Margaret Harper

Margaret Harper (July 23, 1911 –December 13, 2000) was a chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps. She was born on July 23, 1911. Harper attended and graduated from Evanston General Hospital School of Nursing. She subsequently served as superintendent of nurses at Chicago Memorial Hospital and Murry Hospital. Colonel Harper received her commission in April 1941. Her overseas assignments included service in Australia and New Guinea, and Europe. Under her tenure the ANC began an intensive recruiting program in 1963 in light of the anticipated build up in Southeast Asia and other military operations, Operation Nightingale, to meet a serious nursing shortage. She received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal among her awards and honors.