Ellen Ainsworth

Ellen Ainsworth (1918 in Glenwood City, Wisconsin – 1944 in Anzio, Italy) was an officer in the United States Army during World War II. Ainsworth was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for her actions during Operation Shingle while serving with the United States Army Nurse Corps.

She was killed during the Battle of Anzio while serving with 56th Evacuation Hospital^[1], and was the only Wisconsin woman killed by enemy fire during World War II.^[2] After her death she was buried in the Sicily–Rome American Cemetery and Memorial.^[2]

Early life and education

Ainsworth was the youngest of three siblings, and grew up in Glenwood, Wisconsin.^[3] She attended the Eitel Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis.^[2] After graduating in 1941, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps in March 1942.^[2]

Legacy

Subsequent memorials to her include a conference room named in her honor at The Pentagon and a dispensary named in her honor at Fort Hamilton.^[4] A post office in Glenwood City, Wisconsin is designated a memorial post office in her honor by Congress.^[5]

References

^ "56th Evacuation Hospital Unit History". WW2 US Medical Research Centre. 2006. Retrieved 2026-05-06. On February 12, [[1944]] it was 1900 hours, the enemy unleashed the heaviest air raid over Anzio. It lasted 1½ hours. One anti-personnel bomb landed in the Officers' area, seriously wounding Second Lieutenant Ellen G. Ainsworth, ANC.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Rathbun, Andy (2014-05-24). "Only Wisconsin woman killed by enemy fire during WWII honored". Twin Cities. Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
^ Santiago, Paola (2019-04-10). "#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Ellen Ainsworth". VAntage Point. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
^ "Ainsworth, Ellen 1918 - 1944". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
^ See Congressional Records from the 114th Congress

Army Nurse Killed in Action, Ellen Ainsworth

[1] "56th Evacuation Hospital Unit History". WW2 US Medical Research Centre. 2006. Retrieved 2026-05-06. On February 12, [[1944]] it was 1900 hours, the enemy unleashed the heaviest air raid over Anzio. It lasted 1½ hours. One anti-personnel bomb landed in the Officers' area, seriously wounding Second Lieutenant Ellen G. Ainsworth, ANC.

[:0-2] Rathbun, Andy (2014-05-24). "Only Wisconsin woman killed by enemy fire during WWII honored". Twin Cities. Archived from the original on 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-09-26.

[3] Santiago, Paola (2019-04-10). "#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Ellen Ainsworth". VAntage Point. Retrieved 2019-09-26.

[4] "Ainsworth, Ellen 1918 - 1944". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2012-01-10.

[5] See Congressional Records from the 114th Congress

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