What roles did WAVES members perform in the U.S. Navy during World War II?

During World War II, approximately 100,000 members of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) served in the U.S. Navy in a variety of essential roles. While many were assigned to clerical and administrative office work, the organization provided opportunities for women to perform tasks previously reserved for men.1

Key roles and responsibilities included:

• Naval Aviation: At least one-third of WAVES were assigned to aviation-related duties, including serving as instructors for male pilots-in-training.1
• Technical and Scientific Operations: The Navy actively recruited women with backgrounds in mathematics, engineering, and the physical sciences to perform complex tasks, such as calculating bomb trajectories.1
• General Support: WAVES performed a wide range of essential duties that supported the broader naval mission, though they were initially restricted from serving overseas.1

It is important to note that while the WAVES were treated as a formal part of the Navy rather than an auxiliary, the organization initially excluded African-American women until the final months of the war, a policy that was corrected by presidential order.1