Augusta Chiwy

Augusta Chiwy (ca. 1921) is a retired Belgian nurse. Originally from the Belgian Congo, during the siege of Bastogne she worked with US Army Medic John ‘Jack’ Prior and fellow Belgian Renee Lemaire, treating injured soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge. Her experiences in the war left her temporarily mute. She didn’t speak about her experiences for over 65 years. Today she is a temporary resident in a geriatric nursing home in Belgium. Her story is currently the subject of a book by British historian Martin King.

Stephen Ambrose made a passing reference to her in his book Band of Brothers. British Military Historian Martin King author of 'Voices of the Bulge', 'Angel of the Ardennes'campaigned for four years to get Nurse Augusta Chiwy the recognition she deserves.

Awards

 * On 24 June 2011 Chiwy was made a Knight in the Order of the Crown. The medal was presented in the name of King Albert II of Belgium by Belgium's Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem.
 * On 12 December 2011 Chiwy was awarded the Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service which was handed to her by U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Howard Gutman.