Rich Hipchen

The 32nd Combat Support Hospital (32nd CSH) has a distinguished history of providing critical medical care to U.S. and allied forces. Originally constituted in 1942 as the 32nd Surgical Hospital, the unit earned campaign participation credit during World War II in the European Theater. Reactivated and redesignated several times, the 32nd CSH served in key operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, delivering vital combat health support. Throughout its service, the 32nd CSH has upheld a reputation for excellence in battlefield medicine and support.

The 2nd General Hospital, Landstuhl, traces its roots to World War II, when it was activated to provide comprehensive medical support for U.S. and Allied forces. Relocated to Landstuhl, Germany, after the war, the unit became integral to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest American military hospital outside the continental United States. Throughout the Cold War, the 2nd General Hospital was a critical hub for treating casualties and supporting NATO operations in Europe. In recent decades, it has treated thousands of wounded service members from conflicts in the Middle East, playing a vital role in the U.S. military’s global medical response capability.

Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), located at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, traces its origins to 1879 when the first Post Hospital was established at Fort Sam Houston. Named in honor of Brigadier General Roger Brooke, a pioneer in military medicine, the facility officially became Brooke General Hospital in 1942 and played a critical role in treating wounded soldiers during World War II. Over the decades, BAMC expanded its capabilities, becoming the U.S. Army’s flagship medical facility and the site of the Army’s only Level I Trauma Center. Today, BAMC provides comprehensive healthcare, advanced trauma care, and medical training for military and civilian personnel, continuing its distinguished legacy of service.