A Marine's Story: Sergeant Opha May Johnson

Sergeant Opha May Johnson was born on May 4, 1878, in Kokomo, Indiana.  Moving to Washington, DC, she graduated from Wood's Commerical College in 1895.

Sergeant Opha May Johnson worked for the Interstate Commerce Commission until 1918 when, in response to World War I, the U.S. Marine Corps opened enlistment to women.

On August 13, 1918, she was the first woman in line to enlist, thus becoming the first woman to be called a U.S. Marine.

Sergeant Opha May Johnson was assigned to clerical duties at Marine Corps headquarters.

Discharged at the end of World War I, she went on to work for the war department, still serving the Marine Corps until her retirement in 1943.  Sergeant Opha May Johnson died on August 11, 1955, and rests in Rock Creek Cemetery.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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