Grace Amy Carle

Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle, USMC Sergeant Major Grace A. Carle became the sixth Sergeant Major of Women marines in ceremonies held at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., on April 30, 1974 Born in Yankton, S. Dakota, she graduated from Pender High school, Pender, Nebraska, in May 1940. Sergeant Major Carle enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1943, and received her training in the eighth and last regiment at Hunter College, N.Y. During World War II, she saw service at Headquarters Marine Corps and in Hawaii. She was released from active duty in November 1945, during a reduction in forces following the war. She joined the Los Angeles Volunteer Training Unit in 1948, and was ordered to active duty in 1950 at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. She served initially at San Francisco and integrated into the regular Marine Corps in 1951. Other duty assignments have taken her to El Toro, Calif., Parris Island, S.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and at New Orleans, La. as assistant to the Woman Officer Selection Officer. She served as Fist Sergeant at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Okinawa. At the time of selection for her present position. She was the Sergeant Major of Women Officer School, Quantico, Va. Her decorations include the National Defense Service Medal with one star, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with eight stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with one star and the Navy Achievement Medal. Sergeant Major Carle is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John H. Carle.