USS Little Rock Navy Yeoman, Rate Description

U.S.S. Little Rock
CL-92 / CLG-4 / CG-4

* * * The YN Rating * * *

Yeoman

General Info:

The duties performed by YNs include: preparing, typing and routing correspondence and reports; organizing and maintaining files; receiving office visitors and handling telephone communications; operating personal computers, word processing, duplicating, audio recording and other office machines; performing officer personnel administration; maintaining records and official publications; performing administrative functions for legal proceedings; serving as office managers; performing other various clerical and administrative duties.

What They Do:

1943 Job Description:

DUTIES: Performs typing, stenographic, and clerical duties. Types official correspondence, prepares standard reports and maintains records. Maintains filing system. Operates simple duplicating equipment (mimeograph, ditto, etc.) Furnishes information on elementary personnel matters such as gratuities, insurance, retirement, transfer, medical treatment for dependents, promotions, and transportation. Records court proceedings. Types ship's watch, quarter, and station bills. Shorthand required for Y1c.

EQUIPMENT USED: Typewriter, files, record keeping systems.

TYPES OF BILLETS: All ships except the smallest; Shore stations.

RELATED CIVILIAN OCCUPATIONS: Typist, stenographer, secretary, file clerk, office machine operator, mail clerk, general clerk, court reporter.

RELATED VOCATIONAL COURSES: Commercial subjects such as Business Training, Clerical Practice, Shorthand, Accounting, Bookkeeping.

TRAINING COURSE: 16 weeks. Includes personnel regulations, Naval organization. English and spelling, Navy filing system, correspondence, and touch typing.

2003 Job Description (NAVPERS 18068):

Yeomen (YN) perform clerical and administrative duties, including typing and filing; prepare and route correspondence and reports; maintain records, publications, and service records; counsel officer personnel on administrative matters; perform administrative support for shipboard legal proceedings and maintain shipboard legal files; conduct reporting/detaching, and required retention related interviews; and serve as office managers.

General Rating

Y Yeoman (WWII abbreviation)
YN Yeoman
YN(F) Yeoman (Female WWI), a.k.a."Yeomenettes"

Service (Specialty) Rating

YNS Yeoman Stenographer
YNS Yeoman Submariner
YNT Yeoman Typist
CYN Communications Yeoman (1964 - c1969 / E-4 only)

Tidbits:

Note 1. In the Middle Ages, a yeoman was identified as a rank or position in a noble or royal household, with titles such as "Yeoman of the Chamber", "Yeoman of the Crown", "Yeoman Usher", "King's Yeoman", and various others. Most duties were connected with protecting the sovereign and dignitaries as a bodyguard, such as the Yeomen of the Guard, attending the sovereign with various tasks as needed, or duties assigned to his office. (Extracted from Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman )

Note 2. To read a copy of the "Navy Filing Manual", Fourth Edition, 1941, CLICK HERE

PHILADELPHIA WOMAN
ENLISTS IN THE NAVY

Miss Loretta P. Walsh, Chief Yeoman,
Said to Have Set Precedent for the World.

Special to the New York Times

PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 1917

Said to be the first woman in the world to be enlisted into the armed service of a navy, Miss Loretta Perfectus Walsh, 18 years old, of 734 Pine Street, today took the oath of allegiance as chief yeoman in the United States Navy. The oath was administered in the United States Naval Home by Lieut. Commander Payne, executive officer of the home.

The young woman underwent the same rigid examination that is given to male applicants for the office of chief yeoman. Her physical qualifications were passed upon by Miss Martha Pringle, head nurse, and certified by Dr. D.H. Noble, Passed Assistant Surgeon, U.S.A. Commander Payne said she was a fine specimen of womanhood, and that the navy would be proud of her.

Miss Walsh will start in tomorrow morning as chief yeoman. The duties of the office are mostly clerical. She will have charge of the recruiting at the naval home for the Naval Coast Defense Reserve. However, she is subject to transfer to any naval supply ship or naval station. A badge on her sleeve, the distinctive mark of which is a pair of crossed pens, with three red chevrons and a spreadeagle, will signify her rank.

______________________________

Miss Walsh died on August 6, 1925 at the age of 29 in Olyphant, Pennsylvania. After her death she was buried in Olyphant's St. Patrick's Cemetery, under a monument that reads:

Loretta Perfectus Walsh

April 22, 1896–Aug. 6, 1925
Woman and Patriot

First of those enrolled in the United Sates Naval Service
World War 1917–1919
Her comrades dedicate this monument
to keep alive forever
memories of the sacrifice and devotion of womanhood.

LAST KNOWN YEOMAN (F) LAID TO REST

Extracted from a story by Sophie Platt
Naval Historical Center Public Affairs
March 30, 2007

Washington (NNS) -- Charlotte Louise Berry Winters, the last known Navy Yeoman (F) and female veteran of World War I, was laid to rest March 30 in Frederick, Md. Winters died at the age of 109 on March 27, 2007..........

After enlisting in 1917, Winters served at the Washington Navy Yard in Building 57, current home of the Naval Historical Center. One of the last Yeoman (F)s to be discharged in 1919, she was immediately hired by the Navy as a civilian to fill her active-duty job........

Records show that 11,000 Yeoman (F)s, 1,713 female nurses, and 269 women Marines (Marinettes) served in World War I. For many years they, along with Army nurses, were the only women eligible to join the American Legion, and the only ones eligible to receive a bonus voted to veterans of World War I.......

The Yeoman (F)s were of such invaluable service to the country that there was no question of women returning to Navy service during World War II as the WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service).......

The success of the WAVES in turn paved the way for the 1948 permanent establishment of women in Navy. So, not only did the Yeoman (F)s provide exceptional service during World War I, they set a standard of excellence for women in the U.S. military which is carried on to today.

"Theodore Roosevelt once observed that 'No nation has the root of greatness in it unless in time of need it can rise to the heroic mood.' Ms. Winters and every other American Sailor of World War I -- man or woman -- certainly rose to the heroic mood. We salute her memory, and we thank her for inspiring us to do the same." Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullins said.

Charlotte Winters

Comments from the Crew

Rodger Shilling,YN3
X Division, 1962 to 1965

Worked in Captain's Office for J.R. Payne, C. Edwin Bell,Jr. and R.O. Middleton. Officers Records and general office work.

Worked with CWO J. Malik, Chief T. Wright, LTJG Ralph Latham, Chief C.L. Wingfield. Allen (Tomenendal) Himsworth was my good friend.

It was a good experience, except for the Trieste Trots.

Would do it again.

- - - - -

Frank Berglas, YN3
X Division, 60-61

Frank Berglas, aboard from precommissioning in 1959 through November, 1961. (From age 19 through 21)

I was a YN3 and part of X Division. My job was ship's legal yeoman. This entailed keeping records of Captain's Masts, Courts-Martial and other, statutory duties.

In addition I was responsible for publishing the Plan of the Day. Each evening I would prepare it and have it OK'd and signed by Commander Berry, the XO, Then I, and one or two willing division-mates, would distribute the PoD all over the ship.

The X Division Officers to whom I reported were Hobart K. Robinson and Gerard A. Dupuis. They, in turn, reported to the XO.

I attended Naval Justice School in Newport, RI for a couple of months to learn the details of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

And I always was a GOOD boy!!!!

One benefit of the job was that I never, in the two years aboard, stood a single watch!!! Thanks for that to Messrs. Robinson and Dupuis!

- - - - -

Pat Cavanaugh, CYN3
OR Division, 68-70

Worked in the radio shack cutting tapes for the TTY machines, taking messages off the machines and then became the Main Comm. Supervisor for duplication of TTY messages as may be needed to Staff and Flag.

Served 09/68 thru 05/70. I enjoyed the mid night food provided when the mess was closed and the baker was working. I was known for not allowing the Admiral into the radio shack. I was amazed at the great ports that we visited even when we had people yelling "Go home Yankee" to us.

Good friends.

- - - - -

Marty Hansen, YN3
X Division, 12/68 to 12/72

Chaplain's Office, Captain's Office, Security Control Petty Officer, Security Clearance Administration, POD when on duty, type, print and distribute. Church service set up / tear down. Print and sell tour tickets from Chaplain's Office dutch door.

Worked for CWO Stepp and CWO Laucella (Queens, NY). CDR Feagins (Chaplain).

GQ was Captain's 1JV talker and sometimes in CIC because I could write backwards on the glass for radar contact locations.

Friends were (and still) Joe Mowery, Tony Maeurer, Ron Andriello, Dave Lewis, Rich Heepe, Phil Baratta, Bob Fink and Smitty (Disbursing).

Sailor of the month in 1972. Head of chow line privileges and no duty for a month.

Great times in Gaeta in our apartment.

Attended all reunions in Buffalo. And will in 2007.

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