A Company, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center

• Origins of Fitzsimons Army Medical Center: The Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, located in Aurora, Colorado, was established in 1918 as a U.S. Army hospital for treating soldiers returning from World War I, especially those suffering from tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. • Naming Honor: The facility was named after Lt. William T. Fitzsimons, the first American medical officer killed in World War I, who died in France in 1917. • A Company’s Role: A Company was a primary unit within the hospital, responsible for supporting inpatient care, logistics, and administrative functions, as well as providing training to enlisted medical personnel. • Presidential Care: Fitzsimons Army Medical Center famously treated President Dwight D. Eisenhower after his heart attack in 1955, with A Company assisting in the hospital’s daily operations during this high-profile event. • Vietnam War Support: During the Vietnam War, A Company played a crucial role in the rehabilitation and medical care for returning wounded soldiers, helping to pioneer new physical and occupational therapy techniques. • Training Excellence: The unit was renowned for its comprehensive training programs, producing many Army medics and nurses who went on to serve in conflicts around the world. • Historic Architecture: The main hospital building, where A Company was headquartered, featured distinctive Spanish Revival architecture and became a local landmark in Aurora. • Community Outreach: Members of A Company often participated in local outreach, such as first aid classes and public health initiatives, strengthening ties between the military and the local civilian population. • Medical Innovations: Fitzsimons, with support from A Company, was a site of many medical advancements, including early research into artificial lungs and kidney dialysis. • Legacy and Closure: Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and its units, including A Company, were decommissioned in 1999. The site is now home to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, but veterans and alumni regularly commemorate the legacy of A Company’s service.