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1st Lt. Army Nurse Ginny Dornheggen in the 67th Evacuation Hospital’s intensive care unit recovery ward in Qui Nhon, Vietnam. in September 1970. The photo was used when Ginny was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 2024.
Episode 3294 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army nurse Ginny Deardorff. The featured story is titled: Nurse Ginny, a Vietnam heroine who saved lives. It appeared on the Appen Media Group website. It was submitted by Bob Meyers.
It was reported by Meyers that the story of Ginny Deardorff Dornheggen is a powerful reminder of the courage, skill, and sacrifice of female Vietnam veterans. Determined from childhood to become a nurse, she joined the Army Nurse Corps after nursing school and was eventually deployed to Qui Nhon in 1970. There, at the 67th Evacuation Hospital, she cared for severely wounded soldiers, sailors, and Marines in the surgical intensive care unit and recovery room.
Working 12-hour shifts or longer, often six or seven days a week, Dornheggen treated devastating combat injuries caused by explosions, gunshots, and battlefield hazards. Her work demanded exceptional medical skill and emotional strength. During a massive Viet Cong attack on a nearby ammunition dump in January 1971, she and fellow nurses shielded wounded patients and moved them to safety while explosions continued through the night. Their actions saved lives.
Like many female Vietnam veterans, Dornheggen carried the invisible wounds of war for years, coping with PTSD while continuing to serve her family, community, and profession. Her military nursing career ultimately spanned 43 years, touching countless lives.
About 7,000 women served as nurses in Vietnam, yet their contributions were often overlooked after the war. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial now stands as a lasting tribute to these remarkable women. Ginny Dornheggen’s story represents the greatness of female Vietnam veterans: compassionate under fire, resilient in adversity, and indispensable to the survival of thousands of wounded service members.
Listen to Episode 3294 and discover more about Army nurse Ginny Deardorff.
Library of Congress Vietnam History Project
