Valiant Women

A groundbreaking new history of the role of American women in WWII,illuminating their forgotten yet essential role in contributing towards the Allies’ victory. Over 400000 women served in uniform during World War II. These women advised generals; they laid cables; they translatedcommunicatedand transmitted top secret intelligence; they flew planes; and they died for their country. They were directly involved in some of the most important moments of the war–the D-Day landingsthe island-hopping campaign in the Pacificthe peace negotiations in Paristo name a few. Moreovertheir work–both individually and in total–was at the core of the warfighting enterprise during World War II. The servicewomen of World War II were everywhereand they helped us win the war. Yet until nowtheir stories have been relegated to the dusty shelves of military archivesused bookstoresor a passing mention in the local paper. Now military analyst Lena Andrews corrects the record with the definitive historical account of American servicewomen in World War II. In Valiant WomenAndrews introduces readers to women like Oveta Culp HobbyTeddy KenyonGrace HopperFrances Ebersole Smithand Aleda Lutz–and literally thousands of women just like them–who make Rosie the Riveter look downright quaint. Their stories are inspiringshockingand heartbreaking. Alongside these remarkable storiesValiant Women reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of combat in World War II and illustrates important realities about modern warfighting that have traditionally been relegated to the footnotes of historyholding key lessons for the wars of tomorrow. The story of military women in World War II isat its corethe story of World War II itself. If we want to understand this warAndrews arguesthen we must know its women.