2/17/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The first woman to serve as major general in the Air Force, and the Department of Defense, passed away Feb. 15.

Retired Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm is credited as the single driving force in achieving parity for military women and making them a viable part of the mainstream military.

The Portland, Ore., native attained the rank of two-star general in 1973 after a career that began 31 years earlier in 1942 when she enlisted in the Army. General Holm entered Women's Army Air Corps in January 1943 where she received a commission as third officer, the WAAC equivalent of second lieutenant.

General Holm also became the first woman to attend the Air Command and Staff School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1952.