Beatrice Ida Parnin Yanda (nee Franklin)
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
YANDA (nee Franklin), Beatrice Ida Parnin
Beatrice Ida Parnin-Yanda (nee Franklin) was born on March 6th 1919 to George J. & Laurina Franklin in Duluth, Minnesota.
Ms. Yanda served in World War II. She served in the U.S. Army from January 23, 1943, until February 1, 1946. She was an Army Nurse assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She was sent overseas to the Eighth Station Hospital, Winchester, England. Later, she was transferred to the Sixth Field, England. Her rank was 1st Lieutenant.
Shortly before the Invasion of Normandy, she and the other medical staff were told to evacuate the hospital, but they were not told the reason. The night of the invasion, hundreds of planes flew overhead: for the first time since she had arrived in England, she saw a lights after darkness had fallen. Subsequently, Ms. Franklin treated many of the service members who were wounded during the invasion. Ms. Yanda was decorated with the European Theater of Operations Medal.
After the was Beatrice returned home and married Brice Parnin on July 24, 1948 and they started a family. She was the first woman inducted into the Carlton VFW. Bea continued to give back as a volunteer at Carlton Nursing Home for many years.
Ms. Yanda died on March 14 1918 at 99 years of age in Cloquet, Minnesota. She is bured at Catholic Cemetery in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Source(s): Veterans' Memorial Hall Veteran History Form (above);
Veteran's account (see below).
Winchester, England, June 5-6, 1944, was one of my most memorable times of my stay in England. A few days prior, we had evacuated the 8th Station Hospital. We did not know why. We were given a day off, so took off on our bikes but returned because of the heavy traffic, not realizing it was the start of the Normandy Beachhead. We were informed the troops were crossing the Channel to France. That night it seemed like hundreds of planes flew over the Channel with their lights. We had not seen a light after dark since arriving in England. A few days later we knew why we were there. It was a nightmare.
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Sheet 18A Census - US Federal 1930 - Fold3
Beatrice Ida Franklin Parnin (1919-2018) - Find a Grave Memorial
