Winifred French: Medical Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base

By Melanie Jakus, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Winifred (Winnie) French was born in 1936 in Evergreen Park, IL. Her father was a Chicago Police Officer, so the family resided in Chicago.  After graduating from Morgan Park High School in 1954, she enlisted in the Air Force that same year.  She completed Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, and joined the Medical Squadron.  She received additional training at Fort Sam in Houston, TX, and Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS.

Winnie was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the largest Air Force Base in the world. It was the home of the Strategic Air Command that served as the bombardment and munitions arm of the USAF.  Eglin also was home to the largest medical center in the Air Force that was staffed with top Air Force doctors serving many specialties.  

Winnie attended to the routine and trauma medical needs of the Air Force personnel, including test pilots and their families.  She administered medical testing such as blood tests, EKGs and vaccinations.  While Winnie did not see combat firsthand, she saw many trauma cases come through the medical center.

While performing her duties at Eglin, she suffered a pinched nerve and was sent for physical therapy.  Little did she know that pinched nerve would later bring her much joy!  It was in therapy that she met her future husband.   She married the physical therapist and left the Air Force upon the news of her first pregnancy.  Her husband continued to serve in the Air Force for two more years.

The couple returned to the Chicagoland area where they raised their three daughters.   Winnie worked as a dental office manager in Orland Park for 28 years before retiring in 2019.  

Winnie says the Air Force was a “great time of my life,” not only because she met her husband whom she shared many happy years with, but because she believes the military helped her to learn life lessons that she would not have received elsewhere.  She highly recommends that today’s youth join the military. Incidentally, one of Winnie’s grandchildren graduated from The Citadel, keeping the family’s military connection alive.

Thank you, Winnie, for your years of service to our country. Enjoy your day of honor in Washington D.C.  May your time viewing the Korean War Monument provide you with a proud reflection of your and your husband’s service time.