About this Unit
The 376th Evacuation Hospital was a United States Army medical unit activated during World War II. Organized in 1942, the unit deployed to the European Theater, providing critical medical care and support during major campaigns, including the Normandy invasion and the advance across France and Germany. The hospital was highly mobile, often setting up close to the front lines to treat wounded soldiers rapidly. After the war, the 376th was deactivated, but its legacy endures as a vital part of the Army’s medical support during one of history’s largest conflicts.
Historical Facts
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World War II Activation: The 376th Evacuation Hospital was activated on July 15, 1942, at Camp Barkeley, Texas, as part of the U.S. Army Medical Department’s rapid expansion during World War II.
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Normandy Landings: The 376th landed in Normandy, France, on June 12, 1944, just six days after D-Day, providing critical medical care to wounded soldiers from the Normandy Campaign.
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Mobile Medical Care: As an evacuation hospital, the 376th was designed to be semi-mobile, capable of setting up a 400-bed facility in tents or existing buildings near the front lines.
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Battle of the Bulge: During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the 376th Evac Hospital treated hundreds of casualties under harsh winter conditions, often working around the clock.
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Women’s Army Corps (WAC) Nurses: The hospital included a significant number of female Army nurses, many of whom served close to the front lines, sometimes under fire.
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Innovations in Medical Care: The 376th helped pioneer new methods in trauma care, blood transfusions, and infection control, which were vital for increasing survival rates among the wounded.
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Prisoner of War (POW) Care: The unit also provided medical treatment to wounded German POWs, adhering to the Geneva Convention’s requirements.
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Liberation of Concentration Camps: Members of the 376th were among the medical personnel sent to assist survivors after the liberation of Nazi concentration camps in 1945.
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Postwar Service: After VE Day, the 376th Evac Hospital remained in Europe to care for occupation troops and displaced persons until it was inactivated in January 1946.
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Legacy and Honors: The 376th Evacuation Hospital earned campaign credits for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe, and its members received numerous individual commendations.
