Page 10 - Education Issue

Navy’s First Female Admiral, Alene Duerk, Passes Away

From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division
Photo courtesy of :NHHC Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) – Retired Rear Years later, when asked about her ser- and expanding the sphere of nursing into
Adm. Alene B. Duerk, the Navy’s first fe- vice for the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s ambulatory care, anesthesia, pediatrics,
male admiral, passed away July 21, 2018. History Project, Duerk said, “The time I was obstetrics and gynecology.
She was 98 years old. aboard the hospital ship and we took the Her selection to the rank of rear ad-
“It took 197 years and a forward-look- prisoners of war, that was something I will miral was approved by President Richard
ing Chief of Naval Operations, Elmo Zum- never forget . . . that was the most exciting Nixon on April 26, 1972. The first woman
walt, to break with tradition before Alene experience of my whole career.” 2 to be selected for flag rank, she was ad-
Duerk became the first woman admiral Thereafter, Duerk was assigned to vanced on June 1, 1972.
in the U.S. Navy,” said Naval History and Naval Hospital Great Lakes until being Rear Adm. Duerk retired in 1975, but
Heritage Command director Sam Cox. released from active service in 1946. remained a strong advocate for Navy
“But the credit goes to Duerk. From the nursing through the remainder of her life.
crucible of caring for wounded Sailors, Duerk was awarded the Naval Reserve
Marines and prisoners of war during Medal, American Campaign Medal; Asi-
World War II in the Pacific, she blazed a atic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze
trail of stellar performance in tough jobs, star; World War II Victory Medal; Navy
serving as an inspiration for an ever in- Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; and
creasing number of women officers who the National Defense Service Medal with
have followed her path.” bronze star.
Born in Defiance, Ohio, on March 29, Duerk’s biography offers greater
1920, she received nursing training at the insight into her service, it can be found
Toledo [Ohio] Hospital School of Nursing, online at the website of the Naval History
from which she earned her diploma in and Heritage Command here: https://
1941. From there, Duerk entered the U.S. www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/
Naval Reserve and was appointed an diversity/women-in-the-navy/first-fe-
ensign in the Nurse Corps. male-flag-officer.html
“Alene Duerk was a strong and dedi- See the entry on Duerk at the Library
cated trail blazer who embodied the very of Congress Veteran’s History Project on-
principles that continue to guide Navy line here: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/
Medicine today,” commented Vice Adm. vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.28852
Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general, In 1951, Duerk returned to active duty The Naval History and Heritage
upon learning of her passing. “She will serving as a nursing instructor at the Na- Command, located at the Washington
forever be remembered as a servant val Hospital Corps School in Portsmouth, Navy Yard, is responsible for the preser-
leader who provided the best care to Va. and later as inter-service education vation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S.
those who defended our nation, honoring coordinator at the Naval Hospital Philadel- naval history and heritage. It provides
the uniform we wear and the privilege of phia, Penn. the knowledge foundation for the Navy
leadership.” Her skills in ward management, surgi- by maintaining historically relevant
Her first tours of duty included ward cal nursing and mentoring would be put resources and products that reflect the
nurse at Naval Hospital Portsmouth to use over the next two decades while Navy's unique and enduring contribu-
in Virginia, Naval Hospital Bethesda in serving at hospitals in San Diego; and tions through our nation's history, and
Maryland, and sea service aboard the Yokosuka, Japan; at the Recruiting Station supports the fleet by assisting with and
Navy hospital ship, USS Benevolence (AH in Chicago; and in Wash., D.C. delivering professional research, anal-
13), in 1945. While anchored off the coast In May 1970, following assignments ysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is
of Eniwetok, Duerk and the crew of the as assistant for Nurse Recruitment in the composed of many activities including
Benevolence would attend to the sick and Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary the Navy Department Library, the Navy
wounded being brought back from the of Defense (Health Affairs) and assistant Operational Archives, the Navy art and
Third Fleet’s operations against Japan. head of Medical Placement Liaison (Nurse artifact collections, underwater archeol-
Upon cessation of hostilities on Sept. Corps) at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, ogy, Navy histories, nine museums, USS
2, 1945, Duerk and the Benevolence crew Duerk was appointed director of the Navy Constitution repair facility and the historic
took on the task of repatriating liberated Nurse Corps. ship Nautilus.
Allied prisoners of war, an endeavor that Over the next five years, Duerk For more news from Naval History and
solidified her commitment to nursing and provided direction for the Nurse Corps, Heritage Command, visit www.history.
patient care. updating policies affecting Navy Medicine navy.mil.

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