Julia Helen Nashannay Reeves was born July 1, 1919, in Crandon, Wisconsin, and was a member of the Potawatomie Tribe. She went to nursing school in Philadelphia and joined the Army Nurse Corps as a 2LT in 1942.
Reeves was assigned to the 53rd Evacuation Hospital, one of the first hospitals to be activated when America entered World War II. She and her fellow doctors and nurses in the 53rd deployed to the island of New Caledonia, east of Australia. They wound up treating 6,000 patients in the first six months she was there.
In 1943, Reeves was transferred to the European Theater where she served with the 23rd Station Hospital in England. She served as a nurse throughout the war, and also served with the 804th Station Hospital during the Korean War. The Potawatomie Tribe later awarded her an eagle feather for her service to the U.S., marking her as an honored warrior.
Reeves left active duty following the Korean War and married an Army officer, eventually having four children. Her husband, Joseph Reeves, remained on active duty until 1973.
Julia Reeves died on May 9, 1998 and is interred in Section 12, Site 165 of Quantico National Cemetery. Honor her service at her virtual Veterans Legacy Memorial page.
This #VeteranOfTheDay is from the Veterans Legacy Program. To learn more about the VLP, our partnerships and how we share the stories of Veterans in our national cemeteries, please visit the VLP webpage.
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I love to hear these stories. So many people gave their time and sacrificed to provide care for others. I am thankful to have met many of these fine people in my lifetime.