29th Evacuation Hospital

• World War II Formation: The 29th Evacuation Hospital was activated on March 1, 1942, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to provide medical support for U.S. Army operations in World War II. • Normandy Landings Involvement: The unit landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, on June 10, 1944, just four days after D-Day, becoming one of the first U.S. hospitals established on French soil after the invasion. • Mobile Medical Care: As an evacuation hospital, the 29th was designed to be mobile and could be set up in a matter of hours, providing surgery and care close to the front lines. • Treating Thousands: During WWII, the hospital treated over 20,000 patients, including soldiers wounded in major campaigns such as Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. • Battlefield Innovation: The unit was known for its innovative use of new medical techniques, including improved blood transfusion methods and the use of penicillin to fight infection. • Female Nurses' Service: The 29th Evacuation Hospital included female Army nurses who served under hazardous conditions, often close to ongoing combat and artillery fire. • Battle of the Bulge: The hospital played a critical role during the Battle of the Bulge, treating casualties under harsh winter conditions and during enemy bombing raids. • Recognition and Awards: The 29th received several commendations for its service, including campaign participation credits and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. • Postwar Service: After the war, the unit was deactivated but later reactivated to serve in various capacities during the Cold War era, adapting to changing military medical needs. • Legacy and Remembrance: Veterans and descendants of the 29th Evacuation Hospital have held reunions and maintain historical records, preserving the legacy of their service in the European Theater of Operations.