Hallaren, Mary A. (1907–2005)
Hallaren, Mary A. (1907–2005)
American army officer. Born Mary Agnes Hallaren, May 4, 1907, in Lowell, Massachusetts; died Feb 13, 2005, in McLean, Virginia; attended Boston University; graduate of Lowell State Teachers College (now Univ. of Massachusetts at Lowell).
Entered Officer Candidate School of Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (1942); served in various capacities in Women's Army Corps (WAC) including director of all WAC personnel in European Theater (appointed 1945), deputy director of WAC (appointed 1946), and (as colonel) director of WAC (1947–53); was the 1st woman to be sworn into duty with the regular army when the Women's Armed Services Integration Act took effect (June 12, 1948); retired from army (1960); served as director of Women in Community Service division of US Labor Department (beginning 1965); championed permanent status for women in the military after WWII. Decorated with the Bronze Star; inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame (1996).
See also Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation.