25 Facts About Hazel Johnson-Brown

Hazel Winifred Johnson-Brown was a nurse and educator who served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1983.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was the daughter of Clarence L Johnson Sr.

Hazel Johnson-Brown's parents were farmers who made a living from livestock and selling fruits and vegetables.

Hazel Johnson-Brown later attended Tredyffrin-Easttown Junior Senior High School, where she was considered an exceptional student.

Hazel Johnson-Brown then moved to New York City to attend the Harlem School of Nursing in 1947.

Hazel Johnson-Brown enlisted in the United States Army in 1955, seven years after President Harry Truman eliminated segregation in the military.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was a talented surgeon who took assignments across the world, including Asia.

Hazel Johnson-Brown served in Japan, and trained nurses on their way to Vietnam.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was assigned to go to Vietnam as well, but fell ill.

The unit was attacked shortly after arriving in Vietnam and the nurse who took Hazel Johnson-Brown's place was killed in the surprise attack along with numerous others of the group.

In 1977 Hazel Johnson-Brown was mentioned in the magazine Ebony, where referred to her as "one of the real 'heavies' in her field".

The magazine anticipated Hazel Johnson-Brown to become "the first black woman general".

Hazel Johnson-Brown obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing from Villanova University in 1959, a masters in teaching from Columbia University in 1963, and a doctorate in educational administration from The Catholic University of America in 1978.

Hazel Johnson-Brown's career was distinguished she won many a medal, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and was awarded army nurse of the year twice.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.

Hazel Johnson-Brown treated everyone the same and demanded that in return.

Hazel Johnson-Brown "always was a people person," her sister Gloria Smith remarks.

In 1990, during Operation Desert Storm, Hazel Johnson-Brown volunteered to work in the surgical suite at Fort Belvoir, Virginia's Army Hospital.

Hazel Johnson-Brown spent her last remaining years with her sister, Gloria Smith, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Hazel Johnson-Brown added on his name to hers and was known from then on as Hazel Johnson-Brown.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was a Catholic, a member of St Clare in Clifton, Virginia.

Hazel Johnson-Brown died in Wilmington, Delaware, on August 5,2011, at the age of 83.

Hazel Johnson-Brown was en route to the hospital; after her arrival, it was realized that the cause of Johnson-Brown's death was Alzheimer's disease.

When remembering Johnson-Brown, Army Nurse Corps historian Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Cantrell explained that "Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown was remarkable in that she commanded during a transitional period for the Army Nurse Corps and led with dignity and style; she was considered a great leader of the Corps and was well respected and loved".