Berenice Elizabeth Newitt (1902-1982) - 2nd Lt. Army Nurse Corps

2nd Lt. Berenice Elizabeth Newitt - Army Nurse Corps; 1924

Here is a post I have wanted to prepare for some time, but I've never been quite sure how to piece it together. After some research and review of a recently obtained complete 201 file (which included the picture shown above - a jewel find for any genealogist), this post will focus on my Grandpa Dodge's half-cousin, Berenice Elizabeth Newitt, and her service in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.

Berenice Elizabeth Newitt was born February 24, 1902, in Leadville, Colorado, the daughter of James Newitt (1869-1952) and Maggie Meteer (1867-1904). Her mother, Maggie, passed away February 25, 1904, in Leadville, after being ill with typhoid fever for nearly the previous two months. In August of 1906, James Newitt remarried and was wedded to Rachel Elizabeth Dodge (1887-1977). Berenice spent her time growing up in Buena Vista as well as Leadville. Following graduation from Leadville High School, Berenice went to Salida, Colorado, where she worked and was educated as a Nurse at the Red Cross Hospital there. The nurse training she participated in at Salida took three years. Berenice finished training in 1920.

In November of 1921, Berenice applied to become a Nurse with the Army Nurse Corps. The requirements at that time included earning a High School Diploma, being a licensed Registered Nurse, be at least 21 years of age, and unmarried. In her application to become a Nurse with the Army Nurse Corps, Berenice lied about her age and stated that she was born in 1899 (she was actually only 19). Berenice was accepted and commissioned as 2nd Lt. and appointed as a Reserve Nurse. Berenice was assigned to Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

In September of 1925, Berenice requested transfer to Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco. Her request was granted and she was transferred to Letterman General Hospital. In the transfer approval, Berenice was described as follows: 'Her services and general conduct have always been "excellent." ' By this time, her brother, Keith Newitt, was living in San Francisco, which may have been one reason for the requested transfer. In March of 1926, Berenice requested appointment as Nurse, which was granted. In completing the application for appointment, Berenice changed the year of her birth from 1899 to 1900 (she still lied about her age, perhaps to avoid the possibility of being kicked out of the Corps for joining while being under the minimum age requirement). This transfer was granted and Berenice was transferred from Reserve Nurse to Nurse.

In November of 1927, Berenice was transferred from Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. She arrived by Army Transport aboard the vessel St. Mihiel, arriving November 8. In her annual physical examination from 1929, it was noted that Berenice was beginning to suffer from some slight deafness in both ears. She was recommended for medical treatment at that time. Also in 1929, Berenice requested, and received, a continuation of service in the Army Nurse Corps. At this time, Berenice was described as 'conscientious, energetic and a capable nurse.' Berenice continued with her duties at Schofield through the first part of 1930; she is even enumerated there in the 1930 Census.

In early 1930, Berenice was asked by the Surgeon General regarding her preference for her next assignment. Berenice responded that her first preference would be assignment at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. This transfer was granted and Berenice was to be assigned to Walter Reed General Hospital. In making arrangements for travel to Washington, D.C., Berenice was initially supposed to travel by Army Transport from Hawaii to San Francisco, and from San Francisco continue to New York via the Panama Canal. In June of 1930, however, Berenice requested to travel overland from San Francisco. Berenice was also granted a leave of absence upon arriving at San Francisco. These requests were granted. 

Berenice arrived in San Francisco in early July of 1930. During her leave of absence, Berenice arrived at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in early November. When she arrived at Fort Snelling, her assignment was changed and she was relieved from duty at Walter Reed and reassigned to Fort Snelling. In November of 1931, Berenice requested that her name be considered for service in the Philippine Department. Although this request was granted, Berenice continued her service at Fort Snelling. Another continuation of service was granted in late 1931 and again in early 1935.

By this time, even though her hearing was still slightly defective (there were no noted improvements or deterioration), it was noted that there were 'no defects which have or do interfere with the performance of full military duty.' In 1932, Berenice took another leave of absence. The Star Tribune, from November 6, 1932 (a local newspaper from the Fort Snelling area) reported: 'Miss Bernice Newitt of the army nurse corps, returned to Fort Snelling Wednesday after a month’s leave spent visiting at Denver, El Paso and San Antonio.'

1935 was a notable year for Berenice in her service with the Army Nurse Corps. In February of that year, Berenice contracted German measles. She was hospitalized and received treatment from late February through March (this was in the years before penicillin and vaccinations). In July she requested transfer back to Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco, as well as a 60-day leave of absence. The leave of absence was granted and Berenice took leave to spend time with her father and family in Tacoma, Washington. Upon expiration of leave of absence, Berenice was to report back to Letterman General Hospital.

By 1936, Berenice's hearing problems had grown worse. Even though she was still able to carry on her duties, further examinations were conducted and she was advised accordingly of this medical issue. It is likely that her bout with measles the year before exacerbated her hearing problems. Following her physical examination in early 1937, it was recommended that Berenice be brought before a retirement board to determine whether medical retirement from the Army Nurse Corps was warranted.

In March of 1937, a retirement board was convened for 2nd Lt. Berenice Newitt. Following review of her medical record and testimony from the examining doctors, it was found 'that 2nd Lieut. Berenice E. Newitt, A.N.C., is permanently physically incapacitated for active service because of Defective hearing.' It was found that the incapacity was incident to military service. Upon completion of the retirement board, Berenice was granted her final leave of absence before her retirement, which was effective on July 31, 1937. Berenice made use of her final leave of absence, which was 101 days, by requesting travel to England and France. This request was granted. On the civilian ship manifests (for both the U.S. and England), Berenice lists her correct year of birth, which is 1902. Berenice returned to the United States on July 9, 1937, arriving in New York.

The News Tribune: May 27, 1937 Tacoma, Washington) reported: To Leave for Europe: Mr. and Mrs. James Newitt of the Biltmore apartments have with them both their daughter and son, Miss Bernice Newitt, who leaves Friday for an extensive trip, and Keith Newitt, here from San Francisco until after June 1. Miss Newitt, a nurse in government service for the past 16 years, has planned a vacation that will last until autumn. She sails from New York June 4 on the Laconia, for Europe, and will not return until September (newspaper articles are only as accurate as the reporters who wrote them).

Upon retirement on July 31, 1937, Berenice was granted a retirement pension of $187.50 per month, which pension she received for the remainder of her life. Following retirement, Berenice lived in San Francisco until 1939, when she moved to Glendale, California. She lived in Glendale for the remainder of her life, continuing to work as a Nurse at the Monte Sano Hospital in Los Angeles until she retired in the early 1960's. Berenice passed away September 7, 1982 at the VA Medical Center in Sepulveda, Los Angeles County, California. She is interred at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

A few important things to note took place prior and during Berenice's service as a Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. In 1920, just one year before Berenice enlisted, Army Nurses were given relative rank from 2nd Lieut. to Major. They were allowed to wear their rank insignia on their uniform. However, their pay was only half of male officers of the same rank and they were to be addressed as 'Nurse' or 'Miss'. In 1926, Nurses were authorized retirement based on their length of service. In 1930, Retirement for disability incurred in the line of duty was authorized for nurses, with no minimum length of time requirement. These changes which were instituted during this time allowed Berenice the opportunity to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army as well as receive the retirement pension which she had earned. (see http://e-anca.org/History/ANC-Eras/1901-1940 and Highlights in the History of the Army Nurse Corps 'U.S. Army Center of Military History. Washington, D.C., 2016.)