World War II Honoree

Helen C. Gorzelanski

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Omaha, Nebraska

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

SHE WAS A NAVY NURSE ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL IN MANILA, LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED ON DECEMBER 8, 1941. ON JANUARY 2, 1942 SHE WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AT SAINT SCHOLASTICA GIRLS SCHOOL WITH PATIENTS AND OTHER MEDICAL PERSONNEL. IN EARLY MARCH OF 1942 SHE WAS SENT TO THE SANTO TOMAS INTERNMENT CAMP IN MANILA AS A PRISONER OF WAR. ON MARCH 14, 1943 SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO LOS BANOS INTERNMENT CAMP, 42 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MANILA ON THE SHORES OF LAGUNA DE BAY. WHILE IMPRISONED SHE WORKED UNDER CRUEL CONDITIONS, WHICH INCLUDED BARELY ENOUGH FOOD TO SUSTAIN LIFE, CARING FOR AND TREATING HER PATIENTS. SHE WAS LIBERATED ON FEBRUARY 22, 1945 FROM LOS BANOS INTERNMENT CAMP.