Walsh, Loretta (1898–c. 1988)

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Walsh, Loretta (1898–c. 1988)

American Navy officer. Born 1898 in Philadelphia, PA; died possibly Oct 11, 1988, in Philadelphia.

At 18, became 1st woman to enlist in US Navy (Mar 21, 1917), at a time when Navy needed to hire women to ensure adequate staffing during WWI; became chief yeoman in charge of recruiting for Naval Coast Defense Reserve.