Elizabeth (Betsy) Blee Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Only a part of this collection has been digitized.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/162
What's in the full collection?: May 2014 oral history transcript; 1984 dress blue uniform (jacket and skirt); black handbag; white gloves; white short sleeve shirt with red neck tab. Jacket has captain's silver shoulder bars; pistol sharpshooter medal; sea service ribbon; USMC officer collar devices; box of uniform buttons; box of hat devices; mosquito head net; heat transfers; camouflage patterned cap; belt; canteen; flashlight; uniform labels; poncho; banner; two USMC swizzle sticks;certificate of appreciation; USMC retired ceremonial flag; tickets to Marine Corps Birthday Ball; ID cards; newspaper article; change of command invitation and program; 13 photographs; 1 copy of photograph.
Full biography: Elizabeth "Betsy" Summer Blee (b. 1951) served in Ground Supply and as a Mess Officer in the Marine Corps from 1975-1981 and in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1981-1997. Elizabeth "Betsy" Summer Blee grew up all around the world as a daughter of a military family. Her father was a captain in the United States Navy and her mother was a housewife. Blee attended Saint Mary's College in Raleigh, North Carolina and then the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1975. Blee joined the Marine Corps and reported to Women Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia in June 1975. At Quantico, she received her initial training with the Marine Corps Development and Education Command (the former name of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command) and then served as platoon commander for a Woman Officer Class. In 1976 she received ground supply training at Montford Point, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From 1976-1979 she was stationed at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii. Blee served as the Assistant Battalion Supply Officer then as the Officer in Charge of the Officer's Club and Bachelor Officer Quarters. In 1979, Blee transferred to Makiminato Service Area in Okinawa, Japan where she served as the Battalion Supply Officer. From 1980-1981 she was the station supply officer at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, California. Blee left active duty in 1981 and joined the Marine Corps Reserves. From 1983-1984 she served as the first woman to command a Marine Corps Reserve F4 Jet Squadron in El Toro, California. Blee retired in 1984 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. From 1980-1985 she attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and earned a masters degree in Business Management. From 1981-2007, Blee worked in sales, training and leadership development at Pfizer, Inc. In 2007 she became a consulting partner with the Ken Blanchard Companies. In 2011, Blee joined Bald Head Island Transportation where she worked as a ferry mate transitioning to relief master.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Schools and Colleges
Branch of service: Marines -- Women Marines
Marines
Marines -- Marines Reserve
Conflict: Vietnam Era (1964-1974)
Subject headings: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
United States. Marine Corps--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: ELizabeth "Betsy" Blee holding a United States Marine Corps flag; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee, on left, is seen helping to hold a United States Marine Corps flag.

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen here speaking at a podium.

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen standing on a tarmac.

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee and the 36th Woman Officer Candidate Class; [Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen here, second row, third from left, with the 36th Woman Officer Candidate Class.

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee and the Woman Officer Candidate Class; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen here, second row far right, with the Woman Officer Candidate Class in December 1975. Blee served as the platoon commander for the class. All the women are wearing the United States Marine Corps Service Uniform "A".

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee at work; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen here at work.

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee at work; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen here at work.

: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee in Uniform; Elizabeth "Betsy" Blee is seen here, on right, wearing the United States Marine Corps Blue Dress "C".

: Oral history interview with Elizabeth "Betsy" Sumner Blee; Primarily documents the life of Elizabeth "Betsy" Sumner Blee and her service with the United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves. Blee recalls living in various countries throughout her childhood because of her father's service with the United States Navy, the cultural perspective she gained as a result, and how her father was a great role model for understanding the world. She also discusses the leadership skills, discipline, and sense of responsibility she received during her time in the U.S. Marine Corps. Blee discusses her displeasure with the exclusion of women from the United States Naval Academy and certain job fields, such as being a pilot, and also recalls how transitioning out of the military was not difficult for her because the military made her feel confident and marketable.