About this Unit
**Patterson Army Hospital** was a United States Army medical facility established during World War II in Fairfield, California. Opened in 1942, it served as a key hospital for treating wounded service members returning from the Pacific Theater and for convalescent care. The hospital operated with hundreds of beds and a large staff, providing specialized treatment, rehabilitation, and support to thousands of soldiers. After the war, Patterson Army Hospital was gradually deactivated and ultimately closed in 1946, with the site later repurposed for civilian use.
Historical Facts
• World War II Origins: Patterson Army Hospital was established during World War II, opening in 1942 as a military medical facility to care for wounded soldiers returning from overseas.
• Location: The hospital was located in Fairfield, California, adjacent to Travis Air Force Base, making it a strategic hub for the treatment and evacuation of troops.
• Named After: The hospital was named in honor of Brigadier General Robert U. Patterson, a distinguished Army medical officer and former Surgeon General of the United States Army.
• Capacity: At its peak, Patterson Army Hospital could accommodate over 2,000 patients, making it one of the largest military hospitals on the West Coast during the war.
• Medical Innovations: The hospital became known for pioneering rehabilitation techniques for amputees and injured soldiers, including early prosthetic development and physical therapy programs.
• POW Care: Patterson Army Hospital also treated German and Italian prisoners of war who were injured or ill, under the agreements of the Geneva Convention.
• Community Role: The hospital provided medical care not only for military personnel but also for dependents and civilian workers associated with the war effort.
• Postwar Transition: After WWII, the hospital served as a key facility during the Korean War and was later used as a veterans’ hospital before its eventual closure.
• Closure and Repurposing: Patterson Army Hospital closed in the early 1950s. The buildings were later repurposed for other governmental uses, and some were integrated into the growing infrastructure of Travis Air Force Base.
• Legacy: Though the physical hospital no longer exists, its legacy continues through the medical advancements pioneered there and its contribution to the care of thousands of American service members during critical periods of the 20th century.
