Written by Justun Dorsey, NVMM Educator
Fifty years ago, on April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War came to an end, marking a turning point in American and World history. The war left deep physical and emotional scars, reshaped global politics, and transformed the lives of countless individuals. More than 11,000 women served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War era, many of whom were nurses who worked tirelessly to care for the wounded and comfort the dying.
While the war’s political and military consequences have been widely discussed, the experiences of women who served in Vietnam too often remains overlooked. These women faced extreme conditions, working in hospitals where hundreds of casualties arrived each day. They treated soldiers suffering from life-threatening wounds, amputations, and psychological trauma, all while enduring the dangers of war themselves.
Although women were not officially assigned to combat roles during this time, they were not immune to the terrors of war. Some were injured in attacks, while others lost their lives. Their contributions proved that women could serve and excel in high-stress, high-risk environments, paving the way for more expansive military opportunities for future generations of women.
This March, in recognition of Women’s History Month and Vietnam War Veterans Day, we encourage all to honor the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of these women. One such trailblazer was Lieutenant Colonel Annie Ruth Graham, whose dedication and service across three major conflicts exemplifies the service and sacrifice of women in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Early Life and Military Career
Born on November 7, 1916, in Efland, North Carolina, Annie Ruth Graham was one of six children born to Tiny and J.D. Graham. She pursued nursing at the Watts Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1940. Driven by a commitment to serve, she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) in March 1942, shortly after the United States entered World War II.
When she enlisted, only 56 Black women were accepted into the ANC, while 6,000 white women served in active-duty units. By the end of World War II, only around 500 Black women, despite thousands applying, were serving in the ANC compared to 59,000 white women.
During the war, Graham served in the European Theater with the 57th Station Hospital and the 171st Evacuation Hospital, providing critical care to wounded soldiers. Her distinguished service earned her multiple decorations, including the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Breaking Barriers: Service in Korea and Vietnam
After World War II, Graham was promoted to Captain and joined the U.S. Army Reserve. She returned home for a short stint where she worked as a public health nurse and went back to school to earn her B.S. in Public Health Nursing in 1949. While serving during the Korean War at the U.S. Army Hospital in Camp Yokohama, Japan, she treated countless casualties, further solidifying her reputation as a dedicated and skilled nurse. During this time, she rose to the rank of Major, earning the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. By June 1966, she reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel while serving as Assistant Chief Nurse at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Liberty (Bragg), North Carolina.
With the need for more nurses during the Vietnam War, Graham was appointed as the Chief Nurse of the 91st Evacuation Hospital in Tuy Hoa. In this role, she managed the entire nursing staff of a 400-bed unit and volunteered her free time to care for civilians injured by land mines.
Legacy and Impact
Tragically, Lt. Col. Graham’s life was cut short when she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. She was evacuated to Japan, where she passed away on August 14, 1968, at the age of 51. She was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit. Her death marked the loss of a pioneering Black woman who dedicated more than two decades of her life to military service.
In 1993, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial was unveiled in Washington, D.C., honoring the nurses, officers, and volunteers who served alongside Graham. Graham’s name is also inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Panel 48W, Line 12) as a permanent tribute to her sacrifice.
Her legacy is a testament to the vital roles Black women have played in the U.S. Armed Forces throughout our nation’s history. In overcoming barriers and challenges based on her race and gender, Graham helped paved the way for future generations of women of color to serve.
Join us as we recognize the sacrifices made not just by those who fought on the battlefield, but by those who healed, comforted, and saved lives during wartime.
Sources:
Photos courtesy of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund: THE WALL OF FACES – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
“Annie Ruth Graham.” Virtual Wall, 7 Feb. 1998: www.virtualwall.org/dg/GrahamAR01a.htm
Moore, Col. (Ret) Constance J. “Fallen Army Nurse Corps Warriors from the Vietnam War.” The Army Nurse Corps Association, Inc.: https://e-anca.org/History/Topics-in-ANC-History/Fallen-RVN-ANCs
O’Gan, Patri. “Victory at Home and Abroad: African American Army Nurses in World War II.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, 8 May 2023: nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/nurses-WWII
Pollitt, Phoebe. “Annie Ruth Graham.” North Carolina Nursing History, 24 Nov. 2021: https://nursinghistory.appstate.edu/
