World War II Honoree

Mabel B. Hovdahl Alexander

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Antelope, Montana

Honored By

William E. Shaklee

Relationship

Friend

IN THE SPRING OF 1942 SHE ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY NURSE CORPS. HER FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS TO REPORT TO THE STATION HOSPITAL AT FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON. SHE WORKED AS A CHARGE NURSE ON A MEDICAL WARD AT THE STATION HOSPITAL UNTIL SHE RECEIVED ORDERS TO GO OVERSEAS. IN FEBRUARY 1944 SHE RECEIVED ORDERS TO REPORT TO CAMP MILES STANDISH NEAR BOSTON TO JOIN THE 83RD GENERAL HOSPITAL AND MAKE PREPARATIONS TO PROCEED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER. THEY REACHED LIVERPOOL SAFELY AND PROCEEDED TO LLANA PANNA, WALES, WHERE THEY SET UP THEIR HOSPITAL. SHE RECEIVED A PROMOTION TO FIRST LIEUTENANT IN FEBRUARY 1945. AFTER THE WAR WITH GERMANY ENDED IN JUNE 1945, THE 83RD GENERAL HOSPITAL WAS DISBANDED AND SOME NURSES WERE SENT TO SUIPPES, FRANCE, TO OPERATE A HOSPITAL THERE. LATER THEY WERE MOVED TO CAMP CARLISLE, NEAR MOURMELON, FRANCE, TO WAIT FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK TO THE STATES (OCTOBER 1945). FROM THERE THEY WERE MOVED TO CAMP PHILLIP MORRIS. THEY DEPARTED FROM THERE ON NOVEMBER 9 TO BOARD A SHIP IN LE HAVRE HARBOR. THEY WERE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THE STATUE OF LIBERTY NOVEMBER 16. FROM NEW YORK CITY THEY WERE FLOWN TO CAMP BEALE, CALIFORNIA. SHE RECEIVED HER DISCHARGE THERE AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT.