Gladys Madsen

Commander Gladys Madsen

Commander Madsen recalled the reason she had first enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and said "The war was on; it was a matter of being patriotic, and I was needed there."

Gladys Madsen was born May 26, 1920 in Bountiful, Utah. She received her nursing education and bachelor degree at BYU and University of Utah. She was commissioned an ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps, United States Naval Reserve on November 5, 1943 and reported for active duty at the Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California. During her 30 year career she served in San Diego, Oakland and San Leandro, California; Bethesda, Maryland; Hawthorn, Nevada; Marianas Island, Guam; Yokosuka, Japan and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. She was active in nursing education programs and instrumental in establishing a ward clerkship program. She was assigned as the first hospital infection surveillance nurse and was a Bureau of Medicine and Surgery sponsored lecturer.

During her naval career she was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation, Naval Reserve Medal, American Campaign, World War II Victory Medal and National Defense Services Medal with Bronze Star.

When asked her feelings about her career, she said "The Navy is a good career for a nurse. It has been good to me. I have never regretted one minute of it!" Gladys'' love of nursing will continue through two nursing scholarships in her name at BYU and U of U.

After retiring Gladys enjoyed time traveling with her sisters to Israel, Europe, Canada, China and Mexico. A highlight of every year was their time spent at the Shakespeare Festive in Cedar City, Utah. Gladys enjoyed ballet, symphony and watching the Utah Jazz team play.

She is preceded in death by her brothers, Stan Madsen, Harold Madsen, sisters Neola and Eva, and parents Estelle and Ernest Madsen. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Leavitt, and brother Russell Madsen.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 pm Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Lehi City Cemetery, 1100 N. 400 E. under the directions of Lindquist''s Bountiful Mortuary. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to her scholarships.