Exhibit

The concept of a Duke hospital army unit was born in October 1940, the idea of Dr. Wilburt C. Davison, then Dean of the School of Medicine. Activated in July 1942, the Army reserve unit's original crew consisted of male and female health professionals who all had some connection to Duke University, creating a mix of faculty, alumni, and current or former house staff.

From 1944 to 1945, the 65th General Hospital was stationed at Redgrave Park in Suffolk, England. There staff handled a constant stream of front-line casualties from heavy bomber crews, acute diseases and emergency cases, and acted as a specialty center for neurosurgery, thoracic and plastic surgery, burns, and hand injuries. The unit treated more than 17,000 patients during its time abroad.

Duke University Medical Center Archives
Box 3702, Durham, NC 27710

(919) 383-2653
dumc.archives@mc.duke.edu
https://archives.mc.duke.edu

Members of the 65th General Hospital with tents and camping gear on Duke University’s east campus parking lot. The unit was activated in 1940 and received orders to report to Fort Bragg for active duty in 1942, where they spent fifteen months training before heading to England.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, Photograph Collection, Box 19

Nurses and servicemen of the 65th General Hospital awaiting embarkation for overseas. After fifteen months of training in military procedures at Fort Bragg, the unit left for England in 1943.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, Photograph Collection, Box 19

When the 65th General Hospital staff arrived in England in 1943, they spent their first few months at a hospital in Blackmore Park, on a farm near Malvern, Worsterchire, England. During the winter of 1944 they relocated to Redgrave Park, where they spent the remainder of the war. This image shows the Redgrave Park base, with the receiving and disposition hut on the right, and the shock wards and operating rooms on the left.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, 65th General Hospital Collection, Box 1

This map of the East Anglia region of England shows the locations of fighter and bomber fields in 1944, as well as the 65th General Hospital's Redgrave Park base.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, 65th General Hospital Collection, Box 1

A medic Red Cross armband used for field service.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, 65th General Hospital Collection, Box 2

The 65th General Hospital staff receiving patients. During the first year at the Redgrave Park base, the 65th received 11,059 patients, 6,816 of whom were admitted to the surgical service. Patients commonly arrived by plane or train.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, 65th General Hospital Collection, Box 9

This scrapbook page shows a 1945 The Herald-Sun article about the 65th General Hospital that gave readers back home a glimpse into the unit's daily activities. The scrapbook belonged to Dr. Norman Ross, Chief Dental Officer.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, 65th General Hospital Collection, Box 7

A collection of 1944 newspaper clippings praising the efforts of 65th General Hospital. For their care of sick and wounded patients, the unit received commendations from General Dwight Eisenhower; General Carl Andrew Spaatz, Commander of the 8th U.S. Air Force; and the Surgeons General of both the Army and the Air Force.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, News Service Clippings, Box 1

65th General Hospital operation. While stationed at Redgrave Park, the 65th was the primary hospital for the 8th U.S. Air Force. Airmen of this unit made daily bombing runs over Germany, frequently encountering anti-aircraft fire and fighter planes. Injuries were common, and often severe and demanding immediate attention.

Duke University Medical Center Archives, Photograph Collection, Box 19

Introduction