Loretta Perfectus Walsh (April 22, 1896 – August 6, 1925) was the first American woman to officially serve in the United States Armed Forces in a non-nursing capacity.

World War I was in its fourth year when, on January 31, 1917, the Germans announced they would resume unrestricted submarine warfare on all ships, including those sailing under the United States flag.

Walsh and other female yeomen, all of whom held enlisted ranks, continued in service during the first months after the November 1918 Armistice was signed.

[8][7] Walsh continued on inactive reserve status, receiving modest retainer pay, until the end of her four-year enlistment on March 17, 1921.

[8] She was buried in Olyphant's St. Patrick's Cemetery, under a monument that reads:[8]In 1917, women had served in the United States military as nurses since 1901.

As a non-nurse, Walsh was the first of 13,000 World War I yeoman females entitled to receive the same benefits and responsibilities as men, including identical pay.