21st General Hospital, USAR

• World War II Activation: The 21st General Hospital was activated at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 13, 1942, drawing its core medical staff from the university’s faculty and alumni. • Overseas Deployment: In 1943, the unit shipped out to North Africa, serving first in Algiers, and later supported Allied campaigns in Italy and France as part of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. • Casablanca Assignment: The hospital operated in Casablanca, Morocco, providing medical care to thousands of Allied soldiers and prisoners of war during the height of the North African campaign. • Innovative Surgery: Surgeons from the 21st General Hospital were known for pioneering techniques in trauma and reconstructive surgery, especially for maxillofacial injuries caused by modern warfare. • Normandy Support: After D-Day, the hospital moved to France and helped treat casualties from the Normandy landings and subsequent European campaigns, often working in challenging field conditions. • Record Patient Loads: The 21st General Hospital often cared for over 2,000 patients at a time, making it one of the largest and busiest American medical units in the European Theater. • Academic Contributions: Medical staff documented their experiences and research, later leading to advances in battlefield medicine and civilian medical practices after the war. • Distinguished Personnel: The unit included several notable physicians and nurses, including Dr. Vilray Blair, a pioneer in plastic surgery, and Dr. Evarts A. Graham, who performed the world’s first successful pneumonectomy. • Humanitarian Missions: Beyond treating soldiers, the 21st General Hospital provided aid to civilians and displaced persons, exemplifying the humanitarian side of military medicine. • Legacy and Honors: The 21st General Hospital’s history has been preserved in archives at Washington University, and its members received numerous commendations for their service, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation.