Tedisco Honors Vietnam Veteran Nurse Helene Wallingford as a New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction”

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) and his colleagues in the New York State Senate in Albany tonight honored Malta resident and Vietnam War veteran and former U.S. Navy nurse, Lt. Helene Wallingford as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. 

“Lt. Helene Wallingford served 5 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1970 as a nurse providing healing care for injured and wounded American service members during the height of the Vietnam War. There are many veterans who would not be alive today if it was not for U.S. Navy veteran Lt. Helene Wallingford and the other nurses who served who were there to provide compassionate care for our wounded warriors and truly saved lives during the Vietnam War,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

For Helene’s courageous service and efforts to save lives and heal others during the Vietnam War, she was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Navy Commendation. 

During this time, Helene’s future husband, U.S. Marine Corps Captain David Wallingford, was shot and wounded in Vietnam and was evacuated to a military hospital in Yokosuka, Japan where he met and was treated by Helene, who was stationed there. 

After Helene’s military service, she worked as a nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital and Saratoga Hospital and went on to advise and educate the next generation of nursing students at Maria College and the Excelsior College Nursing Program. 

Helene also has given back to her fellow nurses as the Past President of Sigma Theta Tau International. 

In what can only be described as a storybook romance, Helene and David Wallingford met while she treated him for wounds he sustained in combat during the Vietnam War. They fell in love, got married, raised four children and are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren. 

Both Helene and David are recipients of the New York State Senate Liberty Medal for their courageous service to our state and nation during the Vietnam War.