Dear editor,

Sometimes words are just inadequate to express the emptiness felt by the death of a friend. Words do not come easy or fluid to comfort the family and friends. However, the task is to celebrate a life that meant so much and contributed so much to those around them and to the world. Such was the life of Nettie Hardy Eskridge, World War II Army Nurses Corps.

My first encounter with Nettie was writing tributes to our World War II heroes. She certainly qualified as one of those heroes without contradiction.

Her life was one of service to others. Deciding to become a nurse after graduation from Selma High on Tremont Street, Class of 1939, at the dismay of her parents. They wanted something better for their child, but Nettie wouldn’t be denied her chosen profession. When her family withdrew their support, she sold her five cows she had nurtured from one given as a present from her mother as a child. The money was used to pay tuition at Hillman Hospital, now UAB, in Birmingham and nurses school.

After graduating as a Registered Nurse, Nettie was challenged to a higher calling, one of serving her country and caring for wounded and dying soldiers. Entering the Army Air Corps as a Second Lieutenant, she was assigned to the 127th Evacuation Hospital and sent to Europe.

It was with this unit she eventually ended up treating the wretched surviving souls at Dachau Concentration Camp. The 127th arrived only a day or two after the camp was liberated. Nettie and her fellow nurses were first to start treating the starving, diseased and lice infested prisoners. Some were so near death they had to be fed small portions at a time to prevent killing them. The camp was so infested with lice and disease nurses and service personnel were dusted down with DDT upon entering and exiting the compound area and before eating a meal.

Nettie Eskridge performed at a high level of competence and valor. She rendered to God and country service above and beyond the call of duty.

Later in life she rendered her talent and skills to Craig Air Force Base until its closure and then to the Dallas County Health Department. She never relinquished her desire to help and comfort humanity.

Rest in Peace fellow patriot, job well done.

James G. Smith

Selma