Edwin Howard Simmons (1921–2007)

Women are first mentioned on page 189. The author says "There had been "Reservists (Female) in World War I...Despite, or perhaps because of this experience, the Marine Corps was the last of the four services to organize a Women's Reserve in World War II." Huh. Follows an extremely brief (one page) recounting of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve during World War II. That is the last mention I can find of women Marines. "Womne" is not even a topic listed in the index. The book is organized by operation, which makes it fairly easy to ignore or loose the support-related activities of women. Few Male Marines (other than Corps Commanders) assigned to Headquarters or support related homefront desk duty are mentioned either, a fact which would be quickly pointed out if anyone mentions that women's presence is lacking. The term "Marines" it can be said, now refers to both men and women - so why should women be singled out for special mention? For the very reason that if women are not aluded to - all their contributions are lost.… (mais)