Elizabeth Ann Ray
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Ray (born 1913) was a career officer in the United States Army
and United States Air Force
, most notably serving as director of Women in the Air Force (WAF)
from 1961 to 1965.
and attended Oklahoma College for Women
for year. In 1934 she earned a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. After graduation Ray worked for a newspaper in Anadarko, Oklahoma. She was later recruited by the War Department, where she served in the Public Relations Bureau.
In 1942, Ray joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (later the Women's Army Corps
) and completed Officer Training School at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. She had brief assignments at the training center at Daytona Beach and at the WAAC Headquarters in the Pentagon
before being transferred overseas in June 1943. Ray was stationed at the headquarters of Dwight D. Eisenhower
in Algiers, Algeria, then in January 1944 was appointed commander of a WAC intelligence squadron at 15th Air Force Headquarters in Bari, Italy. She returned to the U.S. in late 1945 and was assigned to the inactive reserve.
On May 10, 1949, Ray was reactivated in the Women in the Air Force (WAF)
and sent to Mitchel Field, New York, where she commanded female troops then worked in personnel and public relations. In 1950 she also attended Armed Forces Informational School at Carlisle Barracks
. From 1953 to 1955 Ray served as deputy director of WAF.
From 1955 to 1958, Ray was assigned to DACOWITS as executive secretary for the advisory committee. She then became chief of the promotion and augmentation/selection records branch of Strategic Air Command
at Offutt Air Force Base
, Nebraska. In September 1961, Colonel Ray was appointed director of WAF, and served in this capacity until her retirement in 1965.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, most notably serving as director of Women in the Air Force (WAF)
Women in the Air Force (WAF)
Women in the Air Force was a United States Air Force program which served to bring women into limited roles in the Air Force. WAF was formed in 1948, when President Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, allowing women to serve directly in the military.WAF was distinct from the...
from 1961 to 1965.
Biography
Ray was born in 1913 in Winnsboro, Texas, and was raised primarily in Oklahoma. She moved frequently around the state due to her father's job in the newspaper business. She graduated from high school in Mangum, OklahomaMangum, Oklahoma
Mangum is a city in Greer County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,010 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Greer County....
and attended Oklahoma College for Women
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, or USAO, is a public liberal arts college located in Chickasha, Oklahoma. It is the only public college with a strictly liberal arts-focused curriculum in Oklahoma. It provides Bachelor's Degrees and many students move on to graduate schools across...
for year. In 1934 she earned a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. After graduation Ray worked for a newspaper in Anadarko, Oklahoma. She was later recruited by the War Department, where she served in the Public Relations Bureau.
In 1942, Ray joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (later the Women's Army Corps
Women's Army Corps
The Women's Army Corps was the women's branch of the US Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554, and converted to full status as the WAC in 1943...
) and completed Officer Training School at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. She had brief assignments at the training center at Daytona Beach and at the WAAC Headquarters in the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
before being transferred overseas in June 1943. Ray was stationed at the headquarters of Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
in Algiers, Algeria, then in January 1944 was appointed commander of a WAC intelligence squadron at 15th Air Force Headquarters in Bari, Italy. She returned to the U.S. in late 1945 and was assigned to the inactive reserve.
On May 10, 1949, Ray was reactivated in the Women in the Air Force (WAF)
Women in the Air Force (WAF)
Women in the Air Force was a United States Air Force program which served to bring women into limited roles in the Air Force. WAF was formed in 1948, when President Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, allowing women to serve directly in the military.WAF was distinct from the...
and sent to Mitchel Field, New York, where she commanded female troops then worked in personnel and public relations. In 1950 she also attended Armed Forces Informational School at Carlisle Barracks
Carlisle Barracks
Carlisle Barracks is a United States Army facility located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It is part of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and is the site of the U.S. Army War College...
. From 1953 to 1955 Ray served as deputy director of WAF.
From 1955 to 1958, Ray was assigned to DACOWITS as executive secretary for the advisory committee. She then became chief of the promotion and augmentation/selection records branch of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
at Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
, Nebraska. In September 1961, Colonel Ray was appointed director of WAF, and served in this capacity until her retirement in 1965.