Some 350,000 women volunteered for military service during World War II, serving as nurses and in noncombat staff positions. When the war ended they were demobilized along with most of the men and received the same veterans benefits. Everyone wanted to keep the Army and Navy Nurse Corps, but some military men wanted to abolish the women's corps WAC, WAVES, SPARS, and Women Marines. Opponents of these organizations thought the servicewomen degraded the heroic male role of soldier, or degraded femininity by being prostitutes or lesbians. This negative attitude toward women in the military drastically reduced the willingness of women to volunteer. But those in positions of high command—generals and admirals—had a very different viewpoint. They were greatly impressed by women's efficiency and military bearing and wanted women's service organizations to remain permanently.

Post-World War II

A compromise was...