MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- Families and friends mourned the passing of a beloved mother, wife and Marine April 5 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
Shirley Kornegay passed away March 7 at the age of 89, exactly two years after the passing of her husband of 63 years, Kenneth. Kornegay was among the first 1,000 women to enlist in the Marine Corps and part of the first group of women to be assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
“This is exactly what I want out of my life is to be able to live my life well and leave nothing but good memories behind,” said Jon Miller, Kornegay’s nephew. “That’s exactly what she did. She was a Marine and she did so many interesting things. She left an amazing legacy.”
She enlisted in the Marine Corps at 18 years old, during World War II in July 1943, the same day her brother enlisted in the Navy. Herself along with the 48 other female Marines first stationed aboard the depot, were nicknamed the “49ers.”
“Everywhere she went in San Diego, she wore her uniform,” said Shawnee Miller, Kornegay’s daughter. “She was extremely proud to be a Marine.”
She was a part of the “Free a Marine to Fight” program instituted by President Franklin Roosevelt. This program allowed women to do a job on base while male Marines fought overseas.
“The women were so proactive. Every female freed about six Marines to fight,” said Brian Kornegay, Shirley Kornegay’s son.
Shirley was in the first platoon to go through the six-and-a-half week training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. She was a Marine with many skills, working as a truck driver, telephone operator and typist.
“She did everything from fixing engines to driving dignitaries and generals,” said Miller.
Although she only spent two years in the Marine Corps, it made a lasting impression and influenced the rest of her life.
“Once a Marine, always a Marine. That’s definitely how she felt,” said Brian. “She was always very proud. It was something she could hold on to and was one of her major accomplishments.”
Many of the women she went to training with felt the same way and many became life-long friends.
“Mom used to say, ‘We were Marines first, all the way down to our boots,’” said Miller.
Marines aboard MCRD honored Kornegay with a rifle salute and the playing of Taps. Kornegay’s oldest daughter, Joie Chandler, was also presented the American flag.
“She had the perfect life. When you look at what we all want in life, she had it. She lived a good life -- she was a great person,” said Jon. “She never harmed or wronged anyone.”