Laura Mae Cobb American nurse, heroine of World War II. Date of Birth: 11.05.1892 Country: USA

1. Laura May Cobb: American Nurse and Heroine of World War II
2. Early Life and Education
3. Nursing Career
4. Life in Japanese Internment Camps
5. Freedom and Later Years

Laura May Cobb: American Nurse and Heroine of World War II

Laura May Cobb was an American nurse and heroine of World War II. She played a crucial role in saving lives in the horrific conditions of the Japanese Los Baños internment camp. Cobb and her team of eleven American nurses voluntarily stayed behind in the camp, risking their own lives to provide care and support to fellow prisoners.

Early Life and Education

Laura May Cobb was born in Atchison, Kansas. Her family later moved to Mulvane, Kansas. Cobb completed her schooling in 1910 and briefly worked as a teacher before enrolling in nursing courses at Wichita Hospital. She successfully completed her training in 1918.

Nursing Career

On July 5, 1918, Cobb joined the American Navy as a nurse and served until July 21, 1921. After three years working in civilian hospitals, she returned to the frontlines in April 1924. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Cobb served in naval hospitals across America.

As rumors of an impending war reached her, Cobb requested to be sent overseas, stating that someone needed to go. In April 1940, she was transferred to a hospital in Guam. Her dedication and bravery were recognized when she received an award for "Duty Performance and Attempts to Ensure the Safety and Comfort of Patients for 48 Consecutive Hours, at Risk to Her Own Life and Health," during a typhoon that struck on November 3, 1940.

In February 1941, Cobb was transferred to the Philippines and assigned as the head nurse at the naval hospital in Manila. On December 10, 1941, she and ten other nurses remained with the wounded as the Americans surrendered to the Japanese forces during the attack on the local shipyard. Cobb's quiet and confident professionalism even impressed the Japanese. Despite the circumstances, Cobb did everything in her power to care for her patients.

Life in Japanese Internment Camps

After being captured, Cobb and the other nurses were sent to Santo Tomas University in Manila. During the relocation, she managed to hide essential medical records. Upon arrival, she was appointed as the head of the local hospital. In May 1943, Cobb and her fellow nurses volunteered to establish a new camp hospital in Los Baños. She cleverly saved important military documents from the watchful eyes of the Japanese. The hospital served civilian patients, including children.

The conditions in the camp deteriorated over time, with the nurses working twelve-hour shifts and facing food shortages. Cobb recalled that they stopped paying attention to insects but found that rice infested with cockroaches and worms became even less edible. Despite the challenges, Cobb and her team remained dedicated to providing care and support.

Freedom and Later Years

On February 23, 1945, Cobb and the other prisoners were freed during a joint operation by American forces and Filipino guerrillas. Upon returning to Guam, Cobb requested to be sent back to the Philippines. However, her request was not granted, and the emaciated and exhausted nurses were sent back to the United States. Cobb was promoted to lieutenant captain and received several military awards and medals.

In 1947, Cobb left the navy due to health reasons and moved to a sanatorium in Los Angeles. She returned to Wichita in 1974 and passed away in September 1981.