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Jane Kendeigh
from First of Many
The First Navy Flight Nurse
Jane Kendeigh was the first Naval nurse to fly in an active combat zone. She served during the battle of Iwo Jima during the Second World War. This Ohio-raised hero attended nursing school before joining the first class of the US Navy’s School of Air Evacuation. She was trained in simulated attacks in field survival and crash procedures.
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After a brief return to the US, Kendeigh returned to the Pacific to land at the battle of Okinawa. She was also the first flight nurse to arrive at the battle.
Kendeigh was part of the evacuation mission of Iwo Jima in the Pacific. At 22 years old, Kendeigh was the first flight nurse to land at Iwo Jima from a Naval Air Transport Service R4D. This evacuation mission lasted from March 6 to March 21, 1945.
Jane Kendeigh made history for her bravery and efficiency on March 6, 1945. Landing in the enemy fire to successfully rescue 16 men herself and 2,400 soldiers in total by the entire mission.
