Category: World War names
When Memorial Day—then called Decoration Day—was first observed on May 30, 1868 to honor and decorate the graves of the Civil War dead, much of the impetus for it came from women—particularly in the South. It was a woman poet who conceived the idea of wearing poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving the nation during war.
Over the years, though, the emphasis has been on the brave G.I. Joes who sacrificed their lives. But we’re here to say that there were many equally courageous women who played their parts in and out of the military—as soldiers (sometimes disguised as men—we have to assume they didn’t have to pass a physical), battlefield nurses, scouts and guides, spies (many), messengers and couriers.
Here are the heroine names (including a few unusual ones) of some of the outstanding women who served from the Revolutionary War to World War II—worthy namesakes all.