During World War II, McAfee took a leave of absence from
Wellesley to direct the newly formed WAVES, a force that eventually numbered
more than 80,000 women, both enlisted and officer. The Women's Reserve (WR) was
created when President Roosevelt signed the authorizing legislation into law on
July 30, 1942. McAfee was commissioned as a lieutenant commander the following
week, on August 3, and quickly set down rules for enlisted women, including
that they use only enough make-up "to look human". With others, she
campaigned for WAVES to have the same pay and benefits as their male
counterparts. These efforts resulted in Public Law 183, effective on November
9, 1943, which entitled all WR personnel the allowances and benefits available
to men. It also provided for one captain in the Women's Reserve; Lieutenant
Commander McAfee was promoted to captain later that same month. During the peak
of World War II, Captain McAfee commanded 82,000 women.
After the war, McAfee resigned from the Naval Reserve. She
was the first woman to receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, presented
to her by Navy Secretary Forrestal on November 7, 1945. She also received the
American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
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