Margarethe Cammermeyer

Margarethe Cammermeyer

Margarethe Cammermeyer (born March 24, 1942) is a retired United States Army colonel and a former Chief Nurse of the Washington National Guard. She is known for her legal battle against the U.S. military's policy on homosexuality.

Early Life and Education

Margarethe Cammermeyer was born in Oslo, Norway. She immigrated to the United States in 1951. Cammermeyer pursued a career in nursing, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland in 1963. She later obtained a Master of Arts in Nursing from the University of Washington in 1976 and a Ph.D. in Nursing from the same institution in 1991.

Military Career

Cammermeyer joined the United States Army in 1961 and served as a nurse during the Vietnam War. She received the Bronze Star Medal for her service. In 1988, she became the Chief Nurse of the Washington National Guard.

Legal Battle and Discharge

In 1989, during a routine security clearance interview, Cammermeyer disclosed that she was a lesbian. This led to her discharge from the military in 1992 under the policy that barred homosexuals from serving. Cammermeyer challenged her discharge in court, and in 1994, a federal judge ruled that her discharge was unconstitutional. She was reinstated to the Washington National Guard and served until her retirement in 1997.

Later Life and Legacy

Cammermeyer's story was the basis for the 1995 television movie Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story, in which she was portrayed by Glenn Close. She has been an advocate for LGBT rights and has written an autobiography titled Serving in Silence.

Awards and Honors

• Bronze Star Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Nursing Hall of Fame

See Also

• Don't Ask, Don't Tell
• LGBT rights in the United States
• Military history of LGBT people in the United States