More than 70 years after the death of 2nd Lt. Ellen G. Ainsworth, she received a special honor in her home town of Glenwood City, Wisconsin—the local post office has been renamed after her. Ainsworth, who is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, was serving as an Army nurse with the 56^th Evacuation Hospital in Italy during World War II when she lost her life in February 1944. Ultimately, she died from wounds she received during a bombing.

Just days before her death, she protected patients at the hospital from a heavy artillery barrage leading to her posthumous receipt of  the Silver Star. The citation states she received it for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy….[her] gallant action and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for her own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon herself, her unit, and the United States Army.”

One Wisconsin native wanted to ensure that the legacy of this brave nurse would never be forgotten. Sally Berkholder, a native of Glenwood City, was instrumental in the renaming of the building. Her father and Ellen went to high school together, and Berkholder felt a commitment to keep her memory alive after visiting her final resting place. Berkholder contacted the office of Congressman Sean Duffy from Wisconsin’s 7^th District with the idea of getting the post office renamed. Duffy  sponsored the bill, which became law on June 13, 2016. On August 31, 2016 a ceremony marked the new name—the 2nd Lt. Ellen Ainsworth Memorial Post Office.

Ainsworth is also featured in an exhibit in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Visitor Center.