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Ainsworth, Ellen Gertrude

Date of birth:
March 9th, 1919 (Glenwood City-St. Croix County/Wisconsin, United States)
Date of death:
February 16th, 1944 (Lazio, Italy)
Buried on:
Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial
Plot: C. Row: 11. Grave: 22.
Service number:
N-732770
Nationality:
American

Biography

Ellen Gertrude Ainsworth was born March 9th, 1919, in Glenwood City. She graduated from Minneapolis Eitel Hospital School of Nursing in 1941 and joined the U.S. Army Nursing Corps in 1942.
She was posted to the Station Hospital at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas and subsequently to Evacuation Hospital. With this she went to Bizerta in Tunisia and later on to Anzio in Italy.
February 10th, 1944, she was severely injured by hostile fire while caring for patients in a hospital tent. She passed away six days later on February 16th.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Unit:
56th Evacuation Hospital, Fifth Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1944
Awarded for:
Operation Shingle
Synopsis:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 56th Evacuation Hospital, in action at Anzio, Italy, on 10 February 1944. Second Lieutenant Ainsworth's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for her own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon herself, her unit, and the United States Army."

Awarded posthumouly.
General Orders No. 72, Headquarters, 5th Army (1944).
Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Sources

Photo