GREER-EMILY

A  WORLD  WAR  ONE  FEMALE  YEOMAN (F)

When the United States entered World War One in 1917, the Navy soon found itself suffering from a shortage of qualified personnel.  The Secretary of the Navy initiated an investigation as to enlistment requirements and when it was discovered that “all persons” who may be capable of performing special useful service were eligible for enlistment, the Bureau of Navigation sent out a letter on March 19, 1917, authorizing the enlistment of women into the Naval Coast Defense Reserve to be “utilized as radio operators, stenographers, nurses, messengers, chauffeurs, etc. and in many other capacities in the industrial line.”  The majority of the women who were recruited into the Navy were designated as Yeomen (F) for female yeomen.

Emily Victoria Greer was reportedly born on January 12, 1895, and was one of the women who responded to the Navy’s call.  She was recruited in New York City on May 28, 1918, where she was enrolled as a Yeoman Third Class (F).  Three days later she commenced her work at the Navy Yard in New York City where she served until released from active duty on July 31, 1919, with the rate of Yeoman Second Class (F) following the end of World War One.  Soon thereafter Emily became a lifetime member of the American Legion, joining the First Women’s Post No.2 American Legion in Brooklyn, New York, in 1919.  She would go on to later become Commander of American Legion Post 43 and was honored in 1947, being chosen “Mrs. Legionnaire” during her tenure.

Emily Victoria Greer died on January 8, 1972, and is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.

 

Submited by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)