S815-118

What This Bill Does

This bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Hello Girls - the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps who served in France during World War I. These women took the Army oath, wore Army uniforms, and served under military discipline, yet were denied veteran status for 60 years until Congress recognized them in 1979. The bill recounts their critical service connecting 26 million calls during the war, including at the frontline battles of St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. The medal goes to the Smithsonian for display, with bronze duplicates available for sale.

Who Benefits and How

• Hello Girls' legacy and descendants receive official Congressional recognition of their ancestors' military service.
• Women in military history gain recognition of the Hello Girls as pioneers who paved the way for women in uniform.
• Smithsonian and military museums receive the medal for display and research.
• U.S. Mint can sell bronze duplicate medals to collectors.
• Veterans' organizations gain recognition of this overlooked chapter of women's military service.

Who Bears the Burden and How

• Treasury Department/U.S. Mint must design and strike the medal.
• Costs covered by duplicate sales - bronze duplicates sold at prices covering all costs.

Key Provisions

• Awards Congressional Gold Medal to female telephone operators of Army Signal Corps
• Recognizes their pioneering service as first women soldiers in non-medical roles
• Honors their 60-year fight for veteran recognition (achieved 1979)
• Medal displayed at Smithsonian, may rotate to military museums
• Bronze duplicates available for sale
• Notes 223 women served in France, connected 26 million calls
• Chief Operator Grace Banker received Distinguished Service Medal