First woman chief master sergeant laid to rest Published Feb. 12, 2019 By Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland -- The first woman to ever hold such a rank, Chief Master Sgt. Grace Peterson was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery Feb. 8. She entered military service in New York City soon after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack that thrust America into World War II before she joined what was then called the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942. Her service helped pave the way for future generations of aviators.