Those Who Serve: Korean War era veteran one of three women on Western ND Honor Flight

WILLISTON, N.D. (KMOT) - Ruth Henson, an 88-year-old Navy veteran, was one of only three women who were on last month’s Western N.D. Honor Flight.

She’s part of a select few veterans from the Korean War era still alive.

Henson’s story of sacrifice and dedication is the focus of this week’s Those Who Serve.

She was only 19 years old when she enlisted in the Navy. It wasn’t common for women to serve back then, so she knew it was going to be tough.

But in 1955, she met a recruiter at a career day in high school.

“He says, ‘You can be who you want to be. You live the life you want,” said Henson.

Sure enough, Henson did just that.

“My mother was washing clothes, and I said, ‘Mom, when are you going to be done?’ She says, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘I want to see the Navy recruiter,’” said Henson.

A few days later, Henson said she was on her way to Bainbridge, Maryland, where she trained to become a hospital corpsman. She took care of critical care patients in the emergency room.

Henson was stationed in San Diego, California. She said women who served back then were restricted in who they could work with.

“We couldn’t show patronization with the big sailors and stuff. There’s no going around holding hands like you see the young people do,” said Henson.

She never went to Korea during the war, but her late husband, Mackie, did and served one of his 22 years there.

Even though Henson only wore her uniform for just under a year, the sacrifices she and her family of four made were no less significant.

They relocated many times, including moving overseas to Guam, where she worked as a Red Cross volunteer at the Naval Hospital.

It may have seemed like a lot to others, but to her, it was just a way of life.

“It was just a normal thing,” said Henson.

After the service, Henson went into different careers, including working with veterans in a training center and clerical work with the public works center in Illinois.

Fast forward to now, she had the chance to go on the Honor Flight and see the Navy Memorial for the first time.

“I thought it was great because when I was in the Navy, my husband and I spent a weekend in D.C.,” said Henson.

She pays tribute to the sacrifices her entire family made, including her daughters, Theresa and Suzan.

Henson said she spends most of her time now reading and crocheting.

Honor Flight Coverage: Coverage of Western ND Honor Flight

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