Nellie Jane DeWitt

Nellie Jane DeWitt (* July 16, 1895 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, † 22 March 1978 in McLean, Virginia) was a nurse and last Superintendent or after renaming first director of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.

Nellie Jane DeWitt grew up as the daughter of Peter and Ella C. DeWitt on a farm in Jackson, Pennsylvania. After high school, she graduated at Stamford Hospital School of Nursing in Stamford as a nurse. On October 26, 1918 DeWitt joined the Navy. There were different stations, such as the Naval Hospital, Charleston, South Carolina, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In April 1934, DeWitt was appointed Chief Nurse and was employed as selbige in the Naval Hospital, Aiea Heights, Hawaii. In April 1949, DeWitt was appointed Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps and after the restructuring of the Navy Nurse Corps, where all Nurse Officer and Navy officers have been, it was, by now Captain, the director of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.

On May 1, 1950 DeWitt was transferred from active duty to retirement. She was buried on 22 March 1978 at the age of 82 years in McLean, Virginia, and was in the nurses section of Arlington National Cemetery.