Military And Veterans
Veteran Spotlight —Judy Nickerson/US Air Force Nurse Corps
Veteran Spotlight —Judy Nickerson/US Air Force Nurse Corps
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Kenton, Oklahoma
Judy Nickerson served her country as a captain in the US Air Force Nurse Corps from 1951 to 1956, including the Korean War. Born in the small town of Kenton, Oklahoma, she was the oldest of seven siblings born to Myron and Emelia Nickerson. Momma created such a wonderful home for all of usDaddy was a preacher and had quite a following and was extremely well-likedservice was always full, she remembered. Captain Nickerson knew from an early age that she wanted to make nursing her profession. I was like a second mother to all my younger siblingsbathed them, helped them with their homework and chorescleaned their cuts and bruisesMomma told me from an early age that I had to set the example, she recalled. She would began extensive basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, then at the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. Her intense schooling and preparation would be of immense value throughout her military career. She would also be persistent in learning how to fly and would log more than 120 hours in the air. Just something I had always wanted to do, she said. Capt. Nickersons flights started in Korea and took her to Japan, Midway, Hawaii and San Francisco. Her flights during the Korean War were extremely arduous and required constant discipline and vigilance. When asked how she dealt with severe weather on flights, she didnt hesitate and said, I focused on our woundedreally didnt think of turbulence or any of that other stuffwe had our pilots and they knew how to fly. She continued, When a patient would take a turn for the worse when we were flying, you had to act immediatelyhesitating in a crucial situation can be fatalyour reactions [and] actions needed to be automatic. How were the holidays? They were difficultmissed my momma and daddymy brothers and sistersboth my parents wrote me frequently. Which really gave me something to look forward to during mail callthey made my siblings write alsomy baby brother Jeremiah, who was 6, wrote to me one Christmas (she began to get emotional and apologized, saying it still gets to her)said hope Santa knows where Krrea is so you gets presentsprayin for you to be safe from bombs and not have anything happen to younobody puts bandaids on like youlove Jeremiah. Thoughts on service? I was honored to do my partserved with some outstanding nursestrue professionals in every sense of the wordI would absolutely do it again. This sentiment not only encapsulates her dedicated service during the Korean War but also highlights the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families. As we commemorate her story, its pertinent to acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by veterans in securing recognition and support. The venturing into the realms of nursing and aviation while serving is a testament to the capabilities and spirit of women in the military, who have often been overlooked in historical narratives. Judy Nickerson's experiences serve as a reminder of the profound impact that individual service members have on the fabric of national history and the ongoing discourse regarding veteran affairs.