Ensign Jane Kendeigh landed at Iwo Jima, becoming the first Navy flight nurse on an active battlefield.
On March 6, 1945, Ensign Jane Kendeigh became a pioneer when she landed on Iwo Jima aboard a Naval Air Transport Service evacuation flight. Her appearance marked the first time a U.S. Navy flight nurse had flown an evacuation mission to an active Pacific battlefield. This groundbreaking accomplishment opened new roles for women in direct combat support, challenging traditional gender roles and setting a precedent for future operations involving women in front-line positions.