World War II Honoree

Mae Olson Pruitt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Fort Ripley Township, Minnesota

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

WORKED AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES UNTIL 1942 AND THEN ENLISTED IN THE ARMY NURSE CORPS. SHE WAS IN THE FIRST CLASS OF AIR EVACUATION NURSES TO BE DEPLOYED TO THE PACIFIC THEATER AND WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO LAND ON GUADALCANAL IN MARCH 1943. EARNED 5 AIR MEDALS AS A PARTICIPANT IN EVACUATION OF WOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945.