Photo of Keil alongside her plane.  U.S. Air Force photo provided by the National Cemetery Administration

Capt. Lillian Kinkela Keil’s (at right) extraordinary experiences as a flight nurse inspired the 1953 Hollywood movie “Flight Nurse,” starring Joan Leslie (at left).  U.S. Air Force photo provided by the National Cemetery Administration

Lt. (later Capt.) Lillian Kinkela at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, during the Korean War. U.S. Air Force photo provided by the National Cemetery Administration

Riverside National Cemetery

Thank you Captain Neil for your many years of service to our country, I am glad I was able to follow in your footsteps

Capt. Lillian Kinkela Kiel was @USairforce flight nurse who served during #WWII and the Korean War. She flew 425 flight combat missions and took part in 11 major campaigns to include the D-Day Invasion and Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Keil was one of the most decorated women in American military history, receiving more than 19 medals. The movie, Flight Nurse, made in 1954 was based her achievements. Kiel was honorably discharged in 1955 while pregnant with her first child and continued to practice nursing as a civilian. In 2004, she served as the honorary grand marshal for the World War II Memorial Dedication parade in Washington, DC

LILLIAN KINKELA KEIL

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