By: Mark Holtsberry
For Major Annie Guyton Fox I have to break Paulding County Veteran prodigal. But, I found this individual who served at Pearl Harbor who I felt needed to be covered.
Annie was born August 4, 1893 in Pub Nico, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The daughter of Dr. Charles James and Deidamia Ann (Guyton) Fox. Annie had three sisters and three brothers. Leslie born in 1886, Maria Guyton 1887, Charles James Jr. 1888, Dorothy E. 1889, Lyle Cleveland 1891 and Eunice 1898. In January of 1914, Annie entered the United States at the border crossing. She was listed as a student.
Annie’s brother, Charles will serve in World War One as a Lieutenant in the Navy. Her sister, Dorothy served overseas in World War One in France as a nurse. Serving with Casual Nurse Detachment. She returned to America May 27, 1919 on the ship, S.S. P.F. Wilhelm. Landing at Hoboken, New Jersey. Annie served in World War One. Enlisting in the Army Nurse Corp July 3, 1918. Serving months before the war ended.
Showing her abilities to care for the wounded. After the war, she found her way to New York where she became a practicing nurse. On November 26, 1919 she filed at the New York County Supreme Court to become an American Citizen. She was listed as light complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. Her service in the Nurse Corp will end October 3, 1924. She re-enlisted October 30, 1925. Numerous places she went to train and work as a nurse. Stationed at Fort Sam Houston April 20, 1939. While there, on April 1, 1940, she was promoted 2nd Lieutenant.
Annie was stationed at Pearl Harbor at the Station’s Hospital in November of 1941. She was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. She was the head nurse at Hickam Field. A 30 bed hospital with six nurses. She was well liked and respected.
On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor came under attack. The 47 year old quickly took control of the situation as bombs rained down on the air base. First hand accounts of the attack stated that the planes were flying so low that the nurses could see the Japanese pilots talking to each other. Casualties poured into the hospital within minutes of the first bombing run. Bombs fell around the hospital. One bomb left a 30 foot crater only 20 feet away from the hospital wing. The casualties were so numerous, that nurses barely had time to administer pain medication before triaging them onto Trippler Hospital. Lt. Fox rallied nurses, N.C.O. and officer’s wife’s to organize in the making and administering hundreds of wound dressings. Lt. Fox was herself, participating in surgery, administering anesthesia during the bombardment. Eighty two Army nurse were stationed in Hawaii.
Serving at three different Army Medical locations. On October 26, 1942, Lt. Fox was recognized for her bravery. She became the first woman to be awarded the Purple Heart medal. On October 6, 1944, she was awarded the Bronze Star. The Purple Heart was returned. Also in 1944, Annie was promoted to Captain. By 1945, Annie was promoted to Major. She retired from service to her Country, December 31, 1945.
She moved to California, living out her days until she passed away, January 20, 1987 in San Mateo, California. She is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California, Section A. Site 657-A. On March 8, 2017, Hawaii Magazine ranked Major Annie Guyton Fox, among a list of 15 most influential woman in Hawaii.
