World War II Honoree

Hilda Kernen Mitchell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Del Norte, Colorado

Honored By

Friends & Family

SHE REPORTED FOR NAVY DUTY IN OCTOBER, 1942. SHE SERVED AS A NURSE. SHE WAS AMONG THE FIRST HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ABOARD HER HOSPITAL SHIP TO NURSE THEM BACK TO HEALTH. DURING THE WAR HER SHIP, THE USS RESCUE, HAD LOADED PATIENTS FROM THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA UNDER ENEMY FIRE. WITH THE WAR OVER, THE SHIP ADDED WEAK AND WEARY PRISONERS OF WAR TO PATIENTS WHO HAD BEEN WOUNDED DURING MILITARY STRIKES ON JAPAN.