Colonel Katherine Amelia Towle (April 30, 1898 – March 1, 1986) was the second director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve (USMCWR) and the first director of Women Marines. The uniform included a red tiara with gold embellishments. As another design of evening dress uniform was eventually adopted, Colonel Towle's evening dress uniform was a "one of a kind." This uniform is now in the museum collection of Artillery Company of Newport in Newport, Rhode Island.
Colonel Towle served as director of Women Marines until her retirement on April 30, 1953.
Her military awards included the Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War Two Victory Medal. Eight days before Colonel Towle's retirement, President Eisenhower created the National Defense Service Medal retroactive to June 27, 1950. She was, thus, eligible for the medal but it is uncertain if she was ever formally awarded it.
University dean
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Towle was succeeded by Colonel Julia Hamblet. Towle was later associated with the University of California at Berkeley in various capacities: as dean of women from 1953 to 1960; as assistant dean of students from 1960 to 1965; as dean of students, 1965–66; and later as dean of students, emeritus. She was the first female to serve as dean of students.
Death
Towle died on March 2, 1986, at her home in California at the age of 87.
Legacy
In 2005, a new residence hall at U.C. Berkeley was named after Colonel Towle (Katherine A. Towle Hall).