Bedpan Commando: The Story of a Combat Nurse During World War II Paperback – January 1, 1990

Brilliantly written in the form of the letters this amazing RN wrote home with information filled in from her memory to supplement. A great accounting of what the greatest generation went through to save an under appreciative Europe. Her descriptions of what these extraordinary nurses went through to care for the warriors were vivid. It is more about their day to day life & struggles to survive which is far more compelling than if she had dwelled on all the surgeries. This was an exceptional person with the ability to stay positive through the worst of times. Anyone who knew her was better & blessed by that experience. The one odd thing is a foreword by Hillary Clinton! The author was a staunch Republican & conservative and the forward is by one of the most anti-military repugnant democrats.

This wonderful book was first published in 1990, and since then the author, June Wandrey, like so many others of the "Greatest Generation" has passed on (in 2005). The book had gone out of print - I got mine second hand (it looks like an autographed copy).Like a couple of other reviewers, the terrific History Channel series "WWII in HD", which featured parts of June Wandrey's story (Amy Smart narrating), was what alerted me to the existence of this book. The episode in Sicily where the young soldier asks June how he's doing just before he dies (she kisses his forehead and tells him that he's doing just fine), the part where she asks "God where are you?" in the midst of the horror of Dachau, these are only a few of the unforgettable moments from this book that made it into the History Channel series.The book has only a few details about June Wandrey's work as a surgical nurse in what would now be termed a forward surgical team, working close to the battlefield. Entire periods of what must have been non-stop surgery on fresh combat casualties are passed over with only brief comments. She mentions doctors and surgeons only a few times (this is the flip side of stories like "MASH", told from the point of view of the surgeons and ignoring the nurses) and there are virtually no descriptions of any of the surgeries. To a weary surgical nurse, they must have all blurred together after a while.Many things stand out in this book besides the included episodes. It was a dangerous job, being so close to the battlefield - German planes and artillery would occasionally attack their camps. The carefree sense of death-defying adventure with June hitchhiking rides across Europe, bouncing along in open top jeeps on bad roads (no seatbelts, high potential for rollovers), flying on rickety planes that sometimes barely landed in one piece, yes, when you are that age, it seems like nothing can kill you.There was the steady dose of what we would instantly recognize today as sexual harassment (June mentions kicking more than one officer in the shins). The malnutrition and daily monotony of C-rations.Wandrey loudly voices her Republican politics, frequently slamming FDR (describing him as a "warmonger"), only politely commenting on FDR's death, and foreshadowing the Cold War with her comments about the Soviets being allowed to enter Berlin. And yet, in spite of her clear distaste for the war, she chose to serve, and served with distinction, being given a Bronze medal for refusing to abandon her patient during an operation, when the Germans began shelling their position. June Wandrey endured malaria, hepatitis, a tooth abscess, and physical injuries to take on a job that she did not have to do.It's too bad the book is out of print. It's great that the History Channel "WWII in HD" has brought her memories back to life for everyone. The book goes into so much more detail however. Her story, and that of other veterans, is one that should be taught in our high schools. American society has changed so much, it seems like a different world now from the time of June Wandrey. I hope we never forget.

Very interesting book, but if you are looking for a plot there isn't really one. This is more like reading someone's journal. Each day is fascinating with a true description of the hard, dirty, uncomfortable life the nurses endured. June was a positive person who kept on keeping on even though things were very rough. A good read to remind of how easy those of us who stay home, while others defend our freedom, have it.

Very interesting. Makes my military career seem like a walk in the park.

Great book. Very fast delivery!

What a great book. June Wandrey is funny, smart, strong, mischievous, brave, and an American hero. The book is written using her diary and letters she wrote to family. Her sarcastic, laugh out loud remarks are priceless. Her pain and sorrow is touching. And her mischievous undertakings (flying off while someone messed up and made her bed each day and taking a jeep on the plane coming back so she would have a ride to the unit) demonstrates she is a “firecracker”without fear that I would have loved to know and serve with. From refusing to kiss the pope’s ring when she met him to telling higher ups straight out like it is which kept her from getting promotions which she did not care! She is a woman young girls should learn from.

This was a very fun, very enlightening book. The author can take you belly laughs to heartbreak and back to laughs in a matter of pages. Good book.

She makes some very compelling quotes, but this isn’t really the memoir I was expecting. It’s actually a collection of snippets taken from letters she wrote home, and some journal entries. Also, the only photo you’ll see is the cover photo. Very frustrating, because many of letters she wrote talked about the photos she was enclosing. She was a remarkable woman, but the book was a little disappointing.

Amazing book about 1 amazing tough cookie of a nurses journey through the hell of war alongside her fellow soldiers sailors and airmen. Very little consideration, recognition or even the basic necessities of life! They saved so many lives, lived in the same strange hellish places as the troops and all this while keeping everything sterile and prepared for the doctors to perform miracles. All of this with hardly any water, food or sleep. Magnificent!!

A good read if you have an interest in military history and world war2.Its more of a personal history from the author.

I give the sellers a five-star rating. I have no complaints with the service received. The book is in good condition and one day I hope to give it more attention. It is a wartime experience from a different perspective - one of the angels - a nurse's viewpoint. This book was mentioned in a World War II DVD set I purchased, and I thought it might be interesting, so I sought it on Amazon and bought it. I have absolutely no complaints with the service. I like buying books which I may find time to read sometime in the future. I'm currently reading "Lincoln: Team of Rivals", which I get great benefit from, and also "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph", which I'm also enjoying. Both of these books were bought on Amazon also.