Florence A. Blanchfield

Florence A. Blanchfield

Florence A. Blanchfield (April 1, 1882 – May 12, 1971) was a pioneering American nurse who served as the Superintendent of the United States Army Nurse Corps during World War II. She played a crucial role in achieving commissioned officer status for nurses within the United States Army, leading to significant improvements in the recognition and benefits for military nurses.

Early Life and Education

Florence A. Blanchfield was born in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, to Joseph Plunkett Blanchfield and Mary Louvenia Anderson. She pursued her nursing education at the South Side Training School for Nurses in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1906. Blanchfield's early career was marked by various positions in hospitals across the United States and in the Panama Canal Zone, where she honed her skills in tropical medicine.

Military Career

Blanchfield's military career began in 1917 when she joined the Army Nurse Corps during World War I. Her exemplary service overseas and in the United States set the stage for her future leadership roles. In 1943, she was appointed as the Superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps, a position she held until her retirement in 1947.

During her tenure, Blanchfield worked tirelessly to address the disparities between male and female military personnel. Her efforts culminated in the passage of the Army-Navy Nurses Act of 1947 (Public Law 80-36), also known as the "Blanchfield Law," which granted military nurses permanent commissioned officer status in the regular and reserve forces of the United States Army, a landmark achievement in military and nursing history.

Legacy and Honors

Florence A. Blanchfield's contributions to military nursing and her role in advancing the status of women in the armed forces have been widely recognized. In 1945, she was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for her exceptional service to the military during World War II. The Florence A. Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is named in her honor, a testament to her enduring legacy in the field of military medicine and nursing.

Blanchfield's career is a significant part of the history of nursing and the military, highlighting the challenges and achievements of women in these fields during the 20th century. Her dedication to her profession and her country remains an inspiring story of leadership, perseverance, and change.

Death and Posthumous Recognition

Florence A. Blanchfield passed away on May 12, 1971, in Washington, D.C. Her life and work continue to be celebrated for their impact on military nursing and the broader nursing profession. Blanchfield's pioneering spirit and her contributions to the advancement of military nurses have left a lasting legacy, making her a revered figure in the history of American nursing and the military.