Nellie Jane DeWitt
Nellie Jane DeWitt | |
|---|---|
Susquehanna, Pennsylvania | |
| Died | March 22, 1978 (aged 82) McLean, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | Navy Nurse Corps |
| Years of service | 1918 - 1950; |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | Superintendent/Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps 1946–1950 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Captain Nellie Jane DeWitt was the sixth and final Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps and became its first director.
Early life
Nellie Jane DeWitt was born in
CAPT DeWitt joined the
Contributions as Superintendent
CAPT DeWitt took over as Superintendent in April 1946 at a time when the Nurse Corps was shrinking in size due to demobilization after World War II. On April 16, 1947, the Navy Nurse Corps became a staff corps, meaning that officers in the Nurse Corps were Navy officers. CAPT DeWitt became the Director of the Navy Nurse Corps. She retired on May 1, 1950 and returned to Pennsylvania.
Later life
DeWitt led an active retirement life in Pennsylvania. She consulted for the Girl Scouts on health matters, was president of the Susquehanna County Unit of the American Cancer Society, and was a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania. The Business and Professional Women's Club in Susquehanna took her name for their chapter. At the time of her death, she had returned to the DC area and was living at Vinson Hall, the Navy and Marine Corps Retirement Center, in McLean, Virginia. She died there on 22 March 1978 at the age of 82 and was buried in the Nurse's section of Arlington National Cemetery.
Further reading
- Sterner, Doris M. (1997). In and Out of Harm's Way: A history of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. ISBN 0-89716-706-6.
- Godson, Susan H. (2001). Serving Proudly: A history of Women in the U.S. Navy. ISBN 1-55750-317-6.
- "Nellie DeWitt, 82, Retired Navy Captain", The Washington Post, Mar 27, 1978.
External links
- Nurses and the U.S. Navy -- Overview and Special Image Selection Naval Historical Center