During the height of World War II, Rosalen H. Becker resolved to serve our country and defy convention by volunteering to support the war effort. She was among the first corps of women to enter the ranks of the U.S. Coast Guard. Becker enlisted in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, known as SPARs (an acronym for Semper Paratus “Always Ready”), Jan. 20, 1943.
Throughout her pioneering career as a service member, Becker’s accomplishments included becoming the first woman in the radio technician rating and later becoming an instructor for the rating. Becker ultimately advanced to radio technician second class and served honorably until her discharge Nov. 9, 1945. For her service, she received the Victory Medal.
Becker’s efforts broke down barriers to women’s equality and helped pave the way for others to follow. However, even before she was issued a uniform, it became clear that her commitment to promoting a culture change in the Coast Guard and equality for women would require persistence and mean confronting adversity and challenges.
Becker, writing in her personal memoir, described an encounter with a recruiter that illustrated her motivation to serve, her steadfast devotion to duty, and her unwavering resolution to becoming an agent of change:
“At the beginning of the war I went to work at the Remington Arms Plant. My fiancé was killed at the beginning of the war and I felt I should be doing more for our country. Finally, I took the step and went to the recruiting office of the Navy. A little seaman took my information with a scowl on his face. You could tell that he thought women had no place in his Navy. After filling out all the papers for the Navy, he said ‘maybe you would like the Coast Guard.’ I said that yes, I would like that. He had to start all anew. I'm happy he did."
Just one day after her 100th birthday – Oct. 15, 2019 – Becker crossed the bar. She is survived by her two sons and two daughters.
During the military funeral honors ceremony performed for Becker, Lt. j.g. Maria Cielo Fishman of Coast Guard Sector New York presented James P. Becker, one of Rosalen’s sons and a U.S. Army veteran, with a folded American flag.
James recalled how he felt this final salute was conducted in a most fitting way considering the unique character of his mother’s military service.
“That was overwhelming for me,” said James. “I was so proud at that moment, and when they played taps and I saluted, and they all saluted, I just felt very proud of her, very proud of myself, and it was a great send-off.”
James also offered his thoughts concerning his mother’s decision to volunteer for wartime military service.
“She didn’t have to," he said. "She could have stayed home comfortably. She was not afraid to act on her motivations. I think she just looked at where she could do more than what she was doing,” said James. “She wasn’t forced to do it, but she felt compelled by her nature to want to do more in the war effort. She was very motivated, it was just her nature. It’s the way she was. She wanted to do it.”
Bill Becker, Rosalen’s other son, succinctly described his mother’s legacy in two words: “trailblazer” and “dedicated”.
Bill reflected on the significance of his mother’s service in the women’s reserve.
“Well, I knew there weren’t many women in World War II and she, like many other young people, male and female, she just wanted to do her duty, and serve her country during the war,” said Bill. “It was a big effort.”
Rosalen wrote of overcoming the resistance she experienced.
“The men in uniform, at first, found it difficult to accept us but they did come to realize that we were an essential part.
Despite her remarkable efforts, Becker did not expect special recognition for her military service.
“She never really thought of it as groundb
reaking,” said James. “She just thought of it as ‘I’m doing my part.’”
After completing her service with the Coast Guard, Becker continued to live a life of service reflecting the Coast Guard’s core values, through being a leader and role model for both the youth in her community and her family.
“She was very involved in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts," said James. "She was a district leader in the Girl Scouts. She went on to do quite a bit of volunteer work and she just liked being out doing things like that. “Whether the military did that or not, it’s hard to tell, but she had that nature to get involved in things, to want to get involved and be a part of something bigger.”
“I think the Coast Guard service probably gave her a sense of duty, a sense of service, a sense of family,” said Bill. “And she passed that along to us.”
Surrounded by family and friends, Becker's life of service was celebrated on her 100th birthday.
During the event, Becker was presented with a New York City proclamation memorializing her lifetime of service. Additionally, members of Coast Guard Sector New York presented Becker with a Coast Guard ensign in recognition of the exemplary honor, respect, and devotion to duty she demonstrated both in military service and beyond.