DANVILLE, Calif. (AP) — At age 106, Alice Darrow recalls her time as a nurse during World War II, providing crucial medical care to soldiers under fire. Like many of her fellow nurses, she risked her life to save others, but the sacrifices of these caregivers often go unnoticed in history.
As the years progress, only a handful of these brave women are still alive. Efforts are underway to ensure their contributions are officially recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal. World War II marked a pivotal moment for nurses, with numbers swelling from fewer than 600 to nearly 59,000 in the Army by the war's end. The need for skilled caregivers brought together women from diverse backgrounds, including Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo, the first Chinese American nurse in the Army Nurse Corps.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Elise Stefanik have jointly sponsored legislation to honor these nurses, but garnering enough support remains a challenge. They argue it's essential to acknowledge the bravery of nurses who not only cared for the wounded but often faced harrowing situations themselves.
“It’s high time we honor the nurses who stepped up and did their part to defend our freedom,” Baldwin stated, highlighting the urgency of recognizing these unsung heroes. “Without them, we would not have the knowledge base we need now to fight the wars of today,” expressed Edward Yackel, a retired colonel.
To date, initiatives to pass the legislation face significant hurdles, requiring at least two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House. Still, advocates urge that it’s the least the nation can do to honor those who sacrificed so much.
As current political discussions unfold, the urgency to recognize World War II nurses grows every day, with many advocates fearing it may be too late if action is not taken soon.
