Cecilia Gaerlan, Executive Director of the Bataan Legacy Historical Society, emailed us to let us know that a bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the brave women who were World War II Army and Navy nurses.
The WII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act would honor the more than 59,000 Army Nurses and 14,000 Navy Nurses had volunteered to serve.
The WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act is supported by Bataan Legacy Historical Society, Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross, Friends of the National World War II Memorial (Washington, D.C.), National Military Women’s War Memorial (Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, WI VFW, and WI American Legion.
“The World War II Army and Navy Corps nurses are the angels of mercy amidst so much suffering and death. Their immense help saved thousands of lives from despair and even death. They healed the sick and the wounded soldiers amidst the direst conditions without any regard for their safety or well-being. They provided solace and comfort to those who died far away from their loved ones. Our country is indebted to these nurses who served and sacrificed so much. They are deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal, an honor that is extremely overdue,” said Cecilia.
If you support the bill, Cecilia urges you to contact your U.S. Senators and let them know you would like them to vote for it. She passed along a sample support letter below.
DATE
Name of Senator
State
Email Address
Re: Support for S-2195, the Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Nurses
Dear Senator ________,
As one of your constituents, I am requesting for your support of S-2195, the Congressional Gold Medal for World War II nurses who served in the U.S. Army and Navy Corps. It was introduced on June 25, 2025 by Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI-D) and co-sponsored by Senator Steve Daines (MT-R).
This honor has long been overdue and must be bestowed upon nurses whose dedication and selflessness saved thousands of soldiers. They served at the home front and abroad where many of them risked their lives while working in makeshift hospitals near the front lines. They healed the injured and the sick amidst the direst conditions without any regard for their own safety or well-being. They provided solace and comfort to those who died far away from their loved ones. Some of them even became prisoners of war and endured years of hardship and despair.
Majority of the nurses have passed on without being honored for their sacrifices for our country. It is time to honor their memory and their legacy. Please sponsor bipartisan Bill S-2195.
Sincerely,
NAME
Telephone
You can find your U.S. Senators and their contact information here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm
Here is the full text of the bill:
