World War II Honoree
Civilian on the Home Front
Veronica 'Ronnie' Lutz Awis
Hometown
Detroit, Michigan
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, SHE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE CADET NURSE CORPS DURING THE WAR. THE UNITED STATES CADET NURSE CORPS WAS A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN 1943 UNDER THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE (USPHS) TO TRAIN NURSES TO SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES, GOVERNMENT AND CIVILIAN HOSPITALS, HEALTH AGENCIES, AND IN WAR-RELATED INDUSTRIES. A STUDENT NURSE WHO JOINED THE CADET NURSE CORPS RECEIVED A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY FOR HER TUITION, BOOKS, AND UNIFORMS AS WELL AS A SMALL LIVING STIPEND. PARTICIPANTS IN THE CORPS PLEDGED TO ACTIVELY SERVE IN ESSENTIAL CIVILIAN, MILITARY OR OTHER FEDERAL AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR THE DURATION OF THE WAR.