About
Background
When the U.S. entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, there were fewer than 7,000 nurses on active duty. By 1945, there were approximately 59,000 nurses serving under the Army Nurse Corps and 14,000 serving under the Navy Nurse Corps from all over the country, US territories like the Philippines, Hawaii, Guam, Alaska and Puerto Rico as well as Allied countries like China, Burma and India.
Why This Matters Now
The Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress, has never been awarded to the nurses who saved tens of thousands of lives during WWII. S.2195 and H.R. 4901 seek to rectify this injustice by honoring all nurses who served in the U.S. Navy and Army Corps during WWII, including Filipino, Chinese, Chinese-American, Japanese-American, and African American nurses. They worked near the frontlines sometimes in makeshift hospitals under dismal and dangerous living conditions. They endured hunger, disease and constant bombing. Some were imprisoned. Approximately 200 of them died from enemy fire, aircraft accidents or illnesses. Many of these women also endured discrimination. Today, there is only a handful of WWII nurses left. Our country must honor the immense sacrifices made by these nurses during its hour of need so that their legacy of selflessness and service can continue in future generations.
What is Needed
S.2195 was sponsored and introduced to the 119th Congress by Senator Tammy Baldwin (Democrat-WI) on June 25, 2025 while H.R. 4901 was sponsored and introduced by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (Republican-NY-21) on August 5, 2025. S.2195 needs the support of at least 67 co-sponsors in the Senate while H.R. 4901 needs at least 290 co-sponsors in the House.
