Although frequently forgotten as members of the United States military during World War I, Army and Navy nurses played a vital role in the war effort by caring for the wounded. The relatively small loss of life during the American Expeditionary Forces’ service in Europe was due to the labors of the military doctors and nurses. By the end of the war nearly 23,000 nurses had enlisted in the Army and Navy.

The majority of the military nurses who died in 1917-1918, died from Spanish Influenza, and caught it while caring for patients.

For the first time in American history, women could officially serve in the military. While the army only allowed nurses to enlist, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard allowed women to serve in non-combat roles.