World War II front-line nurse, author Mildred MacGregor dies at age 100
Note: This article has been changed to correct a name.
Mildred A. MacGregor, a World War II front-line nurse who published a memoir about her experiences treating soldiers from the Battle of the Bulge and victims of a Nazi concentration camp, has died. She was 100.
Mildred A. MacGregor
MacGregor passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, according to an obituary published on AnnArbor.com.
She became a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corp. and as part of the Third Auxiliary Surgical Group in WWII, was stationed in England, North Africa, France and Germany. MacGregor was stationed in Africa during much of 1943. In 1944, 10 days after D-Day, she arrived on Omaha Beach, where she nursed wounded soldiers.
Her memoir, "World War II Front Line Nurse," was published by the University of Michigan Press in 2008, when she was 95. The first-person history of her wartime experience includes stories of a difficult trip through the Sahara and surviving dangerous air raids.
The book also includes tales of heroism and letters from her family and fiance.
She was born Mildred Radawiec in Detroit on Nov. 2, 1912 and came to Ann Arbor in 1930 to attend the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.
She married Robert K. MacGregor after the war and raised three children, Elizabeth (Rick) York, Robert (Radka) and John (Peggy). She is also survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
MacGregor sent letters to surviving members of the 298th every year on June 6, the anniversary of D-Day, and returned to France on the 50th anniversary in 1994.
A memorial service is planned for MacGregor at the First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor at a later date.
Comments
Jeannette Gutierrez
Thu, Apr 4, 2013 : 12:55 a.m.
When I read this article, I knew I had to read Mrs. MacGregor's book... which is available at AADL. I just finished it, and... WOW. I am awestruck and humbled anew by the courage of the "Greatest Generation," of which Lieutenant Mildred A. Radawiec is a fine example. I cherished the time I spent with "Rad," as she landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day, compassionately tended wounded soldiers (including Germans), smuggled puppies across continents, witnessed firsthand the horrors of Buchenwald, and enjoyed an epic romance with a gallant flyer in the African desert. I only wish I could have met this remarkable woman, who lived so close to me! Condolences to her family, and belated thanks to the indomitable Rad herself for her service.
Julia Herbst
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:34 p.m.
God bless her and her family! Thank you so much for your service to this country! My grandfather just passed away January 2nd, at the age of 91. He served in the Pacific division (We have no paperwork showing specificlly, just says Pacific Area on his discharge paperwork). It took a brave bunch of citizens to stand for our country in that War. And I am thankful for all of them!
mady
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 6:21 p.m.
Rest in Peace dear lady, and thank you for your service.
HB11
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 12:32 p.m.
Sadly, another member of the greatest generation passes. Thanks for your service.
Arieswoman
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 10:44 a.m.
These women served our country very well. They were our unsung heroes. I have a cousin who is 91 and served on Guam in WWII. RIP.
Susan Montgomery
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:34 a.m.
What an amazing woman... You will want to correct her maiden name, listed as MacGregor, her married name, in the article. Her maiden name was Radawiec, according to the page about her book in the Michigan University Press page: www.press.umich.edu/349798/world_war_ii_front_line_nurse .. and don't get me started on the rehashed, close to plagiarized sentences from the UM Press page and from her obituary. C'mon AnnArbor.com, you can do better...
Bob Needham
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.
Thanks for correcting the error. It's fixed in the article now.
Susan Montgomery
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 4:49 a.m.
I used to call out some of their now top reporters on their typos and grammar errors, and they have improved tremendously since then. I am optimistic that once Lisa realizes the expectations we have of her she will do the same.
DBH
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 3:48 a.m.
Thanks for the correction on her maiden name. I did find it odd (though not impossible, certainly) that her maiden name and married name would be the same. "C'mon AnnArbor.com, you can do better..." Are you sure about that? Their postings have been plagued with one error after the other. If you ask me, it's just so much slop. The writer of this article seems to have, among other problems, a particular difficulty with names. She repeatedly misspelled the name of the principal person in an article on Hill Auditorium. See http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/perfect-acoustics-celebrated-as-part-of-hill-aditoriums-100th-anniversary-event-saturday/
maizenbluedoc
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 10:02 p.m.
Rest in peace and thanks for your service. /s/ Retired Navy medical professional.