The "Marinettes" of WWI

History of the Marinettes

Faced with manpower shortages in 1918, Major General Commandant George Barnett asked the Secretary of the Navy's permission to enlist women for clerical duties during World War I. The first woman to enroll in the Marines was Opha Mae Johnson on 13 August 1918. 305 more women joined, serving only in the United States. At the end of the war, they left the Marine Corps to return to domestic life.

Marine Corp Reservist (F) was the only official title by which the Corps first enlisted women were known, however, throughout the duration of their service many nicknames were coined to identify them. On the occasion of their first official visit to Quantico on 21 November 1918, Corporal Elizabeth Shoemaker heard the title 'Lady Hell Cats' used for the first time when an enthusiastic marine shouted it from the crowd as they marched by.

During a party planned for the women that same evening, Corporal Shoemaker recalled overhearing one disgruntled young Marine telling his buddies: "This is a fallen outfit when they start enlisting skirts," hence 'Skirt Marines' was added to the growing list. But the most popular and most widely used of all the nicknames was 'Marinette'. 

"The United States Marine Corps frowned upon the use of the word 'Marinette'," remembered Corporal Avadney Hea, "they posted notices every once in a while on the bulletin board, that we were not to be referred to as 'Marinettes'. We were United States Marine Corps reservists with (F) after it, indicating female. We were not to be called 'Marinettes'. The Marine Corps didn't like it."

In spite of that fact, however, many people still refer to the Marine Reserves (F) as Marinettes.

Marine Reservists (F) pose for a photograph at Headquarters,
Marine Corp, Washington, DC in 1918.
(Photo: Marine Reserve/Marine Corps Archives)

Click HERE to read Women Marines in World War I.
Click HERE to read about Opha Mae Johnson.