Lillian Kinkella Keil
Captain Lillian Kinkella Keil
Captain Lillian Kinkella Keil (November 17, 1916 – June 30, 2005) was a highly decorated American World War II and Korean War flight nurse. Keil made 250 evacuation flights (23 of which were transatlantic) during World War II and 175 evacuation flights during the Korean War, becoming one of the most decorated women in American military history.[1]
Keil's hometown is Covina, California. Before she joined the Air Force she was a registered nurse and a stewardess.[1] Keil is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.[2]
She served as a technical advisor for the 1953 film Flight Nurse, starring Joan Leslie and Forrest Tucker, which was based upon her experiences.[3]
Awards
Keil was awarded 19 medals and ribbons, including:
- 4 Air Medals
- 2 Presidential Unit Citations
- 1 World War II Victory Medal
- 4 battle stars in World War II
- 1 Korean Service Medal with seven battle stars
References
- 1 2 Capt. Lillian Kinkella Keil, United States Air Force website.
- ↑ Capt Lillian Kinkella Keil at Find a Grave
- ↑ Flight Nurse at the Internet Movie Database
Further reading
- "Lillian Keil, decorated flight nurse in two wars, dead at 88". Associated Press. 2005-09-29.
- Hidalgo, Ellie (2005-07-15). "Obituary: Lillian Keil, flight nurse, tended to 10,000 wounded soldiers". The Tidings.
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