Who was the first woman to be commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps in 1943?

• A. Opha Mae Johnson
• B. Anne Lentz
• C. Lucille McClarren
• D. Annie Grimes

Answer: (B)

During World War II the Marine Corps created the Women Marines Reserve to expand its workforce and fill critical roles. In 1943 the service began commissioning women as officers for the first time, formalizing women’s leadership within the Marine Corps. Anne Lentz is the name associated with the first woman commissioned as an officer in that pivotal year, illustrating how the Marines opened officer billets to women to meet wartime needs. This milestone is distinct from the earlier achievement of Opha Mae Johnson, who was the first woman to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1918, not to receive a commission. The emphasis in 1943 was on granting official officer status to women, marking a significant step in the evolution of women’s roles in the service.