LT, US Navy, Lorencita Naranjo Vermillion
Born: July 16, 1914, Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico
Died: May 9, 2003, Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico
Burial Site: SFNC, Section 26, Site 392
Lorencita Naranjo (Vermillion) was commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy as a registered nurse in 1942. 1 She served overseas in Guam and Hawaii. 1 Her last tour of duty was in Seattle, Washington, where she met Commander Bill Vermillion, who she married in 1953. 1 She was discharged in 1954 after twelve years of activity duty. 1
Naranjo was born to Desiderio and Rebecca Naranjo at Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico. 1 She earned a diploma in nursing in 1938 from the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation, she practiced nursing in and around Santa Fe.
Naranjo continued her nursing career in Oregon and New Mexico. She was chairman of the Oregon State Nurses Association scholarship committee. 2 In 1977, she and her husband returned to New Mexico, at Santa Clara Pueblo. 1 She retired from nursing but volunteered her time to support senior citizens, raising money for a senior citizens center at Santa Clara Pueblo. 1, 3 In 1983, she organized a fundraiser to send members of Santa Clara Pueblo to Washington D.C. for a hearing on the needs of the elderly. 4
Images & Documents
Vermillion, Lorencita Naranjo D1
“Seniors Plan Fundraiser.” Rio Grande Sun. October 27, 1983, 14. Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
Vermillion, Lorencita Naranjo D2
“Santa Clara Presents Awards.” Rio Grande Sun. December 11, 1986, 11. Newspapers.com.
Vermillion, Lorencita Naranjo D3
“Lorencita N. Vermillion.” The Santa Fe New Mexican. May 12, 2003, 2. Newspapers.com.
Notes:
1. “Lorencita N. Vermillion.” The Santa Fe New Mexican. May 12, 2003, 2. Newspapers.com.
2. The News Review. June 18, 1955, 2. Newspapers.com.
3. “Santa Clara Presents Awards.” Rio Grande Sun. December 11, 1986, 11. Newspapers.com.
4. “Seniors Plan Fundraiser.” Rio Grande Sun. October 27, 1983, 14. Newspapers.com.
Featured Image:
The News Review. June 18, 1955, 2. Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
Prepared by Sue Ruth, Ph.D., Central New Mexico Community College