Patricia Little-Upah Little-Upah’s journey through the ranks of the U.S. Army and her steadfast dedication to supporting fellow veterans are commendable.
Born in Oakland, California, in 1945, Little-Upah’s life would soon be intertwined with the call of duty. She embarked on her military career in 1966 as US Army Nurse Patricia Thomson, serving both on Active and Reserve Duty until her retirement in 2005. Her service spanned pivotal moments in history, including her deployment to Vietnam 1968 during the Vietnam War. Her hospital would receive a unit citation for its role during the TET offensive.
Little-Upah’s service extended beyond Vietnam, as she was called to duty once again during Desert Storm in 1991, where she served with the 403rd Combat Support Hospital. She oversaw the Prisoner of War units. After the war, she would serve as the Chief Nurse and the Detachment Commander for the 6253rd U.S. Army Hospital. Her dedication to duty led her to achieve the rank of Colonel, a testament to her commitment to the armed forces.
Little-Upah credits her mother as her mentor for her life and her career.
“My mom was my mentor,” she said in an interview recorded in the Library of Congress. “She was an Army Nurse in World War II, and as I was growing up, I think because of my admiration for her, I always knew that I wanted to follow in her footsteps.”
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Little-Upah was awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit in 2008, a well-deserved honor for her exceptional service. In retirement, she continued to serve the military community in various capacities. She is the past Commander of The Military Order of World Wars Phoenix Chapter. She also chaired the Board of Directors for Honor House, an organization dedicated to serving transitioning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. She serves on the Board of Veterans First Ltd, overseeing their program for male veterans and their Instruments4Success program. The Veterans and Family Advisory Council to the Phoenix VA and The Friends of Fisher House committee.
Patricia Little-Upah was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2014 and is currently serving as the President of The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society. Her involvement in various organizations underscores her dedication to supporting Veterans and our Community.