PACAF commander presents medallion to World War II nurse

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii --  Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, presented a medal to a member of the "Greatest Generation" during a ceremony here Feb. 5.

Doris Avery accepted the Noncommissioned Officers' Association World War II Veterans Medallion, for here service as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, in the PACAF Courtyard of Heroes.

The medallion recognizes World War II veterans who displayed valor, sacrifice and fidelity during service.

Then-Lieutenant Avery received her commission into the Army Nurses Corps in 1943. After completing air evacuation school, she was assigned to Air Transportation Command South West Pacific Theater Air Evacuation Squadron in September 1944.

As a flight nurse on medical air evacuation flights, Lieutenant Avery amassed for than 800 flight hours. These missions often took place over combat zones in the Eastern Mandate, Western Pacific and Southern Philippines, where she was subjected to possible interception by enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire. She received an Air Medal for her actions.

Lieutenant Avery was joined by her husband, Alden, and their daughter at the ceremony.

"This award is truly about service," said General North. "We've got an incredible family here, one that was called to duty by the needs of the nation. We're very proud not to just honor her service, but the service of the thousands who served with her."

Lieutenant Avery expressed her appreciation at the ceremony.

"Thank you so much," she said. "There are so many others who deserve this honor - I accept this on their behalf, not mine."