Kathleen A. McGrath

Kathleen Anne McGrath (* June 4, 1952 in Columbus, Ohio; † 26 September 2002 in Bethesda, Maryland) was officer of the United States Navy. As the first woman she commanded from December 1998 to September 2000 a frigate USS Jarrett (FFG -33).

Life

Kathleen McGrath was the eldest of six children of a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After studying environmental science at California State University, Sacramento, where she graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree, she worked for the United States Forest Service. In 1980, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served upon completion of their officer training from 1983 on various ships. In 1987 she took a master's degree in Educational Management at Stanford University. On 18 December 1998, she was Commander of the USS Jarrett and commanded the ship during a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. After their regular contemporary detachment she was transferred to the Joint Advanced Warfighting Unit in Alexandria ( Virginia).

In May 2002, she was promoted to captain in August 2002, she retired for health reasons in the service of. She died of cancer and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. She was married and had two adopted children.

She was awarded the Order of the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal with four times.