In the Shadow of the Steel Cross

About the Author

Louise Ketchum Hunt attended grammar school at the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation St. Anne's School, Old Town, Maine. She completed twelve grades with graduation from Old Town High School. Then Louise completed her nurses training and studies with graduation from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, Maine. Upon receiving her Registered Nurse degree, Louise entered the US Army Nurse Corps and received her Nurse Officer Lieutenant assignment for Fort Ord, California and later, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. She met her husband, James Hunt, and was married in California.Over the years while marriage and family occupied much of her time, Louise continued her nursing interests in various school and community involvements. In 1986 Louise was awarded an Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship. Upon graduation for her BSN degree at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, she accepted her Commission to serve as a Nurse Officer in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). For two years Lt. Hunt served at the IHS Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma, as a high-risk Obstetrical Nurse. Following her return to Virginia, Louise served in an administrative capacity in the IHS Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, at the time of the IHS becoming a new agency of the USPHS. Her work in IHS Commissioned Personnel included writing the manual and developing the Office of the Commissioned Awards program. Her duties included a year as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Office of the Surgeon General of the USPHS, Washington, DC.Louise and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia. They enjoy their family of two sons and two daughters and grandchildren.