First Female General in Marine Corps Dies. With sadness, we want to note the passing of Margaret A. Brewer, Brigadier General, USMC, first woman to be a General in the Marine Corps. She died January 2, 2013 at Green Spring Retirement Community in Springfield VA, not far from MOPH HQ. She received her star by special appointment from President Carter and approval of both houses in Congress. She joined the Corps in 1952 and held a variety of roles in officer recruiting and training, personnel management, and public affairs before she reached flag rank in 1978. After retirement, General Brewer served for many years on the Board of Catholic Charities of Arlington, VA. She also was a board member of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, which spearheaded the development of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle. Air Force Brig General Wilma L. Vaught, President of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, said: “She’s legendary. She’s one of the pioneers.â€