Kathleen A. McGrath: Difference between revisions
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==Awards== |
==Awards== |
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* [[Legion of Merit]]<ref name="britannica_mcgrath"/> |
* [[Legion of Merit]]<ref name="britannica_mcgrath"/> |
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* [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (received 4) |
* [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (received 4)<ref name="militaryhallofhonor_mcgrath"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 18:55, 17 May 2020
Captain Kathleen A. McGrath | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 4, 1952 |
| Died | September 26, 2002 (aged 50) |
| Other names | Kathy McGrath, Kathleen Anne McGrath |
| Alma mater | California State University, Sacramento |
| Occupation(s) | US Navy officer and ship commander |
| Known for | First woman to command a United States Navy warship. |
| Spouse | Gregory H. Brandon |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Rank | Captain |
Kathleen Anne McGrath (June 4, 1952 – September 26, 2002) was the first woman to command a United States Navy warship.
Early life
On June 4, 1952, McGrath was born in Columbus, Ohio. McGrath's father is Colonel James H. McGrath. McGrath's mother is Martha McGrath.[1][2][3]
Education
In 1975, McGrath earned a degree in Environmental Science from California State University, Sacramento.[4][2][5]
Career
McGrath worked in the United States Forestry Service until 1980 when she joined the US Navy. McGrath was deployed to the Western Pacific, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas.[1]
McGrath commanded the rescue and salvage ship USS Recovery in 1993 and 1994.[2]
In December 1998, Captain McGrath became commander of the frigate USS Jarrett. She was one of the group of five women, including Michelle J. Howard, Maureen Farren, Ann O'Connor, and Grace Mehl, chosen to be the first female combatant commanders in the United States Navy.[6][3]
In the spring of 2000, during her command of the Jarrett, and just six years after Congress revoked rules prohibiting women from serving on combat aircraft and warships, the ship deployed to the northern reaches of the Persian Gulf, hunting boats suspected of smuggling Iraqi oil in violation of United Nations sanctions.[1]
In May 2002, McGrath was promoted to the rank of Captain.[5]
Following her tour as commander of the Jarrett, McGrath served at the Joint Advanced Warfighting Unit in Alexandria, Virginia.[1]
Personal life
McGrath's husband was Gregory H. Brandon. They have two children.[1][2]
On September 26, 2002, McGrath died from from lung cancer at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She was 50 years old. McGrath is buried in Arlington National Cemetery: section 66, site 7274. [1][2]
Awards
- Legion of Merit[3]
- Meritorious Service Medal (received 4)[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Capt. Kathleen McGrath, 50, Pioneering Warship Commander". New York Times. October 1, 2002. p. B8. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Kathleen McGrath, Captain, United States Navy". arlingtoncemetery.net. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Kathleen McGrath, United States Naval Officer". britannica.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Mark (2000-03-27). "Aye, Aye, Ma'am". TIME. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
- ^ a b c "Kathleen Anne "Kathy" McGrath Captain, U.S. Navy". militaryhallofhonor.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Lang, John (1998-03-25). "Albuquerque woman to command Navy fighting ship". Albuquerque Times.