# 1699 - 1976 13c Clara Maass
The oldest of nine children, Maass came from an impoverished family of German immigrants. When she was in elementary school, she took a job as a mother's helper. While the job didn't provide her with any money, she lived and ate with her employer's family, alleviating some strain on her own family.
When the Spanish-American War broke out, Maass volunteered to serve as a nurse with the US Army. From October 1898 to February 1899, she served with the 7th US Army Corps in Florida, Georgia, and Cuba. After being discharged, she volunteered again with the 8th US Army Corps in the Philippines. During her service, Maass didn't tend to many battle injuries. Most of her time was spent aiding soldiers suffering from diseases such as typhoid, malaria, dengue, and yellow fever.
Shortly after returning home, Maass was called back to Cuba in October 1900 by William Gorgas of the Army's Yellow Fever Commission. The commission had been established after the war to investigate yellow fever and whether it was spread by mosquito bites or contact with contaminated objects.
The oldest of nine children, Maass came from an impoverished family of German immigrants. When she was in elementary school, she took a job as a mother's helper. While the job didn't provide her with any money, she lived and ate with her employer's family, alleviating some strain on her own family.
When the Spanish-American War broke out, Maass volunteered to serve as a nurse with the US Army. From October 1898 to February 1899, she served with the 7th US Army Corps in Florida, Georgia, and Cuba. After being discharged, she volunteered again with the 8th US Army Corps in the Philippines. During her service, Maass didn't tend to many battle injuries. Most of her time was spent aiding soldiers suffering from diseases such as typhoid, malaria, dengue, and yellow fever.
Shortly after returning home, Maass was called back to Cuba in October 1900 by William Gorgas of the Army's Yellow Fever Commission. The commission had been established after the war to investigate yellow fever and whether it was spread by mosquito bites or contact with contaminated objects.