Siamundo Posted December 30, 2021 Share #1 Posted December 30, 2021 Saw this recently on a tombstone for a female veteran of the US Navy- Deceased veteran's name SA US Navy Korea What does the SA stand for? Is that a rank, or a specialty? I can't see to figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Minton Posted December 30, 2021 Share #2 Posted December 30, 2021 I assume it stands for Seaman Apprentice, equivalent to a modern E-2. Enlisted sailors have rates (as in pay rate) rather than rank, and it is not uncommon for a low rate to not have a specialty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siamundo Posted December 30, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted December 30, 2021 Thank you, David. I had wondered about Seaman Apprentice, but I did not know if that would have been a rate a woman serving in the Navy in Korea in the early 1950's would have held. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Minton Posted December 30, 2021 Share #4 Posted December 30, 2021 As far as I know the US Navy has always used masculine gender names for rates and ratings. During WWII the WAVES did not have “Seawomen,” though you did ask about Korean War era (Apprentice Seaman replaced Seaman 2c in 1948). The Navy did a major change of the rating organization in 1948, and I do not believe a gender change was introduced at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted December 30, 2021 Share #5 Posted December 30, 2021 1 hour ago, David Minton said: As far as I know the US Navy has always used masculine gender names for rates and ratings. During WWII the WAVES did not have “Seawomen,” though you did ask about Korean War era (Apprentice Seaman replaced Seaman 2c in 1948). The Navy did a major change of the rating organization in 1948, and I do not believe a gender change was introduced at that time. I’d have to disagree with you David. “Seaman Apprentice” replaced Seaman Second Class in 1948. Been that way ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Minton Posted December 31, 2021 Share #6 Posted December 31, 2021 12 hours ago, sigsaye said: I’d have to disagree with you David. “Seaman Apprentice” replaced Seaman Second Class in 1948. Been that way ever since. Sorry, I’ll blame autocorrect or brain misfire. The thread was about Seaman Apprentice, and somehow I typed Apprentice Seaman in the clarification to make things less clear. Thank you for catching my error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted December 31, 2021 Share #7 Posted December 31, 2021 11 hours ago, David Minton said: Sorry, I’ll blame autocorrect or brain misfire. The thread was about Seaman Apprentice, and somehow I typed Apprentice Seaman in the clarification to make things less clear. Thank you for catching my error. I was thinking that was the case. You’re really pretty up on all this and I look forward to you jumping in and helping me out when I get stuck or wrong. Happy New Year and Stay Safe Out There. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siamundo Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share #8 Posted January 1, 2022 Thank you, David, I appreciate the information and education. Happy New Year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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