SPARs: The Women Who Served in the U.S. Coast Guard During World War II

Remembrance and Records: World War II Through Archival Collections

Published Mar 20, 2025 by
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Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served.

During World War II, as men were deployed to combat roles, the United States faced an urgent need for personnel to support the war effort on the home front and overseas. To address this issue, the U.S. Coast Guard established the Women’s Reserve, commonly known as SPARs. This all-female unit played a significant role in ensuring the efficiency of the Coast Guard’s operations and paved the way for greater integration of women in the military.

The Origins of SPARs

The name “SPAR” was derived from the Coast Guard’s motto, “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready). The establishment of SPARs was authorized on November 23, 1942, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Public Law 773, allowing for the creation of a women’s reserve in the Coast Guard. This move followed the example set by the Navy’s WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).

Captain Dorothy C. Stratton, formerly the Dean of Women at Purdue University and an officer in the WAVES, was appointed as the first director of SPARs. Under her leadership, SPARs recruited thousands of women eager to serve their country.

Recruitment and Training

Women who joined SPARs underwent similar rigorous training as their male counterparts. Initially, recruits trained at Hunter College in New York before moving to specialized training schools at various locations across the country. SPAR officers were trained at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, marking the first time women were permitted to train at a U.S. military service academy.

To join SPARs, women had to be U.S. citizens between the ages of 20 and 36, have completed at least two years of high school (though most had more education), and pass strict physical requirements. The Coast Guard sought women with professional and technical skills, including those with experience in clerical work, communications, engineering, and maritime-related fields.

Roles and Contributions

SPARs were assigned to various duties that freed up male servicemembers for combat roles. They took on administrative, clerical, and operational responsibilities, including:

  • Radio Operations and Communications: Many SPARs worked as radio operators, deciphering and transmitting critical messages.
  • Storekeeping and Supply Chain Management: They ensured that supplies and equipment were effectively distributed to support Coast Guard operations.
  • Yeoman Duties: SPARs served as secretaries, typists, and clerks, handling essential paperwork and logistical tasks.
  • Health and Medical Services: Some women served as pharmacists, hospital aides, and dental technicians.
  • Intelligence and Cryptography: A select group worked in intelligence, assisting with codebreaking and other classified operations.

The presence of SPARs was particularly important in keeping domestic stations operational. Many were stationed at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at district offices and training centers across the United States. While they did not serve in combat, their work was crucial to maintaining the efficiency and security of Coast Guard activities.

Spotlight on Dorothy Kurtz

One notable member of SPARs was Dorothy E. Kurtz. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1922, Kurtz enlisted in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve in 1943 at age 21. She served until 1946, taking on various roles that were essential to the Coast Guard’s mission during the war. Her dedication exemplified the commitment and patriotism of women who joined SPARs.

After her active service, Kurtz remained deeply connected to the Coast Guard community. She was an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, contributing her time and expertise to support ongoing missions. Her involvement extended to the Dolphins Women’s Veterans Organization, where she served as chaplain and historian, preserving the legacy of women veterans.

Kurtz’s commitment to service was evident in her volunteer work beyond the Coast Guard. She dedicated 25 years to the Senior Friendship Center and volunteered with the Red Cross during times of tragedy in Florida. Her life of service left a lasting impact on her community and the Coast Guard family.

Dorothy Kurtz passed away on September 12, 2016, at the age of 93. Her funeral was attended by Coast Guard Auxiliary and active-duty members, who gathered to honor her contributions and legacy. Captain Holly Najarian, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, remarked, “Ms. Kurtz was a trailblazer in not only her words but in her actions. Her dedication to the Coast Guard was evident in her tenacity to spread the word to scores of young up-and-coming service members.”

Dorothy Kurtz : SPAR, 1943-1946, oral history film, June 6, 2012. Item from U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Records (#559), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Barriers

Despite their contributions, SPARs faced challenges stemming from societal expectations. Many in the military were skeptical of women’s capabilities in traditionally male-dominated roles. Nevertheless, SPARs proved their value through their dedication and competence. By the end of the war, they had firmly established themselves as an essential component of the Coast Guard.

One of the most significant barriers broken by SPARs was their presence at the Coast Guard Academy. Though women were only admitted as reservists at the time, their success set the stage for the permanent admission of female cadets decades later.

The Legacy of SPARs

By the time SPARs was officially disbanded in July 1947, over 11,000 women had served in the organization. SPARs veterans, like Dorothy Kurtz, continued to contribute to their communities and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, leveraging their wartime experience in new and impactful ways.

SPARs’ legacy continued long after World War II. In 1973, women were officially integrated into the active-duty Coast Guard, building on the precedent set by SPARs. Today, women serve in all capacities in the Coast Guard, including command and combat roles, a testament to the pioneering contributions of SPARs.

Conclusion

SPARs were more than just a wartime necessity; they paved the way for greater opportunities for women in the U.S. military. Their service during World War II proved that women were fully capable of handling critical military responsibilities, helping to pave the way for future generations of female service members. As we reflect on their contributions, we recognize SPARs as an integral part of American military history, embodying the Coast Guard’s motto—”Semper Paratus, Always Ready.”

Visit the Ship’s Log to learn more about materials related to World War II that are a part of the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection’s holdings. Joyner Library Special Collections will be displaying an exhibit of items and individual stories related to World War II during the summer and fall of 2025.

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