All too often we forget that in every conflict that our nation has experienced there have been courageous women who have served in the armed services. Their contributions to our freedoms are as important and heroic as the next person. Every time a woman has entered the military service she has done so as a “Volunteer”. In my eyes this makes her contributions even more significant and heroic. There has never been a draft for women but they have always been there to help protect our nation’s freedoms.
• Women were officially incorporated into the United States Military in 1901
• World War I approximately 34,000 women served
• World War II approximately 350,000 women served
• Vietnam War approximately 261,000 women served
• Since Desert Strom women make up approximately 17% of today’s military
AMAZING WOMEN in WAR and PEACE
History raves about the heroics of men in war...
but few instances are mentioned in
which female courage was displayed.
Yet during every conflict, and the peaceful years between,
they too were there.
This is the Story of: DEBORAH SAMSON
In October of 1778 Deborah Samson of Plympton, Massachusetts disguised herself as a young man and presented herself to the American army as a willing volunteer to oppose the common enemy. She enlisted for the whole term of the war as Robert Shirtliffe and served in the company of Captain Nathan Thayer of Medway, Massachusetts.
For three years she served in various duties and was wounded twice - the first time by a sword cut on the side of the head and four months later she was shot through the shoulder. Her sexual identity went undetected until she came down with a brain fever, then prevalent among the soldiers. The attending physician, Dr. Binney, of Philadelphia, discovered her charade, but said nothing. Instead he had her taken to his own home where she would receive better care. When her health was restored the doctor met with Robert's commanding officer and subsequently an order was issued for Robert Shirtliffe to carry a letter to General Washington. (This may also be "legend" as there is no record of her ever being in Philadelphia.)
When the order came for her to deliver a letter into the hands of the Commander-in-chief, she knew that her deception was over. She presented herself at the headquarters of Washington, trembling with dread and uncertainty. General Washington, to spare her embarrassment, said nothing. Instead he sent her with an aide to have some refreshments, then summoned her back. In silence Washington handed Deborah Samson a discharge from the service, a note with some words of advice, and a sum of money sufficient to bear her expenses home. (This, too, may well be more legend than fact.)
After the war Deborah Samson married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon and they had three children. During George Washington's presidency she received a letter inviting Robert Shirtliffe, or rather Mrs. Gannett, to visit Washington. During her stay at the capital a bill was passed granting her a pension, in addition to certain lands, which she was to receive as an acknowledgment for her services to the country in a military capacity as a Revolutionary Soldier, in part thanks to the efforts of Paul Revere.
(from the website http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvets.html.)