Rear Admiral Louise Currie Wilmot (born December 31, 1942) is a retired United States Navy officer who was the first woman to command a United States Naval base. When she retired after 30 years of service, she was the highest ranking female naval officer in the United States.
Early life Raised in Wayne, New Jersey, Wilmot attended Wayne Valley High School and earned a degree in history from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, New Jersey, in 1964.Louise C. Wilmot Papers, 1918–1999 (bulk 1964–1997): Finding Aid, United States Naval Academy, October 2010. Accessed February 27, 2018. "Louise Currie Wilmot was born on December 31, 1942 in Wayne, New Jersey to Woodrow and Dorothy Currie. After completing high school, Wilmot attended the College of Saint Elizabeth, graduating in June 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in History."
Navy career Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, Omaha (1979–) Commander of the Navy Recruiting Area Five in Great Lakes, Michigan (1985–) Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Vice Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Florida Commander of the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida (1989–) Commanding Officer, Naval Base Philadelphia (1993–1994)
Wilmot retired in 1994. She was the highest ranking female Naval officer at that time.
Awards and decorations Wilmot's decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with three gold stars), the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal.
Education Wilmot earned a master's degree from George Washington University in 1978 and was recognized with the GW Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994.
Post-navy career Following retirement Wilmot joined Catholic Relief Services as deputy executive director of public outreach.
Wilmot's papers are kept by the Special Collections and Archives Department of the United States Naval Academy.
See also Women in the United States Navy
References
Further reading
External links Louise C. Wilmot Papers, 1918; 1964-1999 MS 414 held by Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy