World War II Honoree

Esther Beatrice Trettin Castell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Staunton, Illinois

Honored By

VMI-Mc'43

Relationship

Friend

FOLLOWING GRADUATION FROM WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN 1940, SHE IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY AT THE GREAT LAKES TRAINING CENTER. FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS THE TRAINING CENTER AT BAINBRIDGE MARYLAND. WENT OVERSEAS TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL FOR THE NORMANDY INVASION. ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TO SCOTLAND, WITH A TRAIN TO SOUTHAMPTON TO NETLEY TO TAKE OVER AN OLD HOSPITAL DATING TO THE CRIMEAN WAR. FIRST CASUALTIES ARRIVED FROM NORMANDY FOUR DAYS AFTER THE INVASION. THIS HOSPITAL TREATED SOME 10,000 CASUALTIES DURING THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS. RETURNED TO THE U.S. AND WAS ASSIGNED TO SEVERAL MILITARY BASES BEFORE LEAVING THE SERVICE.