Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Army 2LT Ellen Gertrude Ainsworth, 24 of Glenwood City, WI.
KIA Feb. 16, 1944 – WWII
Ellen Ainsworth was born March 9, 1919. She was a Glenwood City, Wisconsin resident and graduated from the Minneapolis Eitel Hospital School of Nursing in 1941 and in March of 1942, entered the U.S. Army Nurses Corps. Ellen served at the Station Hospital at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, until the end of the year when she was assigned to Fort Sam’s 56th Evacuation Hospital in Houston, Texas. The hospital was soon sent to Bizerte, Tunisia, located in North Africa, and several weeks later was relocated to Anzio, Italy.
On February 10, 1944, while caring for patients in a hospital tent, Ellen was hit by enemy fire and died six days later at the age of 24. She was the only Wisconsin servicewoman killed in action during WWII. Ellen was awarded posthumously three medals: the Silver Star (the third highest award for bravery), the Purple Heart and the Red Cross Bronze medals.
According to the award citation, “Second Lieutenant Ainsworth was on duty in a hospital ward, while the area was being subjected to heavy enemy artillery shelling. One shell dropped within a few feet of the ward, its fragments piercing the tent in numerous places. Despite the extreme danger, she calmly directed the placing of (42) surgical patients on the ground to lessen the danger of further injury. By her disregard for her own safety and her calm assurance, she instilled confi dence in her assistants and her patients, thereby preventing serious panic and injury.”
To commemorate her bravery, a health clinic at Fort Drum, New York, the American Legion Post in Glenwood City and a conference room at the Pentagon have also been dedicated to Ellen. She is buried at the U.S. Military Sicily Rome Cemetery, Nettuna, Italy.
We had a great 6.84 mile walk. We walked to the Crossville City Cemetery and visited 10 of our Fallen Brothers and then we headed up town to the War Memorial Park. We see a lot of wildlife while we are out walking. Never know what you will see. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today and I want to thank all those that honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero today. We had 141 honks. It was amazing. Thank You
Army 2LT Ellen Gertrude Ainsworth will not be forgotten !
