A Trailblazer to the End: Rear Admiral, Alene B. Duerk

Admiral Alene B. Duerk, first female admiral, passes away at the age of 98.

It took 197 years, but an innovative and forward-thinking CNO, Elmo Zumwalt, broke tradition by elevating her name to selection in 1972, making her the first woman (flag rank) to ascend to Admiral. President Nixon agreed and approved.

In 1941, Alene Duerk joined the U. S. Naval Reserve as an Ensign after graduating from the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing. She completed tours at Naval Hospital Portsmouth (where she earned sailor of the year honors), Naval Hospital Bethesda and at sea aboard the USS Benevolence. During her tour in 1945, Duerk provided aid to wounded personnel returning from fighting the Japanese in WWII.

Duerk was released from active dury in 1946, however, she returned in 1951 as a nursing instructor at the Naval Hospital School in Portsmouth. She would spent the next 20 years assigned to hospitals in San Diego and Yokosuka (Japan), before joining recruiting efforts in Chicago and Washington.

In 1970, she was appointed Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, where she expanded Navy medical capabilities in anesthesia, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology and ambulatory care.

In 1975, Rear Admiral Duerk retired but remained involved in Navy Medicine foe the rest of her life.

For more on this amazing woman: (https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/women-in-the-navy/first-female-flag-officer.html).

Admiral Alene Duerk blazed a trail of stellar performance in tough jobs, serving as an inspiration for an ever-increasing number of women officers who have followed in her steps.

Semper Fortis, Admiral Duerk. Fair winds and a followin' seas . . .