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NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Proud to Serve: The Historical Path of Hispanic Army Nurse Corps Officers
September is recognized asNational Hispanic Heritage Month. At this time, it is appropriate to take aglimpse into Army Nurse Corps History and recognize the tremendous service earlyHispanic nurses made to our nation. Apioneer is defined as an innovator in any field, someone who blazes the trail,defines new terrain and territory. DuringWWII, a small group of Hispanic Women pioneered their path in the Army NurseCorps. These women and allArmy Nurse Corps Officers of Hispanic culture deserve recognition andappreciation for their courage and resolution.
In 1944, the United States Army inducted largenumbers of Puerto Rican troops to serve in the Caribbean and South AtlanticTheater of Operations. Thisresulted in the Army's Antilles Department reversing their decision to notaccept Puerto Rican nurses into the Army or Navy Nurse Corps. It was determined that Puerto Rican nurses could alleviatethe growing language barrier in the hospitals. A plan to procure and commission Puerto Rican Nurses for service in theArmy Nurse Corps resulted.
The Surgeon General's Office,the Governor of Puerto Rico, the Commissioner of Health of Puerto Rico and agroup of reputable physicians collaborated to determine criteria that would beused to grant Puerto Rican nurses entrance into the Army Nurse Corps. Considering the impact of commissioning these nurses and its affect onthe civilian population of Puerto Rico, the following criteria was consideredduring the selection of these nurses: the candidates were not holding keycivilian positions, that the majority were not employed in government positionsand that their private employers were willing to relinquish their services. In addition to this consideration, the Department Surgeon interviewed thepotential recruits, investigating their educational and professionalqualifications.
In accordance with the abovecriteria, thirteen nurses were commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps. They wereVenia Hilda Roig, Rose Mary Glanville, Asuncion Bonilla-Velasco, Elba Cintron,Casilda Gonzalez, Olga Gregory, Eva Garcia, Carmen Lozano, Margarita Vilaro,Medarda Roasario, Aurea Cotto, Julie Gonzalez and Marta Munoz-Otero. These nurses completed assignments at the Post of San Jaun, P.R. and CampTortuguero, P.R. The Puerto Rican Army Nurses were applauded for theirbilingual language abilities. Spanish-speakingpatients expressed great appreciation for the nurses from their homeland thatcould speak and write letters for them in their native language. The nurses also received praise from the continental doctors and nurses.
Stepping outside traditionalboundaries and exhibiting a tremendous desire to contribute their talents, thisgroup of nurses served with pride. Theyprovide all present day Nurse Corps officers with inspiration to meet thechallenges presented to them. Duringthe month of September, we recognize these women and all past, present andfuture Hispanic Nurse Corps officers who have proudly served and continue toserve throughout the world today. ArmyNurses: Ready, Caring and Proud!
Historical Data located at the Army Nurse CorpsArchives, United States Army, Office of Medical History, Office of The SurgeonGeneral, Falls Church, VA.
