The "Hello Girls" of the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit were the first non-medical, all- female unit and the first women to directly contribute to combat operations in US history. Answering the call from General Pershing to serve as bilingual telephone operators, they were trained by AT&T, then deployed to the American Expeditionary Forces in France in 1918. Approximately 200 "Hello Girls" -- as they were nicknamed -- ultimately served in operating units in the First, Second, and Third Army Headquarters (including during the Meuse Argonne Offensive) where they handled 26 million calls. They were held after the war; the last "Hello Girl" was released from service in 1920. Two paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Yet, upon their return, although they served under commissioned officers; wore dog tags, insignia, and uniforms; swore the Army Oath; and were subject to court martial, they were told they had only served as "civilian contractors" -- thus denied veterans status and benefits. Only after a prolonged struggle, in 1977, Congress passed a law paving the way for them to be recognized as full veterans of the US Army -- in time for a veteran's tombstone and a flag at their funeral. These women deserve recognition for their service. They deserve to be remembered. They deserve a place alongside other US Army soldiers on the Unit Tribute Wall.