Digest>Archives> September 1999

What was a SPAR?

Comments?    


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
An unidentifed SPAR from the World War II era

Anticipating the formation of the Coast Guard Women's Reserve, Coast Guard leadership wanted a catchy name to distinguish themselves from the WAVES and WAACS (later WACS). In a November 14, 1942, memo to wartime Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Russell R. Waesche, Lt. Dorothy C. Stratton (the first director of the Coast Guard Women's Reserve) wrote, " The motto of the Coast Guard is "Semper Paratus -Always Ready." The initials of this motto are, of course, SPAR. Why not call the members of the Women's Reserve SPARs?...As I understand it, a spar is often a supporting beam, and that is what we hope each member of the Women's Reserve will be...I like SPARs because it really has meaning."

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Shown here is an original handbook for Waves and ...


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
This reproduction, in miniature, is of a famous ...

On Nov. 23, 1942, Public Law # 773 officially created the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve. More than 10,000 women volunteered between 1942-1946. At the peak of the Coast Guard's Reserve strength during World War II, one out of every 16 enlisted members and one out of every 12 officers was a SPAR.

Several SPARs of note were Lt. Edith F. Munro who was the mother of Signalman First Class Douglas Munro, the Coast Guard's only Medal of Honor recipient; YN2 Olivia J. Hooker, the first African-American SPAR (who was encouraged to join by fellow Coast Guardsman Alex Haley of Roots fame), and SN Florence Smith Finch, a POW during World War II prior to her joining the SPARs.

The SPARs were demobilized on June 30, 1946, although a limited number of them returned to active duty and served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Eventually, a Coast Guard Cutter was named the SPAR in honor of the SPARs of World War II. From 1974 and on, the vessel served out of the Portland, Maine area and one of its missions was service to the area's lighthouses. After 54 years of service the vessel was decommissioned in Feb. 1977. Many former SPARs attended the decommissioning service.

Shown here is an original handbook for Waves and Spars published in 1944. The book dealt with such things as how to observe the chain of command, wardroom etiquette, weddings, and how to act, including the rules of holding hands, dating and the chewing of gum.

There must still be a few of these posters around. We would love to have one of these posters to display in our museum. If anyone knows where we can find one, please write to Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 1690, Wells, Maine 04090.

This story appeared in the September 1999 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.


Subscribe
to Lighthouse Digest



USLHS Marker Fund


Lighthouse History
Research Institute


Shop Online












Subscribe   Contact Us   About Us   Copyright Foghorn Publishing, 1994- 2024   Lighthouse Facts     Lighthouse History