Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti
Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti | |
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Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |
Brigadier General Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti (born December 16, 1936)[1] is a retired officer of the United States Air Force, who in 1985 became the first Hispanic female to attain the rank of Brigadier General.[2][3][4] Vigil-Schimmenti was the Chief of the United States Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General; Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Early years
Vigil-Schimmenti was born on December 16, 1936, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She grew up on her family's ranch between Edgewood and Moriarty. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1954. In 1957, she earned her nursing diploma from the Regina School of Nursing of Albuquerque.[3][4]
Military career
Vigil-Schimmenti joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958 and was assigned to the Air Force Nurse Corps. From August 1958 until September 1960, she served as an operating room nurse and general duty nurse at the USAF Medical Center Wright-Patterson,
In August 1964, Vigil-Schimmenti left to attend the University of Pittsburgh and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. In July 1966, she was assigned to the USAF School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, as an instructor in the Medical Service Specialist Course.[5]
Vietnam War
Vigil-Schimmenti served in the Pacific during the
Return to the United States
In January 1971, she returned to the United States and was assigned to David Grant USAF Medical Center,
Vigil-Schimmenti attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from August 1973 until August 1974 and earned a Master of Public Health degree. Following graduate studies, she was transferred to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where she served as charge nurse, clinical coordinator and facility design coordinator.[5]
Vigil-Schimmenti served in various positions until March 1983, when she was selected as command nurse, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. In October 1985, Vigil-Schimmenti became the first Hispanic female to attain the rank of Brigadier General.[3] She assumed the duties of Chief of the U. S. Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General; Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.[5]
During her service years, Vigil-Schimmenti attended the
Awards and recognitions
Among Brigadier General Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti's decorations and medals were the following:
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster,
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbonwith five oak leaf clusters.
Badges:
- Flight Nurse Badge
- Air Force Medical Badge
Later years
After retiring from the service in 1988, Vigil-Schimmenti returned to Albuquerque with her husband, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Schimmenti.[3] Vigil-Schimmenti is a member of the American Nurses Association, Texas Nurses Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, National League for Nursing, Air Force Association and the Aerospace Medical Association.[3]
See also
References
- ^ Hispanic Heritage Archived July 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Brigadier General Carmelita Schimmenti". United States Air Force. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
- ^ a b c d e f Hispanic Military history Archived 2011-05-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Notable Hispanics Archived 2014-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f "U. S Air Force". Archived from the original on 2010-04-13.