Navy Nurses' uniforms slowly changed during the two decades between the World Wars. The outdoor uniform was modernized in the 'twenties, leaving behind the wide-brimmed "sailor" hat adopted during World War I. The first uniform gratuity was authorized in 1923. Uniform regulations were expanded at about that time and gradually updated. Hemlines inched upward conservatively, in keeping with trends in civilian clothing. In 1929 a new, and then stylish, uniform hat was adopted that lasted in somewhat altered form until a new uniform regulation appeared during the early 1940s.

This page features views of U.S. Navy Nurses' uniforms during the 1920s and 1930s.

Additional images of Nurses and the United States Navy during inter-war era, including additional views of Navy Nurses in uniform, Nurses and the U.S. Navy, 1919-1941.

Additional images Nurses and the U.S. Navy - Overview & Special Image Selection.

Images of this era's Nurse Corps' Superintendents and individual Navy Nurses:

• Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee, 2nd Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, 1911-1922
• J. Beatrice Bowman, 3rd Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, 1922-1935
• Myn M. Hoffman, 4th Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, 1935-1938
• Captain Sue S. Dauser, 5th Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, 1939-1945
• Madeline Clara Lassuy, served as a Navy Nurse in 1937-40

Click photograph for a larger image.

Photo #: NH 52969 Navy Nurse Uniforms Modeled by Betty Mayer, who was Assistant Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps in 1923-1930. Her cap bears the two gold stripes of her position. Seen here is the white indoor duty uniform and blue knit sweater, authorized 22 January 1923. Probably photographed prior to 1929. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 138KB; 740 x 615
Photo #: NH 52953 Navy Nurse Uniforms Dark blue knit sweater, authorized from 22 January 1923 to 21 October 1948. It is worn here with the indoor duty uniform. Probably photographed in 1929 or during the early 1930s. Skirts were required to be 10 inches above the floor from 1924 until 1929, when they were changed to 12 inches. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 79KB; 585 x 765
Photo #: NH 52968 Navy Nurse Uniforms Modeled by Betty Mayer, who was Assistant Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps in 1923-1930. Her cap bears the two gold stripes of her position. Seen here is the white indoor duty uniform (left), authorized 22 January 1923, and the same uniform with cape. Probably photographed prior to 1929. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 615
Photo #: NH 52955 Navy Nurse Uniforms White indoor duty uniform, authorized from 22 January 1923 to the "present" (1962). Probably photographed in 1929 or during the early 1930s. Skirts were required to be 10 inches above the floor from 1924 until 1929, when they were changed to 12 inches. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 96KB; 585 x 765
Photo #: NH 52954 Navy Nurse Uniforms Cape, authorized from 22 January 1923 to the "present" (1962). It is worn here with the indoor duty uniform. Probably photographed in 1929 or during the early 1930s. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 67KB; 580 x 765
Photo #: NH 52967 Navy Nurse Uniforms Indoor duty uniform with cape and hat, as worn during the 1930s. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 91KB; 600 x 765
Photo #: NH 52957 Navy Nurse Uniforms Blue outdoor uniform, authorized from 22 January 1923 to 20 March 1942. Probably photographed in 1929 or during the early 1930s, as the hat is of the style adopted in 1929. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 85KB; 585 x 765
Photo #: NH 52958 Navy Nurse Uniforms White outdoor uniform, authorized from 22 January 1923 to 20 March 1942. Probably photographed in 1929 or during the early 1930s, as the hat is of the style adopted in 1929. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 148KB; 590 x 765
Photo #: NH 52956 Navy Nurse Uniforms Raincoat and storm cap, authorized from 22 January 1923 to 20 March 1942. Probably photographed in 1929 or during the early 1930s. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 77KB; 590 x 765
Photo #: NH 52961 Navy Nurse Uniforms Storm cap (at left, and lower right), authorized 12-9-24, and uniform hat (upper right), authorized from 1929 to March 1942. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 460

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions