Col. Rose Victoria Straley

Colonel Rose Victoria Straley died August 29, 2012. Born in Weehawken, New Jersey, she was preceded in death by her parents, Louis M. Straley, Sr. and Rose Klim Straley, and brother Louis M. Straley Jr., and Henry Sebastian Straley of Kingston, New York. Survivors include a nephew, Major Michael L. Straley and wife Margaret of Fountain Hills, Arizona and her beloved Immaculate Heart Of Mary Sisters Of Tucson. Colonel Straley attended Kingston, New York schools and received a R.N. certificate from the Kingston Hospital School of Nursing. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degree from New York University. She also attended the University in Florence, Italy. She also served on the faculty of Brooklyn College, and New York City University. Upon commission as a 2nd LT. in the Army Nurse Corps in April 1942, she was assigned to Pine Corp, New York. In January, 1943, overseas orders were received for duty in the North African campaign and later in the Italian campaign with duty on the Anzio Beachhead. Following V.E. Day, she accompanied the liberated POWS from Shanghai to Washington, D.C. In the Korean Conflict, she was assigned as nursing consultant to the Republic of South Korea Medical Service. During the Vietnam War, she was the first Chief Nurse of the 44th Medical Brigade. Other overseas assignments were in Kyoto, Japan and Munich, Germany. Duty assignments in the United States included Personnel Officer, Army Nurse Corps Branch, Washington D.C., Chief Nurse Jr. Hood, Texas, Fort Bragg H.C, First USA Army, F.L Meade. M.D., director, nursing activities, Brooke Army Medical Center, F.L. Sam Houston, Texas. Prior to her retirement in 1974, she served as assistant chief, Army Nurse Corps, Washington D.C. Awards and decoration include legion of Merit with Oak leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and several campaign ribbons with bronze battle stars. Col. Straley was a member and past president of the Retired Army Nurse Corps Association, The Women’s Overseas service league, Association of University Women, and held life memberships in Post 612 American Legion, Retired Army Officers Association, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and Military Order of World Wars. Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Ann’s Convent Chapel, 3820 Sabino Canyon Rd Tucson, AZ, on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 8:30 am. Burial at Holy Hope Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements with East Lawn Palms Mortuary Tucson, AZ