LTC Augusta Kathleen Peake, ANC USA Ret. Oral History

title:

LTC Augusta Kathleen Peake, ANC USA Ret. Oral History

creator:

Peake, Augusta Kathleen "Kit" (1912 November 11 - 2004 December 16)

subject:

Army Nurse Corps

description:

Augusta Kathleen "Kit" Peake was born on November 11, 1912 in Yancey County, North Carolina. From an early age, Augusta knew she wanted to be a nurse. After graduating from high school, she entered a nursing program as a surgical nurse, and the chief surgeon at this program encouraged her to join the Army. In June of 1942, Augusta enlisted as a 2nd Lt. in the Army Nurse Corps. Shortly following her enlistment, Augusta was assigned to the 15th Evacuation Hospital in December 1942. In February of 1943, she was shipped to North Africa where she learned how to march, salute, and all aspects of military training. Augusta was crucial in setting up the hospital unit. From North Africa, she was transferred to Anzio Beach Head in Italy. The hospital environment on Anzio Beach Head was set up in tents, and Augusta remembers having long days there, working 18-hour shifts regularly. She recalls that the hospital had three direct hits, with patients getting hit from shell fragments on top of being there for other medical reasons. She had to sleep with her helmet for protection. After the war ended, Augusta stayed and worked at a German hospital with 2,000 patients, where she gained experience working with German doctors. Even though the war had ended and promotions were slow, Augusta stayed in the Army for 24 years, serving at places including Fort Bragg, Fort Benning (one of her favorite assignments), and in Hawaii for 3 years during the Korean War. After 24 years of service, Augusta was discharged as a Lt. Col. in January 1966. Augusta received the Legion of Merit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the World War II Victory Medal. When asked, Augusta said she would never have changed her decision to join the Army and was proud of her reasons: country, family, honor, and duty. No transcript of this interview is currently available.

publisher:

Military Women's Memorial Foundation

contributor:

Peake, Lucinda

date:

2002-09-28

type:

Audio

format:

Cassette

identifier:

728; 2004.728

source:

OHP

language:

English

relation:

456455

coverage:

World War II (1939-1945) | Korean War (1950-1953) | 1942-1966

rights:

Unrestricted