Ms. Olive E. Lazio was recognized as the 2023 Suffolk County Women Veterans of Distinction for the 11th Legislative District, by Legislator Steven J. Flotteron at a recent Legislative
General Meeting in Hauppauge. Ms. Lazio, a West Islip resident for nearly 70 years, served in the United
States Navy WAVES and was amongst the earliest women to serve in our Armed Forces in WWII. She
joined the groundbreaking Navy WAVES as a 19-year-old, serving from 1941 until her honorable
discharge in July, 1945. She held the rank of Hospital Apprentice First Class. Previously, she held the
ranks of AS and Hospital Apprentice 2nd Class. Ms. Lazio cared for returning wounded and ill Navy
personnel during the war at the US Naval Hospital, National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland.
She graduated from the Hospital Corp. School in 1945. To this day, she continues her public and
community service as an officer of the Great South Bay Guild of the Good Samaritan University
Hospital.