Ann A. Bernatitus

Ann A. Bernatitus
  
Ann A. Bernatitus
First American recipient of the Legion of Merit (legionnaire)
Born (1912-01-21)January 21, 1912
Exeter, Pennsylvania
Died March 3, 2003(2003-03-03) (aged 91)
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Place of burial St. Casimir's Cemetery, Pittston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States United States Navy
Service/branch 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
Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
American Defense Service Medal {with star}
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Ann Agnes Bernatitus (January 21, 1912 – March 3, 2003) was a United States Navy nurse who served during World War II.

Career

Ann Bernatitus entered the U.S. Navy as a nurse on September 25, 1936. She was assigned to duty in the Philippines prior to the outbreak of World War II. She cared for casualties suffered during the defense of the Philippines from December 1941 to April 1942.

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 of the "Angels of Bataan" 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 was promoted to the rank of commander on August 1, 1950 and retired from the United States Navy Nurse Corps as a captain in 1959.[1]

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.[2]

Legacy

Captain Bernatitus donated her Legion of Merit medal to the Smithsonian Institution in 1976.[3]

A monument in her honor was dedicated June 23, 2007 at the Exeter Borough Building in her home town.[4]

Awards

Legion of Merit Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ann A. Bernatitus (NSN: 64916W), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of Surgical Unit No. 5 during the Japanese attack on the Philippines, December 1941 through April 1942. Nurse Bernatitus maintained her position in the front lines of the Manila-Bataan area rendering efficient and devoted service during the prolonged siege. Miss Bernatitus was regularly attached to the Naval Hospital, Canacao, Philippine Islands having reported for duty there on 20 July 1941. Shortly after hostilities commenced in December 1941 the Naval Hospital Staff and patients were moved to a new establishment in Manila. On 24 December 1941, when Manila was being evacuated Miss Bernatitus accompanied by two Navy Medical Officers proceeded to the Army Hospital at Limay, Bataan. The remainder of the hospital staff stayed in Manila and were taken prisoners. On 25 January 1942, Miss Bernatitus was transferred to Army Field Hospital No. 1 at Little Baguio, Bataan and remained there on active duty until that hospital was destroyed by enemy bombing on 7 April. When Bataan fell Miss Bernatitus was transferred to Corregidor. During her stay in Bataan she worked directly under Lieutenant Commander C. M. Smith (MC), USN, who is now a prisoner of war. The conditions under which the nurses lived and worked lacked everything in the way of comfort. They were constantly exposed to enemy bombing attacks and experienced several as well as the endemic jungle diseases of that area. Miss Bernatitus suffered from both dysentery and beriberi during her tour of duty in Bataan. In spite of all difficulties Miss Bernatitus performed her duty in an exemplary manner with courage and good spirit. She was officially transferred from Corregidor three days before the surrender of that fortress. (Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bernatitus is authorized to wear the Combat "V".) [5]

References

  1. ↑ Navy Medicine. In Memoriam, Ann A. Bernatitus. Jan Kenneth Herman. May – June 2003. p. 32-32.
  2. ↑ The Times Leader. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). Ann Bernatitus, obituary. March 4, 2003, Page 7A.
  3. ↑ The Times Leader. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). A heroic salute. Monument to honor World War II nurse. Genelle Hoban. January 7, 2007. Page 4A.
  4. ↑ The Citizens' Voice. Monument will honor Ann Bernatitus. Robert Kalinowski. December 27, 2006. The Times Leader. (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). In brief: Legion Post in Exeter to honor the late Capt. Ann Bernatitus. June 23, 2007.
  5. ↑ http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=307009

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