
Born Ruth Cheney on October 2, 1895 in Brookline, MassachusettsBrookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
. she graduated from Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College is a women's liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, a community in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, ten miles west of Philadelphia. The name "Bryn Mawr" means "big hill" in Welsh....
in 1918.
On June 23, 1917, she married Thomas W. Streeter; they went on to have four children. They lived in Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
, where she was involved in civic affairs, and served as the first woman president of the Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
Welfare Board.
On January 29, 1943, she was commissioned as a major and appointed director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve.
She was promoted to lieutenant colonel later that year, and to full colonel in 1944. She resigned her commission on December 6, 1945. During Streeter's tenure, the Women's Reserve grew to a size of 831 officers and 17,714 enlisted.
In 1946, she was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
. 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."
In addition to the Legion of Merit, Streeter was also awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
In 1947, she was appointed as a member of the New Jersey Constitutional Convention.
Streeter died of congestive heart failure on September 30, 1990 in Morristown, New Jersey. 1990. She is buried in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
See also
- Katherine Amelia Towle, 1st Director of the Women Marines
- Margaret A. BrewerMargaret A. BrewerBrigadier General Margaret A. Brewer, USMC , was the first female to reach the rank of general in the United States Marine Corps.-Early years:...
, first female to reach the rank of general in the Marine Corps