Louise Currie Wilmot

Rear Admiral Louise Currie Wilmot (born December 31, 1942) is a retired United States Navy officer who was the first woman to command a United States Naval base. When she retired after 30 years of service, she was the highest ranking female naval officer in the United States.

Early life

Raised in Wayne, New Jersey, Wilmot attended Wayne Valley High School and earned a degree in history from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, New Jersey in 1964.

Navy career

• Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, Omaha (1979–)
• Commander of the Navy Recruiting Area Five in Great Lakes, Michigan (1985–)
• Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
• Vice Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Florida
• Commander of the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida (1989–)
• Commanding Officer, Naval Base Philadelphia (1993–1994)

Wilmot retired in 1994. She was the highest ranking female Naval officer at that time.

Awards and decorations

Wilmot's decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with three gold stars), the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal.

Education

Wilmot earned a master's degree from George Washington University in 1978 and was recognized with the GW Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994.

Post-navy career

Following retirement Wilmot joined Catholic Relief Services as deputy executive director of public outreach.

Wilmot's personal papers are kept by the Special Collections and Archives Department of the United States Naval Academy.