Dorothy Jensen Blanchard: A WAVE Who Rode the Tides of History
Dorothy Jensen Blanchard's legacy now lives on in the newly renamed Dorothy Jensen Blanchard High Desert Park
Download an mp3 podcast clip about Dorothy Jensen Blanchard.
Answering the Call: The WAVES of WWII
During World War II, the U.S. Navy opened its doors to women through a groundbreaking initiative: the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Created with the support of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, WAVES allowed women to serve in non-combat roles, freeing male sailors for service at sea. The WAVES, alongside the Women’s Army Corps (WACs), were not only the first to serve in the US military, these women broke gender barriers and reshaped the American military—and society—for generations to come.
Dorothy Jensen was one of the first to step forward. Born in Milltown, New Jersey, Dorothy boarded a train in 1943 to Hunter College in the Bronx for her naval training. With grit, heart, and intellect, she graduated in the top one percentile of her class. A photo from that day shows First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt saluting her graduating WAVES platoon—an iconic moment that would be just the beginning of Dorothy’s remarkable career.
From Secret Missions to Shaping the Future
Dorothy’s early assignments included critical intelligence work at the Merchant Shipping Intelligence Office, tracking and protecting Allied merchant convoys. But her talents soon caught the attention of the Navy’s top brass. She was appointed private secretary to Admiral Arleigh A. Burke—legendary WWII naval commander and later Chief of Naval Operations. With Top Secret clearance, Dorothy handled sensitive documents and had a front-row seat to military history in the making.
At the Pentagon, she also worked for Lyman A. Thackrey—a Senior Naval Planner for the Normandy Invasion, and later a Rear Admiral and a Navy Distinguished Service Medal winner. Most notably, she played a supporting role in one of the most consequential legislative efforts in
U.S. defense history: the National Security Act of 1947. This Act created the U.S. Air Force as a separate military branch and reshaped the nation's defense infrastructure. One year later, Kirtland Air Force Base—today a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s economy and identity—was born. Dorothy would eventually move to Albuquerque and live just miles from the very base whose creation she witnessed in Washington.
Service, Sacrifice, and Love
In 1949, President Truman appointed John F. Floberg as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air. This was the second highest position in the Department of the Navy. Dorothy was promoted to become his Private Secretary. In this capacity, she edited speeches and toured naval installations from Tunisia to Bermuda, Morocco to England, France to Newfoundland, and Iceland and the Azores.
During this time, she also met her future husband, Navy aerographer Earl Harrison Blanchard. Their meeting was serendipitous—a rainy day, a shared ride, and a sailor’s determination to find her again.
After marrying and raising a daughter, Dorothy continued her life of public service and adventure, living in London, Hawaii, and North Carolina before settling in Albuquerque, where she spent the last 25 years of her life. She remained a proud veteran, often greeted by VA staff as “Chief Blanchard”—a title that always brought a smile to her face.
Albuquerque’s Living Legend
Dorothy’s centennial birthday in 2023 was no quiet affair. The Military Women’s Memorial of Arlington, VA honored her with their Living Legend Award. Her achievements were chronicled in a front-page Albuquerque Journal article, and she was featured in the PBS documentary Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road, focusing on WAVES in Albuquerque. Dorothy and other women of WWII are also the focus of a 2026 exhibit at The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.
Dorothy passed away on June 20, 2024, at the age of 101. Her funeral at the Santa Fe National Cemetery was marked by full military honors, complete with a Navy honor guard and a rifle volley. The farewell ended with a traditional Navy blessing: “May you have fair winds and following seas.” This nautical expression is a heartfelt wish for good luck and a blessing for sailors embarking on a new voyage.
Dorothy Jensen Blanchard High Desert Park
In 2025, the City of Albuquerque officially renamed High Desert Park to Dorothy Jensen Blanchard High Desert Park, recognizing her trailblazing service and deep local roots. Her story is a powerful reminder that our city is shaped not only by its landscapes, but by the people who serve, lead, and inspire.
As you walk these park grounds, take a moment to reflect on Dorothy’s extraordinary life and the lives of the women of WWII. She journeyed from humble small-town beginnings to the halls of power—working with admirals, advising Pentagon leaders, and helping shape America’s military future—before finally making Albuquerque her home, where her legacy endures.