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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1310

The United States Air Medal attributed to Captain L. 'Jerry' R. Ruggiero, Flight Nurse with 801 Squadron, 13 A.A.F., who saw service at Guadalcanal, being on one occasion forced to 'ditch' due to mechanical issues, forcing her and the crew to enter a lifeboat

United States of America, Air Medal, in its box of issue, with a photograph album including a picture of the recipient wearing the medal, good very fine

Loretta 'Jerry' Regina Ruggiero was born at Philadelphia on 12 October 1917, the daughter of Anthony and Josephine Ruggiero of 709 8th Street, Philadelphia Ward. A graduate of West Philadelphia High School and later training as a nurse, Ruggiero joined the United States Air Force as a Flight Nurse serving from 26 October 1942 until 8 March 1944 in America. Posted to 801st Squadron- part of the 13th Army Air Force- in the Pacific. Here Ruggiero was served at Guadalcanal and New Guinea, evacuating casualties from war zones and flying with them to safe spots behind the lines. Her obituary relates a story told by her sister, stating:

'On one of her flights, Ms. Ruggiero's aircraft became disabled and had to be ditched in the Pacific, forcing occupants to climb into a lifeboat to reach safety'

In spite of the dangers of this role Ruggiero excellent, reaching the rank of Captain in short order. Returning to America on 18 November 1945 she remained in service until 10 February 1946 before being demobilised at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Ruggiero went on to work as a teacher and nurse, dying at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital on 3 August 2000; sold together with a file of copied research including census data, pension records and a copy of the recipient's obituary as well as an original photograph album also containing a nursing badge, riband bar and patches for 9th Army Air Force and 13th Army Air Force.

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Sold for
£230

Starting price
£40