WW II Recruiting Poster US Cadet Nurse Corps

This beautiful recruiting poster was produced during World War II for the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, the largest and youngest group of uniformed women to serve their country during the war. The Cadet Nurse Corps was established through the provisions of the Bolton Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Frances Payne Bolton, a long-time advocate of the nursing profession. Under the 1943 Act, Federal funds were provided for the education of undergraduate nursing students. This legislation was needed because more than 250,000 nurses (20 percent of the US total) were already in the Armed Forces, creating a drastic shortage. The funding encouraged young women to enter schools of nursing by offering them tuition and fees, books, a monthly stipend of $15 to $30, and Cadet Nurse Corps uniforms including the legendary gray fur felt beret.

The program was administered by the U.S. Public Health Service. Before the program was closed in 1948, more than 125,000 women served as cadet nurses.

Today in WW II: 17 Sep 1939 Soviet troops invade Poland from the east. More ↓

17 Sep 1944 Thousands of Allied planes begin airborne assault on Holland, Operation Market Garden.
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