Lucille Hendricks, a Texas native, arrived in Norco, California as chief nurse Dec. 22, 1941, and helped set up the Navy hospital, a former hotel and resort↗. She helped train the largest group of Mayo Clinic specialists outside the famed Minnesota hospital. Hendricks established what would become a groundbreaking medical treatment center that included the first neurosurgery unit in Navy history. Norco, California was Hendricks' home the next three years. She made frequent trips to other naval hospitals to teach medical personnel new techniques in plastic surgery, spinal cord operations and treatment of brain injuries. "She was a pioneer in the nursing field," the local historian said. "Nothing advances medicine like a war."

Hendricks was assigned head nurse at the naval base in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in March 1944. She was in charge of creating and expanding treatment centers at several bases and outposts. Roehler and Toquam, both from Minnesota, met during nurses training in Maryland and enlisted in the Navy together in July 1942. The women were assigned to the Norco, California Naval hospital a few weeks later and worked under Hendricks' supervision. With Toquam's help, Roehler created the first Girl Scout troop in the community’s history. They asked Hendricks to be assigned to the naval dispensary at the base in Dutch Harbor. From there, both helped establish medical treatment centers at outlying posts. Hendricks, Roehler and Toquam died instantly when the plane crashed into a mountain as they were flying to a new hospital on a nearby island. Hundreds attended their memorial service in Norco, California after their deaths.

Henry Roehler, 88, Helen's brother, called his sister "a good nurse" who "did her duty for the country. She was progressive, there was no question about that,"said Roehler, who lives in Fairmont, Minn. "Her attitude on just about everything was ahead of her time." Jean Borduin, Helen Roehler's niece, plans to join other family members in Norco, California for the Memorial Day ceremony. "It's a wonderful surprise," said Borduin, 70, a Vero Beach, Fla. resident. "It shows that this community in California has not lost their focus on those who served so many years ago. It's a special time for our generation to honor the previous generation and to do that together."

ABOUT THE NURSES
Name: Lucille Hendricks
Born: Feb. 22, 1906, in Texas
Died: April 23, 1944, in Alaska
Occupation: Chief nurse, U.S. Naval Hospital in Norco, California
Awards: American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal
Name: Helen Roehler
Born: July 10, 1918, in Fairmont, Minn.
Died: April 23, 1944, in Alaska
Occupation: Nurse, U.S. Naval Hospital in Norco, California
Awards: American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal
Name: Ruby Toquam
Born: Oct. 4, 1917, in Minnesota
Died: April 23, 1944, in Alaska
Occupation: Nurse, U.S. Naval Hospital in Norco, California
Awards: American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal

WWII Navy Hospital, Norco, California