Anna Mae Hays
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General
Anna Mae Hays (b. February 16, 1920) was the first woman in the U.S. Military to be promoted to a general officer rank.
. Following graduation from high school, she enrolled at Allentown General Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1941, having obtained a diploma in nursing. She then joined the Army Nurse Corps in early 1942, and was sent to the China Burma India Theater.
Stationed in India for the duration of World War II
, she was on leave in the United States
when the war ended. Remaining with the Corps, she saw service during the Korean War
. A succession of academic posts followed including a stint at Walter Reed Hospital, and she also earned a Master in Science in Nursing degree. She was promoted on June 11, 1970, after being appointed by President Richard Nixon
on May 15, of that year. She was chief of the Army Nurse Corps from September 1, 1967 until her retirement on August 31, 1971.
On the same day, directly after the promotion of Colonel
Hays, Elizabeth P. Hoisington
was also promoted to Brigadier General.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Anna Mae Hays (b. February 16, 1920) was the first woman in the U.S. Military to be promoted to a general officer rank.
Biography
Hays was born in 1920 in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Following graduation from high school, she enrolled at Allentown General Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1941, having obtained a diploma in nursing. She then joined the Army Nurse Corps in early 1942, and was sent to the China Burma India Theater.
Stationed in India for the duration of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she was on leave in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
when the war ended. Remaining with the Corps, she saw service during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. A succession of academic posts followed including a stint at Walter Reed Hospital, and she also earned a Master in Science in Nursing degree. She was promoted on June 11, 1970, after being appointed by President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
on May 15, of that year. She was chief of the Army Nurse Corps from September 1, 1967 until her retirement on August 31, 1971.
On the same day, directly after the promotion of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Hays, Elizabeth P. Hoisington
Elizabeth P. Hoisington
Elizabeth Paschel Hoisington was an United States Army officer who was one of the first women to attain the rank of Brigadier General....
was also promoted to Brigadier General.
See also
Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays Bio and InterviewsExternal Links
- Biography of Hays
- A short description of Hays' achievements in the Army Nurse Corps
- Who was the first female general officer in the U.S. Army? at the United States Army Center of Military History
- Women in the U.S. Army