A Sailor's Story: Chief Yeoman Loretta Perfectus Walsh - WWI

 


Chief Yeoman Loretta Perfectus Walsh was born on April 22, 1896, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from St. Patrick's High School. In response to World War I, she enlisted in the US Navy on March 17, 1917, becoming the first (sanctioned) woman to enlist in the US Navy in a non-nurse capacity and the first female yeoman.

She was assigned to the US Naval Shipyards at Philadelphia and maintained their clerical records. Chief Yeoman Loretta Perfectus Walsh was released from active duty in July 1919 and remained in the reserves until March 17, 1921.  

She died on August 6, 1925, from tuberculosis and rests at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Olyphant, Pennsylvania.  

Her service was commemorated in two books, "Cross Currents: Navy Women from WWI to Tailhook" and "The First, The Few, The Forgotten: Navy and Marine Corps Women in WWI."

The USS Constitution named one of its 24lb long guns "Perfectus" in her honor.



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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA

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