Florence Blanchfield 1947
On this day in history, at a ceremony held at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, General Dwight D. Eisenhower made history by appointing Florence Blanchfield as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, marking her as the first woman to hold permanent military rank in U.S. history.
Florence Blanchfield had been a member of the Army Nurse Corps since 1917, serving with distinction throughout her career.
Her commission as lieutenant colonel followed the enactment of the Army-Navy Nurse Act of 1947 by Congress, a milestone achievement she had actively championed.
Blanchfield's leadership was pivotal during World War II, where she served as superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps, overseeing critical medical operations.
Representative Frances Payne Bolton played a significant role in advocating for the Army-Navy Nurse Act, which paved the way for Blanchfield's historic appointment.
In recognition of her contributions, Blanchfield was honored with the Florence Nightingale Award by the International Red Cross in 1951.
In 1978, Blanchfield's legacy was further commemorated when a U.S. Army hospital at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was named in her honor.
Her pioneering achievements continue to inspire generations, highlighting her enduring impact on military healthcare and women's roles in the armed forces.