Beverly Kelley

Beverly Kelley was the first woman to command a U.S. military vessel.[1][2]

Background

Kelley was raised in Miami, Florida and graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. In January 1976 she enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and then attended Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia from February through June 1976.[3] She earned her master of arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and a master of science degree in national resource management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.[4]

Career

Kelley was the first woman to command a Coast Guard cutter, a 95-foot patrol boat USCGC Cape Newagen in April 1979.[5][6] In 1996, she was also the first woman to command a medium endurance cutter, USCGC Northland[7][3] In 2000, she became commander of the high endurance cutter, USCGC Boutwell, and made history as the first woman ever to do so.[7] She retired on April 22, 2006 at the rank of captain.[4]

Honors

Her military decorations during her thirty years of service include: [4]

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References
  1. "She's Beverly, Not Shipwreck, Kelley—and the First Woman Ever to Command a U.S. Man-of-War". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  2. Iskra, Darlene M. (2010-03-23). Women in the United States Armed Forces: A Guide to the Issues: A Guide to the Issues. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313374968.
  3. "The Long Blue Line: Officer Candidate School and female trailblazers in the Coast Guard's officer corps". Compass. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  4. "RETIREMENT CEREMONY BEVERLY G. KELLEY CAPTAIN, U.S. COAST GUARD - PDF". docplayer.net. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  5. "Celebrating National Women's History Month 2011". www.womensmemorial.org. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  6. "Defense.gov News Article: Coast Guard Honors Centenarian, Its First Woman Commissioned Officer". archive.defense.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  7. "Always Ready: Women's Crucial Role in the U.S. Coast Guard". Defense Media Network. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
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