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Wilma Vaught
Wilma Vaught
Wilma Vaught
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Wilma L. Vaught (born March 15, 1930)[1] is a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general. She was the first woman to deploy with an Air Force bomber unit,[2] and the first woman to reach the rank of brigadier general from the comptroller field.[3]

Key Information

Education

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Vaught graduated from the University of Illinois College of Business in 1952. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1968. In August 1972, she became the first female Air Force officer to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort Lesley J. McNair.

Military career

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Vaught joined the military in the 1950s when there were strong restrictions on the number of women who could be in the military and the capacity in which they could serve. Some of these policies changed in 1967 due to an increased need for human resources caused by the Vietnam War. Vaught then became an officer and was deployed to Vietnam.

Vaught with Defense Secretary Robert Gates at Arlington National Cemetery in 2007

In January 1957, Vaught was commissioned a second lieutenant following her completion of Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.[4] She then spent three months as a student at the Statistical Services Officers' Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. In September 1957, she was assigned to the 805th Air Base Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, as chief of the Data Services Branch and, as an additional duty, commanded the Women's Air Force Squadron Section. Vaught served at Zaragoza Air Base, Spain, as chief of the Management Analysis Division, 3974th Combat Support Group, from April 1959 to April 1963.

Returning to the United States, she then was assigned to the 306th Combat Support Group at McCoy Air Force Base, Florida, as chief of the Data Services Division. She later became chief of the Management Analysis Division for the 306th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at McCoy. During this period, the general became the first woman to deploy with a Strategic Air Command operational unit when she served a temporary duty tour as executive officer and chief of the Management Analysis Division, 4133rd Provisional Bombardment Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Operation Arc Light.

From June 1967 to September 1968, Vaught was a graduate student at the University of Alabama. Her next year was spent as a management analyst in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam.[4] Upon completion of her Southeast Asia tour of duty in November 1969, she was assigned to Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as chief of the Advanced Logistics Systems Plans and Management Group where she remained until July 1972. In August 1972, Vaught began attending the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

From July 1973 until November 1977, Vaught was assigned to the Directorate of Management Analysis, Office of the Comptroller, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

She was chief of the Cost Factors Branch and later became chief of the Security Assistance Division.

Tammy Duckworth and Vaught in 2010

Vaught was next assigned to Air Force Systems Command headquarters as director of programs and budget in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller. The general became the command's deputy chief of staff, comptroller, in March 1980. Vaught was promoted to brigadier general September 8, 1980, with date of rank September 6, 1980. She is the first woman selected for promotion to brigadier general in the comptroller career field. She assumed command of the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command in June 1982.

The general served as the senior military representative to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services[5] and was chairperson of the Committee of Women in the NATO Armed Forces. In 1983, General Vaught was given the Illini Achievement Award by the University of Illinois; an award given annually to recognize the accomplishments of distinguished graduates. She also served as president of the board of directors of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union from April 1976 to July 1982. She is the only woman in its history to hold this position.

Her military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.[6]

Activity after military career

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Vaught awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in July 2022

Vaught became concerned that the role of women in the military was going unnoticed, and pushed for a memorial as the leader of the Women in Military Service to America Memorial Foundation. This resulted in the Women in Military Service for America Memorial[7] being built at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery where there is also a painting of her displayed at the Womens Auxiliary created by artist Jared Seff.[8]

Vaught received the Veterans of Foreign Wars' James E. Van Zandt Citizenship Award.[9]

In 2000, Vaught was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

In 2010, Vaught was inducted into the U.S. Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame.[10][11]

On July 7, 2022, Vaught received the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.[12]

She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.[13]

References

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Wilma Vaught

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from Grokipedia
Wilma L. Vaught (born March 15, 1930) is a retired United States Air Force brigadier general who pioneered opportunities for women in military service, becoming the first to deploy with a Strategic Air Command bombardment wing in 1966 during the Vietnam War. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and later a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama, joining the Air Force in 1957 after initial service considerations. In 1972, Vaught became the first female officer to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, advancing through comptroller roles that led to her promotion to in 1980—the first woman in that career field to achieve the rank. From 1982 to 1985, she commanded the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, overseeing recruitment processing, before retiring as one of only seven female generals at the time; her decorations include the , Distinguished Service Medal, , and . Post-retirement, Vaught established the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, serving as its president and raising over $20 million to fund a national memorial at dedicated to nearly two million women veterans, while also chairing NATO's Women in the Allied Forces Committee and advising on women's military integration.

Early Life and Education

Early Years

Wilma L. Vaught was born on March 15, 1930, in . Her father initially labored at the Pontiac division of , where he installed tires on automobiles, but with the onset of the shortly after her birth, he shifted to farming to ensure family . The family relocated from to when Vaught was about one year old, and soon after moved again to Scotland, —a small rural community—where they established a farming life amid economic hardship. As the firstborn child in a modest household, Vaught endured the deprivations of Depression-era rural America; she had an brother who died at around 1.5 years of age, followed by a born eleven years after her own birth.

Academic and Professional Preparation

Vaught earned a degree in business from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1952. She subsequently obtained a from the . These qualifications provided a foundation in business and management principles that aligned with her later specialization in management analysis within the Air Force. After completing her undergraduate education, Vaught entered the in 1957, receiving a commission as a in January of that year. She underwent initial professional training through the Officer Basic Military Training Course at , , which prepared her for administrative and analytical roles in military operations. This early preparation emphasized skills in and organizational efficiency, setting the stage for her progression in personnel and functions.

Military Career

Initial Service and Assignments

Vaught was commissioned as a in the United States in 1957 following her graduation from , entering the career field with a focus on management analysis. She completed the Officer's Basic Military Training Course at , , that same year, marking the start of her active-duty service in an era when women comprised a small fraction of officers and opportunities were limited by gender restrictions. In September 1957, Vaught received her initial operational assignment to the 805th Air Base Group at , , where she served as chief of the Data Services Branch, becoming one of the first women in such a technical role within the Strategic Air Command's bomber operations. She also took on additional duties as director of women's programs on base, reflecting the Air Force's practice at the time of assigning female officers to oversee enlisted women's activities alongside their primary roles. This posting provided her early exposure to logistical data management in support of B-47 bomber operations, honing skills in and resource allocation that defined her specialty. From April 1959 to 1963, Vaught was reassigned overseas to , , as chief of the Management Analysis Division, where she managed budgeting, cost analysis, and for units in amid tensions. In this capacity, she pioneered data-driven improvements in resource distribution for tactical airlift and support missions, often navigating male-dominated command structures as one of few female officers at the installation. Her performance during this four-year tour solidified her reputation for analytical precision, leading to further specialized training and assignments in the comptroller field upon return to the .

Vietnam Deployments

Vaught's first deployment in support of the occurred in 1966, when she became the first woman to serve with a (SAC) bombardment wing on an operational assignment. Assigned to the 4133rd Provisional Bombardment Wing at on , she provided comptroller support for B-52 Stratofortress bombing missions targeting , marking a significant breakthrough for female officers in operational units previously restricted to male personnel. This temporary duty tour, lasting into 1967, involved financial management and resource allocation amid the escalating air campaign, including . Following graduate studies at the from June 1967 to September 1968, Vaught returned to for a one-year tour in Saigon from late 1968 to 1969. There, she served as a management analyst in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Comptroller, (MACV), headquartered in the III Corps Tactical Zone. Her duties focused on budgeting, fiscal oversight, and analytical support for U.S. forces during a period of intense ground operations and the aftermath of the , at a time when women comprised only four personnel at MACV headquarters. Throughout both deployments, Vaught navigated restrictions on women in the , including lack of formal weapons training; she independently qualified as a marksmanship expert, earning the corresponding . Her service in the field underscored the critical administrative backbone enabling operations, while her presence challenged gender barriers in forward-deployed roles. For her contributions, she received the , Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Senior Commands and Promotions

In March 1980, Vaught assumed the role of deputy , , for at , . Later that year, she was promoted to , marking her as the first woman in the career field to attain rank. In June 1982, Vaught took command of the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM), headquartered in , overseeing enlistment processing for all U.S. armed services branches. She held this position, her final active-duty assignment, until her retirement from the on May 1, 1985, after 28 years of service. During her tenure, USMEPCOM managed the evaluation and qualification of over 1.5 million recruits annually across 65 stations and 1,400 medical examiners.

Retirement from Service

Vaught retired from the U.S. in 1985 after 28 years of commissioned service, having been promoted to in 1980. In her final assignment, she held dual roles as assistant deputy under secretary of the for management policy and organization, and director of the Defense Security Assistance Agency, positions that involved overseeing security assistance programs and policy formulation for management structures. Upon retirement, Vaught was among only three female brigadier generals in the Air Force and seven women generals across all U.S. armed services, reflecting the limited opportunities for female advancement in senior leadership at the time. Her departure marked the end of a career distinguished by pioneering deployments and command roles, including as the first woman to lead a major defense agency in security assistance. No public details on a formal retirement ceremony are documented in official records, though her service concluded amid recognition of her contributions to expanding women's roles in the .

Post-Military Contributions

Establishment of the Women in Military Service Memorial

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1985, Wilma L. Vaught assumed the role of founding president of the Women In Military Service For America (WIMSA) Memorial Foundation, Inc., incorporated that year to establish a national memorial recognizing the service of women in the U.S. armed forces. The effort stemmed from recognition that, despite extensive memorials in , for male veterans, none specifically honored women who had served since the Revolutionary War. Vaught led fundraising campaigns that amassed over $20 million in private donations, enabling of the at the ceremonial entrance to on a site authorized by in 1986. The structure, designed by architects Michael Wilks and Thomas H. Kuchenberg with landscape by George Dodge Suhr, features a glass wall etched with servicewomen's names and exhibits chronicling their history. The memorial was dedicated on October 18, 1997, in a ceremony presided over by President , attended by thousands including active-duty personnel and veterans, signifying formal acknowledgment of women's military contributions. Vaught's oversight extended through the Foundation's operations, during which she served as president for 29 years until relinquishing the position on January 1, 2016, becoming president emeritus.

Advocacy for Military Women

Vaught extended her commitment to military women beyond her by leading initiatives focused on recognition, , and policy support for their contributions and needs. As president of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation from 1986 until stepping down on January 1, 2016, she directed programs that registered over 250,000 women veterans and promoted public awareness of their service history through exhibits, oral histories, and educational outreach. In speeches and public engagements, Vaught emphasized equality and the erasure of barriers for servicewomen, drawing from her experiences as one of the few female generals in the . For instance, in an August 2013 address at , she highlighted the progress in women's roles since her era, when only three women held ranks across U.S. forces, while urging continued advancement in opportunities and benefits. She also commended policy priorities for servicewomen's welfare, as in her 2010 remarks praising Michelle Obama's focus on military families and women from the outset of the administration. Her efforts influenced broader recognition of women veterans, including through participation in coalitions and events honoring their service, such as the 2018 Military Women's Coalition inaugural meeting where she was acknowledged for longstanding leadership. Vaught's advocacy earned her designation as a Champion of Change in , specifically for advancing women veterans' visibility and support. These activities underscored her role in bridging historical service with contemporary policy needs, without relying on unsubstantiated narratives of systemic barriers beyond verifiable career data.

Awards, Honors, and Legacy

Military Decorations

Vaught received the for exceptionally meritorious service in a position of great responsibility contributing to national defense. She also earned the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions to the Air Force mission. Her personal decorations further include the for exceptionally meritorious conduct in sustained performance of outstanding services to the government. The was awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone, reflecting her Vietnam deployments. Additional commendations encompass the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal with one , honoring superior performance in non-combat duties across various assignments. She received the for collective unit excellence under her command. Campaign and service medals include the with four service stars, denoting participation in four designated campaigns during her Southeast Asia tours from 1967 to 1972. Foreign awards comprise the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, bestowed by the South Vietnamese government for valor and operational contributions.

Civilian Recognitions and Enduring Impact

In 2022, Vaught received the , the highest civilian honor in the United States, from President on July 7 at the , recognizing her pioneering military service and advocacy for women veterans. That same year, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her sustained leadership and contributions to the armed forces. She was also inducted into the National Defense University Alumni Hall of Fame in 2022, honoring her strategic influence and educational impact. Vaught's post-retirement efforts culminated in the establishment of the Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial at , dedicated on October 18, 1997, as the nation's first major monument specifically honoring the service of over 3 million American women in uniform since the Revolutionary War. As founder and president emeritus of the WIMSA Memorial Foundation, she raised $22.5 million through private donations and congressional support, ensuring the memorial's creation despite initial skepticism, and it now serves as an educational center preserving artifacts, oral histories, and exhibits on women's military roles. Her advocacy extended to policy influence, including testimony before on gender integration and veteran benefits, fostering greater institutional recognition of women's contributions amid historical underrepresentation. Vaught's legacy endures through the annual Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award, established by the in 2012 to recognize innovative civilian and military personnel exemplifying her commitment to service and equality. By breaking bureaucratic barriers as the first female general and championing archival preservation, she advanced causal pathways for expanded opportunities for women in defense roles, evidenced by subsequent rises in female officer promotions and memorial-inspired recruitment initiatives.

References

  1. https://news.va.gov/72217/veteran-of-the-day-air-force-veteran-wilma-l-vaught/
  2. https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/wilma-l-vaught/
  3. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/105332/brigadier-general-wilma-l-vaught/
  4. https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/assets/1/28/Vaught_Wilma_Transcript_wFootnotes.pdf
  5. https://www.womenshistory.org/brig-gen-wilma-vaught-usaf-ret
  6. https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/history_and_legacy/oral_history/vaught%2C-wilma/
  7. https://news.va.gov/72217/veteranoftheday-air-force-veteran-wilma-l-vaught/
  8. https://womensmemorial.org/leadership/wilma-l-vaught/
  9. https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=13326&Dept=1
  10. https://www.airmantomom.com/2020/03/wilma-vaught/
  11. https://www.historynet.com/brigadier-general-wilma-vaught-u-s-air-force-ret/
  12. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/521513535
  13. https://www.dar.org/national-society/historic-sites-and-properties/women-military-service-memorial
  14. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/women-veterans/brigadier-general-wilma-l.-vaught
  15. https://blogs.cornell.edu/issues/looking-at-dc/women-in-military-service-for-america-memorial/
  16. https://womensmemorial.org/25th-anniversary/
  17. https://www.459arw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/679320/duty-honor-pride-brig-gen-vaught-speaks-on-womens-equality-at-the-club/
  18. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/519623/first-lady-advocates-military-women-families-predecessors-mold
  19. https://news.va.gov/press-room/military-womens-coalition-inaugural-meeting/
  20. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/champions/women-veterans
  21. https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-392805/
  22. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3088082/biden-awards-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-air-force-legend/
  23. https://womensmemorial.org/march-with-me/
  24. https://www.afpc.af.mil/News/Article/1438744/vaught-visionary-leadership-award-winners-named/
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