World War II Honoree

Edna Lillie Haertig Atkinson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Woodsboro, Texas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

GRADUATED FROM JOHN SEALY COLLEGE OF NURSING, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT GALVESTON IN 1941. ENTERED THE ARMY NURSE CORPS IN FEBRUARY, 1942 AT FORT SAM HOUSTON AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS WITH THE RANK OF SECOND LIEUTENANT. ASSIGNED TO THE 3RD STATION HOSPITAL, MOVED WITH THE UNIT TO EPWORTH, ENGLAND ON JUNE 30, 1942 AND SERVED WITH U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE BRITISH ISLES (USAFBI). IN ORDER TO GET CLOSER TO FRONT LINE ACTION, SHE TRANSFERRED TO THE 26TH GENERAL HOSPITAL IN ORAN, ALGERIA IN FEBRUARY, 1943. THEN JOINED THE 59TH EVACUATION HOSPITAL AS PART OF SEVENTH ARMY FORCES AND PERFORMED NURSING DUTIES DURING OPERATIONS IN SICILY, ITALY, FRANCE AND GERMANY. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. ALSO AWARDED THE ARMY MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION FOR HER UNIT'S PERFORMANCE OF OUTSTANDING SERVICES FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE MONTHS DURING MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST ENEMY FORCES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN FEBRUARY, 1946 WITH THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.