Elizabeth "Betsy" Sumner Blee (b. 1951) served in ground supply and as a mess officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1975-1981, and in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1981-1997.
Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
Only a part of this collection has been digitized.
https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/162
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.
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.
Women's History Military Schools and Colleges
Marines -- Women Marines Marines Marines -- Marines Reserve
Vietnam Era (1964-1974)
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 United States. Marine Corps--Women
Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries
