# Nancy Wake

> New Zealander and Australian war heroine

**Wikidata**: [Q234134](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q234134)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wake)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nancy-wake

## Summary
Nancy Wake was a New Zealander and Australian war heroine who served as a journalist, partisan, and spy during World War II. She became known as "The White Mouse" for her work with the French Resistance and received numerous military decorations from multiple countries for her bravery and contributions to the war effort.

## Biography
- Born: 1912-08-30
- Nationality: New Zealand and Australian
- Education: Not specified in the source material
- Known for: Her work as a journalist, partisan, and spy with the French Resistance during WWII
- Employer(s): Not specified in the source material
- Field(s): journalism, partisan activities, espionage

## Contributions
During World War II, Nancy Wake worked as a journalist before joining the French Resistance. She served as a partisan and spy, becoming known as "The White Mouse" for her ability to evade capture. Her activities with the Resistance network resulted in numerous awards and decorations from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, recognizing her bravery and significant contribution to the war effort.

## FAQs
**What was Nancy Wake's role in World War II?**
Nancy Wake served as a journalist, partisan, and spy with the French Resistance during World War II, becoming known as "The White Mouse" for her ability to evade capture.

**What awards did Nancy Wake receive?**
She received multiple military decorations including the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, Resistance Medal, George Medal, Medal of Freedom, and Officer of the Legion of Honour, among others.

**Where was Nancy Wake from?**
She was a New Zealander who later became an Australian citizen.

**Why was she called "The White Mouse"?**
Nancy Wake earned the nickname "The White Mouse" from the Gestapo for her ability to evade capture while working with the French Resistance.

## Why They Matter
Nancy Wake's work during World War II significantly contributed to the French Resistance efforts against Nazi occupation. Her bravery and effectiveness as a partisan and spy made her a target for the Gestapo, and she became a symbol of resistance in occupied France. The numerous awards she received from multiple countries demonstrate the international recognition of her contributions to the Allied victory. Her legacy as a female operative in a male-dominated field also helped pave the way for women's greater participation in military and intelligence roles.

## Notable For
- Received the Croix de guerre 1939–1945 from France
- Awarded the Resistance Medal by France
- Received the George Medal from the United Kingdom
- Received the Medal of Freedom from the United States
- Received the Officer of the Legion of Honour from France
- Earned the nickname "The White Mouse" from the Gestapo
- Served as a journalist before joining the French Resistance
- Operated as a partisan and spy during WWII

## Body
### Early Life
Nancy Grace Augusta Wake was born on August 30, 1912. While her exact birthplace is not specified in the source material, she was of New Zealand nationality and later became an Australian citizen. Her aliases included Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, "The White Mouse," Nancy Fiocca, and Madame Fiocca.

### Career Before World War II
Before the war, Wake worked as a journalist. This profession likely honed her communication skills and network-building abilities that would prove valuable in her later resistance activities. Her work in journalism established her in both New Zealand and Australia, where she held citizenship.

### World War II Activities
When World War II broke out, Nancy Wake joined the French Resistance. She served as both a partisan and spy, conducting operations against Nazi occupation forces. Her effectiveness in these roles earned her the nickname "The White Mouse" from the Gestapo, referring to her ability to evade capture despite being one of their most wanted targets.

### Awards and Recognition
For her service during the war, Wake received numerous military decorations from multiple countries:

French decorations:
- Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (French military decoration)
- Resistance Medal (French order)
- Officer of the Legion of Honour (second rank of the French Legion of Honour)

British decorations:
- George Medal (British award)
- 1939–45 Star (British Commonwealth military campaign medal)
- France and Germany Star (British Commonwealth military campaign medal)
- Defence Medal (UK campaign medal for WWII)
- War Medal 1939–1945 (British campaign medal of WWII)

American decoration:
- Medal of Freedom (civil decoration awarded 1945–1961, superceded by Presidential Medal of Freedom)

Other recognition:
- RSA Badge in Gold

### Legacy and Impact
Nancy Wake's contributions to the Allied victory were significant. Her work with the French Resistance helped disrupt Nazi operations and provide intelligence to the Allies. As a woman operating in a predominantly male field of espionage and partisan warfare, she broke gender barriers and demonstrated the crucial role that women could play in military and intelligence operations.

The international recognition she received through multiple prestigious awards from different countries underscores the importance and impact of her service. Her legacy continues to inspire those interested in military history, the French Resistance, and women's contributions to warfare and intelligence operations. She passed away on August 7, 2011, leaving behind a remarkable record of bravery and service during one of history's most significant conflicts.

## References

1. Tiaki
2. [Source](https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/m005cc7fa0faf7b3)
3. [Source](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1073847)
4. [Source](https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C278694)
5. [Australian Honours Search Facility](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1056736)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20110717070123/http://www.rsa.org.nz/review/art2006december/article_3.htm)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. Find a Grave
10. Babelio
11. [War heroine Nancy Wake dies. 2011](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/war-heroine-nancy-wake-dies/story-e6freuy9-1226110701605)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Source](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1056736)
14. [Source](https://facebook.com/groups/709410852896325?view=permalink&id=781161595721250)
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
16. Catalogo of the National Library of India