Born January 19, 1905

Killeen, Texas

Died August 16, 1995

Houston, Texas

Director of the Women's Army Corps

"(Women) are carrying on the glorious tradition of American womanhood. They are making history! This is a war which recognizes no distinctions between men and women."
Oveta Culp Hobby. © Bettmann/Corbis. Reproduced by permission.

Oveta Culp Hobby was an attorney and a journalist who became director of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). On July 1, 1943, WAAC was given full military status, making it part of the U.S. Army. The unit was renamed Women's Army Corps (WAC) and Hobby became the first female commanding officer in the U.S. Army. She was commissioned a WAC colonel in 1943 and remained as director until July 1945. In January of that year, Hobby received the military's Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding service to her country during World War II (1939–45).

President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969; served...