Lila K. Bittenbender

Ms. Bittenbender served in England and Scottland before her unit crossed the English Channel soon after D-Day in August 1944. They became an evacuation hospital near LeMans France. In October 1945 she returned to the United States and was honorable discharged in January 1946.

Colonel Lila Bittenbender (July, 17, 1919 - December 17, 2019) - Lila served 36 years in the United States Army - Her career began in July, 1941 when she joined the U. S. Army Nurse Corps - During World War 2 she served at several military hospitals in the United States as well as hospitals in England, Scotland and with an Army Mobile Surgical Hospital in LeMans, France - In France she treated both the Allied as well as German wounded.

    During the Korean War Lila served at the Rodriguez Army Hospital in San Juan Puerto Rico - Retaining her commission as a reservist, she was activated for service state side during the Vietnam War. 

    She retired from the U.S. Army in 1977.

    Born in Red Hill, Lila was a graduated from Red Hill Junior High, Pennsburg High School, the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

    Lila earned the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with 3 Battle Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two ten year pins and the French Liberty Medal.

    She is a former officer of American Legion Post 184, East Greenville, PA and was a member of VFW Post 5954, Red Hill, PA

    Lila was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia with full military honors and her name is recorded on the Women in Military Service of America Memorial at Arlington, VA.