Veteran of the Month – First Lieutenant Nancy Eisenmann

May 1, 2014

  • Name: Nancy Koenig Eisenmann
  • Place of Birth: Maywood, Illinois
  • Date of Birth: October 19, 1929
  • Current Town: Simsbury, CT
  • Military Branch of Service: United States Air Force
  • Enlisted, Commissioned, or drafted: Commissioned
  • Service Dates: March 23, 1953-October 8, 1956
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Military Job: Intelligence Officer—58th Fighter Squadron and Commanding Officer for all enlisted females at Otis Air Force Base, MA
  • Duties Researched all foreign aircraft, selected domestic aircraft, weapons, weapons systems; advised fighter pilots, radar aircraft and ground personnel of any and all situations of suspicious or potentially hostile activity; researched and advised of world-wide aircraft activity.
  • 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group, and the 551st Aircraft Early Warning Radar Wing, Otis Air Force Base, MA.
  • War, Operation, or Conflict served in: The Korean War ended during her first year of service.
  • Locations of Service: Otis Air Force Base, MA, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO.
  • Decorations:
  • American Defense Ribbon,
  • 33rd Fighter Group Unit Citation
  • Military Schools/Training:
  • Distinguished Graduate of Officer Candidate School and Air Training Command.
  • Name of Post: American Legion Post 84

Bio/Narrative/memorable events:

Nancy Koenig Eisenmann graduated from DePauw University in Indiana in 1951 with a degree in psychology and began her service in the United States Air Force on March 23, 1953. She had previously tried to enlist in the Navy, but failed the eye test because she had myopia (nearsightedness). Nancy was so determined to serve her country that she memorized the eye chart and headed to the Air Force recruiting office where she passed the test with flying colors.

Nancy was stationed at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, MA. Due to its geographical location on a peninsula, Otis AFB was thought to be the likely target of possible enemy air strikes. Fortunately, the training was rigorous and Nancy and her unit stood ready to take down any potential strikes.

As a First Lieutenant, Nancy was charged with researching all foreign aircraft. She had a book of potential aircraft they might encounter, which she studied religiously in order to distinguish the Russian planes from commercial planes. Nancy was the first woman to serve in this role, and she quickly became an expert on weapons and weapons systems. She advised the fighter pilots, radar aircraft and ground personnel of any potentially suspicious or hostile activity. She was trained in military law, maps and charts, military geography, intelligence, air warfare, organization, administration, classification, management and leadership. She was also the Commanding Officer of all 120 enlisted females at Otis AFB.

Nancy met her husband Carl on Otis AFB, who was the Staff Judge Advocate. One of their first encounters was in the courtroom when Nancy was called to testify in one of his cases. They were married during their service in 1956 at the Otis AFB Chapel. Four months later, Nancy became pregnant with their first child and was discharged on October 8, 1956. The couple lived on Cape Cod for a short time, and then moved to Simsbury CT in 1957 when Carl had a job opportunity with the Office of the Attorney General. Nancy and Carl Eisenmann raised their family in Simsbury; they are blessed with two sons and four grandchildren.