JimD Posted May 3, 2017 Share #1 Posted May 3, 2017 I like to collect medals to New Yorkers and have a soft spot for the New York Conspicuous Service Cross. So when a NY CSC to an Army Nurse offered by Adam Rohloff on the FS Forum last year, I bought it. It sat in my safe for a year. Then three weeks ago I set up at the bi-annual Militaria Show here here in Arizona sponsored by George Notarpole and Larry and Terri Stewart. I always, always find some exceptional items at the show and usually spend as much money as I take in on sales. Suits me fine. This time I was offered a WWI Purple Heart group to an Army Nurse. I stared at the name in the Purple Heart and thought, "That name is familiar to me". No wonder, being that the Purple Heart recipient's NY CSC was sitting in my safe at the same time I was staring at her Purple Heart, stupidly trying to recall where I heard her name before. Fortunately I bought the PH group and eventually figured out the connection. These medals would never have been reunited if their sale or transfer between private parties was prohibited by law. So, without requiring monetary contributions from the public and without a glittery expense-laden publicity-heavy photo-opp news event, may I present Beatrice Hosken, Army Nurse. Beatrice Hosken was born in Torquay, England on 27 August 1882. She moved to Canada before her emigration to New York in 1909. She graduated from Bellevue Hospital Training School, New York, in 1911. Nurse Hosken entered Army service from New York on 2 February 1918 and served overseas 4 June 1918 to 17 April 1919. She was assigned to Operating Team No. 42A at Base Hospital No. 1, Evacuation Hospital No. 4, Camp Hospital No. 19 and Evacuation Hospital No. 8. Nurse Hosken was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate by the Commanding General, AEF, for heroic conduct on 2 November 1918 when Evacuation Hospital No. 8 was shelled by enemy artillery. The Meritorious Service Citation Certificate (MSCC) was exchanged for a Purple Heart Medal for Merit on 13 February 1933. She was discharged 23 May 1919 and returned to New York where she became a naturalized U. S. citizen in 1925. She later worked as Superintendent of Housekeeping, Queens General Hospital, Jamaica, N.Y. Her New York Conspicuous Service Cross was awarded on the basis of the Purple Heart. Nurse Hosken never married and died 9 April 1962. According to Purple Hearts for Meritorious Service in World War I: A Forgotten Story, by Fred L. Borch, (Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America, Vol 61, Number 6, Nov.-Dec. 2010), of the 4,119 MSCC awarded by the AEF in April 1920, only 23 were to Army Nurse personnel. How many of those were exchanged for Purple Hearts is unknown. The Purple Heart is in its matching number BB&B box, #30436, issued 1933. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted May 3, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted May 3, 2017 My apologies to Ms. Hosken for this photo. I am sure she would have preferred a different photo of her, but it is the only other one I have found. That is her third from the left with the delightfully fashionable head wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 3, 2017 Share #4 Posted May 3, 2017 Great job...What a rare group.You have the patience needed and just the plain old knack.A WWI ladies Purple Heart...I don't think I've ever seen one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted May 3, 2017 Share #5 Posted May 3, 2017 What a fantastic bit of luck, congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted May 3, 2017 Share #6 Posted May 3, 2017 That's pretty amazing...I don't think I've ever even heard of a WW1 Purple Heart to a woman, let alone seen one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberwolf Posted May 3, 2017 Share #7 Posted May 3, 2017 Wow very cool! Being a nurse myself I love these contributions from these brave ladies! Especially since nurse's week is coming up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted May 3, 2017 Share #8 Posted May 3, 2017 That is awesome! I collect a lot of woman's militaria and that kind of thing unheard of. Congrats on putting group back together and sharing the legacy of this brave woman with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted May 3, 2017 Share #9 Posted May 3, 2017 Wonderful group and a great story of re-uniting a fantastic broken group! Congrats! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agate hunter Posted May 3, 2017 Share #10 Posted May 3, 2017 Awesome group and great medals! Thanks for sharing and preserving the history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted May 3, 2017 Share #11 Posted May 3, 2017 That is an amazing group Jim. Glad you were able to reunite it. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFloyd Posted May 3, 2017 Share #12 Posted May 3, 2017 Most Purple Hearts to nurses were conversions from Meritorious Service Citation Certificates, although a few were for wounds. In either case, it's a great little group. When my mother was in nursing training at Bellevue Hospital in New York (1932-1934), the director of nursing was Marion Rottman, who received a Purple Heart in 1933. My mother recalled it being a big deal among the staff at the time, although she was puzzled about Miss Rottman being wounded. A little research brought out the MSCC connection. Rottman had been the head nurse at Base Hospital No. 5, as I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagjetta Posted May 3, 2017 Share #13 Posted May 3, 2017 MAN! I think I have just viewed what is now my favorite Purple Heart group! Very cool and what a great job pulling the frayed threads of history back into the tapestry. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted May 3, 2017 Share #14 Posted May 3, 2017 Amazing grouping to an amazing woman! Thanks so much for posting...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted May 3, 2017 Share #15 Posted May 3, 2017 An incredibly rare grouping....Wow! Well done! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted May 3, 2017 Share #16 Posted May 3, 2017 Incredible group, a new one on me as well....thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swabbie Posted May 3, 2017 Share #17 Posted May 3, 2017 I fall in line with the rest. Well done! Perseverance, knowledge and a measure of luck. Great group to a great lady! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted May 3, 2017 Share #18 Posted May 3, 2017 Jim, Amazing! Thank you for sharing. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris3bs Posted May 3, 2017 Share #19 Posted May 3, 2017 I look at acquring this group with what you as divine intervention, esp, dumb luck, right place at the right time. That person was drawn to you. Didn't even know you. What are the chances of this happening? Astronomical - -.!! Congratulations. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted May 3, 2017 Share #20 Posted May 3, 2017 That's in the super cool range for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted May 4, 2017 Share #21 Posted May 4, 2017 Nice group and great reunite. Well done ! Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted May 4, 2017 Share #22 Posted May 4, 2017 Fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted May 4, 2017 Share #23 Posted May 4, 2017 That is one wonderful and rare Purple Heart group. Thank you very much for sharing it with us. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted May 5, 2017 Share #24 Posted May 5, 2017 Wonderful story. Sure hope collectors are allowed to continue doing great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted May 5, 2017 Share #25 Posted May 5, 2017 A rare group and great story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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