Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, Army’s Birthday, and Flag Day

Submitted by

Veteran & Family Services Office

On June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which allowed, for the first time, women to serve as permanent regular members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and the newly formed Air Force.

Prior to this Act, women could enlist as volunteers in clerical positions or as nurses. The exception to this was during WWII when Congress briefly gave the Women’s Army Corps full Army status. At the time of the Integration Act, women were also limited to two percent of the total force in each branch.

Army Birthday:

As the British continued to tax the American colonists without representation, it angered the colonists. The colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor so that they wouldn’t have to pay taxes for it. This later became known as the Boston Tea Party. This enraged the British, so they imposed more restrictions and taxes on the colonists. The colonists fought back. It went from being a conflict to open warfare. A few months later on June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress voted to create the Continental Army. The next day, Congress voted and appointed General George Washington as the Commander in Chief.

Army Fun Facts:

Before World War II, 45th Infantry Division members wore a swastika patch on their left shoulder in honor of Native Americans. It was changed to a Thunderbird in the 1930s.

Twenty-Four U.S. Presidents have served in the Army.

The Army owns so much land that if it was a state, it would be larger than Hawaii and Massachusetts combined.

The famous 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard” is an official ceremonial unit and escort to the President of the United States, and is also in charge of the “Changing of the Guard Ceremony” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Old Guard received The American Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal in 2016.  Happy Birthday to the US Army! And thank you to all who served!

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag in June 14, 1777. It was adopted by resolution in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until August 3, 1949 that President Harry S. Truman signed the national observance into law after Congressional approval. Pennsylvania is the only state to recognize Flag Day as a Federal holiday. The Flag is an emblem of our unity power, thought and purpose as a nation. There have been many versions. In fact, it has been changed 27 times! In 1960, the last star was added for Hawaii. There are 6 American Flags on the moon. Five are standing and one fell over. Each color of the flag has a symbolic meaning.  Red stands for hardiness and valor. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.