15th General Hospital Unit History
Official Dress Formation illustrating Colonel John P. Bachman in front of his unit. Photo taken at Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, 13 January 1944.
Introduction & Activation:
Zone of Interior
Back in March 1943, a mere handful of men came to Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, to start training which would eventually blossom forth into a well rounded, compact unit designated the 15th General Hospital (activation must have taken place sometime in 1943, and most probably at Fort Dix, in New Jersey –ed). The Commanding Officer, John P. BACHMAN, MC, came from Hawaii where he had already tasted the horrors of war. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed the installations on 7 December 1941.
Major Charles A. Barnes, MC, and a cadre of Enlisted Men came up from Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina (Field Artillery Replacement Training Center –ed), while others joined from the following Camps and Forts: Lieutenant J. Altschuler and Lieutenant A. Hertzler from Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia (Army Service Forces Replacement Training Center –ed); Lieutenants D. Levine, N. Medici, D. Prosnit, and R. Sheedy from Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Medical Field Service Training School –ed) and Camp Barkeley, Abilene, Texas (Armored Division Camp and Medical Replacement Training Center –ed); and Captain M. Leff from the Station Hospital, Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey (Training and Pre-Staging Center –ed)
The above were the few Officers who started out together with no more than 30 Enlisted Men. Over eight hours of work each day, week-end jaunts at home, and so-called “fluid” evenings in camp revealed how lightly this war had touched everyone. Those were the days when the loss of a VOCO (Vocal Order, Commanding Officer –ed), or taking a 10-mile hike made everyone curse and swear and solemnly pronounce that war was HELL!
Training:
The spring and summer of 1943 passed, and with it drills, marches, hikes, classes and bivouacs. The autumn leaves began to fall and new arrivals started coming in from other RTCs. The EM were meanwhile shaping up and the 15th General gradually passed out of its childhood and started growing up. The unit now acquired most of its professional talent – the Surgeons and the Medical Corps personnel, the Roentgenologists and Laboratory people, the Dentists and all the others who were to help make the hospital an efficient working unit.
Officers of the 15th General Hospital pertaining to the unit’s Headquarters Group. Photo illustrating Colonel John P. Bachman, MC (CO); Lt. Colonel Martin R. Krausz, MC (XO); First Lieutenant Daniel R. Prosnit, MAC (Adjutant); First Lieutenant Raymond E. Barnett, MAC; First Lieutenant Dean H. Orem, MAC; and Chief Warrant Officer Andrew M. Orr. Photo taken at Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, Zone of Interior.
During an early parade, the assembled staff and personnel watched Colonel John Presley Bachman (already served at Fort Riley, Junction City, Kansas, in 1936 as a Medical Officer, and returned to the Post in 1949 as Chief of Surgery –ed), being awarded the Legion of Merit for his outstanding work at Pearl Harbor. Second Lieutenants received promotions and were now sporting silver bars and the First Lieutenants displayed their newly acquired “railroad tracks” (Captain bars –ed). We are pretty certain this event took place on 13 January 1944, at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
The first ANC Officers began to arrive from Tilton (Tilton General Hospital, Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey –ed), from Halloran (Halloran General Hospital, Willowbrook, Staten Island, New York –ed), and some from their TD tours in Texas.
The weather was cold, the quarters freezing, and everyone was praying for some heat. Following February 1944, the rumors were flying fast and thick about whether the organization would go overseas and WHERE the hospital would effectively be going! Training intensified; new exercises were introduced such as “abandon ship” drills and “cargo nets” climbing. The Nurses got involved too and started to realize how difficult it was to bring up the rear.
Preparation for Overseas Movement:
Finally THE day arrived – it was 17 February 1944 – excitement ran high, the tension intensified; the last goodbyes were said; the bags packed; the trucks loaded; and the unit prepared to leave for the move to Camp Kilmer, Stelton, New Jersey (Staging Area for the New York Port of Embarkation –ed). Then followed the commotion of the Staging Area; the last checks; more inspections; inoculations; some more promotions; false alerts; the organization was leaving, no, it was not! The battle of the passes with 50% personnel off at one time, and the fast trips home…
Group of Officers pertaining to the Surgical Service Group of the 15th General Hospital (Chief of Service; Major Henry A. Brodkin, MC). Photo taken at Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, Zone of Interior.
Then came the night of Tuesday, 29 February 1944, and once again the 15th General was off, musettes, haversacks, and personal baggage were loading the men down, but a band tried lifting morale with some tunes; then followed the ferryboat ride to reach the pier. The ship looked big and rumors were rife until everyone got on board – it WAS the RMS “Queen Mary”! (built in 1934, and launched in 1936, the “Queen Mary” was the flagship of the Cunard Line from May 1936 until October 1946 when she was replaced in that role by the “Queen Elizabeth”; she sailed on her maiden trip on 27 May 1936 and captured the “Blue Riband”; with the outbreak of World War Two, she was converted into a large and fast troopship, ferrying Allied soldiers for the duration of the war –ed).
Although confusion was at a minimum, the staff and personnel quickly discovered that the space on board was seriously limited! There were upper bunks, middle bunks, lower berths, small rooms, large rooms, and to undress, you had to remain standing on your neighbor’s face. Important: life preservers were handed and were to remain commonplace. The night was spent on board. The next morning the first meal was served aboard ship. Time now is 1145 and the date 1 March 1944; the engines throb, the large ship begins to move and there’s a mad rush to the portholes to catch a last glimpse of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The ship moves to open water and land is fast disappearing behind her. The patroling planes hovering over the “Queen Mary” (nickname “Gray Ghost” –ed) are a comforting sight, until they too disappear, and the ship is on her own… (on board were 11,950 troops including the 15th and 74th General Hospitals –ed).
Group of Officers pertaining to the Medical Service Group of the 15th General Hospital (Chief of Service; Lt. Colonel Herbert Pollack, MC). Photo taken at Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, Zone of Interior.
Being a fast ship, the “Queen Mary” sailed alone, zigzagging. On board, every passenger tried to settle down and adjust to the ways of the ship. With each successive meal there were fewer and fewer familiar faces and those that remained had the most beautiful green complexions. The Enlisted Men in the holds were really suffering; it was not only hot in there, but they were crowded in reduced space, and felt every movement of the ship which was terrible down there. Many were too sick to come on deck, so they stayed down, but their meals didn’t. The third day out, the sea somewhat calmed, and some of the old familiar faces reappeared. When allowed, some took to the open decks and marveled at the endless stretches of the vast ocean. Wild rumors circulated about potential dangers such as subs, engine breakdown, surface raiders, and other products of the imagination.
One morning seagulls began to appear, so it wouldn’t be long now to reach land.
United Kingdom:
Tuesday morning, 7 March 1944, everyone was on deck to be greeted by a lovely sight. Sleek Destroyers flying the “Union Jack” scurrying about and other battle wagons at anchor in the background. The mist was rising and the “Queen Mary” had finally reached her destination; Gourock, Scotland. The following morning, it was debarkation time to the tunes of a Scottish band. After assembly, the troops marched to the railway station. The accommodation on the train wasn’t too bad, the donuts and coffee were delicious, and the 15th set off to its first destination in the European Theater.
Partial group of ANC Officers (Principal chief Nurse; Major Sarah E. Williams, ANC). Photo taken at Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, Zone of Interior.
The countryside intrigued the men, the locals cheered alongside the road. It was a long train ride, then came the night, and finally the journey ended, with everyone detraining at Ellesmere, England. Another short trip followed to Oteley Deer Park, Shropshire, in the moonlight. Upon arrival, the 15th received a warm welcome by the unit’s advance party which had prepared a hot meal.
The next morning, it was time to reconnoiter the organization’s new home. Unfortunately, no one was really impressed: incomplete buildings; mud all over the place; concrete hutments with coal stoves for heating living quarters. Although spring was in the air, the weather remained cold, damp, and miserable. The countryside however turned out beautiful notwithstanding the fog and rain. After some planning, staff and personnel eventually settled down to a daily routine, one of cleaning, scrubbing and polishing. With work in progress, inspections were due to follow. Luckily there were happier moments; the good weather, the bikes, the popular local pub and night spot (Fox Inn), fish and chips, and warm flat beer in Ellesmere.
Although still expecting to be part of it, the unit spent 6 June 1944 in the United Kingdom, while the other doughs were sweating it out on the Invasion beaches of Normandy! A week after D-Day, the grim evidence of the human cost became clear as casualties began to pour in. While toiling and sweating, the staff marveled at the wonders of blood plasma and penicillin. The 15th General was happy to play its role – yet they could give so little to what these boys gave!
The Officer staff expected new orders, but after July 1944 lapsed, the organization was sent out to Blandford, England, midst the beauty of Eastbury Park, where they were to set up for six whole weeks of intensive training in baseball, volleyball, and other types of recreation. Passes were plentiful, with many trips being organized to Bournemouth, Salisbury, London, and other places of interest.
18 August 1944, orders to move arrived, and the 15th was off to a Staging Area. After packing the men sat around for days … when alert orders finally did come in many were caught while still on pass. After the personnel returned, it looked like the hospital was going to France after all. The final move was made by motor convoy to a place called Eastleigh, a dirty place, with outdoor sleeping under tentage, honey buckets for latrines, K-rations for food, but fortunately hot water for washing. From there another move took the men to Southampton, where everyone boarded a luxury liner. In the early hours of 23 August 1944, with a Destroyer escort, the 15th General Hospital set sail for the Continent. When dawn broke the ship, along with a vast armada of miscellaneous vessels, was off Utah Beach, Normandy, France.
Left: Leisure time; some Medical or Surgical Officers, Army Nurses, and American Red Cross Workers, serving with the 15th General Hospital.
Right: Four Officers of the 15th General Hospital. Photo taken in Liège, Belgium, during the organization’s stay in the City.
France:
It took all day to debark, first down the cargo nets, and into the landing barges. It was already dark when the group came ashore and began a march of six miles in total darkness. The first men reached their temporary destination; a wet, muddy, cornfield, in open country, with no shelter at all. The next day with arrival of the remainder of the group the movement took the 15th from its first bivouac on the Continent to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. This time the site was a cow pasture, but as some of the equipment had arrived, the EM pitched their pup tents while Officers were set up in pyramidal tents. These would be the men’s quarters for the weeks to come. No washing because there was no water, and no walking around either, because there were mines! For 10 days, it was “Hurry up and Wait!”
Finally the unit got on the move again, this time by Hospital Train. Its capacity was roughly 300, into that put approximately 700 Officers, Nurses, and Enlisted Men; add luggage, gas masks, musettes, haversacks, odds and ends, scramble well, and cook for three days and two nights – that’s the 15th General!
The ride went all the way to Paris, or rather to Garches, where upon arrival everyone agreed that it was good to get off the train. In Garches, the group became temporary guests of the 203d General Hospital. On site, the men and women could not believe the luxury; private rooms, large rooms, dayrooms, hot showers, good meals, with “Gay Paree” ready to welcome all with open arms after its Liberation. The River Seine, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the gorgeous City of Light lived up to the wonderful descriptions of the travel agencies.
ADSEC Map illustrating the progress of the “Advance Section, Communications Zone” (Commanding Officer; Brigadier General Erwart G. Plank) and its role in the Invasion of Hitler’s Fortress Europe. Some of the “service” units operating under ADSEC, ComZ, included the 15th – 16th – 28th – 56th – 130th and 298th General Hospitals; the 7th – 9th – and 12th Field Hospitals; as well as the 77th Evacuation Hospital. Moreover they also included numerous Engineer, Maintenance, Ordnance, Port, Quartermaster, Railway, and Signal outfits. The organization proudly earned its battle stars for the Campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, and Central Europe.
September 1944; the US Army felt that the 15th General would have had enough of this, and orders were received telling the hospital that it was time to move east again. This time destination would be Belgium.
Belgium:
After arrival in the city of Liège, the men were quartered in luxurious modern houses and hotels, while the site for the hospital proper was situated on top of a coronary hill, called Saint-Laurent. Upon a preliminary inspection, the pig sty, it was the only definition possible, required a thorough cleaning, mopping, and scrubbing in order to house a medical installation!
The 1000-bed 15th General Hospital finally opened in Liège, Belgium on 21 September 1944 in a former Belgian Military Hospital (closely followed by the 28th General Hospital which went into operation in the same city about two weeks later –ed).
Relations with the local authorities were very good, with the staff of the 15th General eventually organizing meetings with the Medical Faculty of the local University, who were eager to catch up on the latest medical developments following the long intellectual drought of the enemy occupation (1940-1944).
Left: Dress formation; Enlisted Men of the 15th General Hospital, Liège, Belgium.
Right: Same formation; ANC Officers of the 15th General Hospital, Liège, Belgium
While stationed in Liège, the hospital had an enemy visitor every night; “Bedcheck Charlie” an enemy reconnaissance plane flew over every night. The sirens blew, the lights went out, the antiaircraft artillery fire raised quite a row, and the plane went home, to return the next night, repeating its performance. There was however something new now, with much more destructive power and extremely dangerous; the “Buzz-Bombs” (V-1 and V-2 flying bombs –ed).
Then came Thanksgiving night, the band was playing, drinks were plentiful, and everyone enjoyed this “special” day. On the fateful morning thereafter however, 24 November 1944, the 15th General Hospital was to awake to the blackest day in its history! A winged death came hurtling from the skies; a V-1 flying bomb, that found its mark in front of the Pharmacy building, and sixteen lives bent on missions of mercy, were obliterated. Countless others were bruised, cut, and maimed, and even while the flames were still raging and the walls came tumbling down, the entire organization went to work; evacuating patients, caring for the wounded, and extricating the dead.
Ceremony in honor of the 15th General Hospital’s dead killed by a V-1 flying bomb 24 November 1944, while operating in Liège, Belgium.
Top left: Delegation of the 15th General Hospital, Belgian Army Officers, and City Officials during dedication of a plaque related to the incident.
Top right: Wreaths are being presented.
Bottom left: The 15th General Hospital’s Chaplain prepares his obituary.
Bottom right: Some of the destructions caused in the City of Liège by German flying bombs.
The hospital was a shambles, and badly needed to be cleaned, so the men began the Herculean task of moving all the equipment out to an old Fort situated on the outskirts of town. As the situation was no longer safe, it was decided to evacuate the entire medical installation to another site. The subsequent move took the 15th to the Citadelle, Liège (Citadel –ed).
The 15th General celebrated Christmas in Liège, Belgium with a wonderful banquet, hoping that Peace would soon be there allowing all men and women to return home to their loved ones.
Christmas 1944 Card and Menu presented to the staff and personnel of the 15th General Hospital (the menu consisted of; fruit cocktail – roast turkey with giblet gravy – sage dressing – washed white potatoes – baked sweet potatoes – buttered asparagus – cranberry jelly – carrot strips – mince meat pie – apple pie – hot rolls – butter – coffee with cream – hard candy – apples – and a “Christmas Surprise” package).
The CO had a special card and menu printed for the command with the following message:
Christmas 1944
My sincere wishes to every member of the command for Christmas joy and a successful and Victorious New Year. Each of you have helped wholeheartedly during the past year to build up a Unit of which I am very proud. Let us continue during the year to come, the same spirit of hard work and earnest effort, and hope that the next Holiday Season may be spent with those we love at home.
J. P. Bachman
Colonel, M.C.
Commanding
The 15th Gen Hosp first closed its Hospital Plant # 4345 at 2400 hours, 30 June 1945. Due to change of plans the following extensions were subsequently ordered with official closures now taking place, first on 15 August 1945 and finally, effectively on 5 October 1945. The Hospital Plant was then taken over by the 91st General Hospital on 6 October 1945 (this unit eventually also closed for operations 30 November 1945 –ed).
Liège had meanwhile become an important medical hub grouping the following US Army Hospitals:
- 15th General Hospital, 1000 beds, Citadelle, Liège, Hospital Plant # 4345.
- 16th General Hospital, 1000 beds, Place d’Afnay, Liège, Hospital Plant # 4342.
- 28th General Hospital, 1000 beds, Fort de la Chartreuse, Liège, Hospital Plant # 4339.
- 56th General Hospital, 1000 beds, Caserne Fonck, Liège, Hospital Plant # 4344.
- 76th General Hospital, 1000 beds, Champs de Manoeuvres, Liège, Hospital Plant # 4341.
- 298th General Hospital, 1000 beds, Alleur, Liège, Hospital Plant # 4340.
More medical installations were to join the above, including the 14th Field Hospital, the 50th Field Hospital, which functioned as Holding Units; Detachment “B” 127th Station Hospital, and Detachment “B” 152d Station Hospital. Great Depots stocked with huge supplies were set up in Liège and after reaching sufficient numbers would assist American Armies to resume the offensive.
Colonel John P. Bachman, CO, 15th General Hospital, inaugurates a plaque dedicated to the organization while stationed at the “Citadelle”, Liège, Belgium. The dedication ceremony was held in the presence of a Belgian Army General Officer (unknown).
Remark:
As we’re missing some of the official reports, we have no further information as to the final whereabouts of the 15th General Hospital in Europe and cannot therefore indicate when the unit returned to the Zone of Interior for inactivation … maybe one of our readers can help …
Personnel Roster:
Officers:
| Howard J. AGATSTON, MC, Major | Wilber D. ANDERS, MC, Captain |
| Irving ARONSON, DC, Lieutenant Colonel | John P. BACHMAN, MC, Colonel |
| Sherwood W. BAREFOOT, MC, Captain | Raymond E. BARNETT, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Charles A. BARNES, MC, Major | Robert D. BERKE, MC, Captain |
| Albert M. BETCHER, MC, Major | Emanuel BLUMENFELD, MC, Captain |
| Henry A. BRODKIN, MC, Lieutenant Colonel | Richard E. BUCKINGHAM, MC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Wilbert G. BURNS, QMC, 1st Lieutenant | Wendell H. CARLSON, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| John J. CINCOTTI, MC, Major | Hammond CLARK, DC, Captain |
| George E. COLYER, MC, Captain | Robert J. D’AGOSTINI, MC, Captain |
| Bernard DIAMOND, MC, Major | DOBBINS, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| John E. C. DURANT, MC, Major | Joseph FREHLING, MC, Major |
| Paul Von B. GALSTER, DC, Captain | Frank GASSMAN, MC, Captain |
| Melvin M. GREEN, SnC, 1st Lieutenant | Frederick C. HADDON, MC, Captain |
| Austin B. HERTZLER, Jr., QMC, 1st Lieutenant | Lloyd N. HOCKMUTH, MC, Captain |
| William F. ITTNER, MC, Captain | Kenneth K. JACKSON, MC, Captain |
| Harry JASPER, MC, Captain | Edward KAMEN, MC, Captain |
| Joseph B. KIRSNER, MC, Captain | Martin R. KRAUSZ, MC, Lieutenant Colonel |
| Michael W. LEFF, DC, Captain | Frederick J. LEWY, MC, Captain |
| Clarence J. LOKE, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Lewis E. MANGUS, MC, Captain |
| Nicholas MEDICI, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Charles D. MESICK, DC, Captain |
| Moore A. MILLS, MC, Captain | Edward F. OCKULY, MC, Captain |
| Mitchell OESTREICH, MC, Major | Dean H. OREM, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Andrew M. ORR, Chief Warrant Officer | Michael J. PELCZAR, Jr., SnC, Major |
| Clarence O. PHILLABAUM, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Herbert POLLACK, MC, Lieutenant Colonel |
| Harry C. POTTER, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Cuthbert POWELL, MC, Captain |
| George M. PROCTOR, MAC, 1st Lieutenant, O-1544087 | Daniel R. PROSNIT, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Michael A. RAFFERTY, MC, Major | Milton RAPPAPORT, MC, Captain |
| William S. RHODE, MC, Captain | George E. SAMERJAN, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| John W. SAYER, MC, Captain | Abraham J. SCHECTER, MC, Captain |
| Albert SEIGENREICH, MC, Captain | James S. SELLARS, DC, Captain |
| Robert J. SHEEDY, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Jack G. SIEGEL, MC, Captain |
| John E. SILSON, MC, Captain | Stanley C. SMITH, MC, Captain |
| Carroll W. STUART, MC, Major | Thomas D. THOMPSON, MC, Major |
| Richard TOBIAS, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Louis WALD, DC, Captain |
| Leo H. WEIGEL, ChC, Captain | John R. WHEALDON, ChC, Captain |
| Jacob WILLIAMS, MC, Captain |
Officers of the 15th General Hospital visiting some colleagues at the 9th Field Hospital.
Army Nurse Corps Officers:
| Mary F. AMOS, ANC, 1st Lieutenant, N-757341 | Leontine M. ASMUS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Lillian M. BENJAMIN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Mildred BERNARD, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Marguerite F. BISHOP, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Helen M. BRENNAN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Celestine T. BUCKLEY, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Blanche V. BURRELL, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Virginia T. BYRNE, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Elizabeth G. CAMACK, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Margaret E. CARLON, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Freda A. COHEN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Marion M. COLLINS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Florence L. CORNISH, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Hilda P. DAUPHIN, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Joan E. DAY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Dorothea A. De SILVA, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Alene R. DICKINSON, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Teresa DUKER, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Gladys H. ELBERSTON, ANC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Kathryn ENRIGHT, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Frances EWING, ANC, Captain |
| Margaret M. FARRAHER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Esther FOX, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Harriet E. FRANKO, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Helena A. GEITNER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Viola E. GOODING, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Evelyn T. GREENE, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Jeanne A. HENDERSON, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Edith HOLUB, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Ethel M. HORNE, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Marjorie M. HOWARD, ANC, Captain |
| Hortense C. HUNKELE, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Floea T. HURWITZ, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Mary L. IRWIN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Flora T. JANSEN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Lucy I. JOHNS, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Veronica M. KASPUTIS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Sara B. KATZ, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Margaret M. KEARNEY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Sylvia KLEIN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Myrtle A. KLIMOFF, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Bernice M. KONDZIOLKA, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Helen S. KLOSS, ANC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Julia M. LARKIN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Ora V. LEWIS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Elsie L. LUCIER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Verna E. MacDONALD, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Gretchen E. MacGIBBON, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Vivienne MAHLSTEAD, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Mary MALOY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Nellie L. MANCUSO, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Mary K. MEEHAN, ANC, 1st Lieutenant | Louise J. MILLER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Mary P. MULCAY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Marguerite MULLOWNEY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Ethel MYERS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Alice M. NASH, ANC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Edna D. NORTHRUP, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Jennie J. NOTTE, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Audrey R. O’CONNOR, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Agnes W. PALIN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Alma C. PHILLIPS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Marjorie A. PHILREY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Sophie L. PIELOCH, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Helen K. QUIRK, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Mary RHODES, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Florence R. ROTH, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Matilda RUBINSTEIN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Ann G. SAUNDERS, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Blanche F. SCHAINLINE, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Emilie J. SCHLEIDER, ANC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Beatrice E. SCHULMEISTER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Eleanor S. MITH, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Elizabeth A. SNYDER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Bernetta A. STAHL, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Frances K. SULLIVAN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Mary A. SULLIVAN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Shirley M. THORNTON, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Anne TEDESCO, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Julia R. TRACY, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Ruth L. Van AUKEN, ANC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Frances C. WEBER, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Dorothy H. WELSH, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
| Mildred S. R. WIEDEN, ANC, 2d Lieutenant | Sarah E. WILLIAMS, ANC, Major |
| Gwendolyn YNIESTRA, ANC, 2d Lieutenant |
Personnel of the 15th General Hospital and part of the unit’s Motor Pool (see WC-54 ambulance vehicle at right).
American Red Cross & Other Services:
| Helen FRIEDMAN, HD, 2d Lieutenant | Lela R. HOOKER, ARC, Field Worker |
| Eleanor V. KOVEC, ARC, Field Worker | Ann F. LEGO, ARC, Field Worker |
| Frances A. MacDONALD, ARC, Field Worker | Alice M. MORAN, ARC, Field Worker |
| Amelia E. SNELLER, HD, 2d Lieutenant |
Enlisted Men:
| Charles W. ACKAN | Benjamin C. ADAMS |
| Donald P. ADAMS | Philip D. ALTER |
| William E. ANDERSON | Anthony A. ANTONELLI |
| Alfonso APICELLO | James C. ANDREW |
| Lewis G. ATWELL | Dean L. BABB |
| John F. BALTHASAR | Thomas J. BARKER |
| John J. BARRETT | John H. BARRON |
| Charles A. BARSS, Pfc, 31433636 | Louis M. BASSYCK |
| Norbert J. BATES | John V. BEATTIE |
| Robert M. BECKER | Aurelio M. BEJARANO |
| Arthur T. BELANGER | Charles F. BERHAIN |
| Salvatore J. BELLITO | Peter BELLUAMINI |
| Edward J. BENDER | Joseph BENTIVEGNA |
| Fred J. BERGSCHNEIDER | Aldo H. BETTILE |
| James J. BIESINGER | Joseph J. BILICSKA |
| Andrew BIZYP | Hyman BLOCK |
| Fitz L. BOISSEAU | Palmo BONARO |
| John E. BOOTH | Harry W. BOSWORTH |
| Armand C. BOUCHER | Halton L. BOWKER |
| John C. BRANNER, Jr. | Fred J. BRAUNER |
| Thomas J. BRAWLEY | Frederick BRUNER |
| Landell BURCHFIELD | Joseph BURKE |
| John J. BUSA | John F. BUTLER |
| Walter J. CAHILL | Anthony J. CALDERAZZO |
| Russell A. CARMACK | Frank CASARI |
| Joseph A. CATALANO | Thomas J. CATRINAR |
| William V. CATTI | John A. CECCARELLI |
| Felix CELESTINE | Lloyd A. CESTARE |
| Elmore V. CHANDLER, Pvt, 33809428 | Dominick J. CHAPPA |
| Edward B. CHARLESWORTH | Elbert I. CHILDRESS |
| Robert H. CHITTICK, Jr. | Louis J. CIPRIANI |
| John T. CIRIGLIANO | Charles E. CLARK |
| Arthur L. CLAY | Abraham J. COHEN |
| Marvin H. COHEN | Alvin A. COLE |
| Edward C. COLE | Louis O. COLELLO |
| Francis J. COLLINS | Robert CRAIG, Jr. |
| John E. CUMINSKY | Michael CURTO |
| John S. DABAL | Zygmund DABKOWSKI |
| Howard DAIL | William DAMM, Tec 4, 32934037 |
| Charles H. DANIEL | Charles R. DARLING |
| Joseph F. DARLING | James P. DATZMAN |
| Kermit B. DAVIS | Winifred S. DAWSON, Tec 5, 34400203 |
| Carl A. DEARBORN | Wilbur E. DeDECKER |
| Thomas M. DELEHANTY | Allen D. DeMAR |
| John DEMETER, Jr. | Guy DeNUCCIO |
| Anthony DePIETROPAOLO | Albert J. DETMERING |
| Elmer S. DEVILLE, Pfc, 38471055 | Peter DIAZ |
| Peter J. DIGIROLAMO | Alfred C. DORNHEIM |
| Edward V. DORR | William L. DOWNER |
| Anthony C. DRAGON |
Partial view of the Post Exchange of the 15th General Hospital.
| Camille O. DUBOIS | James R. DUNHAM, Tec 5, 37676353 |
| John DULIN | Joseph F. DZIEWA |
| Earl F. EDSON | Samuel J. EDWARDS |
| Paul F. ELLIS | Burty ENGLAND |
| Arthur C. ESBITT | James A. EYLER |
| Fred EZOTO | Richard L. FALB |
| Frank J. FANZILLI | Joseph F. FARINA |
| Joseph E. FARON | Earl H. FENDERSON |
| John FERREIRA | William B. FERSCH, Jr. |
| Harry E. FIEDLER | Milton FIGUEROA |
| Donald K. FINCH | Francis J. FITZGERALD |
| Harold FLISS | Kenneth R. FOAN |
| William H. FOGEL, Jr. | Edward FOGELMAN |
| Robert W. FOWLER, Pvt, 36894498 | George P. FOX |
| Albert J. FRANCESCO | John J. FRANZA |
| William T. FROTHINGHAM | Martin FUCHS |
| Eugene GAGNON | Fottie E. GANAROS |
| Julius GARBER | Gerard J. GARDNER |
| Francis J. GAREAU | Charles J. GARTON |
| Acolino L. GASPARRO | William R. GASS |
| Samuel W. GEISMAR | Earl W. GEYER |
| Anthony C. GIAMPAPA | James D. GIBSON |
| Vincent GIBSON | Walter W. GIBSON |
| Abraham GLATTERMAN | David GOLDBERG |
| Herbert GOLDSTEIN | Homer B. GOODE |
| David M. GOODRICH | Joe GORDON |
| William H. GRAEFF | Edward GRAZIANO |
| Carnell L. GREEN | Jacob GREEN |
| Willard H. GREEN | Frank I. GREENBLATT |
| Eric GREENWOOD, Pfc, 32352792 | Joseph P. GRIECO |
| James L. GRIMES | Edward J. GRZELAK |
| Michael GURBEL | Arthur C. HALLBERG |
| Wilfred E. HALLMAN | Joseph F. HALLOCK |
| Harold V. HALVERSON | Paul H. HANCOCK |
| Paul R. HARRIGER | John A. HARSHMAN |
| Leonard T. HART, Jr. | Joseph G. HAVEY |
| Lawrence J. HAWKINS, Pfc, 32191176 | Charles E. HAYES |
| Arthur E. HEDSTROM | Clifford P. HEEBSH |
| Leonard HEFLEY, Pfc, 38667628 | Henry E. HEIM |
| Thomas C. HENDRY, Pvt, 34155566 | Dennie H. HILL, Jr. |
| Donald E. HINES | Louis HOCHMAN |
| Charles E. HOFFMAN | Earl D. HOMER |
| Robert C. HOOVER | Jesse L. HOPE, Jr. |
| Melvin W. HORNBECK | Milton B. HOWARD |
| Warren E. HUBBARD | James G. HUGHES |
| Donald G. HUTTLESTON | Eugene A. IANNICELLI |
| Charles R. INGARAHAM, Jr. | William L. ISAAC |
| James R. ISHAM | Clifford E. JAMES |
| Joseph T. JARMAN | Francis A. JOHNSON, Pfc, 37299252 |
| Henry R. JOHNSON | Lloyd E. JOHNSON |
| Ralph R. JOYCE | Frank W. JOYNER |
| Edward R. KADOW | Raymond E. KARLINSKY |
| Ralph C. KARSCHAI | Peter KATUNA |
| Leonard J. KAUFMAN | Nicholas G. KAVOURES |
| Joseph A. KEEFE | Edward A. KEISLING |
| John R. KELLY | Ted KELLY |
| John KENNEDY | John J. KERN |
| Harold P. KIMBLER | Edward L. KING |
| Louis G. KIRIAKADOS | George KIRSCHNER |
| George C. KIRSCHNER | Leo KIRSCHNER |
| Harry A. KLEIN, Jr. | John T. KLEIN |
| Mark M. KLOCK | William J. KNEIB |
| Theodore A. KNOX | Norman A. KOHN |
| Peter KOTCH | Arthur N. KOUILAS |
| Howard KRAMER | Charles A. KUONEN |
| John A. La DIEU | Charles F. LAMBRECHT |
| Philip D. La ROSA | Morris LASH Alfred |
| LATTANZIO | Robert T. LAWRENCE |
| John E. LAWSON | Francis W. LEE |
| Murray L. LEVITT | Robert R. LEWIS |
| Eugene L’HEUREUX | Ernest S. LIFFGENS |
| David L. LINDSLEY | George W. LIPPERT |
| Emden H. LOCKER | Paul W. LOMIENTO |
| Richard A. LORCH | Jack J. LUKOFF |
| William A. LUMPKIN | Walter A. LUNDGREN |
| Eero O. LUOMALA | Charles M. LYNCH |
| Raymond E. LYTLE | John J. MAHON |
| Robert L. MAIN | Herman R. MANDELL |
| Joseph P. MARINO | Alfred S. MARKOWITZ |
| John MARKRUSH | Joseph MARSZALKOWSKI |
| Curtis R. MARTIN, Cpl, 33209722 | Emeterio B. MARTIN |
| Harold MARTIN | Irvin L. MARTIN |
| Francis B. MASON | Leroy W. MASON, S/Sgt, 36793785 |
| Joseph R. MATELJAN | Edward MAZESKI |
| Hubert B. McBRAYER | John F. McCONNELL |
| Kenneth G. McELFRESH | Robert E. McGEE |
| James McGILL, Pvt, 34564834 | Frank J. McKEAGUE, Jr. |
| Paul H. McKENZIE | Edwin L. McLAUGHLIN |
| Robert G. McLEOD | Thomas J. McMAHON |
| Richard J. McNAMARA | James C. MEALS, Jr. |
| William J. MEINZINGER | Joseph J. MELLINI |
| John E. MILLER | Joseph G. MILOTA |
| Albert J. MINICHIELLO | Constantine G. MITCHELL |
| Carl R. MOSHER | Wilburn L. MOREN |
| Lionel J. MORENCY | George C. MORRISON |
| Sigmond MORVAY | Lawrence E. MULVANEY |
| Louis H. NADREAU | James D. NAGLE |
| Joe H. NAHM | Edward NECKRITZ, Pfc, 33806808 |
| William O. NELSON | John W. NEPEAN |
| Donald A. NEWSTED | Viggo H. NIELSEN |
| Arnold F. NIEMEYER, Cpl, 35327105 | Howard M. NOSS |
| Martin C. NOURIE | Alfred L. NULTON |
| Winfred H. OAKLEY | John OLIVEIRA |
| Martin OPPENHEIM | William J. O’SHEA |
| Herman OSTROW | Paul E. O’TOOLE |
| Joseph P. OUELLET | Cornelius OWEJAN, Jr. |
| Zaereh PAHIGIAN | Thomas PAMULA |
| Walter E. PANKAVICH | Harvey H. PASSWATERS |
| Johnnie M. PATTISHALL, Pvt, 34435967 | Mike J. PAVLIK |
| Nicholas F. PAVLINICH | Richard PEACOCK |
| Andrew PEGULA, Pvt, 33180781 | Noel J. PELLETIER |
| Fernand E. PERRAS | Charles H. PETERSON |
| Sam PETILLO | Dominick PIRO |
| Wah PON | John T. POPE |
| Earl S. POTTER | Alphonse T. POWARZYNSKI |
| Wright C. POWELL | Blair T. PRESSLER |
| Ellwood C. PRUETT | Harvey QUEEN |
| William RABINOWITZ | Thomas E. RAFTER, Pfc, 33429461 |
| Casimlir J. RAJEWSKI | Harold W. RASMUSSEN |
| Everett B. REESE | Clate A. RICHARDS |
| Anthony E. RICO | Robert J. RIFFERT |
| Kenneth M. RILEY | Edgar G. ROBICHAUD |
| Gene RODRIGUEZ | Harold RODRIGUEZ |
| Caesar J. ROIES | Solomon ROLLER |
| Lowell J. ROMER | Raymond I. ROSE |
Aerial view illustrating the 15th General Hospital set up in the field (location unknown, either the United Kingdom, or France).
| William A. ROSE | Jack I. ROSENMAN |
| Gustave ROTH | Harrison G. ROTH |
| Joseph ROTHSTEIN | Wilson D. ROURKE |
| Wilbur T. RUDY, Jr. | Frederick F. RUSSEK |
| Mike RUSSNAK, Pfc, 32880550 | William C. RUSSELL |
| Carl A. RYDELIUS | Carl V. SACCO |
| Henry S. SALACH | Felix SALWANOVICH |
| John SAMPLE, Pvt, 42054792 | Henry S. SAMSELL |
| Charles F. SAMUELSON | Harold R. SARGENT |
| Harry J. SAUVAGEAU | Billy R. SAVAGE |
| Philip SCALZO | Louis SCATURRO |
| Anthony J. SCELSA | Paul J. SCHAEFER |
| Robert J. SCHAEFER | William J. SCHAFFER |
| Erwin J. E. SCHAU | Jay L. SCHEER |
| Daniel SCHERBYK | Nathan SCHLANSKY |
| Edward C. SCHINDLER | August E. SCHNEIDER |
| Robert G. SCHNEIDER | Frederick E. SCHUPNER |
| Simon SCHWEIDEL | Paul J. SCROGGY |
| Philip W. SCULLY | Harold E. V. SEGARS |
| Charles H. SENIOR, Jr. | Robert F. SEYFRIED |
| James L. SHALLENBERGER, Jr. | Ernest J. SHEPHERD |
| James W. SHIELDS | Edward B. SHILES, Jr. |
| Wilho I. SILLANPOA | Sanford W. SIMPSON |
| Ah SING | Ernest C. SMITH |
| James E. SMITH | Joe E. SMITH |
| Arthur W. SOUTHWICK | Anthony J. SPARACO |
| Nelson R. SPEAR | Eldon H. STAHL |
| Charles L. STANDLEY | George A. STANKO |
| William E. STAUCH | Thomas J. STAYTON |
| Leo M. STENSON | Raymond L. STEINGARD |
| Cloyd STEPP | Charles STEVER, Jr. |
| Max STOLLMAN | Milton H. STORCK |
| Albert L. STRAITIFF | Frederick R. STRAUT |
| Lloyd W. STULL, Tec 5, 6884006 | Willie SWANSON, Pvt, 34415358 |
| Noel G. SURPRENANT | Sidney SWIFT, Pvt, 34322540 |
| Robert C. SYERS | Albert TABASHNICK |
| Ellis TACKWELL | Earl R. TATOM |
| Joseph TELLER | Donald TEPLY |
| Roland H. TERWILLIGER | Anthony TESTA |
| Andrew THACKER | Donald C. THIBODEAU |
| Austin C. TIBBITS | John A. TOMASSETTI |
| Rocco V. TRAFICANTE | William E. TRUMBORE |
| John F. TRUSCH | Marvis R. TULLIO |
| James H. TURK | William P. TURNER, Pfc, 34890781 |
| Richard W. UNDERWOOD | Aldurno J. VALVANO |
| Richard F. VEIT | Natale J. VELARDI |
| Glenn E. VORENKAMP | Carl N. WALKER |
| Eugene G. WALSH | Stanley A. WANAT, Jr. |
| Richard WASSON | Chester G. WAWRZYNEK |
| L. D. WEAVER | Harry WEBB |
| Thomas J. WEBER | Robert E. WEIDNER |
| Herbert WEIERMANN | Robert C. WEISBERG |
| Moses WEISMAN | Hans G. WELM |
| William F. WENGIEL | Homer E. WHEAT |
| Alfred W. WHITE | Will WHITE, Tec 4, 34334949 |
| Harold D. WHITELY | William J. WIESE |
| Jerome WIGLER | Fred B. WILLIAMS, Jr. |
| Lawrence C. WILLIAMS, Pvt, 37672276 | Willholland WILLIAMS |
| Howard S. WOOD, Jr. | William P. WOULFE |
| Saylor L. WRIGHT | Charles YAFFA |
| Jesse J. YOUNG | Harvey W. ZANE |
| Frank ZELKOVIC | Norman R. ZIEGERT |
| Ben J. ZYGMUND | undefined |
Personnel Killed in Action 24 November 1944
| Michael A. RAFFERTY, MC, Major | John C. RYAN, MD, Staff Sergeant |
| Joseph S. ZABELLA, Sr., MD, Technical Sergeant | Francis G. HARRIS, MD, Technician 3d Grade |
| Dolphis M. DAIGLE, MD, Sergeant | Samuel J. GRAHAM, MD, Technician 4th Grade |
| David A. HUNTER, MD, Corporal | James T. CARR, MD, Technician 5th Grade |
| Gabriel J. ENSENAT, MD, Technician 5th Grade | Lee R. MALMO, MD, Technician 5th Grade |
| Marion R. PETRICK, MD, Technician 5th Grade | Guy S. JOHNSON, MD, Private First Class |
| Philip ROTH, Private First Class | Alex CHASE, Private |
| William J. MILCHRAM, Private | Stephen N. MILLER, Private |
General view of the 15th General Hospital buildings, while stationed in Liège, Belgium.
Headquarters Staff Group
John P. BACHMAN, MC, Colonel, Commanding Officer
Martin R. KRAUSZ, MC, Lieutenant Colonel, Executive Officer
Daniel R. PROSNIT, MAC, 1st Lieutenant, Adjutant
Raymond E. BARNETT, MAC, 1st Lieutenant
George M. PROCTOR, MAC, 1st Lieutenant
Andrew M. ORR, MAC, Chief Warrant Officer
Surgical Service Group
| Henry A. BRODKIN, MC, Major, Chief of Surgical Service | |
| Howard J. AGATSTON, MC, Major | Albert M. BETCHER, MC, Major |
| John E. C. DURANT, MC, Major | Joseph FREHLING, MC, Major |
| Carroll W. STUART, MC, Major | Thomas D. THOMPSON, MC, Major |
| Robert D. BERKE, MC, Captain | Emanuel BLUMENFELD, MC, Captain |
| Robert J. D’AGOSTINI, MC, Captain | Frederick C. HADDON, MC, Captain |
| Harry JASPER, MC, Captain | Edward KAMEN, MC, Captain |
| Edward F. OCKULY, MC, Captain | Milton RAPPAPORT, MC, Captain |
| Jack G. SIEGEL, MC, Captain | John E. SILSON, MC, Captain |
| Stanley C. SMITH, MC, Captain | Jacob WILLIAMS, MC, Captain |
Left: V-1 flying bomb crossing over the City of Liège, Belgium.
Right: Official plaque in memory of the 16 dead, members of the 15th General Hospital, killed on 24 November 1944.
Medical Service Group
| Herbert POLLACK, MC, Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of Medical Service | |
| Charles A. BARNES, MC, Major | Bernard DIAMOND, MC, Major |
| Sherwood W. BAREFOOT, MC, Captain | Frank GASSMAN, MC, Captain |
| Lloyd N. HOCKMUTH, MC, Captain | William F. ITTNER, MC, Captain |
| Kenneth K. JACKSON, MC, Captain | Joseph B. KIRSNER, MC, Captain |
| Frederick J. LEWY, MC, Captain | Moore A. MILLS, MC, Captain |
| Cuthbert POWELL, MC, Captain | William S. RHODE, MC, Captain |
| John W. SAYER, MC, Captain | Albert SEIGENREICH, MC, Captain |
Nursing Service Group
| Sarah E. Williams, ANC, Major, Chief of Nursing Service | |
| Frances EWING, ANC, Captain, Assistant Chief Nurse | Marjorie M. HOWARD, ANC, Captain, Assistant Chief Nurse |
Dental Service Group
| Irving J. ARONSON, DC, Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of Dental Service | |
| Hammond CLARK, DC, Captain | Paul Von B. GALSTER, DC, Captain |
| Michael W. LEFF, DC, Captain | Charles D. MESICK, DC, Captain |
| James S. SELLARS, DC, Captain | Louis WALD, DC, Captain |
Laboratory Service Group
| Michael A. RAFFERTY, MC, Chief of Laboratory Service | |
| Michael J. PELCZAR, Jr., SnC, Major | Melvin M. GREEN, SnC, 1st Lieutenant |
X-Ray Service Group
| Mitchell OESTREICH, MC, Major, Chief of X-Ray Service | |
| Lewis E. MANGUS, MC, Captain | Abraham J. SCHECTER, MC, Captain |
Chaplain Group
| Leo E. WEIGEL, ChC, Roman Catholic Chaplain, Captain | John R. WHEALDON, ChC, Protestant Chaplain, Captain |
Medical Administration Group
| Wilbert G. BURNS, QMC, 1st Lieutenant | Wendell H. CARLSON, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Austin B. HERTZLER, Jr., QMC, 1st Lieutenant | Clarence J. LOKE, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Nicholas MEDICI, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | George E. SAMERJAN, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
| Robert J. SHEEDY, MAC, 1st Lieutenant | Richard TOBIAS, MAC, 1st Lieutenant |
Portrait of First Lieutenant George M. Proctor, MAC, O-1544087 (who served with the 15th General Hospital in the ETO).
The MRC Staff wish to thank Sherry Bytheway, daughter of Major George M. Proctor, Medical Administrative Corps (O-1544087), who served with the 15th General Hospital in the European Theater of Operations during WWII, for spontaneously offering to share a number of historic data and pictures of her Father and his unit. We are still looking for the official activation date of subject Hospital, as well as additional data relating to its final days of operation in Europe. Thank you.