SENATOR GEORGE AMEDORE INDUCTS LIEUTENANT JUNE BROWN MCNIVEN INTO NEW YORK STATE SENATE VETERANS’ HALL OF FAME

Senator George Amedore today announced the induction of World War II Army nurse, Lieutenant June Brown McNiven into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. The Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame honors and recognizes outstanding veterans from throughout the state who have distinguished themselves in their military service, as well as their civilian life.

“It was truly an honor to recognize Lieutenant McNiven, not only for her commitment and service to our nation at home and overseas during World War II, but for her continued service on behalf of her community and fellow veterans,” said Senator Amedore. “Lt. McNiven volunteered her services to our nation at a pivotal moment in our history. She is an American hero, and truly deserving of induction into the Veterans’ Hall of Fame.”

Lieutenant June Brown McNiven was born on June 24, 1917 in Geneva, NY. Upon her graduation from high school, she began training to be a nurse at the Buffalo Nursing School and graduated in 1937.

When the United States entered World War II following the bombing at Pearl Harbor, June felt it was her patriotic duty to volunteer her skills in order to serve her nation, and she made the decision to join the Army Nursing Corps in May 1942.

After serving at Walter Reed Hospital for a year and a half, Lieutenant McNiven was assigned overseas as part of the Johns Hopkins 118th General Hospital Unit. Her unit travelled to New Guinea and Leyte Island in the Philippines to set up field hospitals in each location.

Lieutenant McNiven was later assigned to an evacuation field hospital in Australia, where she married Captain Roy McNiven, a pilot she met while crossing the South Pacific.

Lieutenant McNiven was discharged from the Army in April 1945. During her service, her unit received two commendation citations, and Lieutenant McNiven was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

Captain and Lieutenant McNiven eventually relocated to Altamont, New York, where they raised their six children. Lieutenant McNiven continued her work as a nurse at the Brady Hospital in Albany and at the Guilderland Junior High School.

This year’s inductees were honored on Tuesday, May 16th at an induction ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

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