REAR ADMIRAL ALENE B. DUERK - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/16/1979 - HFSID 224321

REAR ADMIRAL ALENE B. DUERK
The Navy admiral who was the first woman to reach that rank signs this handwritten letter to an Army general for his 100th birthday
Autograph letter signed: "Alene B. Duerk/R Adm NC USN (Ret)" in blue ink. 6½x7¾. January 16, 1979. On floral stationary to "Dear Major Norbutt", in full: "I join your many friends in sending my congratulations on the occasion of your 100th Birthday. I feel sure as you reflect on the past events of your life, you have deep feelings of pride in the contributions you have made to the progress of our country. In both peace and war you have served with dignity and honor. Hopefully, the present and future generations will not be faced with the need to defend our rights as a nation; however, if the need should arise, I have every confidence that they would not shirk their responsibilities. Our young people today may seem to take their heritage for granted, but in their hearts, they are proud of those who have worked and fought to give them the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. They will not hesitate to defend their country, if those freedoms should be endangered. I send you my Best Wishes for a very Happy Birthday. Sincerely". Alene Bertha Duerk (b. 1920) was a United States Navy rear admiral. After receiving her commission in 1943, she joined the USS Benevolence in 1945, a hospital ship, and remained on it in Japanese waters until it returned later that year. After hostilities ended, Duerk was assigned to the Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Illinois, until she was released from active naval service in 1946. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in nursing, Duerk was called back in to service. Advancing progressively in rank, having transferred from the Naval Reserve to the U. S. Navy in December 1953, she became Rear Admiral on April 26, 1972. Duerk was the first woman to be selected for flag rank in the U.S. Navy and was advanced to that rank on June 1, 1972, and was also the director of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps from 1970 to 1975. She has received multiple medals, including the Legion of Merit, Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Lightly toned. Normal mailing folds. Otherwise, fine condition.