My father was awarded a Purple Heart in World War II, and I am always especially pleased to have the opportunity to meet with our veterans and our troops to express my appreciation for their selflessness and courage. Those groups are made up mostly of men, but I recently had the special honor of addressing the New England conference of WAVES, a national organization of servicewomen and female veterans. WAVES helps to recognize not only the service of our current female veterans and troops, but also the contributions of women to our armed forces throughout our history. Groups like WAVES help to ensure that women who have served receive the recognition they have earned.
Today, there are more than 200,000 women in our armed forces including 59,000 active duty women in the Navy, more than 10,000 in the Marine Corps, 73,000 in the Army, and 67,000 in the Air Force. They are playing critical roles in protecting our nation. They are serving onboard our fleet across the globe, they are piloting the most advanced aircraft on earth, and they are in the Pentagon helping to shape the military of the future.
Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith broke new ground four decades ago as the first woman to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Today, of the Committee's 25 members, only three are women. As the senior female on that Committee, I have worked hard to ensure that the contributions of women in defending our nation are recognized.
Since joining the Armed Services Committee, I have had the opportunity to meet young women serving our nation across the world. I recently returned from a trip to South Korea, where I visited our troops at the Demilitarized Zone and at Osan Air Force Base in Seoul. The first Mainer I met was a woman named Jennifer Meuth, who comes from Thomaston. She and I spoke about her duties, and the hardships that all of the troops stationed in South Korea endure. However, not once did she voice regret about her decision to join the military. She understood the important role that our troops play in Korea and was proud to serve our country. Her patriotism and her willingness to make sacrifices for our nation speak well not only of her, but of all the women and men in our military.
Though women were not officially recognized as members of the armed forces until 1901, they have played a role in every conflict since the birth of our nation. Whether as nurses or as spies, women have always been willing to make sacrifices in defense of the United States. However, it wasn't until World War I that women were allowed to play a more active role in the military. More than 30,000 women enlisted during that war, with 10,000 serving overseas. During World War II, the role of servicewomen continued to expand into the areas of parachute riggers, mechanics, map-makers, and welders.
Along with their male counterparts, women have made tremendous sacrifices for our nation. During World War II, the fall of the Philippines was a gruesome chapter in the Pacific campaign. Eighty-one women were captured by the Japanese and spent 37 moths in prisoner of war camps. In total, more than 400 women were killed in the war. Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was a watershed moment in the developing role of women in our military. More than 40,000 women served in the Gulf, and participated in search and rescue missions, helped guard Iraqi POWs, and operated Patriot missile placements. Today, women are a critical component across the military in a variety of positions that were uncommon even a decade ago.
Perhaps the most heartening story of Operation Iraqi Freedom relates the capture and rescue of Private First Class Jessica Lynch. Early in the conflict, her convoy was attacked by Iraqi forces. All reports indicated that, along with her fellow soldiers, Jessica resisted fiercely, firing her weapon until she ran out of ammunition. While the full story of her captivity may never be revealed, it's clear that she endured much hardship. Due to the information provided by a courageous Iraqi citizen, American special forces were able to rescue her from a hospital where she was taken by Iraqi forces. Her amazing ability to survive this ordeal is a testament to her courage, her bravery, and her training. The incident speaks not only the character of Private Lynch, but also to the growing role of women in the military. Our forces in the area of operations were utterly devoted and dedicated to finding her, and bringing her out alive. A common saying in the military is "leave no man behind." In truth, in today's world, it is "leave no American behind."
Women make up six percent of military veterans in the United States, and it is important that we not only support the women currently in our military, but also those who have served our nation in the past. The Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery opened to the public in 1997 and is a stunning tribute to the efforts of American servicewoman. In my work on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to do what I can to ensure that we honor the contributions of women to our national defense. The young women and men of our armed services are carrying on the noble tradition that has protected this nation since its founding, even as the nature of our enemies has changed again and again. This Memorial Day, we continue a tradition of our own as we remember and recognize their great gift to our country.