Peake, Augusta Oral History

Peake Augusta 09282002

Augusta Kathleen "Kit" Peake was born on November 11, 1912 in Yancey County, North Carolina. From an early age, Augusta knew she wanted to be a nurse. After Augusta graduated from high school, she entered a nursing program as a surgical nurse. The chief surgeon encouraged Augusta to join the Army. In June of 1942, Augusta enlisted as a 2nd Lt. in the Army Nurse Corps. Shortly following her enlistment, Augusta was assigned to the 15th Evacuation Hospital in December of 1942. In February of 1943, Augusta was shipped to North Africa where she learned how to march, salute, and all aspects of military training. Augusta was crucial in setting up the hospital unit. From North Africa, Augusta was transferred to Auzio Beach Head in Italy. Augusta remembers having long days with working shifts of 18 hours. The hospital environment on Auzion Beach Head was set up in tents. Augusta recalls that the hospital had three direct hits with patients getting hit from shell fragments on top of being there for other medical reasons. Augusta remembers having to sleep with her helmet for protection. After the war ended, Augusta stayed and worked at a German hospital with 2,000 patients. Here she gained experience working with German doctors. Even though the war had ended and promotions were slow, Augusta stayed in the Army for 42 years and was discharged as a Lt. Col. in January 1966. Augusta received the Legion of Merit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the WWII Victory Medal. When asked, Augusta said she would never have changed her decision to join the Army and was proud of her reasons: country, family, honor, and duty.