Introduction & Activation:

The 48th Field Hospital was officially activated on 10 September 1943 at Camp Ellis, Table Grove, Illinois (Army Service Forces Training Center; total acreage 17,503; troop capacity 1,795 Officers and 24,654 Enlisted Men –ed), per Letter, War Department, AGO, File AG 322, dated 31 August 1943, OB-I-SPMOU-M, dated 3 September 1943, and General Orders # 54, dated 9 September 1943, Headquarters Army Service Forces Unit Training Center, Camp Ellis, Table Grove, Illinois, under T/O dated 8 April 1943.
The first CO, assisted by 2 other Officers, was re-assigned just a few days after activation, and departed leaving First Lieutenant Eldon E. Whalen, MAC, O-451061 in command as from 14 September 1943. The Officer, almost unaided, took up the task of organization until arrival of Major Robert J. Hoagland on 17 September 1943.

A new Table of Organization for Field Hospitals, T/O 8-510 was printed bearing the date of 28 September 1943. The following Field Hospitals – 39th Field Hospital (assigned to Sixth Service Command) – 47th Field Hospital (assigned to Fourth Service Command) – 48th Field Hospital (assigned to Fourth Service Command) – were re-organized on 12 November 1943, 26 November 1943, and 26 November 1943 respectively in accordance with T/O 8-510, dated 8 April 1943, and Circular # 99, War Department 1943, each with an official authorized strength of 20 Officers – 18 Nurses – and 190 Enlisted Men. Reorganization was effectively conducted under T/O & E 8-510, dated 28 September 1943, as per orders and confirmed to the Mobilization Division, Army Service Forces, Washington D.C., by Letter dated 31 December 1943, signed by Major Robert J. Hoagland, MC, O-20516, Commanding.

The cadre for the unit came from Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas (Infantry Replacement Training Center; total acreage 42,124; troop capacity 2,596 Officers and 44,077 Enlisted Men –ed). The other Enlisted Men (of whom 97% were selectees) came chiefly from MRTCs immediately after completion of Basic Training. A minority were from named General Hospitals in the Zone of Interior.
All Medical Officers, except the Commanding Officer originated from fixed or numbered General or Station Hospitals. The 3 Dental Officers came directly from civilian life. Medical Administrative Officers were all graduates of the Officer Candidate School. All ANC Officers came from fixed Hospitals in the ZI. All MC Officers who were originally ordered to join the unit (January and February 1944) were without previous experience in field work, but they and the DC Officers received adequate training after being assigned to the new hospital. The Nurses who joined the 48th Field Hospital were with the organization for several months before its arrival in France and received complete military training.

The Enlisted Men who joined the 48th Field Hospital came from many different locations and units such as: 136th Station Hospital (Camp Edwards, Fallmouth, Massachusetts); 1201st Service Unit (Medical Detachment, Fort Jay, New York); Medical Replacement Training Center (Camp Pickett, Blackstone, Virginia); Medical Replacement Training Center (Camp Barkeley, Abilene, Texas); 1238th Service Unit (Willowbrook, Staten Island, New York); Medical Replacement Training Center (Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas); Army Medical Center, Washington DC); 1257th Service Unit (Tilton General Hospital, Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey); Medical Detachment Army Air Base (Fort George Wright, Washington); Medical Department Enlisted Technicians School (O’Reilly General Hospital, Springfield, Missouri); Headquarters Medical Administrative Corps, Officer Candidate School (Camp Barkeley, Abilene, Texas); 1613th Service Unit (Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois); Medical Department Enlisted Technicians School (Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana); Medical Detachment, 1304th Engineer General Service Regiment (Headquarters Engineer Unit Training Center (Camp Sutton, Monroe, North Carolina); Headquarters William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas; Headquarters Fitzsimons General Hospital, Denver, Colorado; Headquarters Lawson General Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia; Medical Detachment Camp Myles Standish, Boston, Massachusetts: 3587th Service Unit (Billings General Hospital, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana); Medical Department Technicians School (Lawson General Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia); and Supply Detachment (Fourth Service Command, Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina).

Training:

The EM underwent unit and technical training while staying at Camp Ellis, Illinois. This training consisted mainly of academic technical training for most men and a repetition of basic training for a minority of them. Hospital Headquarters began to work as one unit. One of the primary activities while at Camp Ellis were the marches. During classes, it was stressed that marching taught discipline, inspired confidence, and increased stamina. During September and October 1943, many marches, interrupted by frequently simulated air and gas attacks at unexpected times, were conducted. Uniforms to wear during the many hikes and marches consisted of fatigues – leggings – helmet liner – gas mask – pistol belt – canteen – and first-aid-packet. The exercises included 6-mile, 8-mile, 9-mile, 10-mile, and 12-mile road marches, which were held during day and night (similar road marches were also organized while staying at Fort Jackson –ed).

On 8 November of 1943, the 48th moved to Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base, Maxton, North Carolina, (a temporary change of station) for a two-week course in cargo lashing and rudiments of cargo plane and glider loading technique. After arrival, the men received a very incomplete 400-bed Field Hospital assembly which had already been used by another unit; as a result, boxes were broken, some equipment was damaged, and many shortages were recorded. The first problem to solve was to collect enough of the equipment checked to train with. Due to the above problems, field training did not start before 12 November. Enough equipment to load 13 C-47 aircraft or CG-4A gliders or both was collected and prepared. On alternate days the same amount of equipment had to be re-arranged to make up 17 glider loads. Upon completion of the above training at the Air Base on 24 November 1943, the unit moved to Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina (Infantry Training Center; total acreage 58,653; troop capacity 5,907 Officers and 72,817 Enlisted Men –ed), where training consisted of practical technical work in the Fort Jackson Station Hospital, some as a hospital unit, and including preparation for movement overseas. During the period of training with the hospital equipment, each Platoon (the organization consisted of 3 Hospitalization Units –ed), in turn, used the one available Hospitalization Unit equipment which was still incomplete. The assembly received at Maxton, had to be subdivided in equal components, sets, kits, and chests for the 3 Platoons. Some sets were not even assembled, instruments had been thrown loose in large boxes and some of them had even rusted. It took the 26th Medical Depot Company a total six weeks to functionally pack about 80% of the equipment. Field exercises included moving the unit, and setting it up in darkness, daylight, and inclement weather. Unit Headquarters were organized consisting of 1 MC and 2 MAC Officers, 3 ANC Officers, and 19 EM. Each Platoon had 4 MC Officers, 1 DC, 1 MAC Officer, 5 ANC Officers, and 57 Enlisted Men. At this time work was done on the equipment to better adapt it to the anticipated needs of the hospital (changes and improvements). Authorized strength at the time was set at 22 Officers, 18 Nurses, and 187 Enlisted Men.

MTP 8-10 began on 20 September 1943 and lasted until 31 December 1943 (although not completed because of the many moves and the special training at Laurinburg-Maxton AAB –ed).

The 48th Field Hospital’s greatest problem was the medical equipment. Medical equipment (Item No. 97227) arrived in an incomplete and chaotic state. From the time of arrival at Laurinburg-Maxton, where it was received from four different sources, until end December 1943, work was done to re-assemble the equipment, inventory it, assemble lists of shortages and determine serviceability. Measures were instituted to acquire a newly functionally-packed equipment, but the unit was in fact directed to re-organize the equipment themselves with aid from the Post Surgeon and the Atlanta Medical Depot. Boxes were requisitioned as well as packing material by the Post Medical Supply Officer. Unfortunately field training was deferred until the proper medical equipment became available for worthwhile training. In the end, the minimum essential equipment was packed by the Fort Jackson Post Engineer. A complete showdown inspection of the hospital equipment and also of the individual clothing and equipment was conducted at Fort Jackson and later repeated at the Camp Kilmer Staging Area, which unfortunately necessitated much packing and unpacking several times.

Stations Zone of Interior – 48th Field Hospital
Camp Ellis, Table Grove, Illinois (10 Sep 43 > 8 Nov 43)
Laurinburg-Maxton, Maxton, North Carolina (8 Nov 43 > 24 Nov 43)
Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina (25 Nov 43 > 29 Mar 44)
Camp Kilmer, Stelton, New Jersey (30 Mar 44 > 5 Apr 44)
Atlantic Crossing (6 Apr 44 > 16 Apr 44)

Organization:

Total unit strength at 1 January 1944: 9 Officers – 0 Nurses – 192 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 January 1944: 22 Officers – 7 Nurses – 188 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 29 February 1944: 22 Officers – 18 Nurses – 193 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 March 1944: 19 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 30 April 1944: 19 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 May 1944: 19 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 30 June 1944: 19 Officers – 18 Nurses – 189 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 July 1944: 19 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 August 1944: 18 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 30 September 1944: 18 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 October 1944: 18 Officers – 18 Nurses – 190 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 30 November 1944: 20 Officers – 18 Nurses – 187 Enlisted Men
Total unit strength at 31 December 1944: 23 Officers – 18 Nurses – 183 Enlisted Men

As per General Orders, Number 1, dated 22 February 1944, the 48th Field Hospital was divided into five (5) major departments to render “station hospital” type of medical service and support. Assignments of Officers were as follows:

Administrative Department
Major Robert J. Hoagland, MC, O-20516 (Commanding Officer)
Major Bernard Baer, MC, O-381286 (Registrar & Sanitary Officer + Laboratory Officer)
Captain Eldon E. Whalen, MAC, O-451061 (Administrative Assistant & Adjutant + Special Courts Martial Officer)
First Lieutenant Waldo L. Dise, ChC, O-542389 (Chaplain)
First Lieutenant Kathryn M. Doody, ANC, N-703477 (Principal Chief Nurse)
First Lieutenant Edward K. Pearson, MAC, O-1543293 (Supply & Utility Officer)
Second Lieutenant Ledger D. Free, MAC, O-1544785 (Operations & Training Officer)
Second Lieutenant Ben Lane, MAC, O-1546153 (Fire Marshal + Pharmacy Officer)
Second Lieutenant Benjamin Liftshutz, MAC, O-1546153 (Supply Officer)
Second Lieutenant Edward V. Paine, MAC, O-1547098 (Transportation Officer)
Second Lieutenant John M. Rambo, Jr., MAC, O-1547122 (Detachment Commander & Mess Officer)

Surgical Department
Major James K. McClintock, MC, O-438038 (Chief Surgical Service)
Captain John R. Hill, MC, O-370428 (Surgical Officer)
Captain Clifford N. Matthews, MC, O-436137 (Surgical Officer)
Captain Leonard C. J. Olsen, MC, O-532371 (Surgical Officer)

Medical Department
Captain George R. Coe, MC, O-1685270 (Chief Medical Service)
Captain Edwin M. Sykes, Jr., MC, O-471050 (Medical Officer)
Captain Benjamin Yoskowitz, MC, O-509832 (Medical Officer)
First Lieutenant Mitchell M. Littner, MC, O-524928 (Medical Officer & Roentgenologist)

Receiving and Disposition Departments & Dispensary
Captain Henry A. Gozan, MC, O-1689826 (Medical Officer)

Dental Department
Captain Rudolph Roth, DC, O-531173 (Chief Dental Service)
Captain Martin T. Reid, DC, O-522351 (Dental Officer)
First Lieutenant Isadore T. Sklover, DC, O-531731 (Dental Officer)

Assignment of Enlisted Men was as follows:

Administrative Department (Headquarters Section)
First Sergeant David H. Ruesel, 32039428
Master Sergeant John P. Fay, 32180240
Staff Sergeant James R. Feeney, 36317343
Staff Sergeant Raymond E. Lebens, 37095450
Sergeant Joseph J. Beckner, 37232910
Sergeant Lynwood R. Grendell, 31177544
Sergeant Donald F. Myer, 32888728
Technician 4th Grade Roy E. Alexander, 32592717
Technician 4th Grade Howard E. Sinsz, 33687154
Corporal George D. Shea, 32931866
Technician 5th Grade Paul Baliban, 3325106
Technician 5th Grade Victor J. Benoit, 32904347
Technician 5th Grade Joseph Hawk, 33250659
Technician 5th Grade Clarence J. Kendall, 37343992
Technician 5th Grade William J. Shephard, Jr., 31355267
Technician 5th Grade John W. Sherman, 33760260
Technician 5th Grade Charles D. Sloan, 31355650
Private First Class Robert A. Herman, 33780026
Private First Class James Leone, 32895895
Private First Class Joseph T. Mills, 33694736
Private First Class James M. Sforza, 32906885
Private First Class Arnold Silberman, 32888807
Private First Class Chester M. Simonelli, 31344096
Private First Class John H. Sundstrom, 32906474
Private First Class Bernard E. Wolcott, 33604706
Private Harry Altman, 32217751
Private Arthur C. Germain, 32858228
Private John J. Haley, 33509651
Private Edward L. Hallock, 31334497
Private John V. Johnson, 34132886
Private Eric A. Mayer, 32822438
Private Charles W. Merl, 32912487
Private Herbert H. Moreland, 6882481
Private Paul J. Myrand, 36168167
Private Lawrence Oronoz, 39571972
Private Leonel Troia, 31334767
Private Arthur Van Derstow, 32845903
Private Richard T. Wright, 12214868
Private Woo K. Yee, 32903613

Administrative Department (Mess Section)
Staff Sergeant Homer P. Fredericks, 39169770
Staff Sergeant Abraham M. Golden, 31064800
Staff Sergeant Mario J. Raia, 36314507
Technician 4th Grade Edmund J. Ahrens, 37541403
Technician 4th Grade Francis J. Begbie, 31339442
Technician 4th Grade Franklin M. Cooley, 16084133
Technician 4th Grade Stanley E. Davis, 36241030
Technician 4th Grade Frank E. Woodward, 32748720
Technician 5th Grade Charles B. Ahrlich, 32962599
Technician 5th Grade Frank W. Collison, 32857466
Technician 5th Grade Raymond F. Simas, 31383597
Technician 5th Grade Ludwig Wahle, 32899184
Private Walter F. Lamoreaux, 33605457
Private Ernest J. Puska, 31066647
Private Charles Shapiro, 32902451

Administrative Department (Transportation Section)
Sergeant Donald T. Lambert, 35209291
Technician 5th Grade Phillip B. Harrity, Jr., 33672320
Technician 5th Grade Francis J. Higgins, 31383205
Technician 5th Grade Hans Jurgens, 32896540
Technician 5th Grade William G. McMahon, 31353720
Technician 5th Grade Thaddius Sarna, 3288095
Private First Class George Camardella, 32936110
Private First Class Pasquale G. La Macchia, 32935119
Private First Class La Verne Burnett, 36821231
Private First Class Claude E. Martin, 37102151
Private Bernard C. Bickford, 33680036
Private Arnold R. Bruley, 31339736
Private Thomas E. Burkeen, 38507386
Private Wilbur H. Eggler, 36821258
Private Richard H. Groton, 31263194
Private Harold H. Ostrander, 33679886
Private Clifton L. Plaster, 33649787
Private Ellsworth M. Roos, 31244771

Surgical Department
Staff Sergeant Clarence V. Johnson, 20718576
Sergeant Ralph L. Quesinberry, 15359295
Technician 3d Grade Joseph J. Dougherty, 13112791
Technician 3d Grade Webster E. Preston, 32580567
Technician 4th Grade Clarence L. Chevrefils, 31269317
Technician 4th Grade Robert D. Forth, 36514811
Technician 4th Grade John M. Gatewood, 33040388
Technician 4th Grade James M. Reeves, 34195894
Technician 5th Grade Thomas O. Alexander, 33636826
Technician 5th Grade Hugh M. Anderson, 36818422
Technician 5th Grade Edward S. M. Bean, 33353627
Technician 5th Grade John A. Ficken, 15131767
Technician 5th Grade Frank E. Garbacz, 36738266
Technician 5th Grade Maynard L. Goza, 38477634
Technician 5th Grade Nathaniel A. Harrison, 33531227
Technician 5th Grade Peter N. Hawrysko, 31189657
Technician 5th Grade King H. Heininger, 33759588
Technician 5th Grade Wayne J. Kvasnicka, 36746224
Technician 5th Grade Ralph J. Ricketts, 33634963
Technician 5th Grade Don R. Schuler, 37669476
Technician 5th Grade George A. Silvester, 31344139
Technician 5th Grade Clint R. Whitaker, 34630680
Private First Class Fred Autenrieb, 36485224
Private First Class Clayton T. Barron, 36599228
Private First Class John W. Bibb, 33636724
Private First Class Emmett B. Davis, 14137247
Private First Class Edward J. Gamache, 32858554
Private First Class Robert K. Kurtz, 15360308
Private First Joseph Mastranunzio, 32895716
Private First Class Ralph L. Pidgeon, 31295027
Private First Class Raymond O. Pratt, 31339428
Private Myer J. Bernstein, 33780912
Private Joseph F. Dorsey, 31293640
Private George R. Gould, 32845885
Private Bertram S. Grosman, 32895448
Private Adolph P. Gula, 31346622
Private Frank S. Guzzardo, 32898492
Private John G. Henry, 32918957
Private Leonard E. Levy, 33420604
Private William Lewy, 32899945
Private Philip Mancinelli, 32916491
Private Clarence M. Marchel, 6860019
Private Fritz W. Mungay, 32896318
Private Everett Silvia, 31383563
Private Garnet P. Smith, 31350927
Private William Steinmetz, 32910434

Medical Department
Staff Sergeant Albert J. Edmond, 14026223
Technician 4th Grade Norman A. Beveridge, 32073057
Technician 4th Grade Anthony J. Grzymkoski, 3257 3914
Technician 4th Grade Vern T. Nordeen, 37449254
Technician 5th Grade Andrew J. Flore, 36599358
Technician 5th Grade Joseph Kobersky, 32779293
Technician 5th Grade Herbert T. Lilley, 33719910
Technician 5th Grade Francis T. McCabe, Jr., 33777539
Technician 5th Grade Olon Westfall, 6282210
Private First Class Raymond J. Felczak, 32922363
Private First Class Warren G. Hester, 34673829
Private First Class Fred N. Hubka, 32922883
Private First Class Theodore A. Kantor, 32899786
Private First Class Irving Niebart, 32912409
Private First Class George A. Niederer, 33437412
Private First Class Raymond J. Ryan, 36818808
Private First Class Robert Tribou, 31303811
Private First Class Peter Ungar, 36701063
Private First Class Donald F. Wood, 31309797
Private First Class Ethelbert B. Wright, 32935983
Private James J. Berry, 32858424
Private Earl E. Bishop, 33424578
Private Harold Dvorchik, 31334637
Private Julian L. Elissoph, 32806180
Private Ward Garvin, Jr., 31321621
Private Jesus G. Gonzalez, 34547050
Private Otto J. Havel, Jr., 32787801
Private Martin Hayet, 32899472
Private Jpseph P. Knoerl, 33687161
Private Andy Kramer, 33672304
Private Frank A. Lascari, 32909122
Private John W. Lewis, 36455815
Private William A. Martin, 15011494
Private Henry Martinez, 31344866
Private Frank P. Massaro, 313113451
Private William P. Mauney, 34038322
Private Walter A. McGugan, 33777430
Private John A. Mickiewicz, 31220126
Private Leland D. Miller, 37562375
Private Burke L. Petty, 14157183
Private James U. Price, 34670843
Private Basil T. Rousanoff, 32900646
Private Delos C. Strouf, 36821261
Private McCoy B. Wilson, 36596693

Preparation for Overseas Movement:

On 29 March 1944, the 48th Field consisting of 22 Officers, 18 Nurses, and 190 Enlisted Men departed from Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with destination Camp Kilmer, Stelton, New Jersey (Staging Area for New York Port of Embarkation; total acreage 1,815; troop capacity 2,074 Officers and 35,386 Enlisted Men –ed). Final preparations for movement overseas were completed at Camp Kilmer with the unit leaving New York Port of Embarkation on 6 April 1944.

United Kingdom:

Following an uneventful Atlantic crossing debarkation was accomplished on 16 April 1944 at Glasgow, Scotland. On 17 April 1944, all personnel arrived in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England.

Immediately upon arrival in the United Kingdom, the 48th was transferred from the Army Service Forces to the Third United States Army. While stationed in the United Kingdom, three (3) months were spent in obtaining, working with, and preparing and packing the equipment for overseas shipment and combat use. During the stay in England, the 48th modified the newly issued equipment to better suit the requirements of a field hospital. Each individual Platoon set up its hospital unit numerous times in blackout conditions and adverse weather. They each spent at least 5 consecutive days in the field and under bivouac conditions. Plans were formulated for three different methods of setting up a Field Hospital.

In anticipation to the planned Invasion of the Continent, 12 Officers, 14 Nurses, and 22 Enlisted Men from the 4th Auxiliary Surgical Group were attached to the unit on 7 June 1944. They would leave the organization between 18 July and 10 August 1944. Two (2) American Red Cross workers were assigned to the 48th Field Hospital, while in England, on 17 June 1944.

Stations United Kingdom – 48th Field Hospital
Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England (17 Apr 44 > 10 July 44)
Seton Barracks, Plymouth, Devonshire, England (10 Jul 44 > 12 Jul 44)

All personnel departed Kidderminster, England, on 10 July 1944, arriving at Seton Barracks, Plymouth, Devonshire, England, the same date. Final preparations for movement to the Continent (France) were made. Before leaving Kidderminster, attempts had been made to have the hospital equipment accompany the staff and personnel. A final decision to leave the equipment under guard in England where it was to be loaded and eventually transported to France by a medical depot was handed down after a telephone conversation with the Transportation Corps Officers at ETOUSA Headquarters in London. The equipment was then left behind with a guard from a nearby hospital unit despite the desire of the 48th’s CO to also leave unit rear guards of the command behind (leaving the equipment in this manner was one of the reasons for its delayed arrival in France, and it was only after much time and correspondence was spent with the Army Surgeon and G-4 Staff that the equipment was located and shipped to Cherbourg, France, where it was unloaded, and unfortunately delayed considerably longer –ed).

The 48th Field Hospital left Seton Barracks, Plymouth, and the United Kingdom on 12 July 1944.

France:

The 48th arrived in France on 15 July 1944 landing on Utah Beach, Normandy. It spent the first night at St.-Germain-de-Vareville, bivouacking in Transient Area “B”. On 16 July 1944 the organization proceeded to a bivouac area some 2 miles north of Barneville, France, on the west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula where it remained inactive, awaiting receipt of its equipment which would not arrive until 14 August 1944 in France! On the same day, the 48th moved to another bivouac area 2.3 miles southwest of Louvigné-de-Bais, France. After a stay of 10 days, the organization entrucked again to a bivouac area 8 miles south of Brou, France, where it remained inactive until its move to Longuyon, in the Lorraine region, France, which took place on 1 October 1944.

Stations France – 48th Field Hospital
St.-Germain-de-Varreville, France (15 Jul 44 > 16 Jul 44) transit area
Barneville, France (16 Jul 44 > 14 Aug 44) bivouac
Louvigné-de-Bais, France (14 Aug 44 > 24 Aug 44) bivouac
Brou, France (24 Aug 44 > 1 Oct 44) bivouac
Longuyon, France (1 Oct 44 > 3 Oct 44)

Headquarters + Second Platoon left Longuyon, France, for Arlon, Belgium 3 Oct 44
Third Platoon left Longuyon, France, for Tongres, Belgium, 21 Oct 44
First Platoon left Longuyon, France, for Pulderbos, Belgium, 21 Oct 44

On 1 September 1944, orders were received relieving the 48th Field Hospital of its current assignment and transferring the unit to the First United States Army. On 23 September 1944, another transfer took place, this time involving the Ninth United States Army.

During this prolonged period of inactivity, repeated efforts were made through every possible channel and means available to speed up the receipt of the hospital’s equipment. After being unloaded as late as 25 August 1944 (at the port of Cherbourg, Cotentin Peninsula –ed) the equipment was finally shipped to the unit. Following direct appeals to the Surgeon, Twelfth United States Army Group, the hospital equipment was finally loaded on trucks by personnel of the Quartermaster Sorting Warehouse in Cherbourg and hauled to Longuyon, France, where it was finally received on 3 October 1944!
From the time of arrival in France and until the first week of October 1944, there was little for the personnel to do. Frequent marches, drills, and administrative classes were held; reveille formations and calisthenics were daily routine. Athletics were stressed. Altogether this long period of inactivity was detrimental to the unit, with little work and limited recreational facilities (most towns were off limits), the morale of the personnel gradually deteriorated.

During the period 3 October 1944 to 1 December 1944, teams pertaining to the 5th Auxiliary Surgical Group augmented the personnel of all three Platoons. Until about 1 December 1944, teams were transferred in and out of the units, but following 1 December 1944, team assignment within the Hospitalization Units were stable. It must be underlined that the attached Surgical and Shock Teams from the Auxiliary Surgical Groups were mainly responsible for the professional work in the Hospital.

Belgium:

On 3 October 1944, Headquarters and Second Platoon moved from Longuyon, France to an area 1 mile north of Arlon, in Belgium, to go into operation for the first time after waiting three months on the Continent. The unit functioned in a manner similar to a station hospital. Constant rain and high winds were experienced. The entire hospital was established under tentage, and after a week of constant rain the ground became a quagmire. Headquarters left Second Platoon and proceeded by motor convoy to an area approximately 2 miles south of Tongres, Belgium, on 21 October, where it set up together with Third Platoon. Again work consisting in station-type hospital operations was done in tents and under severe rain. Latrines became a problem because the water level was never 24 inches below the ground surface.
On 21 October 1944 First Platoon departed from Longuyon, France, and entrucked for a new site in the vicinity of Pulderbos, Belgium, where it set up tents in direct support of the 104th Infantry Division, aka “Timberwolves”. This was the first opportunity for any one of the Hospitalization Units to operate a Clearing Station, taking care of the latter’s non-transportable patients. On 26 October 1944 the Platoon eventually departed Pulderbos for another site 2 miles southwest of Sternhoven, Belgium. First Platoon operated behind the lines of the 104th Infantry Division always under canvas – first in Belgium, later in Holland – until it returned to a bivouac area near Crisnée, Belgium, on 16 November 1944. During the above period, it admitted 103 battle casualties and made two moves in order to remain as near the front as was safely possible. Again, the problems caused by the almost daily rainfall and the resulting mud, were numerous.
On 23 October 1944 Second Platoon left Arlon, Belgium, to a bivouac area (near Tongres) where Third Platoon was already in operation. Second Platoon remained in the area for only 8 days after which it moved to Petit-Brogel, Belgium, in direct support of the 7th Armored Division. This Platoon set up under tentage and admitted 31 non-transportable casualties for treatment. Fortunately the ground in this area was sandy. Although strong winds and much rain were still encountered, the ground surface drained readily and no mud was hampering operations. On 31 October 1944 First Platoon departed its bivouac area southwest of Sternhoven, Belgium, for a new area 1 mile south of Wernhout in Holland.
On 15 November 1944 Second Platoon closed its operation ¾ mile northeast of Petit-Brogel, Belgium, and moved to a new bivouac situated about 1 mile southeast of Odeur, Belgium. For the first time since arriving on the Continent, a Platoon of the 48th Field Hospital was living in buildings. While staying in bivouacs and rest areas the three Platoons checked equipment and made plans to improve setup for their next move into operation.
During their stay in Belgium, all units were subjected to a lot of enemy “flying bomb” activities but fortunately suffered no losses. On 16 November 1944 First Platoon left Wernhout, Holland, and returned to Belgium, setting up ½ mile south of Crisnée. 48th Field Hospital Headquarters departed Tongres, Belgium, on 25 November 1944.

Stations Belgium – 48th Field Hospital
Arlon, Belgium (3 Oct 44 > 23 Oct 44)
Tongres, Belgium (21 Oct 44 > 3 Dec 44)
Pulderbos, Belgium (21 Oct 44 > 26 Oct 44)
Sternhoven, Belgium (26 Oct 44 > 31 Oct 44)
Petit-Brogel, Belgium (31 Oct 44 > 15 Nov 44)
Odeur, Belgium (15 Nov 44 > 25 Nov 44)
Crisnée, Belgium (16 Nov 44 > 25 Nov 44)
Wellen, Belgium (29 Dec 44 > 31 Dec 44)

Stations Holland – 48th Field Hospital
Wernhout, Holland (31 Oct 44 > 16 Nov 44)
Bocholtz, Holland (24 Dec 44 > 29 Dec 44)

Headquarters + Second Platoon left Longuyon, France, for Tongres, Belgium, 21 Oct 44
Third Platoon left Longuyon, France, for Tongres, Belgium, 21 Oct 44
First Platoon left Longuyon, France, for Pulderbos, Belgium, 21 Oct 44

In November 1944, and in accordance with Section V, Circular # 201, War Department 1944, as amended by Section III, Circular # 266, War Department 1944, the authorized enlisted strength was decreased from 190 to 182.

Germany:

25 November 1944 Headquarters left Tongres, Belgium, for Alsdorf, Germany, where it was eventually joined by First Platoon, which had moved from Crisnée, Belgium. The Platoon set up in support of the 29th Infantry Division and was still in operation housed in the same buildings supporting the same Division on 31 December 1944. For the first time, First Platoon and Headquarters were set up in permanent type buildings, which required much work for conversion, clearing, and blacking out. On 25 November Second Platoon left its site near Odeur, Belgium, moving to Palenberg, Germany, where it was established in an abandoned school building, partially occupied by a Medical Clearing Company pertaining to the 327th Medical Battalion, 102d Infantry Division. Personnel of Second Platoon was billeted in nearby semi-ruined houses which had been evacuated by German civilians.
3 December 1944 Third Platoon also departed Tongres, Belgium, moving to a large, badly damaged school building in Ubach, Germany. It was to face a gigantic clean-up and black-out task before being able to use the place properly. The Platoon remained open and ready to receive patients from the 7th Armored Division and the 102d Infantry Division until 24 December 1944, when, after receiving only 3 battle casualties, it was housed in buildings in Bocholtz, Holland. On 29 December 1944 Third Platoon returned to Belgium, setting up in empty buildings in Wellen, Limburg region, Belgium, to await further orders, and ready to set up a hospital.
It should be noted that due to the Allied advance into Germany and the numerous moves of the individual Platoons, equipment losses and shortages were hard to solve. By 31 December 1944, about 85% of the missing equipment had been replaced.

Stations Germany – 48th Field Hospital
Alsdorf, Germany (25 Nov 44 > 5 Mar 45) Headquarters + First Platoon
Palenberg, Germany (25 Nov 44 > 6 Mar 45) Second Platoon
Ubach, Germany (3 Dec 44 > 24 Dec 44) Third Platoon

Stations Germany – 48th Field Hospital Platoons
Headquarters
Alsdorf, Germany (1 Jan 45 > 5 Mar 45)
Dülken, Germany (6 Mar 45 > 27 Mar 45)
Friedrichsfeld, Germany (28 Mar 45 > 4 Apr 45)
Paddenberg, Germany (4 Apr 45 > 15 Apr 45)
Recklinghausen, Germany (16 Apr 45 > 25 Apr 45)
Bad Oeynhausen, Germany (26 Apr 45 > 22 May 45)
Horn, Germany (23 May 45 > 9 Jun 45)
Wismar, Germany (9 Jun 45 > 1 Jul 45)

First Platoon
Alsdorf, Germany (1 Jan 45 > 5 Mar 45) supporting 29th Infantry + 83d Infantry Divisions (96 + 11 patients)
Dülken, Germany (6 Mar 45 > 22 Mar 45) bivouac and rest
Issum, Germany (23 Mar 45 > 5 Apr 45) supporting 30th Infantry Division (31 patients)
Buer, Germany (6 Apr 45 > 29 Apr 45) supporting 35th Infantry + 79th Infantry Divisions + 17th Airborne Division (40 patients)
Herdringen, Germany (30 Apr 45 > 6 May 45) running PW Hospital
Hemer, Germany (7 May 45 > 12 Jun 45) running PW Hospital
Wismar, Germany (13 Jun 45 > 1 Jul 45) bivouac

Second Platoon
Palenberg, Germany (1 Jan 45 > 6 Mar 45) supporting 84th Infantry + 102d Infantry Divisions (43 + 21 patients)
Dülken, Germany (7 Mar 45 > 28 Mar 45) bivouac and rest
Paddenberg, Germany (29 Mar 45 > 15 Apr 45) supporting 2d Armored + 17th Airborne Divisions (5 + 12 patients)
Recklinghausen, Germany (16 Apr 45 > 25 Apr 45) supporting 29th Infantry + 75th Infantry + 79th Infantry Divisions (16 patients)
Bad Oeynhausen, Germany (26 Apr 45 > 22 May 45) running PW Hospital
Horn, Germany (23 May 45 > 9 Jun 45) rest
Wismar, Germany (9 Jun 45 > 1 Jul 45 ) bivouac

Third Platoon
Wellen, Belgium (1 Jan 45 > 7 Feb 45)
Baesweiler, Germany (8 Feb 45 > 6 Mar 45) supporting 102d Infantry Division (94 patients)
Dülken, Germany (7 Mar 45 > 25 Mar 45) bivouac and rest
Friedrichsfeld, Germany (26 Mar 45 > 8 Apr 45) supporting 8th Armored + 17th Airborne + 30th Infantry + 35th Infantry + 75th Infantry + 79th Infantry Divisions (68 patients)
Hamm, Germany (9 Apr 45 > 18 Apr 45) supporting 8th Armored + 95th Infantry Divisions (13 + 11 patients)
Münster, Germany (19 Apr 45 > 8 Jun 45) functioning as Station Hospital
Wismar, Germany (9 Jun 45 > 1 Jul 45) bivouac

1 January 1945 found Headquarters and First Platoon, 48th Field Hospital set up close to the front at Alsdorf, Germany in support of the 29th Infantry Division. Second Platoon, also near the front, was at Palenberg, Germany, where it provided medical support to the 102d Infantry Division. Third Platoon was in bivouac at Wellen, Belgium.

The winter lines of the Ninth United States Army remained static for a long time, and the 3 Hospitalization Units of the 48th were far enough forward so as not to necessitate movement when the Army’s attack across the Roer River began on 23 February 1945. The shifting of units resulted in First Platoon and Headquarters, still stationed at Alsdorf, supporting the 83d Infantry Division from 26 February; Second Platoon, still at Palenberg, supporting the 84th Infantry Division, as early as 9 February; and Third Platoon, which had now moved closer to the front on 8 February, medically supporting the 102d Infantry Division. Crossing proceeded swiftly with Ninth United States Army reaching the Rhine River on 2 March 1945 and linking with Canadian Forces on 11 March, merely 16 days after the attack had begun. On 6 – 7 March 1945, Headquarters plus all three Platoons moved into bivouac at Dülken, Germany, where they occupied two schoolhouses and several German residences and were able to get some rest. Time was spent checking and repairing equipment and reconditioning vehicles. Then came preparations for crossing the Rhine. On 23 March 1945 First Platoon set up near Issum, Germany, in support of the 30th Infantry Division. The first unit of the 48th Field Hospital to cross the Rhine River, became Third Platoon, which, together with Headquarters “leapfrogged” First Platoon while supporting the 30th Infantry Division and eventually set up at Friedrichsfeld on 26 March. After 48 hours, it remained the only American hospital to function east of the Rhine, where it received casualties from six different divisions. On 29 March 1945, Second Platoon moved to the vicinity of Paddenberg where they treated 12 casualties from the 17th Airborne Division and the 2d Armored Division.

During the fighting for the Ruhr Pocket by both First and Ninth US Armies and the period from 4 to 14 April 1945, First Platoon moved to Buer on 6 April in order to support XVI Corps and attached troops; while Third Platoon moved toward Hamm on 9 April to medically support elements of the 95th Infantry Division and the 8th Armored Division.

With the final stages of World War Two drawing to a close in the European Theater it soon became evident that Field Hospitals would no longer be needed for close support of Clearing Stations for which they had been mainly used. The Allied Armies were moving fast, casualties were light, and victory seemed imminent.
On 16 April Second Platoon moved to Recklinghausen, Germany, to act as a holding unit, taking over 16 patients from the 20th Field Hospital. On 19 April 1945 Third Platoon entrucked for Münster, Germany, where they would function as a station hospital. On 26 April Headquarters plus Second Platoon moved to Bad Oeynhausen, to operate and supervise a recently captured German Lazarett. First Platoon went to Herdringen on 30 April to take care of overrun German Military Hospitals (as Allied Armies started overrunning Germany enemy Military Hospitals were captured. Although intended for the German Military they also held Allied PWs and forced laborers as patients. The enemy patients, now PWs, required such treatment as accorded by the GC; while medical care was left to the German medical personnel, the hospital administration was taken over by the US Army. As such, the Hospital personnel were responsible for rendering adequate reports and information for obtaining the necessary medical supplies and equipment, and for drawing and distributing rations and fuel for heat –ed). In order to become more centrally located, they entrucked for Hemer, Germany, on 7 May. On 23 May 1945, Second Platoon was in Horn, Germany, awaiting further orders. By that time, all three Platoons were stationed in the area to be designated the British Occupation Zone, so a suitable bivouac area outside this zone was picked near Wismar, Germany. On 9 June 1945, Headquarters, Second and Third Platoon moved into that selected bivouac area, followed by First Platoon on 13 June.

While in bivouac, preparations for Redeployment and Readjustment were made. Recreational activities and athletics occupied staff and personnel not engaged in administrative, supply, or housekeeping duties. The 48th Field Hospital was awaiting “alert” orders for their next move…

Although expecting orders for the end of June, all three Platoons were still bivouacking in the vicinity of Lollar-Wismar, Germany, by 1 July 1945. The unit had meanwhile been classified in Category II, for Redeployment through the Zone of Interior for the Pacific Theater and assigned to Seventh United States Army.
However, the need for a station hospital arose in Germany, and on 4 July 1945, the 48th opened such a type of facility where First, Second, and Third Platoon functioned until 10 August 1945, admitting over 1,000 patients (mostly non-battle medical and surgical cases). On 27 August, the organization entrucked for Naunheim, Germany, into civilian homes readily available and deemed quite satisfactory for the forthcoming fall and winter months.

During the second half of 1945 varied forms of entertainment and recreation were available to personnel. Softball, baseball, and volleyball games flourished, especially while in bivouac areas. Movies were scheduled, beer parlors were obtained to serve as dayrooms. A PX functioned at all times, and special publications as well as equipment were in constant use. Passes and furloughs were distributed, including such places and attractions as Brussels, Paris, the French Riviera, England, and Switzerland.
The health of the command was excellent. Staff and personnel were now housed in permanent type buildings with bathing facilities. Messing and sanitary accommodations were gradually improved and rations quite satisfactory and in sufficient quantity.

Finale:

Following the defeat of Japan, the unit was re-designated a Category IV unit with subsequent transfer and assignment of personnel preparatory to departure and return to the United States and de-activation.
Lt. Colonel Robert J. Hoagland was transferred on 4 September 1945, and all other Officers, Nurses, and 95% of the original Enlisted Men left the 48th by 1 November 1945! Lt. Colonel Albert E. Herrmann assumed command on 17 October 1945 and immediately made plans for the early departure of the unit from the European Theater of Operations carrying Enlisted Men with an ASR score between 70 and 79 points and Medical Corps Officers with ASR scores suitable for discharge upon arrival in the ZI. All organization equipment, except essential items for the unit’s movement, was turned in, personnel fully equipped and clothed, and required administrative procedures completed for departure from Europe.

The 48th Field Hospital departed Naunheim, Germany, 9 November 1945, by rail and motor convoy, moving to the Assembly Area Command, Reims, France. The men arrived at Camp “Baltimore” (one of the many “City” Camps), on 11 November and completed shipping processing on 16 November 1945, departing for the Calas Staging Area, near Marseille, Southern France, arriving on 19 November. Final processing and paperwork was completed with the unit finally embarking for the Zone of Interior, on the SS “Fairmont Victory” (Victory ship launched 25 Nov 44 and delivered 27 Dec 44, hull type VC2-S-AP2 –ed) on 25 November 1945.

Commanding Officers – 48th Field Hospital
Lt. Colonel Robert J. Hoagland, MC (18 Sep 43) Commanding Officer 48th Field Hospital
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Major John C. Petrone, MC (5 Apr 44) Commanding Officer First Platoon
Major James K. McClintock, Jr., MC (5 Apr 44) Commanding Officer Second Platoon
Major John R. Hill, MC (5 Apr 44) Commanding Officer Third Platoon

Letters of Commendation – 48th Field Hospital
Letter of Commendation signed by General George S. Patton, Jr. (Headquarters, Third United States Army, APO # 403, General Orders No. 98, dated 9 May 1945)
Letter of Commendation signed by Colonel Harold A. Furlong (Headquarters XVI Corps, Office of the Surgeon, APO # 197, dated 31 May 1945)
Letter of Commendation signed by Lt. General William H. Simpson (Headquarters, Ninth United States Army, Office of the Commanding General, APO # 339, Ref. 200.6, dated 10 June 1945)

Units Medically Supported by the 48th Field Hospital
2d Armored Division
8th Armored Division
17th Airborne Division
29th Infantry Division
30th Infantry Division
35th Infantry Division
75th Infantry Division
79th Infantry Division
83d Infantry Division
84th Infantry Division
95th Infantry Division
102d Infantry Division

German PW Hospitals Partially Operated and Supervised by 48th Field Hospital
Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, 26 Apr 45 (Second Platoon)
Herdringen, Germany, 30 Apr 45 (First Platoon)
Hemer, Germany, 7 May 45 (First Platoon)

Campaign Awards – 48th Field Hospital
Normandy (under authority of First US Army)
Northern France (under authority of Third US Army)
Central Europe (under authority of Ninth US Army)

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Our most sincere thanks go to Tom Quesinberry, son of Staff Sergeant Ralph L. Quesinberry (ASN:15359295) who served with the 48th Field Hospital in the European Theater of Operations throughout World War 2. Tom provided the MRC Staff with a large number of photographs which helped them illustrate a concise History of the organization’s service in Europe. His assistance was very much appreciated.