World War II Honoree

Jennie Walker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Peckville, Pennsylvania

Honored By

William Fischer, Jr.

Relationship

Grateful Citizen

COMMISSIONED 10 APRIL 1942 IN THE ARMY NURSE CORPS. SERVED AT PINE CAMP (LATER CAMP DRUM), NEW YORK; PERCY JONES ARMY GENERAL HOSPITAL, BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN; AND CAMP COOKE, CALIFORNIA, BEFORE ENTERING THE EUROPEAN THEATER IN OCTOBER 1943. SHE SERVED IN THE FIELD HOSPITAL ON THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD SOON AFTER THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN BATTLE BEGAN. ON 11 FEBRUARY 1944, AFTER THE HOSPITAL HAD BEEN STRUCK BY GERMAN ARTILLERY THE DAY BEFORE, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF TWO ARMY NURSES AND A FEMALE RED CROSS WORKER, SHE DECLARED TO A COMBINED AMERICAN PRESS REPORTER THAT, "THERE'S NOT A SINGLE NURSE WHO WILL LET THIS SHELLING AND BOMBING OF HOSPITALS CHASE US OFF THIS BEACH. WE ARE HERE TO STAY."