Military Files,, 1951-1994

Summary: Documents Mary Roebling's participation in U.S. military-related organizations. Document types include correspondence, speeches, reports, itineraries, notes, government documents, newsletters, pamphlets, and programs.

Documents Roebling's involvement in organizations such as the Citizens Advisory Committee on Armed Forces Training Installations (1951-1953), where she visited bases in the United States and Germany and reported on facilities and conditions. Roebling was particularly concerned with the condition of women soldiers, as well as noting instances of racial discrimination at some bases. Also documents Roebling's work on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (1951-1953), where she served on the Recruiting and Public Information Subcommittee. In this capacity, she visited bases, arranged events, and promoted the introduction of a postage stamp honoring women's contribution to national defense.

A large part of the series (about 2 cubic feet) documents Mary Roebling's work as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the State of New Jersey (1971-1983), as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the First Army Area (1983-1986) and as Civilian Aide Emeritus (1987-1994), in which capacity she sponsored events, made speeches, and advised the army on publicity matters. Series also documents Roebling's work as a member of the Advisory Board of Directors, Association of the United States Army (1970-1994), in which she served on the Expanding Education Fund Committee (established in 1980) to educate the public about the military. Roebling also awarded the Mary G. Roebling Distinguished Service Award to prominent individuals, and the Roebling Awards to top women Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates. In addition, this series documents her support of the Army War College Foundation at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, of which she was the founding president; her service on the Board of Directors of the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Club in New York City, and her service on the Board of Governors of the United Services Organization (USO), where she was one of the sponsors of the USO Woman of the Year luncheon.

Finally, this series includes correspondence, mostly letters of congratulation, with military figures such as Generals William C. Westmoreland, Colin L. Powell, and H. Norman Schwartzkopf.