Commander Jane Barton, USNR (Ret.)

Born in New York City in 1918, Jane Barton earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism at Hunter College and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration at New York University before beginning her Navy career in 1942.  As a member of the fourth class of WAVES and the first class to receive boot training, Barton trained with other officer candidates at Mount Holyoke College.  During her three years of World War II active duty, she was stationed in Washington, D.C. where she was responsible for housing and served as Assistant Public Relations Officer for the Potomac Naval Command.  During the war she rose from ensign to lieutenant.  She was also editor of a WAVES periodical first called Scuttlebut and then Havelock. 

In 1948, Barton was one of the first 200 women selected for a commission in the Regular Navy (USN) after the WAVES were integrated into the regular military.  She declined this honor and decided to accept a position in Albany as program director of the New York State Radio-TV-Motion Picture Bureau.  She retired from this job after 25 years, all the while remaining active in the Naval Reserve where for 20 years she was the Third Naval District Commandant’s Representative for Public Affairs in the Capital Region.  In addition to her civilian job plus her Navy public affairs responsibilities, she trained enlisted women.  Her commission as commander came as a Reservist in January 1964.

Today, Commander Barton lives in Esperance, New York on a 120-acre tree farm and is active in many voluntary and professional organizations. 

All of the uniforms on display in the Navy WAVES:  The Women of World War II exhibition were worn by Jane Barton during her Navy career.  The uniforms date to World War II, however the sleeve stripes were added later and denote the officer's ranks she achieved. 

Uniforms include:

Service Dress, White Uniform, Rank:  Commander, Insignia on sleeve denotes Line, administrator

Summer Work Uniform, Blue Seersucker

Service Dress, Navy Blue Uniform, Rank:  Lieutenant Commander, Insignia on sleeve denotes Line, administrator