Support S.2195 & H.R. 4901 Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Nurses
/
THE NURSES OF WORLD WAR II SAVED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES. YOU MAY BE ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE YOUR GRANDFATHERS, FATHERS, BROTHERS OR FAMILY MEMBER MAY HAVE BEEN SAVED BY NURSES DURING WWII. WON'T YOU SUPPORT THIS CAUSE? ASK YOUR HOUSE & SENATE REPRESENTATIVES TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILLS.
FROM THE VOICES OF WWII NURSES
WATCH THE FILM WE ALL CAME HOME
GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR SAMPLE LETTERS FOR S.2195 (SENATE)
& H.R. 2901 (HOUSE)
FACT SHEET – WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act (S.2195, H.R. 4901)
Background
When the U.S. entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, there were fewer than 7,000 nurses on active duty. By 1945, there were approximately 59,000 nurses serving under the Army Nurse Corps and 14,000 serving under the Navy Nurse Corps from all over the country, US territories like the Philippines, Hawaii, Guam and Alaska as well as Allied countries like China.
Why This Matters Now
The Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress, has never been awarded to the nurses who saved tens of thousands of lives during WWII. S.2195 and H.R. 4901 seek to rectify this injustice by honoring all nurses who served in the U.S. Navy and Army Corps during WWII, including Filipino, Chinese, Chinese-American, Japanese-American, and African American nurses. They worked near the frontlines sometimes in makeshift hospitals under dangerous and dismal living conditions. They endured hunger, disease and constant bombing. Some were imprisoned. Approximately 200 of them died from enemy fire, aircraft accidents or illnesses. Many of these women also endured discrimination. Today, there is only a handful of WWII nurses left. Our country must honor the immense sacrifices made by these nurses during its hour of need so that their legacy of selflessness and service can continue in future generations.
What is Needed
S.2195 was sponsored and introduced to the 119th Congress by Senator Tammy Baldwin (Democrat-WI) S.2195 on June 25, 2025 while H.R. 4901 was sponsored and introduced by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (Republican-NY-21) on August 5, 2025. S.2195 needs the support of at least 67 co-sponsors in the Senate while H.R. 4901 needs at least 290 co-sponsors in the House. During the 118th Congress, the Senate bill received 50 co-sponsors while the Congressional Bill only received 7 co-sponsors.
What You Can Do
For organizations, please write a letter of support on behalf of your organization asking your Senators and Congressional Representatives to support these companion bills. At the same time, please ask your members to do the same.For individuals, please write to your Senators and Congressional representatives.For descendants, please share with us stories of your relatives’ experiences during WWII.For Members of the House and the Senate, please co-sponsor H.R. 4901 and S.2195
About Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS), a 501(c)(3) Organization (All Volunteers)
• Worked successfully with the California Department of Education to include WWII in the Philippines in the U.S. History curriculum framework for Grade 11 (approved July 14, 2016).
• Successfully advocated for the naming of the first U.S. Navy ship after a Filipino Medal of Honor recipient (1915) Telesforo Trinidad (DDG-139).
• Hosts annual Bataan Death March commemorations, educational conferences and exhibitions.
Media Contacts
Cecilia I. Gaerlan, Executive Director, BLHS – cecilia@bataanlegacy.org; (510) 520-8540
Carolyn Chen, Special Projects Coordinator – carolyn@bataanlegacy.org
Sonny Busa, Public Affairs Officer – sonnybusa@yahoo.com
