Bronze Star award for operations on Saipan : Correspondence 1944.

Format:

Book

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Summary:

Description: HQ APO 244 to 1st Lieutenant Birdie B. Daigle awarding her the Bronze Star "For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy as a nurse on the Island of Saipan between 9 July 1944 and 6 August 1944." 10 August 1944. Label text: invasion of the Pacific Gallery. On July 9, 1944, while fighting continued on Saipan, a group of 10 army nurses arrived, the first American nurses to set foot on the island. The group was led by First Lieutenant Birdie B. Daigle. Daigle's team set up a field hospital and treated military and civilian casualties. The photograph in this case depicts Daigle (left) and her unit on Saipan. Daigle won this Bronze Star for her actions on the island. The Nurses Corps insignia and anesthesia notebook are hers. "We found Saipan a scorched island with many killed and wounded. . . . All buildings had been completely demolished, and the population had taken a horrible blow. . . . We worked, day and night, behind the lines, first from one spot to another. During the day we tended civilians; at night the servicemen became our patients. . . . I wish the people at home could have seen the results of war bombardments on those civilians. . . . At first, we had so many wounded to take care of, and so few facilities, the job seemed too tremendous. Sometimes we felt like crying. It was just that we needed so much, in order to do the best work. "Promoted to captain, Daigle later served on Iwo Jima. Returned to donor: Pages- two loose pages from scrap book showing Daigle and subordinates en route to Saipan; Laminated paper and photos-good condition. And scrapbook - detailing the life, service and correspondence of Birdie Daigle from her induction into the army 1941 to her discharge in 1946 (all returned 2002).

Notes:

Description based on online resource (viewed on June 12, 2019).