Larkin Square

Square LocationLarkin Lane and Memorial Drive
(click link for map)

Larkin

First Lieutenant Catharine M. Larkin, a native of 132 Boston Street, served in the US Army Nurses’ Corps during World War II. She was born on January 21st, 1916 and prior to serving, she graduated from Salem Hospital Nursing School in 1938. She also did further training in the hospitals of Providence, Rhode Island. First Lieutenant Larkin initially volunteered to serve as a nurse in Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was later commissioned an officer and transferred in December of 1944 to the Persian and Indian Theatres. There, she primarily served on a medical task force in Calcutta, India with the 803rd Medical Air Evacuation Squadron.

ObituaryTragically, she was killed in a C-47 crash near Ledo, India on March 4th, 1945. Her mission there was to help establish an advanced hospital base in the area. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Larkin. She was also the sister of Private First Class John Larkin, who served in the Army in New Guinea, Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert G. Larkin, who served in the Navy in the Atlantic, and Edward T. Larkin Jr., who served in an anti-aircraft unit in Germany. Catherine Larkin is the first and only Salem woman to lose her life during wartime service.

Her square is located at the corner of Larkin Lane and Memorial Drive, dedicated in her honor. She is also honored by the Catherine M. Larkin Memorial Practice Cottage at the Essex County Homemaking School, first established on September 30th, 1950 and it still stands to this day.