THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607240419
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: QUANTICO, VA. LENGTH: 28 lines
When Carol Mutter joined the Marine Corps nearly three decades ago, women weren't allowed to be generals.
Tuesday, with a parade, a marching band and a 19-gun salute, she became the Marines' first three-star general. She joins Navy Vice Adm. Patricia A. Tracey as the only women in the armed forces ever to wear three stars.
``Every time you have the first person through a door that has been closed before, it makes it that much easier for the people behind,'' Mutter said.
She stood at attention at Quantico Marine Base as a medal was pinned to her uniform, promoting her from major general to one of the service's nine lieutenant generals, the Marines' second-highest rank. The highest is four-star general.
Mutter, who became a Marine officer in 1967, will head the Manpower and Reserve Affairs operation at Marine headquarters in Washington.
The audience of about 300 chuckled when instead of the customary bouquet presented to the promoted officer's spouse, Mutter gave her husband a box of nails. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Marine Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter by CNB