MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin woman may soon be the first in the state to ever be awarded a Medal of Honor for her service in the military.
There is a push for Ellen Ainsworth to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for her valiant service during World War II.
Ainsworth's friends and family said it would mean the world to honor someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice to her country.
Previously, Dr. Mary Walker was the first female awarded the Medal of Honor, however it was rescinded in 1917, two years before she died. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored Walker's honor.
During World War II, no one in the U.S. Armed Forces medical branches was eligible to receive the Medal of Honor, especially not a female soldier.
Ellen Ainsworth is a name many may not know. She’s a brave woman with a story unlike any other. She was a nurse, a soldier and a woman who was dedicated to her country.
“Women are heroes too,” family friend Sally Berkholder said. “She was certainly one of the unsung heroes of World War II.”
Ainsworth served as an army nurse overseas in World War II. Her final station was at the 56th evacuation hospital in Anzio.
Her job was to deliver care to injured soldiers, and she even stood by their side, even when Anzio was being bombed by the Germans.
“The 56th evacuation hospital and the other ones a few of them were under heavy fire daily, almost from the moment they arrived,” family member David Sandmire said.
Sandmire is a family member of Ainsworth. His mother was her second cousin. He’s known as the family historian and is honored to share her story.
He’s even taken on writing a book about their family’s history, including Ainsworth’s incredible story.
“She was this larger-than-life figure. She was like a movie character. Like a fake movie character,” Sandmire said. “The heroes are always on in the brightest and darkest of times, always there. She was like the pulse of what was going on.”
Ainsworth is from Glenwood City, Wis., near Eau Claire. Sally Berkholder, who is a close family friend of her family, also grew up there.
Berkholder’s dad was close friends with Ainsworth’s family. She said she feels indebted to keep her story alive.
“I found out that it was so compelling that I was going to do everything I could to keep her legacy alive,” Berkholder said.
Through many first-hand accounts, it’s been told that Ainsworth refused to sit in the air-raid shelter with many others so she could care for the soldiers who were injured.
She had said she wanted to be separate in case the air-raid shelter was bombed so she could care for those who may have gotten injured.
This ultimately led to her death in 1944. The evacuation hospital was under heavy fire and bombing. She was injured by shrapnel during the bombing and died four days after she was hit.
Many explain how she continued to ask how others were doing while she was on her death bed. Ainsworth later earned a Silver Star for her bravery and service.
Less than a dozen Silver Stars have been awarded to women since the start of the First World War. Ainsworth is one of those women. Now, a push is being made to upgrade it to a Medal of Honor.
“She was absolutely fearless. She said there was nothing that frightened her, and she was always one that was willing to put her life on the line to save and protect others and she was very protective of those that she cared for,” Berkholder said.
Berkholder said this is an honor that Ainsworth deserves. She said she knows it will mean a lot to her family to see her get the recognition she has earned.
“To finally be recognized for the service they rendered to this country. Especially in World War II, these women put their lives on the line,” Berkholder said. “A woman like Ellen was willing to sacrifice all of her tomorrows for our today’s. And I just think it’s important to realize that women are not invisible then and not invisible now.”
The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious military award one can be given. It centers on personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and risk of one’s life. These are all thing’s Ainsworth’s friends and family believe she’s done.
“The actions she took was really beyond what was called for and it put her own life at risk and at the end it’s what killed her,” Sandmire said.
Not only do they believe this Medal of Honor would be a tribute to her service, but also to the many women who continue to serve our country to this day.
“It would make a difference to women everywhere that their service has been valued, and she certainly deserves it, I believe,” Berkholder said.
This is an award given to few. It’s one worth a great deal of honor for those who have sacrificed it all for others.
Letters are being sent to Congress to persuade Wisconsin congressmen and women to bring this to attention. Sen. Ron Johnson is helping to collect this information to be presented.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Ellen Ainsworth would be the second female Medal of Honor recipient. Dr. Mary Walker's rescinded Medal of Honor was restored in 1977. (March 30, 2023)