WAVES
In May 1941, several members of the American Women's Volunteer Services (AWVS) proposed to the Director of Naval Communications, RADM Leigh Noyes, that women should be given greater opportunity to contribute to the defense effort. The AWVS group suggested that dedicated wives of naval officers could make significant contributions in cryptanalysis, a field of endeavor believed to be short of qualified personnel.
A security clearance was not required for those applicants who were recommended by a naval officer and permission was granted to form a class of students to undergo basic instruction. The curriculum consisted of a correspondence course in elementary cryptanalysis, supplemented by an instructor's weekly classroom review of progress on home study. Twenty-five wives of naval officers, ranking from Lieutenant to Rear Admiral, began the course. Progress became quickly evident and, in three months, 21 of the women had completed the course. Their enthusiasm generated an unofficial title for the group: Special Women's Auxiliary Naval Service, or SWANS.
When the United States entered the war on 7 December 1941, this group of trained women was ready for assignment to cryptanalytic duties and they immediately volunteered for tasks that put their classroom work to practical use. They initially worked only when spare time was available, serving in teams performing cryptanalysis, translation, and censorship duties. Many were accorded Civil Service status.
By the summer of 1942, the original group of SWANS had been absorbed into various OP-20 offices. Several of the SWANS requested RADM Noyes to grant them official recognition as a uniformed branch of the Navy. Whatever specific action he took is unknown, nevertheless, on 30 July 1942, the Woman Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) came into being.
Over 2,000 WAVES were accepted for wartime service with OP-20-G. WAVES from all over the United States attended boot camp and were trained as "Radiomen." After their training had been completed, the WAVES were assigned to special duties at the Naval Security Station or at certain select field activities. Many of those WAVES stationed at the Naval Security Station were involved in the day to day operation of the "BOMBES" – early computers which performed the mathematical operations necessary to read enemy message traffic.
Other women, like the "Bainbridge Island Pioneer Waves" were trained as Japanese radio intercept operators. At the conclusion of their training at Bainbridge Island, Washington, the WAVES were assigned as watchstanders along with their male counterparts.
The contribution of the Navy’s female OP-20-G members was indeed critical – not only by allowing more men to go into combat, but also in helping to win the "SECRET WAR."
A Little Bit of History
The first WAVES were assigned to OP-20-G in late 1942. In December 1942, there were 7 WAVES (all officers) assigned to OP-20- G as opposed to 1011 males. By July 1943, the number of WAVEs had increased to 1630 (96 officer and 1534 enlisted) while the number of males had decreased to 910 (269 officer and 641 enlisted). As OP-20-G continued to expand, the number of WAVE billets increased to 2469 by Dec 1943 (361 officer and 2108 enlisted). By February 1944 the number of WAVES had increased to 2813 (406 officer and 2407 enlisted). The number of males on duty at this time decreased to 821 (374 officer and 447 enlisted).
In Memoriam
Our "Silent Keys"
Frances Suddeth Josephson 1921 - 2007
As a WAVE, what did you do? It is about time we recognized the WAVE contribution to the War effort. Would all you WAVES please sit down, write a few pages (more or less) about your job. Tell us where you were stationed, what you did, some significant events you participated in – in general, a little story about your World War II experience. Please send it to:
NCVA
PO BOX 16009
PENSACOLA FL 32507-6009