Phyllis Mills Creamer

1st Lieutenant Phyllis Mills Creamer was born in Kane, Pennsylvania in 1921, one of seven children. A 1942 graduate of the Syracuse General School of Nursing, Ms. Mills Creamer joined the Army Nurse Corps in December 1943 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, at a time when joining the military was the most patriotic and honorable thing one could do.

After completing basic training in Atlantic City, 2nd Lieutenant Mills Creaner sailed from New York City on the Queen Elizabeth to establish the 160th General Medical Corps near Cheltenham, England, in the Cotswolds. This hospital soon became the largest U.S. Army hospital in the European Theater of Operations. Due to her hard work, diligence and tireless efforts, she was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1944.

In late 1945, 1st Lieutenant Mills Creamer sailed back to New York City on the Queen Mary and was honorably discharged in early 1946. She decided to further her career in the caretaking field, and studied public health under her GI Bill at Syracuse University. After graduating from Syracuse University, she worked at the Visiting Nurses Association in Syracuse until she married. She retired in 1986, following 16 years at Syracuse University’s Student Health Service as a triage and allergy nurse.

Just like many veterans coming home from duty, Ms. Mills Creamer found it difficult to not be involved in some way. Like so many before her, understanding the importance of helping her fellow veterans once they come home from war, she became involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was Adjutant and then Commander of the Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars in Syracuse, and is to this day, a charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C.. Ms. Mills Creamer is now 94 years of age.