US WW2 WOMEN ' S CADET NURSE CORPS NAMED, ID ' D SUMMER DRESS FELT BRIMMED HAT RARE
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:31147583 |
It became evident early in WW2 that the US would soon face a shortage of trained nurses, both in the theaters of war and on the homefront. In mid-1943, the Cadet Nurse Corps was officially formed as a subsidiary of the Public Health Service to train massive numbers of nurses at college universities across the country. Cadets would train under accelerated programs while simultaneously providing medical care to surrounding communities, freeing more graduate nurses to serve overseas. ...To entice participation from cadets, they received free training with pay, as well as room, board, and the issuance of fine dress uniforms. The program was a huge success, with almost 200, 000 women joining the CNC over the course of the war. After graduation from their 2 year training program, they were immediately eligible as registered nurses. This US WW2 WOMEN'S CADET NURSE CORPS NAMED + ID'D SUMMER DRESS FELT BRIMMED HAT is in excellent condition, with a spot of reddish soiling at the left side crown, a bit of whitish spot soiling at the interior front crown, and with some light scattered age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the hat is in excellent shape, with absolutely no rips, holes, tears, or other damage to the crisp, elegant gray felt construction. Most interestingly, it's a Size 22 1/2, boasts the classic red satin hatband, and carries the original Public Health Service eagle, shield, caduceus, and fouled anchor insignia pinned "front and center". It sports a gray satin sweatband, features the maker's mark of "MERRIMAC HAT CORP" at the interior top crown, and is hand marked with the name "W. Blakey" and school "STANFORD UNIVERSITY" on the original "U.S. CADET NURSE CORPS" tag inside. Wilma Hopkins Blakey graduated from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles during the war, and joined the Cadet Nurse Corps at age 19 on September 10, 1944. She soon set out for her training program, which was administered at Stanford University in San Francisco, CA. A beautiful example of a very rare, original US WW2 WOMEN'S CADET NURSE CORPS NAMED + ID'D SUMMER DRESS FELT BRIMMED HAT. We have shown a photo of Wilma Blakey's membership card in the Cadet Nurse Corps. Now celebrating over 20 years on eBay. Bid with confidence and please view our other great military, aviation, and sporting classics, including a German WW2 MWC LUFTWAFFE PILOT B-UHR AUTOMATIC WRIST WATCH in MINT, unworn, new in the box condition, sporting a crisp 60 minute/12 hour (outer/inner) white numbers black dial, and featuring the classic big "onion" crown and sweeping seconds hand with hacking function.Abramsantiques appreciates your positive feedback and full five star ratings. We strive to make every transaction an exceptional one, and your complete satisfaction is our utmost concern. If for any reason you cannot leave fully positive feedback, contact us first and we will make it right.
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