Cordelia E. Cook

Cordelia Elizabeth Cook (March 17, 1919 – June 19, 1996) was an American combat nurse in the United States Army Nurse Corps during World War II. She was the first woman in the U.S. Army to receive both the Bronze Star Medal award and the Purple Heart.

Cordelia E. Cook
First Lieutenant Cordelia Cook 1945
Born	March 17, 1919 Fort Thomas, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	June 19, 1996(1996-06-19) (aged 77) Upper Arlington, Ohio, U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Campbell County, Kentucky, US
Occupation	registered nurse

Cook tending a wounded serviceman in 1943, showing her shrapnel wound, for which she received a Purple Heart award

Early life

Cook went by the name "Betty".^[1]

Military duty

Cook attended the Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio.^[1] She continued her nursing duties in World War II in the Presenzano sector at the Italian front.^[2] She received a Bronze Star Medal award for her service, being the first woman to receive the award.^[3][4]