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🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: Honoring the Service of First Lieutenant June Wandrey Mann of the US Army Nurse Corps.

 🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: Honoring the Service of First Lieutenant June Wandrey Mann of the US Army Nurse Corps.


June Wandrey, born in Wautoma Wisconsin on June 25, 1920, studied nursing at the Kahler School of Nursing, an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota. Later she attended the University of Chicago and Shrivenham American University in England, and ultimately, received a Bachelors of Science from the University of Wisconsin. 

During World War II June would go on to use her nursing skills as a member of the US Army Nurse Corps serving in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany - earning eight battle stars. 

Toward the end of the combat, June was instrumental in the rehabilitation of numerous Prisoners of War in both the Allach and the Dachau camps. 

On October 3, 1948 June married Dr. Kingsley Mann. The couple had three children.

June would go on to pen her memoir "Bedpan Commando," an account of her service during World War II as a First Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps: 

“An eighteen year old boy is carried into the shock ward, and he looks up at me trustingly asking, “How am I doing, nurse?”

I just kiss his forehead and say, “You are doing just fine soldier.”

He smiles sweetly and says, “I was just checking,” Then he dies.

We all cry in private. But not in front of the boys. Never in front of the boys.” ---- June Wandrey "Bedpan Commando"

"The publication of "Bedpan Commando" led to numerous television, radio and personal appearances in such venues as the Larry King Show, Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, and the Paul Harvey Show. 

She met with President Bill Clinton in Nettuno, Italy, on June 22, 1995, in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Anzio Beachhead Invasion. 

Mrs. Mann was also very active in the Women in Military Service for America, an organization dedicated to recognizing the service of women in combat. 

Her efforts helped result in the dedication of the Women's Memorial in Washington D.C. on October 15, 1997. 

June was a life member of numerous veterans' associations, including the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Anzio Beachhead Association and the 36th Infantry Division Association" - Kalamazoo Gazette

First Lieutenant June Wandrey Mann passed away on November 27, 2005 at the age of 85 years old. She lies in rest at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville Tennessee. 


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