On July 30, 1942, the Marine Corps Womens Reserve was established as part of the Marine Corps Reserve. The mission of the Marine Corps Womens Reserve was to provide qualified women for duty at shore establishments of the Marine Corps, releasing men for combat duty. Women Marines were assigned to over 200 different jobs, among them radio operator, photographer, parachute rigger, driver, aerial gunnery instructor, cook, baker, quartermaster, control tower operator, motion picture operator, auto mechanic, telegraph operator, cryptographer, laundry operator, post exchange (store) manager, stenographer and agriculturist.
Photos of Women Marines during World War II:
Marine Corps School for Women Reserve Officer Candidates
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Looks Over New Recruits
Marine Corps Headquarters Bond Rally
Women Marine Riggers Classroom Training
Sewing Goes to War
WWII Women Marines Present Colors at Washington, D.C.
Women Marines Arriving For Duty in Hawaii during WWII
Marine Corps Women’s Reserve mess at Camp Lejeune
Control Tower Operators School and Link Trainer Instructors School
Women Marines in Communications Training Course During WWII
Women Marines on Parade
Marine Corps Women's Reserve Overseas Uniform
Women Marines Unfold Wing Section
Woman Marine at Quantico Stables
Woman Marine Works on Carburetor
Marine Private Assembles a Machine Gun
Women Marines Practice Self Defense
Women Marines Having Cocktails in Washington, DC
Map-Making Marine at Camp Lejeune
"Blood for the Beachheads" Blood Drive
