Final answer:
Women first officially served as members of the Navy during World War I, with nearly 12,000 women enlisted as Yeoman (F) or "yeomanettes" and granted military status, pay, and benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women first served as members of the Navy during World War I. The Naval Reserve Act of 1916 allowed for the enlistment of nearly 12,000 women into the US Navy and Marines, officially recognizing them as service members for the first time. These women, known as Yeoman (F) or "yeomanettes," were provided with military pay and benefits, marking a significant precedent for women serving in the military. Despite facing demands to halt female enlistment, these women were considered veterans at the end of the war, with several dying in service, primarily from diseases.
The Women's Army Corps (WAC) and the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) were significant milestones during World War II, indicating an evolution from the temporary and auxiliary roles envisioned for women during World War I. Approximately 350,000 women served in various capacities during World War II, and the passing of the Women's Armed Service's Integration Act in 1948 established permanent opportunities for women in all military branches.