WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act

Key Points

• This bill would award the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, to the women who served in the U.S. Army and Navy Nurse Corps during World War II. The award honors more than 73,000 women who volunteered to serve during the conflict.
• These nurses worked in dangerous conditions on six continents, serving in field hospitals near the front lines, on medical ships, and as flight nurses. During the early years of the war, they received only 50% of the pay given to men and were denied veteran benefits despite their service under fire.
• The legislation highlights the nurses' life-saving impact, noting that fewer than 4% of wounded American soldiers died if they reached medical care. It also recognizes the specific bravery of nurses who were held as prisoners of war for years and the Black nurses who served despite facing racial quotas and segregation.
• Once the medal is created, it will be given to the Smithsonian Institution to be displayed for the public. The U.S. Mint will also be allowed to sell bronze copies of the medal to help pay for the costs of the program.

Impact Analysis

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