Rita Lenihan

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Rita Lenihan
Born1914
Monroe, New York
DiedNovember 23, 1989 (age 75)
Bethesda, Maryland
Allegiance United States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1943 to 1970
RankCaptain
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsLegion of Merit
Other workRegent of Georgetown University

Captain Rita Lenihan (1914 – November 23, 1989) was an officer in the United States Navy. She served as Director of the WAVES and Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women from 1966 to 1970.

Early life

Lenihan was born in

College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey where she majored in Latin.[2] This knowledge would be used by her to devise the motto for the WAVES: Honoris Est Nobis Navare Navales, which translates from Latin as It is an honor for us to serve the fleet.[1][2] She then attended the Graduate School of Columbia University where she studied classics.[1]

Military career

Lenihan received officer training at the

Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.[1] She returned to the USA and joined the Potomac River Naval Command as Director of Officer Personnel.[1]

She served as officer in charge of the WAVES Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island.[4] From 1959 to 1961, she was based at the Bureau of Naval Personnel where served as coordinator for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program and as administrator of the Naval Academy Preparatory School.[1] Promoted to commander,[5] she was Deputy Director of the WAVES from 1961 to 1963. She joined the staff of the Naval War College.[1] In 1966, she was appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel and Director of the Waves.[4]

She retired from the military in 1970.[3]

Later life

In 1972, Lenihan joined the

Board of Regents.[4] She served as Chair from 1975 to 1978.[3][4]

She died on November 23, 1989. She had been suffering from cancer and was receiving treatment at the

National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.[6]

Honors and decorations

Lenihan was a recipient of the

College of Saint Elizabeth.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Captain Rita Lenihan, USN". The Nutley Hall of Fame. Nutley Public Library. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Early Director of Navy's WAVES Dies". Associated Press. 25 November 1989. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Rita Lenihan, 75, Who Led Navy's Women". The New York Times. 25 November 1989. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Retired Capt. Rita Lenihan". Chicago Tribune. 26 November 1989. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  5. ISBN 9781574410228
    .
  6. ^ "Rita Lenihan; Headed Women's Branch of Navy". Los Angeles Times. 30 November 1989. Retrieved 20 January 2014.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women
1966 – 1970 		Succeeded by
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