In brief
As time runs out for a handful of surviving WWII nurses, a coalition advocates for recognition through the Congressional Gold Medal. They reflect on their harrowing experiences, including life-saving surgeries and bravery under fire. The legislation to honor them faces challenges in Congress.
DANVILLE, Calif. (AP) — At age 106, Alice Darrow fondly recalls her days as a nurse during World War II, where she bravely treated troops amidst bullets while carrying medical supplies.
Darrow, alongside other nurses, witnessed both the challenges of treating injuries and the disheartening aftermath of war. Despite their sacrifices, many nurses returned home with little recognition.
A coalition of retired military nurses seeks to change this narrative, advocating for the Congressional Gold Medal to honor all nurses who served in WWII. The general public doesn’t often recognize the contribution that the nurses have made in pretty much every war, Patricia Upah, a retired colonel, noted.
Only a few WWII nurses, including Darrow and Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo, 107, remain alive today, and there is urgency in awarding this honor before it's too late.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Elise Stefanik have sponsored legislation for the medal, emphasizing the need to acknowledge these nurses for their courage and sacrifices. However, the bill requires broad support in Congress, with lower-than-needed cosponsors to proceed.
During WWII, the number of military nurses surged, responding to urgent needs on battlefronts. Many faced harrowing experiences, enduring capture as prisoners of war and bravely working under fire to save lives.
Darrow's story includes saving a young soldier critically injured during the Pearl Harbor attack, forming a bond that would last a lifetime. As WWII nurses recount their stories, it becomes evident their sacrifices were foundational in shaping modern military medical care.
In summary, the push for honoring WWII nurses encapsulates a respect long overdue—a chance to recognize those who defended freedom through selfless service.
