Josephine Nesbit
| Josephine Nesbit | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Josephine May Nesbit December 23, 1894 Butler, Missouri, US |
| Died | August 16, 1993 (aged 98) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Josie Nesbit |
| Occupation | Army nurse |
Josephine May Nesbit (also known as Josie Nesbit; December 23, 1894 – August 16, 1993) was an American nurse who served in the Army Nurse Corps. She was second-in-command of the Angels of Bataan, Army nurses stationed in the Philippine Islands during World War II who were the largest group of American women taken as prisoners of war. Nesbit was noted for her "humane, dynamic leadership style." She was credited with the survival of the nurses during the years they were held in captivity at Santo Tomas Internment Camp.
Nesbit was born on her family's farm near Butler, Missouri on December 23, 1894. She was the seventh of ten children and experienced a difficult early childhood. As a child, she woke up before daylight to begin her chores and worked on the farm throughout the day. By the time Nesbit was 12 years old, both her parents had died, leaving her and her siblings orphaned. She first lived with her grandmother and later lived with a cousin in Kansas.
She left high school at age 16. After speaking with her sister's nursing superintendent, she chose to begin training as a nurse. Seeking "adventure and independence," Nesbit became a registered nurse in 1914.
In 1918, an army recruiter visited Kansas City seeking nurses to help with the influenza pandemic, leading Nesbit to join the Army Nurse Corps. She became Reserve Army Nurse N700 665 at Camp Logan Hospital in Houston, Texas on October 1, 1918. Serving in the army reserve corps enabled Nesbit to travel and experience new adventures during peacetime. She was able to hike the Rockies, visit Hawaii, and travel to Egypt's Valley of the Kings.
Nesbit was on her second tour of duty in the Philippines when World War II began. Until the war began, being stationed in the Philippines had been considered a "desirable posting," as there was plenty of free time, mild weather, and "luxurious accommodations."
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