Louise Currie Wilmot
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Louise Currie Wilmot USN (ret.) was the first woman to command a United States Naval base. When she retired after thirty years of service, she was the highest ranking female Naval officer.
in Wayne, New Jersey
. In 1964, she earned a degree in history from the College of Saint Elizabeth
in Morris Township, New Jersey.
Admiral Wilmot retired in 1994. She was the highest ranking female Naval officer at that time.
in 1978 and was recognized with the GW Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994.
as deputy executive director of public outreach.
Her personal papers are kept by the Special Collections and Archives Department of the United States Naval Academy
.
Early life
Louise Wilmot attended Wayne Valley High SchoolWayne Valley High School
Wayne Valley High School is a comprehensive four-year public high school, one of the two high schools in Wayne, in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Wayne Public Schools...
in Wayne, New Jersey
Wayne, New Jersey
Wayne is a Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, located less than from midtown Manhattan. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069....
. In 1964, she earned a degree in history from the College of Saint Elizabeth
College of Saint Elizabeth
The College of Saint Elizabeth is a private Roman Catholic, four-year, liberal arts college for women. It is located in an unincorporated community called Convent Station, in Morris Township, New Jersey...
in Morris Township, New Jersey.
Navy career
- Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, Omaha (1979-)
- Commander of the Navy Recruiting Area Five in Great Lakes, Michigan.(1985-)
- Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
- Vice Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, FloridaPensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. - Commander of the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FloridaOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. (1989-) - Commanding Officer, Naval Base Philadelphia (1993–1994)
Admiral Wilmot retired in 1994. She was the highest ranking female Naval officer at that time.
Awards and decorations
RADM Wilmot's decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with three gold stars), the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal.
Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service MedalThe Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Joint Service Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
Education
Wilmot earned a Master's degree from George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1978 and was recognized with the GW Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994.
Post-Navy Career
Following retirement she joined Catholic Relief ServicesCatholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the U.S. bishops, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 90 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and...
as deputy executive director of public outreach.
Her personal papers are kept by the Special Collections and Archives Department of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
.