Capt. Ruth Erickson joined the Navy nurse corps in 1936. During her career she served on the hospital ship USS Relief (AH 1), witnessed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and served on the hospital ship USS Haven (AH 12), while bringing home prisoners of war from Japan in 1945. Erickson moved through positions of increasing responsibility, including nursing supervisor, senior nurse and assistant chief of nursing services at various naval hospitals. She was nurse corps representative in the 12th Naval District and Military Sea Transport Service, and personnel officer for the nurse corps at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, D.C. She served as chief nurse at three major naval hospitals and became the director of the Navy nurse corps. She retired from the Navy in 1966 after 30 years of service.

Last Updated: 29 March 2023