Loretta Perfectus Walsh Poem by Robert Sheridan

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

'2008'