36th General Hospital Records

Collection

Identifier: WSR000345

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The records of the 36th General Hospital relate predominantly to the unit's initial phases of mobilization during 1942 and early 1943. Included in the collection are a log book and annual reports for 1944 and 1945, materials assembled for a projected unit history, and a published history of the hospital's World War I activities.

Important subjects covered in the collection are: Organization, administration and day-to-day functioning of a U.S. Army hospital unit. Biographical data on Wayne University's College of Medicine faculty

Among the correspondents are: Henry R. Carstens M.W. Ireland, Major General U.S. Army (Ret.) James C. Magee, Surgeon General U.S. Army Edgar H. Norris Burt R. Shurly

Series Description: Series I: Series I contains organization and administrative records from 1942-1945 including the commanding officers 1944-1945 log book, annual reports financial records, correspondence, unit bulletins and newspaper publicity clippings.

Series II: Series II is composed of materials relating to unit personnel including personnel rosters, officers active duty requests and, personnel files from 1942-1943. Biographical data is contained in the officers' personnel files.

Series III: Series III contains unit historical materials including a published history of the hospital's World War I activities, a manuscript outline of a history for the World War II period, materials gathered to write the history outline and copies of a special issue of the hospital's newspaper chronicling its World War II service.

Dates

1941 - 1946
1955

Creator

Wayne University (Organization)

Language of Materials

Material entirely in English.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use

Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials. Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.

History

Base Hospital No. 36, sponsored by the Detroit College of Medicine, was originally activated in World War I and stationed in Vittel, France. During the winter of 1942 the 36th was reactivated as a 1,000 bed General Hospital under Wayne University's sponsorship. In August of 1943 when the 36th left Camp Carson, Colorado for overseas duty, it had a staff of 50 medical officers, 120 nurses, and 500 enlisted men. Included in its ranks was a large number of Wayne University medical personnel.

After first being shipped to Algeria, the 36th was ordered to Caserta, Italy in October of 1943. Established in the rear of the Fifth Army, the hospital had an average daily census of 1,800 patients. In June of 1944 a Texas hospital unit was added to the 36th to make it a 2,000 bed facility. The hospital followed the allied invasion forces north into France and was located successively at Aix-en-Province, Dijon, and Garches. The unit was deactivated at Baston in November of 1945. During its 3 1/2 years of service the 36th had treated over 45,000 sick and wounded and received two decorations.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (6 MB)

Additional Description

Abstract

Originally activated in World War I, Base Hospital No. 36 was sponsored by the Detroit College of Medicine. It was reactivated during the winter of 1942, and assigned to Algeria and then Caserta, Italy in 1943. Organizational records, biographical information regarding the officers, a history of the hospital during WWI, as well as an outline for the history of the WWII period are included. A comprehensive history of the unit compiled by Chalmers Wickwirs is included.

Arrangement

Arranged in 3 series – Series 1 (Boxes 1-2), Series 2 (Boxes 3-5) and Series 3 (Boxes 5-6).

Transfers

The following items have been placed in the Archives Audiovisual Collections: a motion picture film and 25 photographs and negatives relating to the 36th General Hospital's flag presentation ceremony held at Wayne University in October, 1942; 51 medical officers personnel photographs; 114 lantern slides and 210 photographs relating to the unit's activities in the United States and Europe; 3 maps of the hospital facilities in Caserta, Dijon, and Garches.