94 yr old army nurse gets no pension

[hjertesproget]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
My 94 yr old Aunt Zelia Jensen receives no benefits. She served 6 years as an army nurse in many parts of the world during WWII escorting wounded on ships, serving in Pearl Harbor, etc. Her husband was a commodore of a fleet of ships working for Farrell Lines and got no pension after several decades, and transporting prisoners during the war in the dead of night...they both risked their lives and now she has lived without an income for too long.
Is there no one that could help with this? Her son , (my cousin) finally gave up... I'd love your advice. Her 94th birthday is Thursday.

[justalayman]

thrilled to hear your aunt is still around and hopefully she is shown respect for what she did but what benefits do you believe she is entitled to because of her service? There were thousands of military men that served. They received no pension either. You have to earn a pension for working over a certain period of time to earn it and if you haven't, then what you did is not going to make a difference.

My father also served in WWII. He had a couple ships turn into submarines while he occupied them but he gets no pension either. He earned a pension after many years working in a factory after his military duty.

Not trying to be cold but honestly, why do you believe she is due a military pension?

[Country Living]

Pensions come with retirement, not with simply serving a tour of duty.

Please tell Aunt Zelia Happy Birthday from all of us.

[hjertesproget]

Oh. I had no idea. I thought somehow because of her 6 year service she might get something to help her..They a also lost their eldest son in Vietnam in the Tet Offensive. Thanks for the information all, I did not understand how the army worked...

At their son's memorial service in 1968, the marines came with their rifles to shoot a salute, and she and my uncle refused to let them fire. It was on 60 minutes....gosh what times those were!
Thanks for all the well wishes. She's a great lady.
hj

[justalayman]

sorry to hear of her loss.

I believe she would have the use of the veterans hospitals if needed for medical care if she was a regular duty troop.

I am sure you have already contacted the Veterans admininstration and any government agencies (medicare, welfare (or whatever it is called now-a-days)) or any other assistance programs the government may have, yes?

Social Security administration?

[hjertesproget]

Yes we have and there is nothing. I thought I'd at least find out if there was..

She is living in an inexpensive home sharing a room and gets around with her walker. She grew up in the same town so there is family on the farm. thanks for the replies! hj