FIRST  U.S.  RECIPIENT  OF  LEGION  OF  MERIT  MEDAL

Ann Agnes Bernatitus was born on January 21, 1912, in Exeter, Pennsylvania.  In 1931 she commenced nurse training from which she graduated in 1934.  On September 25, 1936, she enlisted in the Navy Nurse Corp and began a storied career which lasted until April 1, 1959, when she retired with the rank of Captain.  She is particularly known for her duty in the Philippines.  She reported to the Naval Hospital in Canacao, Philippines, in July 1940 and shortly after World War II commenced and the hospital was destroyed, she was assigned to the U.S. Army Hospital at Bataan, followed by duty at the Army Hospital on Corregidor.  Two days before the capture of Corregidor by the Japanese, then LTJG Bernatitus sneaked out of Manila Bay with a small group of military personnel aboard the submarine USS Spearfish, the only Navy nurse in the Philippines to escape capture by the Japanese. 

Upon arrival in the U.S., Bernatitus was assigned to the Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland, where she became the Chief Nurse at the Naval Dispensary.  Here she also was active as a participant in war bond rallies.  In July 1942, the Legion of Merit Medal was established to be presented to armed forces personnel who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.  In October 1942, the Legion of Merit was presented for the first time to a member of the U.S. military service when the Chief of Naval Personnel presented the award to LTJG Bernatitus and remarked, “Your excellent service in a time of stress and under such dangerous conditions is worthy of the distinction shown you in becoming the first person in the United States Naval Service to be so decorated.”

During the war, Bernatitus was assigned to several naval hospitals until February 1945, when she was assigned as Chief Nurse to the hospital ship USS Relief which was active in the Okinawa campaign.  Following this afloat assignment, she continued her service at several naval hospitals until her 1959 retirement.  After leaving the Navy, Bernatitus made her home in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where she died on March 3, 2003.  She was interred at St. Casimir’s Cemetery in Pittston, Pennsylvania.  In 1976, Bernatitus donated her Legion of Merit medal to the Smithsonian Institution.

LEGION  OF  MERIT  CERTIFICATE

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Junior Grade Ann A. Bernatitus (NSN: 64916W), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of Surgical Unit No. 5 during the Japanese attack on the Philippines, December 1941 through April 1942.  Nurse Bernatitus maintained her position in the front lines of the Manila-Bataan area rendering efficient and devoted service during the prolonged siege.  Miss Bernatitus was regularly attached to the Naval Hospital, Canacao, Philippine Islands, having reported for duty there on 20 July 1941.  Shortly after hostilities commenced in December 1941 the Naval Hospital Staff and patients were moved to a new establishment in Manila.  On 24 December 1941, when Manila was being evacuated Miss Bernatitus accompanied by two Navy Medical Officers proceeded to the Army Hospital at Limay, Bataan.  The remainder of the hospital staff stayed in Manila and were taken prisoners.  On 25 January 1942, Miss Bernatitus was transferred to Army Field Hospital No. 1 at Little Baguio, Bataan and remained there on active duty until that hospital was destroyed by enemy bombing on 7 April.  When Bataan fell Miss Bernatitus was transferred to Corregidor.  During her stay in Bataan she worked directly under Lieutenant Commander C. M. Smith (MC), USN, who is now a prisoner of war.  The conditions under which the nurses lived and worked lacked everything in the way of comfort.  They were constantly exposed to enemy bombing attacks and experienced several as well as the endemic jungle diseases of that area.  Miss Bernatitus suffered from both dysentery and beriberi during her tour of duty in Bataan.  In spite of all difficulties Miss Bernatitus performed her duty in an exemplary manner with courage and good spirit.  She was officially transferred from Corregidor three days before the surrender of that fortress. (Lieutenant Junior Grade Bernatitus is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)