Mayor Richard Kos has ordered the United States Navy flag to be flown at City Hall as well as all flags on City property to be flown at half-staff on November 19, 2015 in honor of Chicopee native Rear Admiral Frances Shea Buckley who passed away on July 8, 2015. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on November 19, 2015.

A ceremony honoring RADM Shea Buckley will take place November 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM in the Community Room at the Chicopee Public Library where a portrait of her is on display.

Rear Admiral Frances Shea Buckley was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts February 26, 1929. She was the first Navy Nurse Corps officer in American History and the second woman to be promoted to the two star flag officer rank. She served her country for 30+ years as a Nurse in the United States Navy including Active Duty service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In addition she served as the first woman Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from 1979 to 1983.

“We are humbled to honor a great American hero and one of our own in Rear Admiral Frances Shea Buckley,” said Mayor Kos. “Her life serves as an example for all and as she enters her final resting place in the sacred land of Arlington we are beaming with pride.”