First Woman Awarded Both Bronze Star and Purple Heart in War

First Woman Awarded Both Bronze Star and Purple Heart in War

I have been finding out about some of the amazing people who served during the World Wars, and today I want to tell you about Cordelia E. Cook.

She was born on the 17th of March 1919 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. She was known as “Betty” and she trained as a nurse in Cincinnati. She graduated in 1940, and started working as a civilian. She chose to enlist in the United States Army Nurse Corps in around 1941.

She was sent to North Africa and then served during the invasion of Sicily in 1943, working close to the front lines. Her unit was recognised for its bravery, and she continued into mainland Italy, where the fighting was intense.

In 1944, while serving near the front at Presenzano, she earned the Bronze Star, becoming the first woman to receive it. Not long after, a bombing raid hit her hospital, and she was wounded by shrapnel. She later received the Purple Heart, becoming the first woman to hold both honours.

After the war, she returned to nursing for many years. She died on the 19th of June 1996 at the age of 77.