Ann A. Bernatitus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann A. Bernatitus
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Ann A. Bernatitus
First American recipient of the Legion of Merit |
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| Born | January 21, 1912 Exeter, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 3, 2003 (aged 91) Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial |
St. Casimir's Cemetery, Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Navy Nurse Corps |
| Years of service | 1936–1959 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Bataan Battle of Corregidor Battle of Okinawa World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit w/ Combat V Presidential Unit Citation (United States) American Defense Service Medal (with star) Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal |
Ann Agnes Bernatitus (born January 21, 1912 – died March 3, 2003) was a brave United States Navy nurse. She served during World War II and made history. Ann was the very first American to receive the Legion of Merit award.
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Ann's Journey as a Nurse
Ann Bernatitus joined the United States Navy Nurse Corps in 1936. She became an Ensign, which is a junior officer rank. Before joining the Navy, she studied nursing in Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Wyoming Valley Homeopathic Hospital Training School in 1934. Then, she completed a special program for operating room nursing in 1935.
Her first jobs as a Navy nurse were at Naval Hospitals. She worked in Chelsea, Massachusetts and Annapolis, Maryland.
Serving in World War II
In 1940, Ann was sent to the Philippines. She worked at the US Naval Hospital in Canacao. When World War II began in the Pacific, things became very dangerous. Japanese forces attacked, and the hospital staff had to move. Ann and her team went to Manila and then Bataan.
She was the only Navy nurse on her team. Ann bravely cared for many wounded soldiers. These included American, Filipino, and even Japanese soldiers. She worked tirelessly during the difficult siege from December 1941 to April 1942.
A Heroic Award
For her incredible courage, Ann received a special award. In October 1942, she became the first American to get the Legion of Merit. This award recognized her heroism during the battles of Bataan and Corregidor.
Ann was one of the last "Angels of Bataan" to escape the Philippines. These nurses were known for their bravery. She was the only Navy nurse in the area to avoid being captured. After leaving the Philippines, she continued to serve. She worked at several Naval Hospitals in the United States. In 1945, she was the Chief of Nursing Service. She served on a hospital ship, the Relief, during the Battle of Okinawa.
Ann was promoted to Commander in 1950. She retired from the Navy Nurse Corps in 1959. By then, she had reached the rank of Captain.
Ann Bernatitus passed away on March 3, 2003. She was buried in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
Ann's Lasting Impact
Captain Bernatitus wanted her bravery to inspire others. In 1976, she gave her Legion of Merit medal to the Smithsonian Institution. This is a famous museum in Washington, D.C.
A special monument was built to honor her. It was dedicated on June 23, 2007. The monument is in her hometown of Exeter, Pennsylvania.
Awards and Honors
- Legion of Merit with "V" device (for valor in combat)
- American Defense Service Medal with "BASE" clasp
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star
- World War II Victory Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
