World War II Honoree

Elizabeth E. Gussak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clinton, Iowa

Honored By

Elizabeth Gussak & Kathleen L. Odau

Relationship

Self & Special Friend

ARMY MEDICAL CORPS; CAPTAIN/ DIETITIAN. GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. VOLUNTEERED FOR THE ARMY MARCH 1943, HONORABLY DISCHARGED JANUARY 1946. INITIAL ARMY TRAINING, FORT SAM HOUSTON, BROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER THEN TO CAMP SWIFT, AUSTIN, TEXAS; THEN TO NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA. SHIPPED OUT TO ASSAM, INDIA AND SERVED IN THE JUNGLE WITH THE 69TH GENERAL HOSPITAL, ABOUT 15 MONTHS. SHE WAS THE ONLY DIETITIAN IN THE FIRST MEDICAL GROUP AND HELPED CARE FOR SOME OF MERRILL'S MARAUDERS WHEN THEY FINISHED THEIR MISSION IN BURMA. FROM INDIA, SHE AND HER UNIT WERE SHIPPED TO OKINAWA TO ASSEMBLE FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN. RECEIVED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE 69TH HOSPITAL UNIT RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FOR WORK IN INDIA. SERVED IN DANGEROUS PLACES AND PERFORMED HER DUTIES WITH HONOR AND DIGNITY.