Flight Nurse — Nell Marr Dean

When First Lieutenant Rhonda Sterling arrived at McCellan Air Force Base, she faced the greatest challenge of her life -- she was beginning a career as a nurse in the United States Air Force. Ever since childhood she had dreamed of being a nurse, and as she assessed her duties at the hospital, her sincerity and skill were recognized by patients and staff alike.

Each day had its share of heartbreak -- there was the double amputee who refused to let his girl see him; young Johnny Bates who loved baseball but would probably never be able to play; little Greta, who almost died; the mother of four who had to be told her husband went down with his plane. Each day was fraught with crisis as Rhonda learned to control her emotions and broaden her experience as a nurse and an officer.

Dr. David North became her steady off-duty companion and just as she was beginning to feel romantic about him, she learned he would be leaving for a two-year hitch in the Congo. She had been thinking about specializing in flight nursing but kept putting off the decision in order to be near him. Now, she took the plunge and enrolled for the rigorous training necessary, since a flight nurse is in full command of an aircraft and must even perform minor surgery.

When Rhonda finally got her wings -- and met her first test by saving an airman's life while in flight -- she felt a renewed sense of dedication. And when David told her he loved her, she had the satisfaction of knowing she had made the right decision and together they would weather time and distance as they persued their individual careers.