World War II Honoree

Ellen G. Ainsworth

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Glenwood City, Wisconsin

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

ON FEBRUARY 10, 1944, WAS ON DUTY IN A HOSPITAL WARD NEAR THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD. DURING AN ENEMY ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT, A SHELL HIT THE HOSPITAL. DESPITE THE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE HOSPITAL, THE WISCONSIN NURSE CALMLY MOVED HER PATIENTS TO SAFETY. SHE INSTILLED CONFIDENCE IN HER ASSISTANTS AND HER PATIENTS, THEREBY PREVENTING SERIOUS PANIC AND INJURY. SHE WAS WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK AND DIED 6 DAYS LATER. SHE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR (FOR BRAVERY) AND THE PURPLE HEART. IN HER HONOR, A NURSING CARE BUILDING AT THE WISCONSIN VETERANS HOME AT KING IS NAMED AFTER HER. A DISPENSARY AT FORT HAMILTON, NEW YORK AND A CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE PENTAGON ALSO ARE NAMED IN HER HONOR.