Fort Gregg-Adams in Prince George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
World War II
Women in War
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 28, 2025
1. World War II Marker
While the Army was slow to officially accept women into its ranks, the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 accelerated already ongoing and heated discussions in Congress concerning the ability of women to serve in the Armed Forces. The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was established the following year in response to a manpower shortage. With the rallying cry of "Free a Man to fight" the call went out to American women asking them to join up and help the war cause. Initially, only four career fields were open to women, but their utilization expanded exponentially as their efficiency, skills and dedication were recognized by the Army. They served in every non-combatant military occupational specialty and were assigned to all theaters of operation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1941.
Location. 37° 14.619′ N, 77° 20.735′ W. Marker is in Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, in Prince George County. It is on 20th Street south of Shop Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: World War I (here, next to this marker); American Civil War (a few steps from this marker); American Revolution (a few steps from this marker); 14th Army WAC Band (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War (within shouting distance of this marker); Trees and Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War (within shouting distance of this marker); Operation Urgent Fury - Grenada (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Gregg-Adams.
More about this marker. In 2025 the garrison opened the old 19th Street gate as a public access route to the Museum Enclave - which includes this marker and the Army Women's and Quartermaster Museums as well as the limited-access Ordnance Training Support Facility (housing parts of the Aberdeen Proving Ground collection) - by changing the security perimeter to exclude the museums and enable direct public access.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 28 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on February 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
