The Forgotten Flight Nurse: Reba Z. Whittle’s Wartime Ordeal
She was born on the 19th of August 1919 in Rocksprings, Texas, and she chose to become a nurse. After completing her training, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps in 1941.
She trained as a flight nurse in 1943. These were the nurses that worked caring for wounded soldiers mid-air, often without a doctor there. By early 1944, she was sent to England, where she flew dozens of missions, helping to evacuate the injured.
On the 27th of September 1944, everything changed. Her aircraft was hit by German fire and crashed. She was injured and disoriented but managed to escape, only to be captured. She became the only American military woman held as a prisoner of war in the European theatre.
She was moved between hospitals and camps, even helping to care for other prisoners in spite of her own injuries. Eventually, after months in captivity, she was released in early 1945 and was able to return home. She received honours for her service, but the effects of her experience did not fade.
After the war, she did struggle with ongoing physical and emotional wounds. She looked for recognition and support, and faced a long and difficult process before she received partial acknowledgement. Even then, it never really reflected what she had endured.
She was overlooked for far too long. It makes me wonder how many others were in similar situations, long after the war had ended.
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