Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
  • Current Issue
  • Subscribe to Naval History
    • Naval History Digital Subscription
    • Renew Your Subscription
  • Naval History Blog
  • Submisison Guidelines
  • Contact Naval History
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
Navy_Nurses_Rescued_from_Los_Banos
Laura Cobb along with the other Navy nurses speaking with Admiral Thomas Kinkaid on 23 February 1945. (U.S. Navy)

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
  • Current Issue
  • Subscribe to Naval History
    • Naval History Digital Subscription
    • Renew Your Subscription
  • Naval History Blog
  • Submisison Guidelines
  • Contact Naval History
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

From Small-Town Girls to Prisoners of War

A brief history of the U.S. Army and Navy nurses held as prisoners of war in the Philippines.
By Frankie Witzenburg
April 2021
Naval History Magazine
Article
View Issue
Comments

In honor of Women’s History Month, here is a story of valor, honor, and perseverance: the story of the Angels of Bataan, a group of U.S. Army and Navy nurses held captive by the Japanese in the Philippines for three grueling years during World War II.

NH 78855
A recruiting poster for the Navy Nurse Corps (NHHC)

The story begins on 8 December 1941, sometime in the predawn hours. Business was usual in the U.S. military hospitals located across the Philippines. But the nurses and other medical staff at Canacao Naval Hospital, Sternberg Hospital, Fort Mills Hospital, Camp John Hay Hospital, Fort McKinley Hospital, and elsewhere were about to receive the news that would change their lives forever.

Subscriber-Only Content

Subscribe to Naval History magazine to gain access to this article and a host of other fascinating articles and stories that keep our maritime history and heritage alive. Subscribers receive this valuable benefit and so much more.

Subscribe Today

If you are a Subscriber, please log in to gain access, and thank you for your Subscription.

Categories:

  • History

Frankie Witzenburg

Frankie Witzenburg is a graduate of Bard College. She is currently working towards her MLIS while working in the archives here at USNI, where she likes to find all of the photos with dogs in them. Her father was an aviator with the Navy, sparking her interest in Naval history.
More Stories From This Author View Biography

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2021 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies