Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti (born December 16, 1936) was an officer of the United States Air Force
, who in 1985 became the first Hispanic
female to attain the rank of Brigadier General. Vigil-Schimmenti was the Chief of the U. S Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General; Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
, where she lived at her family's ranch between Edgewood and Moriarty. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1954. In 1957, she received her nursing diploma from the Regina School of Nursing of Albuquerque.
in Ohio
. During the time she served at the USAF Medical Center Wright-Patterson, she was able to complete the flight nurse course at Gunter Air Force Base
in Alabama
. In 1960, Vigil-Schimmenti was assigned as a general duty nurse at USAF Dispensary, Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii, where she served until May 1962, when she was transferred to the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, where she was a flight nurse until August 1964.
In August 1964, Vigil-Schimmenti left to attend the University of Pittsburgh
and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. In July 1966, she was assigned to the USAF School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base
, Texas, as an instructor in the Medical Service Specialist Course.
. In June 1968, Vigil-Schimmenti, was named the charge nurse in the school health program and primary care screening nurse at USAF Dispensary, Kadena Air Base
, Okinawa.
Vigil-Schimmenti attended the University of North Carolina
, Chapel Hill from August 1973 until August 1974 and earned a Master of Public Health degree. Following graduate studies, she was transferred to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where she served as charge nurse, clinical coordinator and facility design coordinator.
Vigil-Schimmenti served in various positions until March 1983, when she was selected as command nurse, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base
in Nebraska. In October 1985, Vigil-Schimmenti became the first Hispanic female to attain the rank of Brigadier General. She assumed the duties of Chief of the U. S Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General; Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Badges:
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, who in 1985 became the first Hispanic
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
female to attain the rank of Brigadier General. Vigil-Schimmenti was the Chief of the U. S Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General; Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Early years
Vigil-Schimmenti was born in Albuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, where she lived at her family's ranch between Edgewood and Moriarty. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1954. In 1957, she received her nursing diploma from the Regina School of Nursing of Albuquerque.
Military career
Vigil-Schimmenti joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958 and was assigned to the Air Force Nurse Corps. From August 1958 until September 1960, she served as an operating room nurse and general duty nurse at the USAF Medical Center Wright-Patterson, Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseWright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. During the time she served at the USAF Medical Center Wright-Patterson, she was able to complete the flight nurse course at Gunter Air Force Base
Gunter Air Force Base
Gunter Annex is a United States Air Force installation located in the North-northeast suburbs of Montgomery, Alabama. The base is named after former Montgomery mayor William Adams Gunter. Until 1992 it was known as Gunter Air Force Base or Gunter Air Force Station...
in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. In 1960, Vigil-Schimmenti was assigned as a general duty nurse at USAF Dispensary, Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii, where she served until May 1962, when she was transferred to the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, where she was a flight nurse until August 1964.
In August 1964, Vigil-Schimmenti left to attend the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. In July 1966, she was assigned to the USAF School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located five miles north of the central business district of Wichita Falls, in Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is the largest training base and most diversified in Air Education and Training Command...
, Texas, as an instructor in the Medical Service Specialist Course.
Vietnam War
Vigil-Schimmenti served in the Pacific during the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. In June 1968, Vigil-Schimmenti, was named the charge nurse in the school health program and primary care screening nurse at USAF Dispensary, Kadena Air Base
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Okinawa.
Return to the United States
In January 1971, she returned to the United States and was assigned to David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., as charge nurse emergency services and primary care clinic, charge nurse oncology clinic and home care service.Vigil-Schimmenti attended the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
, Chapel Hill from August 1973 until August 1974 and earned a Master of Public Health degree. Following graduate studies, she was transferred to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where she served as charge nurse, clinical coordinator and facility design coordinator.
Vigil-Schimmenti served in various positions until March 1983, when she was selected as command nurse, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
in Nebraska. In October 1985, Vigil-Schimmenti became the first Hispanic female to attain the rank of Brigadier General. She assumed the duties of Chief of the U. S Air Force Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General; Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Later years
Vigil-Schimmenti retired from the Air Force in 1988 and returned to Albuquerque with her husband, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Schimmenti. During her service years she attended the Air War College and the Inter-Agency Institute. Vigil-Schimmenti is a member of the American Nurses Association, Texas Nurses Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, National League for Nursing, Air Force Association and the Aerospace Medical Association.Awards and recognitions
Among Brigadier General Carmelita Vigil-Schimmenti's decorations and medals were the following:
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with oak leaf cluster,
Air Force Commendation Medal
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
Air Force Longevity Service Award RibbonAir Force Longevity Service AwardThe Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff...
with five oak leaf clusters.
Badges:
Flight Nurse BadgeFlight Nurse BadgeThe Flight Nurse Badge is a military badge of the United States armed forces which is issued by the U.S. Air Force and United States Navy to flight nurses...
Air Force Medical Badge
See also
- Hispanics in the United States Air ForceHispanics in the United States Air ForceHispanics in the United States Air Force can trace their tradition of service back to the United States Army Air Forces , the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, which was the predecessor of the United States Air Force which was formed as...