In September 1945, following the end of World War II, Gertrude Shapiro was sent to Hiroshima, Japan as part of the first medical landing group of Americans assigned to treat Japanese patients suffering from the effects of the atomic bomb (dropped August 6, 1945).

Tragically Gertrude suffered many illnesses throughout her life and died a premature death from cancer in 1972, most likely because of exposure to radiation from the atomic bomb.