The Navy's acting chief of Information (CHINFO) honored Rosalind J. Henneman for her service during World War II in a ceremony, May 21.

Capt. Greg Hicks, acting chief of Information, spoke to 99-year-old Henneman and her guests in a small ceremony at her home. Hicks talked about how Henneman paved the way for future women to actively serve in the U.S. Navy.

"We carry on that flame which you started as a WAVE," said Hicks. "Today, women in service are fighting in fighter jets, they're in submarines, commanding ships, and we've had a four-star admiral. There are 62,000 women in our naval service, and that's just in our active component."

Henneman served as a specialist seaman second class during World War II from February 1943 to October 1944. During her career, she served as a link trainer operator and flight instrument instructor. She trained numerous Navy pilots on the proper use of highly specialized equipment.

"I can't express my overwhelming pleasure in serving my country," said Henneman. "My mother and dad came from Sweden and we were all taught to appreciate the United States of America, and the freedoms which came to us."

The Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program was created in 1942. More than 350,000 women responded to the need for additional support during World War II. In 1948, women gained permanent status in the Navy with the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. The WAVES program was later disestablished in 1972.

During her time of service, Henneman earned the rank of specialist second class and received the American Campaign Medal for service within the American theater of operations, and the World War II Victory Medal for service in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime.