
WOMEN MARINES ABOARD CAMP PENDLETON
CELEBRATE 75 YEAR HISTORY
OCTOBER 26, 1943 - 2018
CELEBRATE 75 YEAR HISTORY
OCTOBER 26, 1943 - 2018
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS WOMEN MARINES ON CAMP PENDLETON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 Timeline: Women Marines
Throughout the Years 6 Camp Pendleton's Women Marines 12 Montezuma Red Lipstick & Nail Polish 13 Women Marines in Print, Then and Now 14 FeMarines Arrive 16 Being a First 20 Women Generals 24 Eleanor Judge, Sgt. Maj., USMC (Ret) 25 Ramona Cook, Sgt. Maj., USMC (Ret) 26 Women Marine Headlines from Camp Pendleton Newspaper "The Pendleton Scout" 28 Elaine M. Bowden, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret) 30 Kathleen Ables, Maj., USMC (Ret) 32 Directors of Women Marines 33 Sergeants Major of Women Marines 34 Hillary Aguirre, Staff Sgt., USMC |
36 Velanda K. Joyner, Sgt. Maj., USMC, (Ret)
37 Women Marines in the News 38 Manuela "Mani" Santos, Chief Warrant Officer 2, USMC (Ret) 40 Mary E. Gibbs, Chief Warrant Office 5, USMC (Ret) 42 Iris Biggers, Sgt., USMC 44 Barbara A. Cogburn, Gunnery Sgt., USMC (Ret) 45 Georgia A. Wendling Shirey, Pfc., USMC 46 Maria Franco, Sgt., USMC; Jane (Cook) Strand, Staff Sgt., USMC 48 The Green Hat Club, Memories from Sgt. Shirley Downey, USMC 50 First Female Students Land at Camp Pendleton for Marine Training |
Dear Reader,
The following is a brief view of the lead story in the commemorative publication honoring the 75th Anniversary of Women Marines Aboard Camp Pendleton. We know you are sure to enjoy the photos, timelines, and wonderful stories.
The publication project was a cooperative effort between the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, two local Women Marine's Chapters and many women Marines who were willing to tell and write their stories and/or the stories of their fellow women Marines. The Oceanside Chamber was privileged to host a publication launch party on Monday, August 13, 2018, to honor the Women Marines Aboard Camp Pendleton. The celebration was well attended by both retired women Marines and Women Marines currently serving aboard Camp Pendleton. The celebration date was significant for a second reason, as it was the 100th Anniversary of Women Marines serving the United States (beginning their service in Washington DC).
The first hand stories recounted with such care in this beautiful keepsake publication are truly an invaluable opportunity to take in the magnitude of the past 75 year history of women Marines on Camp Pendleton. They are stories that will be truly treasured and read again and again for generations to come.
We at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all those involved in this project for their partnership, efforts, willingness to serve and their work to produce this lovely publication. We would especially like to thank the women Marines (and all of our esteemed United States Armed Forces) for their defense of our country and way of life.
And to you dear reader, we would like to say thank in advance for your help in maximizing the reach of these trailblazing women and their amazing stories by sharing the publication far and wide through your social media, email and digital connections.
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Monday, August 13, 2018
The following is a brief view of the lead story in the commemorative publication honoring the 75th Anniversary of Women Marines Aboard Camp Pendleton. We know you are sure to enjoy the photos, timelines, and wonderful stories.
The publication project was a cooperative effort between the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, two local Women Marine's Chapters and many women Marines who were willing to tell and write their stories and/or the stories of their fellow women Marines. The Oceanside Chamber was privileged to host a publication launch party on Monday, August 13, 2018, to honor the Women Marines Aboard Camp Pendleton. The celebration was well attended by both retired women Marines and Women Marines currently serving aboard Camp Pendleton. The celebration date was significant for a second reason, as it was the 100th Anniversary of Women Marines serving the United States (beginning their service in Washington DC).
The first hand stories recounted with such care in this beautiful keepsake publication are truly an invaluable opportunity to take in the magnitude of the past 75 year history of women Marines on Camp Pendleton. They are stories that will be truly treasured and read again and again for generations to come.
We at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all those involved in this project for their partnership, efforts, willingness to serve and their work to produce this lovely publication. We would especially like to thank the women Marines (and all of our esteemed United States Armed Forces) for their defense of our country and way of life.
And to you dear reader, we would like to say thank in advance for your help in maximizing the reach of these trailblazing women and their amazing stories by sharing the publication far and wide through your social media, email and digital connections.
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Monday, August 13, 2018
Camp Pendleton's Women Marines
by Faye Jonason, Director
Camp Pendleton History Museum Branch
Camp Pendleton History Museum Branch
It is said that WRs, or Women Marines, did much more than "Free a Man to Fight" in World War II. Volunteering to serve in positions as typists, clerks, bookkeepers, radar technicians, telephone operators and truck drivers, these women replaced nearly a combat division.
Following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dedication of Camp H Pendleton, then the world's largest Marine base, and its feverish construction, it was decided to relocate incoming Women Marine Reserves. Thirteen months after the base's dedication, on October 26, 1943, the first contingent of 95 women Marines (2 officers and 93 enlisted Marines) arrived on Camp Pendleton. These women where just a part of the 23,000 Women Reservists who entered active duty during World War II.
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Following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dedication of Camp H Pendleton, then the world's largest Marine base, and its feverish construction, it was decided to relocate incoming Women Marine Reserves. Thirteen months after the base's dedication, on October 26, 1943, the first contingent of 95 women Marines (2 officers and 93 enlisted Marines) arrived on Camp Pendleton. These women where just a part of the 23,000 Women Reservists who entered active duty during World War II.
READ MORE

CAMP PENDLETON 75TH ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATIVE PUBLICATION
SEPTEMBER 25, 1942 - 2017
COMMEMORATIVE PUBLICATION
SEPTEMBER 25, 1942 - 2017
CAMP PENDLETON MARINE CORPS BASE CELEBRATES 75 YEARS
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base Historical Society partnered to produce a keepsake magazine to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Camp Pendleton. A kickoff celebration was hosted at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce in January 2017, to celebrate the successful completion of the Camp Pendleton 75th Anniversary Magazine. The Chamber's media launch party was memorialized with a brief series of videos published to the Oceanside Chamber's YouTube Channel and website. Attendees included elected officials, Government staff members, local VIPs, media, members of the business community, and advertising sponsors, whose generous support made the publication possible.
Chosen specifically due to its advantageous location including proximity to the Pacific Ocean, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, dedicated the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base on September 25, 1942. Under the command of General Joseph Fegan, the base was named after the late Marine Major General Joseph H. Pendleton, an illustrious figure in early California military development.
Packed with a wealth of intriguing stories about early landowners, livestock, and politicians, featuring one-of-a-kind photos, plua timelines marking major military milestones, the publication's high demand.
Dick Rothwell, President of the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, gave a series of public talks to share details of the 75-year history of the base, and its early beginning as Rancho Santa Margarita. The military commemorated 2017 with base tours, a series of celebrations, and by gifting a copy of the tribute magazine to each attendee.
In August 2018, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has once again teamed up with the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, plus two local Women Marine Associations, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Women Marines Aboard Camp Pendleton, combined with the 100th National Anniversary of the Women Marines in the United States, with a handsome full feature print and digital publication.
Please contact Pam Rumer, Vice President Business Development, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, 760-722-1534, ext. 105, to schedule your sponsorship advertising message, and publicly show your support of the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Armed Forces.
#marines #camppendleton #usmarines #marinecorps #semperfi #usmarine #military #usmilitary #armedforces #womenmarines #militaryservice #servicewomen #servicemen #honor #marinecorpsbase
Chosen specifically due to its advantageous location including proximity to the Pacific Ocean, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, dedicated the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base on September 25, 1942. Under the command of General Joseph Fegan, the base was named after the late Marine Major General Joseph H. Pendleton, an illustrious figure in early California military development.
Packed with a wealth of intriguing stories about early landowners, livestock, and politicians, featuring one-of-a-kind photos, plua timelines marking major military milestones, the publication's high demand.
Dick Rothwell, President of the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, gave a series of public talks to share details of the 75-year history of the base, and its early beginning as Rancho Santa Margarita. The military commemorated 2017 with base tours, a series of celebrations, and by gifting a copy of the tribute magazine to each attendee.
In August 2018, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has once again teamed up with the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, plus two local Women Marine Associations, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Women Marines Aboard Camp Pendleton, combined with the 100th National Anniversary of the Women Marines in the United States, with a handsome full feature print and digital publication.
Please contact Pam Rumer, Vice President Business Development, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, 760-722-1534, ext. 105, to schedule your sponsorship advertising message, and publicly show your support of the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Armed Forces.
#marines #camppendleton #usmarines #marinecorps #semperfi #usmarine #military #usmilitary #armedforces #womenmarines #militaryservice #servicewomen #servicemen #honor #marinecorpsbase
Operation Appreciation Magazine
2017 Armed Forces Day
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Military Recognition
2017 Armed Forces Day
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Military Recognition
OPERATION APPRECIATION
EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
On May 20, 2017, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce held its 16th Annual Operation Appreciation. An estimated crowd of 4,000 - 5,000 active duty military family members were treated to a day of food, entertainment and family activities.
Opening ceremonies were attended by Congressman Darrell Issa, Col. John Polidoro, SgtMaj Ernie Rose, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery, Oceanside City Councilmember Jerry Kern and San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond.
EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
On May 20, 2017, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce held its 16th Annual Operation Appreciation. An estimated crowd of 4,000 - 5,000 active duty military family members were treated to a day of food, entertainment and family activities.
Opening ceremonies were attended by Congressman Darrell Issa, Col. John Polidoro, SgtMaj Ernie Rose, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery, Oceanside City Councilmember Jerry Kern and San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond.