December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
This is a very rare and extensive lot that is named to Colonel William Patient and his wife Lieutenant Colonel Edith Marie Wimberly, who is better known as on of the "Angels of Bataan." Edith Marie Wimberly was born on February 17, 1911 in Campti, Louisiana. She joined the U.S. Army, served as a nurse, and became a leading figure among a handful of U.S. Army nurses that were captured by the Japanese upon the surrender of Corregidor in early 1942. These nurses were known, and are remembered as the "Angels of Bataan." This group of nurses were members of the US Army Nurse Corps and the US Navy Nurse Corps who were stationed in the Philippines at the outset of World War II. They were unable to be evacuated when the Japanese empire was steamrolling American defenses in the Philippines and they continued to serve during the fighting. When American fighting forces were exhausted and Bataan and Corregidor capitulated, a total of 78 nurses, 11 navy nurses, 66 army nurses, and 1 nurse-anesthetist were captured by the Japanese and imprisoned throughout Manila. Despite their status as prisoners, they continued to serve as a nursing unit. The nurses were taken to the campus of the University of Santo Tomas which was converted to the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. Later, the navy nurses were sent to an internment camp at Los Banos, where they were able to establish an infirmary and courageously continued their duties. While in captivity, the nurses cared for fellow prisoners, including survivors of the Bataan Death March and other Japanese abuses. Their service did not go unnoticed back in America, as three movies were produced that dramatized their actions. The Angels did as much as they could for their fellow prisoners up until they were liberated by the 1st Cavalry Division on February 3, 1945. After her liberation she continued to serve long after the war and became a Flight Nurse with the rank of Lt. Col. in the US Air Force. She married Air Force Medical Doctor Colonel William F. Patient and the two lived happily together. Wimberly passed away on May 18, 1964 leaving behind an notable legacy. The group includes incredible photographs that were taken throughout Edith's military service. Many of the photos measure 8x10" and are high quality US military produced photos. There are several photos of Edith and her fellow nurses exiting a C-54 Skymaster after they returned to the United States. In many of the photos, Edith's Bronze Star ribbon is seen on her uniform, as each of the nurses were awarded the Bronze Star after they were liberated. Also included are photos of her with the other Angels, receiving promotions, awards, at social gatherings, and portraits. There are also several interesting pieces of wartime ephemera including a Santo Thomas Interment Camp meal ticket that is named to Edith. There are several period newspaper clippings that also describe her and the other nurses. The other photos and ephemera in the group are attributed to Edith's husband and document his service in the Air Force during the Cold War Era. Edith's unengraved Bronze Star and Legion of Merit are also included along with three books that were written about the Angels of Bataan. This grouping is historically significant, not only for World War II history, but for women's history, as it tells the tail of women who suffered in captivity, yet managed to courageously administer aid to their fellow prisoners highlighting the strength of women throughout World War II. CONDITION: Most of the photos are in very good condition. The newspapers articles have yellowed but remain intact. Most of the ephemera exhibits blemishes that are typical of old paper. Overall very good. JLD
Item Dimensions: 22" X 16" X 7"