Bobbi Hovis, a remarkable U.S. Navy nurse, dedicated her life to serving her country. Her career began with a passion for aviation, earning her pilot’s license while still in high school. She later pursued a nursing degree from the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh.
Hovis joined the Navy Nurse Corps and completed flight training at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. Her commitment to both nursing and aviation was evident when she used her own salary to purchase a Piper Cub J7 aircraft. By October 1947, she was called to active duty, marking the start of a distinguished military career.
During the Korean War, Hovis served as a flight nurse, providing critical care to wounded soldiers as they were transported to hospitals in Japan and Hawaii. Her service extended beyond Korea; in 1963, she volunteered to set up a hospital unit in Saigon for American advisers supporting South Vietnam’s government. On November 1 of that year, she witnessed the beginnings of a coup against Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem, a pivotal moment that foreshadowed the significant expansion of U.S. forces in Vietnam.
After a long and impactful career, Hovis retired as a lieutenant commander in 1969. She later settled in Annapolis, where she lived until her passing on May 5 at the age of 98. Bobbi Hovis leaves behind a legacy of bravery, service, and dedication, inspiring future generations of military nurses and aviators
Watch the video below, and read more about Lt. Cmdr. Bobby Hovis’ impressive career here.
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