World War II Honoree

Ann Bernatitus

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Exeter, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

NAVY NURSE ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL IN MANILA, LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED ON DECEMBER 8, 1941. DECEMBER 24, 1941, SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO BATAAN WHERE SHE SERVED WITH THE ARMY NURSES AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO CORREGIDOR. DURING THESE TIMES AND UNDER DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS SHE TREATED HER PATIENTS WHILE UNDER CONSTANT ATTACK BY THE JAPANESE. SHE WAS EVACUATED FROM CORREGIDOR MAY 3, 1942 BY THE USS SPEARFISH SS-190 AND ARRIVED SAFELY IN FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA. THE ONLY NAVY NURSE TO BE EVACUATED FROM THE PHILIPPINES BEFORE SURRENDER AND THE ONLY NAVY NURSE TO SERVE ON BATAAN, WAS AWARDED THE LEGION OF MERIT FOR HER SERVICE ON BATAAN. SHE WAS THE LONE NAVY NURSE IN THE WAR TO RECEIVE THE DECORATION.