Opha May Johnson was promoted to sergeant on September 17, 1918, the first woman to achieve this rank in the USMC.
Less than five weeks after her enlistment, on September 17, 1918, Opha May Johnson was promoted to the rank of sergeant. This promotion highlighted her proficient capabilities and the leadership role she quickly assumed within the ranks of the Marine Corps. At a time when women rarely held positions of military authority, Johnson's rise to sergeant represented a break in long-standing gender barriers and acknowledged her dedication and competence within an environment that was predominantly male.