She saw a 1917 recruitment poster <br />for the United States Navy - yeoman <br />meant women; Loretta joined; then <br />she became the first active duty <br />woman; the first woman to serve in <br />the U.S. armed forces; and the first <br />woman Naval Petty Officer (but did <br />not wear a petty-coat): war events <br />also helped to make her decision; <br />engaged in a four year enlistment; <br />She even continued in service in <br />the 1918 Armistice; but when a <br />Naval reduction came post-war, <br />Loretta and 4,000 yeoman were <br />released from their duty; she died <br />in 1925 at the age of twenty-nine. <br />Her epitaph: <br />Loretta Perfectus Walsh <br />April 22,1896 - August 6,1925 <br />Woman and Patriot <br />First of those enrolled in the U.S. Naval Service <br />World War I 1917 - 1919 <br />Her comrades dedicate this monument <br />To keep alive forever <br />Memories of the sacrifice and devotion of women. <br /> <br />'2008'<br /><br />Robert Sheridan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/loretta-perfectus-walsh/
