Women have served voluntarily since this nation began.
Last mission: On May 18, 1944, 2nd Lt. Eloise M. Richardson was
on a routine flight between the western coast of Bougainville and Guadalcanal.
The plane was carrying wounded men including officers and parcels of mail. The
plane never arrived at its destination. No evidence of its whereabouts has ever
been recovered.
I had this in the back of my mind when Tom Beyard and I did
the "Missing American Table and Honors Ceremony" at the Veterans
Independence Project Second Annual “Red, White & Blue” Gala – Saturday,
Nov. 16, 2019 at the Westminster Riding Club, 366 North Colonial Ave.
Westminster, MD 21157
The empty place setting represents Americans, men and women,
still missing in action - from each of the five services -- Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard – and civilians. This Honors Ceremony symbolizes
that they are with us tonight in spirit.
Most of the stories about military personnel MIA - Missing
in Action - are about men. One doesn't think of women in those terms. One
family does and they were gracious enough to share that story.
2nd Lt. Eloise M. Richardson was born April 18, 1920, the
second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. and Cora (Corrigan)
Richardson. Their home was in Marseilles (LaSalle County) Illinois. Eloise was
graduated from Marseilles High School at the age of 17. She needed only three
years of high school to earn her diploma.
Eloise had planned to attend Ryburn-King School of Nursing
in Ottawa, Illinois but was forced to defer her plans until she met the age
requirement of 18 years. She began her nursing training in February of the
following year. Upon graduation from Ryburn-King, Eloise was on the nurses
staff at the hospital and later did general duties at Cook county hospital in
Chicago.
In 1942, Eloise enlisted in the Army with the 24th
evacuation unit and received her basic training at Breckenridge, KY. She earned
her gold wings from an air evacuation unit at Bowman Field, Kentucky in
October, 1943.
In December of 1943, at age 23, 2nd Lieutenant Eloise
Richardson transferred to the Army Air Force division of nurses. She came home
on leave sometime around the first of November, 1943.
On March 8th of 1944, Eloise left San Francisco for overseas
duty. She was stationed on Guadalcanal as a flight nurse. Flight nurses duties
included removal of the wounded from combat areas by air. On the trip between
the combat zone and the hospital behind the lines the flight nurse is in
complete control of the C-47 hospital ships.
A WWII Flight Nurse tending wounded troops on board an air
evac flight.
On May 18, 1944, Eloise was on a routine flight between the
western coast of Bougainville and Guadalcanal. The plane was carrying wounded
men including officers and parcels of mail. The plane never arrived at its
destination. No evidence of its whereabouts has ever been recovered.
On May 19, 1945, one year and a day after her disappearance,
Eloise was declared officially dead. In August of 1945, Eloise was posthumously
awarded the Purple Heart. The decoration was sent by Brig. Gen. Roland Walsh of
the Philadelphia Quartermaster depot. The medal was received by her parents.
Lt. Eloise M. Richardson, N-731623, Army Nurse Corps, MIA
May 18, 1944, FOD May 19, 1945, gave her life in service to her country.
Let history remember that women have served voluntarily
since this nation began.
Please note: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107,
this material is displayed without profit or payment for those who have
expressed an interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and
educational purposes only. Photos and images are from the National Archives,
The Naval History Center, The U.S. Army, USMC, U.S. Navy, USAF, U.S. Coast
Guard, the Defense Visual Information Center, The Army Nurse Corps, and the
personal collections of this author. Nothing on this site is for sale nor is it
a commercial venture of any kind - it is a one person page for, and about
military women - by one retired military woman. Contents copyrighted 2000 by
Captain Barbara A. Wilson, USAF (Ret).
Related:
Lots of great folks turned out for the 2nd Annual CCVIP Red,
White & Blue Gala November 16, 2019 at The Riding Club in Westminster.
Hats off to everyone who made the evening a success – in
particular, the gala committee members: Ann Gilbert, Donna Jean Shybunko, Lexi
Schafer, Robin Marinucci, Lauren Hickey, Anna-Maria Halstead, Bobbi
Hollingsworth, and Kimberly Harris
And the board Members - Frank Valenti – President, Ed Cramer
- Vice President, Ann Gilbert – Secretary, Ken Bonner-Treasurer, Anna-Maria
Halstead – Director, Sam Cangewsi, and Cristina Holmes
Lisa Murray Gregory interviews my boss, Bob Blubaugh is the
editor of the Carroll County Times
