Elizabeth Jean Rushing Milligan

I trained at the Methodist Hospital of Dallas School of Nursing and completed my training in the last U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps class. Our commencement exercises were the last of this program.

Surgeon General Thomas Parran wrote to us in his farewell message: 

A memorable chapter of the Nation's wartime history will close when the final Cadet Nurse class graduates in 1948. Although this nurse training program is ending, the 125,000 nurses educated under its aegis will exert a great influence for a long time to come. Your trained skills will add to our national story of health and happiness. As members of the nursing profession, you will carry considerable prestige in your communities. Because of this capacity for service and your position in community life, you, as a nurse, also will have a heavier share of responsibility than the average citizen. I am confident that you will discharge this responsibility with distinction.

In sending this farewell message, I should like to express to Cadet Nurses everywhere my appreciation and that of the Public Health Service for the contributions you already have made to humanity and to your country. I add my hope that the rewarded career you have chosen will continue to be a lasting source of satisfaction.

Commencement Exercise of Last U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Class (3.77 MB)

U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps March, commissioned especially for the last U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps class (6.56 MB)