Anna Mae Hays
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Anna Mae Hays | |
|---|---|
| Born | February
16, 1920 Buffalo, New York |
| Died | January 7, 2018 (aged 97) Washington, D.C. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1971 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | United States Army Nurse Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal |
Anna Mae Hays (February 16, 1920 – January 7, 2018) was a United States Army officer who served as the 13th Chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps. She holds the distinction of being the first woman in the United States Armed Forces to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Anna Mae Violet McCabe was born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing in 1941 and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education from Columbia University in 1958.
Military Career[edit | edit source]
Hays joined the United States Army Nurse Corps in 1942 during World War II. She served in India during the war, providing critical care to soldiers in the China-Burma-India theater. After the war, she continued her service, participating in the Korean War and later the Vietnam War.
In 1967, Hays was appointed Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. During her tenure, she worked to improve the conditions and professional status of nurses in the military. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Army Nurse Corps' first advanced degree program.
On June 11, 1970, Hays was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, becoming the first woman in the U.S. Armed Forces to achieve this rank. She retired from the Army in 1971 after 29 years of service.
Awards and Honors[edit | edit source]
Throughout her distinguished career, Hays received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Army Commendation Medal. In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into the U.S. Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame.
Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]
After retiring from the military, Hays continued to advocate for the nursing profession and women's rights. She passed away on January 7, 2018, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 97.
Anna Mae Hays' legacy is remembered for her groundbreaking achievements and her dedication to improving the standards and recognition of military nurses.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.- Pages with script errors
- 1920 births
- 2018 deaths
- United States Army generals
- Female generals of the United States Army
- American military personnel of World War II
- American military personnel of the Korean War
- American military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Columbia University alumni
- People from Buffalo, New York
- People from Allentown, Pennsylvania
- American nurses
- Women in the United States Army
- Military nurses
- Medicine stubs
- Encyclopedia
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
