Sandra J. Higgins Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Only a part of this collection has been digitized.
What's in the full collection?: May 2010 oral history transcript; scans of photographs and materials documenting her service. Includes a copy of a September 1990 Desert Shield Health Guide.
Full biography: Sandra J. White Higgins (b. 1954), of Galax, Virginia, served in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps from 1977-1984 and the Air National Guard from 1988-2001. In 2001 she was deployed to Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. She retired with the rank of Colonel. Sandra Higgins obtained her BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and, with some prior experience in mental health nursing, joined the United States Air Force in 1977. She attended officer training school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she subsequently also worked in the mental health unit. At Sheppard, Higgins was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant. While at Sheppard, Higgins met and married her husband. The two of them were then assigned to duty stations in England, with her at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base and him at Bentwaters Royal Air Force Base. From their assignments in England, both attended squadron officers’ school in Alabama. In May of 1984, Higgins returned to the United States and left the service. When she had been out of the service a year and a half and had her first son, Higgins’ husband also left active duty and joined a National Guard unit. Higgins received notice that in order to retain her commission, she would have to join a reserve or Guard unit, and joined the Guard unit at Willow Grove Naval Air Base as the immunizations nurse. Higgins later became the education coordinator nurse and then chief nurse in the same unit, and also spent time in Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Storm. As she approached her twenty-year service mark, Higgins was then hired as the medical squadron commander and promoted from lieutenant colonel to full colonel. After three years in that position, she retired in August of 2001.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Air Force -- Air Force Nurse Corps
Air Force -- Air National Guard
Conflict: Gulf War (1990-2000)
Subject headings: United States--History--1945-
United States. Air Force
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Colonel Higgins, promotion to Major; Sandra White Higgins has on the traditional US Air Force female over blouse. She is being awarded a promotion to major, indicated by the rank on her shoulder tabs. Humphries (left) and Dietrick (right) are presenting the promotion to her at the NCO Club.

: Oral history interview with Sandra Higgins; Sandra White Higgins tells of her service as an Air Force nurse officer and National Guard nurse officer, and her life in relation to her service. Higgins primarily documents her military career, beginning in 1977, spanning the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm, ending in 2001, just prior to 9/11. She details many of her experiences, including her time stationed in England and her service in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.

: Photograph of Sandra Higgins's living space in barracks; This photograph of Sandra Higgins's living space contains a standard United States armed forces helmet, water canteen, and luggage bag.

: Sandra Higgins at a formal event; Sandra Higgins wears the dark blue dress uniform of the United States Air Force with slight modifications that include a unique white ruffle dress shirt, tucked in dark blue tie, and dark blue belt. The rank on her shoulder loops signifies the rank of lieutenant colonel.

: Sandra Higgins is promoted to colonel; Sandra Higgins stands at attention while receiving her new rank of colonel. The silver eagle insignia used for the rank is partially obscured by the hand of the unidentified man located on the left. Higgins wears the dark blue dress uniform on the United States Air Force, without the dark blue dress coat.

: Sandra Higgins stands at attention in a formal ceremony; Sandra Higgins stands at attention with other officers in the United States Air Force. She wears the traditional blue dress uniform of the U.S. Air Force.

: Sandra Higgins, offical Air Force National Guard photo; Sandra Higgins wears the Air Force class A uniform. On her shoulder loops is the rank of Colonel. On her lower right side she wears the Air Force medical services badge, and above that the flight nurse service badge.

: The al jaber sirocco newsletter [22 August1995]; An informal letter made to inform spouses and enlisted personal about life in Kuwait. Produced after Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, article topics include a day in the life of a crew chief, weather report, local flora and fauna, and recreation hobbies.

: Unidentified solider walks while wearing United States Army hazmat suit; Pictured here is an unidentified solider in the United States Army walking in a hazmat [hazardous materials] uniform. The protective suit is covered with the standard armed forces woodland camouflage scheme.

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Women Veterans Historical Project

Sandra J. Higgins Collection

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