THANK YOU FOR BEING A MARINE: BEA ARTHUR'S MILITARY SERVICE
You know her from a variety of shows, plays, and movies, including All in the Family, Maude, and Golden Girls. However, do you realize that Bea Arthur's military background wasn’t just heroic but monumental? The American Armed Forces haven’t always been accepting of women. In actuality we still have a long way to go in the name of equality. But during World War II, the military began reevaluating this stance. Specifically in the case of Bea Arthur’s military service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Sending out a call for women to support their country through service, the Marines would land a future Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress among its ranks. By the end, her service marked one of the first times women served in the armed forces, helped the U.S. get itself through WWII, and inspired other women to take up the cause. Related read: Women Veterans Day Celebrates Strength, Sacrifice of Service Members
Was Bea Arthur in the Military?
Yes, Bea Arthur's military career would take off after enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1943. It was during this time that the military was looking for women to help the war effort in the thick of World War II. Being nearly 21 years of age and ready to serve her country, Bernice Frankel, as she was known at the time, would answer the call and become both a truck driver and typist. She would achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving her honorable discharge in 1945. Her contributions to the Marines were significant then and continue to have an impact today. Women began being accepted into the American Armed Forces, including the U.S. Marine Corps, in 1948 due to the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. Arthur’s service was a trailblazing moment and marks some of the first modern involvement of women in the branch. Suggested read: Pinpointing the First Woman in the Military is Trickier Than You Think
All in the Military Family
Bea Arthur helped serve as a Woman Reservist during World War II. The conflict would provide a path to some of the first women involved with the force. By the end of the war, more than 20,000 women would become Marines, helping defeat the Axis powers. It was just before her 21st birthday that Bea Arthur’s military career would begin. According to Arthur’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), Private Frankel attended the first Women's Reserve school at Hunter College in New York City before being assigned to USMCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. Her time serving at the installation in North Carolina would see her helping with driving, dispatching, and typing efforts necessary to keep military operations in order. After her honorable discharge in 1945, Arthur would end up pursuing the career path that would make her a household name. Arthur’s comedic timing, the ability to maintain deadpan delivery, and her overall acting chops would become more refined and perfected after serving, but once a Marine, always a Marine. For decades, and even now, she warmed our hearts through a variety of media, but it was her work in the military that helped both the branch she served as well as women throughout all branches who would come to join in later years.
Bea Arthur in the Military, Monumental for Women
It’s easy to point to the stardom that would come after Bea Arthur served in the military. She was a talented actress and comedienne, but her contributions helped see America through the deadliest war man has ever known while also blazing trails for women. Pinpointing who was actually first to serve in any military branch or capacity can get convoluted, although these are still noble, important topics to explore. But there’s no denying that those serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve before women were widely accepted into the force represents an enormous and historic achievement. Bea Arthur's military background came before the bright lights of Broadway, the big screen, or the small screen. Whatever she put her mind to, Arthur commanded with discipline and elevated those around her as a result. Read next: Where Is the Air Force One Cast Now?