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On this day July 9th

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Basil

Basil

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July 9, 1947 a ceremony was held at the pentagon in Arlington, VA General Dwight D Eisenhower appoints Florence Blanchfield to be a Lt Colonel in the US Army, making her the 1st women in history to hold a permanent military rank.

1stfemalerank.jpg
 
Interesting. I am curious about her shoulder insignia. It looks to me like an eagle which is currently the symbol of a full Colonel. Just a week ago I was at Andrews Air Force base in Maryland for the promotion ceremony for my son-in-law. He just made Lt Colonel and his insignia is a set of silver oak leaves. This photo must be from a later date than when she made Lt Colonel.
 
Nelson said:
Interesting. I am curious about her shoulder insignia. It looks to me like an eagle which is currently the symbol of a full Colonel. Just a week ago I was at Andrews Air Force base in Maryland for the promotion ceremony for my son-in-law. He just made Lt Colonel and his insignia is a set of silver oak leaves. This photo must be from a later date than when she made Lt Colonel.
Click to expand...

That picture was likely taken after she had later been promoted to Full Colonel.
 
The photo was probably her latest photo.

From the Hospital History: "The hospital was dedicated in remembrance of Col. Florence A. Blanchfield, Chief of the Army Nurse Corps from 1943-1947. Col. Blanchfield played a prominent role in World War II by placing nursing teams close to the front lines to provide expert nursing care to battlefield casualties and was instrumental in attaining permanent commissioned officer status for military nurses. Blanchfield Army Community Hospital is unique in the U. S. Army Medical Department as the only hospital named after an Army Nurse Corps officer. Col. Florence Blanchfield was the first woman to receive a regular Army Commission."
 
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