Valiant Women is the story of the 350,000 American women who served in uniform during World War II. These incredible women served in every service branch, in every combat theater, and in nearly two-thirds of the available military occupations at the time. They were pilots, codebreakers, ordnance experts, gunnery instructors, metalsmiths, chemists, translators, parachute riggers, truck drivers, radarmen, pigeon trainers, and much more. They were directly involved in some of the most important moments of the war, from the D-Day landings to the peace negotiations in Paris. These women--who hailed from every race, creed, and walk of life--died for their country and received the nation's highest honors. Their work, both individually and in total, was at the heart of the Allied strategy that won World War II. Yet, until now, their stories have been relegated to the dusty shelves of military archives or a passing mention in the local paper. Often the women themselves kept their stories private, even from their own families. Now, military analyst Lena Andrews corrects the record with the definitive and comprehensive historical account of American servicewomen during World War II, based on new archival research, firsthand interviews with surviving veterans, and a deep professional understanding of military history and strategy.

Part I: The problem. "The fighting Filipinos": The war arrives ; "They can't do any more, but you can": The arsenal of democracy ; "I'm in this war too!": Women's army auxiliary corps ; "Release a man to fight!": building the WAAC; "Bring him home sooner, join the WAVES": Women accepted for voluntary emergency service ; "Wish I could join too!": Building the WAVES ; "Your duty ashore, his afloat": Marine Corps Women's Reserve and Coast Guard SPARS; "The Army Air Forces want you!": Women's Airforce Service Pilots; "Are you a girl with a star-spangled heart?": Recruiting and training WAACs; "Learn a skill you'll value all your life": Black women join the WAAC; "That was the day I joined the WAVES": Recruiting and training sailors; "The girl of the year is SPAR": SPARS and MCWR recruitment and training; "If you want to fly": Recruiting and training the WASPs; "Someone talked!": Rumors; Part II: The solution. "Going where we're needed most!": North Africa ; "Don't miss your great opportunity": Italy ; "Which one of these jobs would you like?" Stateside service; "Have you got what it takes to fill an important job like this?": Disappointment and disillusionment; "Make a date with Uncle Sam": Controversy; "Now is the time to investigate the opportunities offered": Court-martials; "Give us more P-47's": WASPs in the field; "WACs are going places!": France; "I'd rather be with them--than waiting": Europe; "Blueprint for victory": The Pacific; "To make men free": Victory won; Epilogue: "Good soldier".