U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Included in House Passed National Defense Authorization Act

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) applauds the House of Representatives for including the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act (H.R. 2056) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed earlier today. By including and passing this provision, the House recognizes the contributions of nurses who served as members of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and provides them with honorable discharges, medal privileges, and veteran burial benefits at cemeteries administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs.

"We are grateful to the House of Representatives for passing this legislation that AACN has been extremely proud to support," said Dr. Ann H. Cary, AACN Board Chair. "It is long overdue that we acknowledge these brave nurses who embody the `greatest generation'."

AACN appreciates the strong support from Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL), who sponsored the original bill (H.R. 2056) and offered it as an amendment to the NDAA during consideration. We also recognize the bipartisan group of more than 40 Representatives who cosponsored the bill and more than two dozen Representatives that supported this amendment throughout the process. 

"AACN is pleased to see that women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps from 1943 to 1948 are one step closer to finally receiving the recognition they so rightfully deserve," added Dr. Cary.

AACN commends the bipartisan work to provide recognition to the nurses who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps and remains committed to working with Congress to ensure this measure becomes law.