Ann A. Bernatitus

Infobox Military Person
name=Ann A. Bernatitus
born= birth date|1912|1|21
died= death date and age|2003|3|3|1912|1|21
placeofbirth=Exeter, Pennsylvania
placeofdeath=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania


caption=Ann A. Bernatitus First American recipient of the Legion of Merit (legionnaire)
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|United States United States Navy
branch= United States Navy Nurse Corps
serviceyears= 1936–1959
rank=Captain
commands=
unit=
battles=Battle of Bataan Battle of Corregidor Battle of Okinawa World War II
awards=Legion of Merit
Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
American Defense Service Medal {with star}
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
laterwork=
portrayedby= Ann Agnes Bernatitus (January 21, 1912–March 3, 2003) was a United States Navy nurse who served during World War II. In October 1942, she became the first American recipient of the Legion of Merit (legionnaire) for her heroism during the siege of Bataan and Corregidor from December 1941 through April 1942. She was among the last group to be evacuated from the Philippines just prior to the fall of Corregidor aboard USS|Spearfish|SS-190 and was the only Navy nurse stationed there to evade capture. She served at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Naval Hospital Great Lakes then as in November 1944 as Chief Nurse aboard USS|Relief|AH-1 during the Okinawa campaign. She retired from the United States Navy Nurse Corps as a Captain in 1959. [Navy Medicine. [http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps17064/IssueAll7.pdf In Memoriam, Ann A. Bernatitus.] Jan Kenneth Herman. May - June 2003. p. 32-32.]

She donated her Legion of Merit medal to the Smithsonian Institution in 1976. [The Times Leader. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). A heroic salute. Monument to honor World War II nurse. Genelle Hoban. January 7, 2007. Page 4A.] She died at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on March 3, 2003 and was interred at St. Casimir's Cemetery Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.The Times Leader. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). Ann Bernatitus, obituary. March 4, 2003, Page 7A.] A monument in her honor was dedicated June 23, 2007 at the Exeter Borough Building in her home town. [The Citizens' Voice. [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17637037&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=455154&rfi=6 Monument will honor Ann Bernatitus] . Robert Kalinowski. December 27, 2006. The Times Leader. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). [http://www.timesleader.com/living/20070622_22Briefs-CN_ART.html In brief: Legion Post in Exeter to honor the late Capt. Ann Bernatitus] . June 23, 2007.]

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq87-3b.htm Oral Histories - United States Navy Nurse in the Pacific Theater during World War II - Recollections of CAPT Ann Bernatitus, NC, USN, (Ret.)]
* [http://www.homeofheroes.com/footnotes/2007/01January1-Bernatitus.html Home of the Heroes - Lieutenant (j.g.) Ann A. Bernatitus "Angel of Mercy"]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/ac/women/women1.html Navy Art Collection - Women in Uniform]