HISTORY 1955 - 1973 Vietnam Era

2 March 1959

A New Director for Women Marines

black and white photo of marine wearing cap with flags in background

Colonel Margaret M. Henderson served as Director of Women Marines from 2 March 1959 until 2 January 1964.

2 March 1959

1967

Presence in Vietnam

The announcement was made and plans were set in 1967 for one officer and nine enlisted women to fill desk billets with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), based in Saigon.

1967

November 8, 1967

Promotion Opportunities

President Johnson signed legislation giving enlisted women equal promotion opportunity with their male counterparts.

November 8, 1967

Year: 1973

The Names of those who Served

From 1967 to 1973, a total of 28 enlisted Marine women and eight officers served in Vietnam at various times.   Pictured Captain Elaine E. Filkins (left) and Sgt Doris Denton (right).

Year: 1973

January 27, 1973,

The End of the War

With the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27, 1973, the war in Vietnam was declared officially ended. Not only a war, but an era, was coming to an end in 1973. The draft was replaced by the All-Volunteer Force policy. 

 

 

January 27, 1973,

Pending

Vietnam

The U.S. Marine Corps had a more limited female presence in Vietnam. 

Officers

First Lieutenant Lois J. Bertram

Captain Elaine E. Filkins (Davies)

Captain Vera M. Jones

CWO-2 Ernestine A. Koch

First Lieutenant Shirley E. Leaverton

Lieutenant Colonel Ruth J. O'Holleran

Lieutenant Colonel Ruth F. Reinholz

First Lieutenant Lila Jean Sharpsteen

Enlisted

Sergeant Barbara J. Aaron (Avant)

Staff Sergeant Bridget V. Connolly

Sergeant Doris L. Denton

Staff Sergeant Adelina Diaz (Torres)

Lance Corporal Teresa A. Dickerson

Corporal Marilyn L. Dorsey

Master Sergeant Barbara J. Dulinsky

Corporal Andrea L. Edwards

Corporal Jeanne L. Francoeur (Bell)

Cpl Jeanne Francoeur received her Saigon assignment after completing a tour at HQMC.

Corporal M. R. Gehant

Sergeant Mary E. Glaudel

Staff Sergeant Frances I. Gonzales (Shore)

Staff Sergeant Donna L. Hollowell (Murray)

Corporal Alaine K. Ivy

Sergeant Carol E. Lester

Lance Corporal Jeanette I. Hensley

Corporal Nellie Mach (Perkins)

Corporal M. Del Martinez

Corporal Nola E. Mackinster

Staff Sergeant Loretta M. Morrison

Sergeant Ella L. Netherton

Corporal Diane L. Potter

Sergeant Jacqueline K. Roach

Staff Sergeant Ermelinda Salazar (Esquibel)

SSat Ermelinda Salazar spent 19 months in Vietnam. During her oft-duty hours she helped care for young children in orphanage.

Corporal Sandra Spatz

Cpl Spatz correspondence being checked. 

Sergeant Helen J. Varden

Sergeant Mary P. Walsh (McDermott)

Sgt Walsh spends much of her time gathering information by phone.

Corporal Pauline W. Wilson

Colonel Margaret M. Henderson served as Director of Women Marines from 2 March 1959 until 2 January 1964. The Legion of Merit was awarded her upon retirement, 31 January 1966, “for exceptionally meritorious performance of outstanding services as planner, administrator, and leader of Women Marines throughout a distinguished career. 

Margaret Monroe Henderson was born on 6 February 1911 in Cameron, Texas. She was graduated from high school at Kenedy, Texas, in 1928, and received her BA degree upon graduation from the University of Texas in 1932. She then taught in secondary schools of Lubbock, Texas, until the spring of 1943 when she entered the Marine Corps. 

After completing the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve Officer Training School at Mt. Holyoke, Massachusetts, she was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Women’s Reserve on 30 June 1943. During World War II, she served as an instructor at Women Marine Schools, Camp Lejeune, and as Officer in Charge of the Business School, Marine Corps Institute, Washington. D.C. Returning to Camp Lejeune in September 1945, she became Executive Officer of the Women’s Reserve Battalion. 

Detached from active duty in May 1946, Colonel Henderson returned to Lubbock, where she served as an instructor at Texas Technological College for two years. In November 1948, she was integrated into the regular Marine Corps and returned to active duty, with the passage of the Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act. At this same time, the Women’s Reserve received the title of Women Marines. 

During subsequent tours of duty, she served consecutively as Commander of the Women’s Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina; Head, Women’s Affairs Section, Division of Plans and Policies, Headquarters Marine Corps; and Commander of the Women Officers Training Detachment, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. She was promoted to lieutenant colonel in January 1953. 

From January 1955 to March 1957, Colonel Henderson served as Assistant G-1, at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. In April 1957, she was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps as Head, Women Affairs Section, G-1 Division. 

On 2 March 1959, she assumed duty as Director of Women Marines, with the rank of colonel. Upon assuming this post, Colonel Henderson became the third Director of Women Marines, succeeding Colonels Katherine A. Towle (1948-53), and Julia E. Hamblet (1953-59). Prior to this, there were three Directors of the Women’s Reserve, Colonels Ruth Cheney Streeter (1943-45), Katherine A. Towle (1945-46), and Julia E. Hamblet (1946-48). 

From January 1964 until her retirement, Colonel Henderson served as Assistant G-1 (Personnel), Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. She was placed on the retired list with the rank of colonel, the rank she held as Director of Women Marines.  She passed away 28 December 2004.