First Lieutenant Annie Fox, of the Army Nurse Corps, was honored with the Bronze Star for her courageous actions during infamous attack on December 7, 1941.
According to the US Veterans Association: "Annie G. Fox joined the United States Army Nurse Corps near the end of World War I. Throughout her career she was stationed in New York, Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Fort Mason in San Diego, California, Camp John Hay in Benguet and Manila in the Philippines. During that time she rose through the ranks of the Nurse Corps. On August 1, 1941 she became the Chief Nurse. In November Annie was promoted to First Lieutenant and transferred to Hickam Field, the newly opened hospital near Pearl Harbor."
"Lieutenant Fox was the Station Hospital's Head Nurse on the morning of the attack. The 30-bed hospital opened in November 1941, with six nurses. The Japanese attack landed her in combat for the first time. The 47-year-old quickly took control of the situation as bombs fell on the base. The injured flooded into the hospital within minutes of the first bombing. As the attack progressed, bombs even fell around the hospital itself. The smoke and fumes became so horrible that the hospital workers put on gas masks and helmets as they tended to the wounded" - National Women's History Museum
According to the National Women's History Museum: "As Head Nurse, Lieutenant Fox coordinated the hospital's response to the assault and rallied the nurses. The wives of officers and NCOs reported to the hospital to provide assistance. Then, Lieutenant Fox organized the civilian volunteers to administer hundreds of hospital dressings and help with patient care. Annie herself participated in surgery, administering anesthesia. Afterward, she, along with the other nurses, tended to the wounded."
"The Army Nurse Corps had fewer than 1,000 nurses on December 7, 1941. Furthermore, just 82 US Army nurses were stationed in Hawaii serving at three Army medical facilities that day. By the end of the war, more than 59,000 American nurses had served in the Army Nurse Corps. These heroic women received 1,619 medals, citations, and commendations during the war, including 16 medals awarded posthumously to women who died as a result of enemy fire."
"Four other Army nurses also received recognition for their performance during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Captain Helena Clearwater, First Lieutenant Elizabeth A. Pesut, Second Lieutenant Elma L. Asson and Second Lieutenant Rosalie L. Swenson each received the Legion of Merit "for extraordinary fidelity and essential service."
Annie went on to serve as Assistant to the Principal Chief Nurse at Camp Phillips, Kansas. She served at Camp Phillips from 1943 to 1944. While there she was promoted to the rank of Major. Prior to her retirement from active duty December 15, 1945 she also served at Fort Francis E Warren in Wyoming. Annie eventually settled in San Diego, California where two of her sisters resided. Annie passed away on January 20, 1987 in San Francisco at the age of 93.
Major Annie Fox lies in rest at San Francisco National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.
I would like to publicly thank SMB-1010 for giving us a picture of Major Fox's headstone. You are a generous person, both with your time and also, tending to America's veterans. Thank you.
First Lieutenant Annie Fox, of the Army Nurse Corps, was honored with the Bronze Star for her courageous actions during infamous attack on December 7, 1941.
According to the US Veterans Association: "Annie G. Fox joined the United States Army Nurse Corps near the end of World War I. Throughout her career she was stationed in New York, Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Fort Mason in San Diego, California, Camp John Hay in Benguet and Manila in the Philippines. During that time she rose through the ranks of the Nurse Corps. On August 1, 1941 she became the Chief Nurse. In November Annie was promoted to First Lieutenant and transferred to Hickam Field, the newly opened hospital near Pearl Harbor."
"Lieutenant Fox was the Station Hospital's Head Nurse on the morning of the attack. The 30-bed hospital opened in November 1941, with six nurses. The Japanese attack landed her in combat for the first time. The 47-year-old quickly took control of the situation as bombs fell on the base. The injured flooded into the hospital within minutes of the first bombing. As the attack progressed, bombs even fell around the hospital itself. The smoke and fumes became so horrible that the hospital workers put on gas masks and helmets as they tended to the wounded" - National Women's History Museum
According to the National Women's History Museum: "As Head Nurse, Lieutenant Fox coordinated the hospital's response to the assault and rallied the nurses. The wives of officers and NCOs reported to the hospital to provide assistance. Then, Lieutenant Fox organized the civilian volunteers to administer hundreds of hospital dressings and help with patient care. Annie herself participated in surgery, administering anesthesia. Afterward, she, along with the other nurses, tended to the wounded."
"The Army Nurse Corps had fewer than 1,000 nurses on December 7, 1941. Furthermore, just 82 US Army nurses were stationed in Hawaii serving at three Army medical facilities that day. By the end of the war, more than 59,000 American nurses had served in the Army Nurse Corps. These heroic women received 1,619 medals, citations, and commendations during the war, including 16 medals awarded posthumously to women who died as a result of enemy fire."
"Four other Army nurses also received recognition for their performance during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Captain Helena Clearwater, First Lieutenant Elizabeth A. Pesut, Second Lieutenant Elma L. Asson and Second Lieutenant Rosalie L. Swenson each received the Legion of Merit "for extraordinary fidelity and essential service."
Annie went on to serve as Assistant to the Principal Chief Nurse at Camp Phillips, Kansas. She served at Camp Phillips from 1943 to 1944. While there she was promoted to the rank of Major. Prior to her retirement from active duty December 15, 1945 she also served at Fort Francis E Warren in Wyoming. Annie eventually settled in San Diego, California where two of her sisters resided. Annie passed away on January 20, 1987 in San Francisco at the age of 93.
Major Annie Fox lies in rest at San Francisco National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.
I would like to publicly thank SMB-1010 for giving us a picture of Major Fox's headstone. You are a generous person, both with your time and also, tending to America's veterans. Thank you.
