Story Number: NNS070328-16
Release Date: 3/28/2007 5:17:00 PM

Special release from Naval District Washington Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The last surviving female World War I veteran, Charlotte Winters, died March 27 in Boonsboro, Md. She was 109 years old.

Winters served in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a yeoman, including service at a gun production facility at the Washington Navy Yard. She continued to work for the Navy in Washington until her retirement in 1953.

The Naval Reserve Act of 1916 enabled the Navy to begin enlisting women in mid-March 1917. Nearly 600 were on duty by the end of April 1917. That number grew to more than 11,000 by December 1918, shortly after the armistice. These women were popularly known as "Yeomanettes."

They all held enlisted ranks and served in support positions, mainly secretarial and clerical, and almost all served in the U.S. Many worked in government and naval offices, in defense companies and hospitals. They were all released from active duty in July 1919. Two of them ultimately became Naval officers in the Reserve, Capt. Joy Bright Hancock and Lt. Eunice Whyte.

Funeral services will be held March 30 in Boonsboro, Md., with interment to follow at the Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Frederick, Md.

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard will present military honors during the interment ceremony.



The Naval Historical Center has further information on the "Yeomanettes" at www.history.navy.mil/photos/prs-tpic/females/yeoman-f.htm.

For more news from around the fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.

Labels: Veterans Affairs, women in the military