Five U.S. Army nurses were honored by having U.S. hospital ships named for them during WWII.
Aleda E. Lutz
The first flight nurses were assigned to go overseas at the end of 1942, with the 802nd Medical Air Evacuation Squadron to North Africa. Aleda was one of them, moving with the 802nd to the European continent. November 1, 1944, she was on a C-47 plane with 15 wounded who were being transported from France to a hospital in Italy. The plane crashed during a storm, and there were no survivors. For her service Aleda was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, among many, many other awards.
Emily H. M. Weder
First joining the army in 1918, Emily’s first assignment was in Vladivostok, Siberia with 12 other nurses. The following years were not as dangerous, but as a career army nurse she eventually died of cancer in 1943.
Ernestine Koranda
Entering the army in 1941, Ernestine sailed with the 12th Station Hospital to Australia. She was killed in an airplane crash, shortly after take-off in December 1943, while on leave.
Blanche F. Sigman
As chief nurse of the 95th Evacuation Hospital, Blanche and the others in the unit had been saving lives for 11 days at the Anzio beachhead. German bombs hit the hospital and killed three nurses, including Blanche. The 95th was among units sailing on the Newfoundland, an English hospital ship, which was bombed crossing the bay from North Africa. All were rescued, returned to Africa, then 3 months later made the crossing again, only to be attacked on land.
Frances Y. Slanger
Born in Poland, Frances’ family came to America in 1919. She became an army nurse in 1943 but didn’t get her overseas assignment until 1944 when, with the 45th Field Hospital, she waded ashore at Normandy on June 10. During the next few months the unit saved lives under heavy battle conditions, moving with the fighting. In October the 45th was in Belgium when they were bombed, directly on the tent where Frances was with other nurses. She died soon after. A writer, Frances had sent a letter to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes addressing it to the GIs, explaining what a privilege it was to be able to care for them as a nurse in war. The letter was published after she died, and became known worldwide. A book about Frances by Bob Welch is titled American Nightingale, The Story of Frances Slanger, Forgotten Heroine of Normandy.
Much of the info on this page came from Massman’s book, Hospital Ships of World War II, which is a really interesting book to read. It is not a dull reference book. These nurses are mentioned in other books on the list of Books By and About WWII Nurses, and the previous page of this blog.
No Time for Fear: Nurses of World War II 