Mary Louise Rasmuson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Louise Rasmuson
Birth name	Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson
Born	(1911-04-11)April 11, 1911 East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Died	July 30, 2012(2012-07-30) (aged 101) Anchorage, Alaska, US
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1942–62
Rank	Colonel
Commands held	Women's Army Corps
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Legion of Merit

Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson (born April 11, 1911 – died July 30, 2012) was an important American army officer. She was the fifth director of the Women's Army Corps (WAC), a special group for women in the army.

Mary Louise's Early Life and Education

Mary Louise was born in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She studied education at Carnegie Mellon University. Later, she earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining the army, she worked as a secretary, a teacher, and even an assistant principal.

Joining the Army and World War II

She joined the United States Army during World War II. She started as a private, which is the lowest rank. At that time, the army was trying out new ways to use women as military professionals.

Leading the Women's Army Corps

Lt. Col. Mary Louise Milligan receives the Legion of Merit from Maj. Gen. Willard S. Paul, Director of Personnel and Administration, 1946.

Mary Louise moved up through the ranks in the army. In 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower chose her to be the director of the Women's Army Corps. Four years later, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy asked her to continue in this important role.

Col. Mary Louise Milligan is sworn in as Director, WAC, by Maj. Gen. Herbert M. Jones, Adjutant General, Department of the Army, on 3 January 1957. Secretary of the Army Wilber M. Brucker is also present.

Col. Mary Louise Milligan shakes hands with WAC deputy director, Lt. Col. Lucile G. Odbert, at her reappointment as WAC Director, 3 January 1961. Her mother is on her left.

She played a key part in allowing black women to join the Corps. For her excellent work, she received the Legion of Merit award. During her five and a half years as director, the number of women in the WAC grew from 8,300 to 11,100. The Army also created many new job types for women. Mary Louise helped show everyone how valuable women's service was to the army.

Life After the Army

In 1961, she married Elmer E. Rasmuson, who was the president of a bank in Alaska. She was the only WAC director to get married while still in her job. The next year, she retired from the army. She then moved to Anchorage, Alaska.

Col. Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson and Lt. Gen. Russell L. Vittrup, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army, at her retirement at Fort McClellan, 30 July 1962.

After leaving the army, Mary Louise helped her husband with his charity work. They supported civil rights and helped improve education and culture in Anchorage. She also joined several military groups and local boards. These included the Alaska Crippled Children's Association and the American Cancer Society.

Mary Louise Rasmuson passed away at her home when she was 101 years old. She is buried in Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mary Louise's Legacy

The Rasmusons were very important in starting and growing the Anchorage Museum. In 2023, the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System was named in her honor.