[Charlottesville, Va
21 February 1946]

Dear Mr. Masaonri [Masanori] Akimato,
Your name was
given as the nearest of
kin to PFC John Akimato.
No additional
information can be
given, but it may be
of some satisfaction
for you to know that
your son was cared

for by doctors and nurses
in a hospital, and that
everything possible was
done for his comfort
and care.

We felt that not
enough could be done
for those men who
fought so bravely and
gave so much.

Most sincerely,
Ruth Beery
Capt. anc.

18 February 1946
309 Park Place
Charlottesville, Va

Box/Folder: 33/006

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Frances E. Wells

Frances E. Wells was born March 5, 1919 and grew up in Rochester, New York. She majored in nursing at the University of Rochester, joined the Army in 1943, and served in North Africa and Italy. She wanted to be close to the front to nurse patients with recent wounds so transferred to the 8^th Evacuation Hospital in southern Italy.

In February 1945, while the war was still raging, she married Frederick M. Broadfoot who had been born March 4, 1920 in Paterson, New Jersey and was a captain with the Cryptography Unit of the Signal Corps. Their wedding was at St. James Episcopal Church in Florence which is about 40 miles from Pietramala where the 8^th Evac was then stationed.

Their daughter, Jessie Broadfoot Boyer, shared some of her parents’ memories of military service, and these form the basis for this recollection. Also included are lists of clothing and equipment issued to Frances in April and May 1943. Part of Frances’ gear included:

• 3 blankets
• 2 barrack bags
• 2 mattress covers
• 1 roll, bedding
• 1 helmet
• 2 tent, shelter, half; 2 poles; 10 pins
• 1 bag, field
• 1 can meat
• 1 canteen and cover
• 1 fork, 1 knife, 1 spoon
• 1 belt, pistol
• 1 gas mask
• 1 pouch, first aid packet
• 1 pair sun glasses
• 1 mosquito netting
• 1 head netting

Naturally, most of the patients at the 8^th Evac were from the United States, but the hospital did treat soldiers as well as civilians from other countries, including the Axis powers. Frances told of caring for a wounded German soldier. One night when she started to pull a mosquito net over him, he became fearful. She supposed he thought he was being covered as if he had died. When she made a buzzing sound, moved her finger in a circle, and swatted her arm, he smiled and relaxed.

Frances recalled a psychiatric patient. She forgot to take his eyeglasses away one evening and was reprimanded in the morning. She was informed that he had held the lens in his hand all night as a test to see if he would kill himself or not. Her response was, “I’m glad he passed.”

The nurses followed the adventures of one of their own who put in papers several times to marry. By the time the request gained approval, she was going out someone else. The women joked that the only way she could get married would be to send in blank papers.

Frederick M. Broadfoot

Frederick’s mother, concerned that the Army might not have enough soap, sent him with extra bars. The army was well supplied so he gave the ones from home to a family he had befriended in Naples. The Neapolitan mother sewed a bathing suit for him from a towel, and her daughter, Lulu, embroidered her name across the back of it.

Frederick also told the story of being on a hill in Italy with a friend and looking up to see bombs falling. The bombs appeared round which is when the men realized they were coming right at them. They ran away as fast as they could and lived to tell about it.

There were recreational trips to Florence. On one visit Frances and Frederick tried to find the Bargello, an art museum with a famous staircase and courtyard decorated with coats-of-arms. They walked and walked and finally passed a courtyard with a plain sandbagged staircase with no plaques anywhere. Probably aware that many moveable art treasures of Florence had been taken to out-of-the-way places for safety before the Allies ever arrived, they must have thought that the coats-of-arm would have been more intrinsic to the walls and still be displayed. But the walls were bare.

From the left: Chaplain William Laird, bridesmaid Ellora Endicott, Colonel Staige Blackford who gave the bride away, Frances, Fred, and best man Ted Marks on the villa porch where the reception was held.

One night they drove to the opera in a freezingly cold, open Jeep with no lights because of the wartime blackout. Italian families brought baskets with salamis, loaves of bread, and wine to enjoy during the opera.

When Frederick wrote his parents that he was planning on getting married, his mother took off her diamond ring, wrapped it in cotton, put it in a metal Kodak film canister, and mailed it to her son. Frances and Frederick probably met at a dance, maybe in the summer or fall of 1944, as they put in their request to marry in November 1944. Frances was offered a military ambulance to use as a “getaway car” after the wedding, but she held out for a staff car.

The rations from the Army for the wedding reception were as follows:

• Bread
• Vinegar
• Butter
• Salt and pepper
• Sugar
• Cream or canned milk
• Coffee
• Cheese
• Chicken, canned
• Turkey, canned
• Salmon
• Mayonnaise
• Spam
• Pork, canned
• Pineapple, crushed
• Cheese butter, Kraft canned
• Pickles
• Juices

After the war ended in Europe, Frances was not immediately demobilized, and she took Italian and art history classes in Florence. Notations on her equipment list indicate that she didn’t turn in a number of items until September 1945. Meanwhile, Frederick was on a troop ship on his way to the Pacific when the Japanese surrendered. When Frances finally left Italy for America, she threw her khaki-colored, military underpants off the stern of the ship every night, knowing she would never wear them again. Back in the U.S. and sitting at a lunch counter in New York City, Frances thought, “Isn’t this grand, to be sitting here just having a Coke in a glass with ice. The war is really over.”

After the war Frederick graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and worked as a lawyer. Frances died in October 1985. Frederick died in June 2001.

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post 2nd Lieutenant Frances E. Wells, Nurse appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Dog tags and identity cards

DOG TAGS AND IDENTITY CARDS   Private Frank L. Lowther (1919-1998) was an enlisted man with the 8^th Evac and traveled with the mobile unit as it trained and then served in North Africa and Italy. He was born in Oregon, but became a resident of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and retired from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

When Lowther returned home from the war, he kept enough mementos of his experiences to make an archivist proud, and it is on these objects that his recollection is based. He saved personal items officially issued to him including his dog tags, pay record, and identity cards. From these we know he had gray-blue eyes and red hair, wore glasses, was between five feet nine inches and five feet ten and a half inches tall, weighed 138 pounds going into the service with seven pounds more by the end of the war, and was born on June 20, 1919.

Troop assignment and rest camp cards and immunization record

PUNCH CARDS AND IMMUNIZATION RECORD   Lowther took good care of his Troop Assignment Card which served as his punch ticket for meals on board his ship (with marks for 48 out of 50 meals). Before the spring offensive that ended the war in 1945, he spent about five days at the Montecatini Rest Camp in Tuscany which would have been a welcome respite from the long winter spent in the Apennine Mountains. He was immunized for smallpox, typhoid, typhus, and tetanus, but not cholera or yellow fever. Those immunizations were important because more patients at the 8^th Evacuation Hospital were treated for illness than wounds and injuries combined. In fact, from the opening of the hospital in Casablanca in November 1942 to its closing in Desenzano, Italy, in September 1945, the hospital admitted more than 48,000 patients in these categories: disease–31,064, injury–6,562, and wounded–10,417.

V-mail and August 1944 letter from Lowther’s mother

V-MAIL AND LETTERS FROM HOME   Private Lowther also brought back unused V-mail forms and letters from family that had gone through the V-mail process. V-mail, short for Victory mail, was the main way soldiers kept in touch with folks back home. While it seems cumbersome to write a letter and then censor, copy to microfilm, ship, and print it upon arrival, the process saved tons of shipping space for war matériel. One mail sack weighing 45 pounds could carry microfilm representing letters that would fill 37 sacks and weigh 57 times as much. And V-mail had the advantage of foiling espionage communication since invisible ink and microdots would not show up in a photocopy. His mother’s letter let Lowther know that his parents had just bought a Plymouth sedan for $1,000, were hopeful about the war ending, and favored (Thomas E.) Dewey over (Franklin D.) Roosevelt.

BIBLE AND SOLDIER’S HANDBOOK   Lowther kept at least two books with him for the duration of the war. He had a small New Testament and book of Psalms with an introductory letter by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was given to millions of soldiers. He also held onto his well-worn Basic Field Manual or Soldier’s Handbook which included information on military discipline, arms and equipment, marching, maps, sanitation, first aid, and a host of other subjects.

“The Stars and Stripes”

OPERA PLAYBILL AND NEWSPAPER   While overseas, Lowther had an opportunity to enjoy Italian opera. He brought back a playbill from the Royal Opera House in Naples which had been damaged by bombs at the beginning of the war, but reopened late in 1943. The San Carlo Opera company presented “Rigoletto” by G. Verdi under the sponsorship of Army Special Service. The one newspaper in the Lowther collection is the Mediterranean edition of The Stars and Stripes, dated August 30, 1945, with articles announcing “Gen. M’Arthur Poised To Enter Japan Today” and “24 Top Nazis Named On War Crimes List, Goering And Hess Head First Group To Face Nuremberg Trial.”

Italian lira

CURRENCY   Tons of Allied military currency was printed in the United States to pay troops overseas. Private Lowther brought some of it back. He saved 1, 2, 5, 10, and 50 lire notes. The 1 and 2 lire bills were not printed after the first series because inflation had rendered them useless. Printed on the back of the notes are these phrases: “freedom of speech,” “freedom of religion,” “freedom from want,” and “freedom from fear.”

CHAPLAIN’S NOTE   Another note of a different kind also came home. It was from William H. Laird, the unit chaplain, and read, “Your trials and tribulations have broken my heart. They are unique. I have never heard of any thing like them before. As proof of my deepest sympathy, I give you this card which entitles you to ONE HOUR OF CONDOLENCE.”

DISINFECTANT   Private Lowther brought back a small bottle with little white pills and only a partial label. Some of the words or word fragments on the label are “For the disinfect-“ and “do-benzoicacid.” Made by Abbott Laboratories this container probably holds halazone or p-dichlorosulfonamidobenzoic acid. This tablet was used before and during World War II to disinfect canteen water.

Ike jacket

UNIFORM   Private Lowther saved his military clothing including caps, pants, and shirt. His olive drab “Ike” jacket includes insignia: Technician Fifth Grade and 5th Army patches, six gold stripes each signifying six months of overseas service, Army Meritorious Unit Award patch, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon bar with four stars, Good Conduct ribbon, U.S. Army pin, and metal caduceus.

During the war, General Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower asked for a comfortable, non-restrictive jacket with a cropped waist. Originally it was designed to be one of several layers of clothing for use in combat. Shortly after it became standard issue in November 1944, the Ike jacket was modified and became part of the dress uniform for the Army. Both the field jacket and the dress jacket had a collar and lapels that could be turned up and buttoned to protect against cold. The jacket had four buttons down the front and two for the pockets, but they were all concealed. This clever design kept equipment or heavy underbrush from catching on a button. Buckles on the waistband made it possible to cinch the jacket tight to keep body heat in and drafts out.

Armband

ARMBAND  One last item in Lowther’s box is a memento that came from another U.S. soldier. It was worn by a paratrooper dropped behind enemy lines and served to identify him as an American so he would not be mistaken for an Axis soldier by invading U.S. assault forces. The off-white armband is made of oilcloth, four inches by 16.5 inches, and has a 48-star U.S. flag printed on it. Holes on both ends allowed it to be attached to a sleeve by safety pins.

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post Frank L. Lowther, Technician Fifth Grade appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Portrait of Dorothy Sandridge by Eugenio Amadori

Born on January 5th, 1920, at her grandfather’s farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, Dorothy Sandridge grew up in Charlottesville and attended two colleges in Virginia for a year each, first Randolph Macon Women’s College and then Mary Washington College. Her mother died when she was at Mary Washington, a decade following the death of her father. She decided not to return to the college, but chose to go to nursing school. She had worked in the Record Room at the University of Virginia Hospital in the summers and consequently was familiar with the hospital environment. She took the three year nursing course at the University of Virginia and graduated in 1942.

She remembers being a student working in the Delivery Room when Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, and immediately knew this would have far-reaching implications. Sandridge volunteered for the hospital unit that was being formed by the University to serve in the war. At first she was not selected as Ruth Beery was eager to have nurses with more experience. However, as the summer of 1942 wore on, Sandridge was accepted because the need for nurses was great. She knew she was chosen when she was told to report to the nurses’ quarters at the University Hospital with the comment, “You are being relieved of duty.”

She packed, bought a ticket, and was seen off by family and friends at the train station in the late summer of 1942. As she was traveling south to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, she met other people with the same orders. Four or five of them decided to stop and stay overnight in Augusta, Georgia, to see the sights. The next morning they found out they were AWOL before even arriving at their first post because they had not reported immediately. Captain Beery forcefully delivered a reprimand.

Once they were at Fort Benning, Sergeant Fletcher Spann, who would work in the laboratory at the 8th Evac Hospital, was assigned to teach them marching routines. These were never used in Africa or Italy, but the nurses did stand at attention over the course of the war for visiting dignitaries, including King George VI of England.

In Italy, Sandridge was sent to work in the sterilizing room because of her perceived inexperience. One day she saw a sign on a bulletin board seeking nurses who wanted to train to be a nurse anesthetist. Bored in the sterilizing room, she signed up, and in a couple weeks Captain Linus Miller, who worked as an anesthesiologist in Atlanta after the war, taught her how to start IVs, give infusions and endotracheal anesthesia, and administer ether and nitrous oxide. She gratefully traded her duties in the sterilizing room for the operating room.

Hilda Franklin’s wedding dress
made from a parachute

In March 1944, the 8th Evac was stationed about 40 miles from Mt. Vesuvius, and its eruption on the 18th made a vivid impression on Sandridge. Another intense memory and her most frightening one occurred closer to the end of the war when she was sent to a forward echelon station. Rather than transport 40 dying patients to the hospital, it was decided to move 20 hospital staff members, including Sandridge with her nurse anesthetist training, to them. The best the 8th Evac staff could do for the mortally injured patients was to give them fluids and pain medicine. In the first 24 hours a shell went through the cot of fellow nurse Hilda Franklin who fortunately was not in it at the time. (Later married in Italy to Captain Richard P. Bell, 1st Lieutenant Franklin wore a wedding dress made out of a silk parachute.) After a week, Major Shine Holsinger realized Sandridge, the youngest nurse in the 8th Evac, was traumatized by the experience so close to the front and sent her back to the relative safety of the 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Shortly after that harrowing week, the war in Europe ended. However, Sandridge was not released from service because her skill as a nurse anesthetist made her a likely candidate to serve in the Pacific. After the atomic bombs were dropped in Japan in August 1945, she was allowed to return to the states.

One of the items that Sandridge brought back to the states was the portrait that the Italian, Eugenio Amadori, painted of her. Sandridge remembered him coming to the 8th Evac, desperate for work because he was on the verge of starvation. He was hired and did whatever needed to be done that he was able to do in addition to painting portraits.

After the war, Dr. E. Cato Drash, the last commanding officer of the 8th Evac, contacted Sandridge and asked if she would assist him as his anesthetist at the Blue Ridge Sanatorium outside of Charlottesville where he was doing open chest surgery on tuberculosis patients. Unafraid of contracting tuberculosis herself, she joined him in the operating room where lobectomies helped many with tuberculosis get well.

After working a few years in Charlottesville, Sandridge moved to Cleveland, Ohio, for more training. There, she met her future husband, Wilber Gloor. She was married in 1949 with fellow 8th Evac nurse Sue Hornberger as her maid of honor, had a daughter, eventually returned to work, and lived in Connecticut and Massachusetts before returning with her husband to retire in Charlottesville. She died in Charlottesville in 2016 at the age of 96.

The section above is a result of several interviews in February and March 2013.

Dorothy Sandridge Gloor wrote the following recollection in preparation for a talk to describe her time in the service from September 1942 through December 1943.

I was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in September 1942 and served until February 1946. I was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia; then Camp Kilmer, New Jersey; and Halloran General Hospital, Staten Island, New York. I spent six months in Africa divided between Casablanca in French Morocco and Cape Matafou which was across an inlet from Algiers, Algeria, on the Mediterranean Sea.

8th Evac camp at Goat Hill, Algeria

September 9, 1943. The news came of the surrender of the Italian Army and of our assignment to the troop invasion of Italy. At this time, we were camped at a staging area called “goat hill” outside of Oran, Africa. It rained continually, and there was no way to keep dry except when we were in our cots at night. The mud was only a preview of what was in store for us in Italy in the next two years.

September 15. At 1730 hours we entrucked and were taken to Mers-el-Kebir, a port town in northwestern Algeria, where we boarded the Durban Castle, a British transport, in pouring rain. Our quarters were converted staterooms with bunk beds that were much more comfortable than pyramidal tent living. The British served a lot of cabbage in their mess so we had some form of it in every meal except for breakfast. We remained in harbor for two days with other ships all around us.

September 17. At 1730 hours we finally got underway, leaving the mountain peak Djebel Khar with “goat hill” behind it in golden sunlight as we sailed by. We headed out into the Mediterranean Sea at 1930 hours, leaving the lights of Arzew, an Algerian port city, and of Africa to the Arabs. During our voyage, some of the personnel were ill with cramps and dysentery. Our water was restricted in use so this was a hardship for some.

September 20. Eleven days after the invasion of Italy, all of us slept fully clothed in anticipation of landing.

September 21. At 0400 hours we were up and ready to disembark. In order to get into the LCI (Landing craft, Infantry) to go ashore we had to go over the side of our ship with full field equipment on our backs and climb down a 50 foot rope ladder to the deck of a bobbing LCI boat below. We went ashore at Blue Beach (the Fifth Army designation for it). Barracks bags and bedrolls were taken to the bivouac area assigned to our unit.

We marched an hour or more and waited for trucks. There were foxholes all around us and damaged equipment from recent fighting. Knocked-out German tanks and trucks bore evidence of a recent, hard struggle during the landing at Salerno Beach. Soldiers milled around, and there seemed to be little of the military order we had been accustomed to. The army trucks came and we rode to our bivouac area. On the way, a group of soldiers spotted us and yelled to each other, “They are women!” It was the first of many times when our presence as female nurses seemed to be a “sight for sore G.I. eyes.” That night we slept on the ground with the sky as our only cover. The damaged wing of a German plane leaning against a tree provided a shield for the nurses to go to the latrine. We ate cold K rations and slept under the stars. Ruth Beery, our chief nurse nicknamed “chiefie,” came during the night with a blanket for some of us. She had been able to requisition some. Our 8th Evacuation group was clever at requisitioning things. It helped a lot.

September 22. We were informed that the SS William W. Gerhard had been torpedoed and sunk off the coast near Paestum, Italy. All of our hospital equipment was lost. We moved near Paestum with our pup tents. Imagine taking a bath with your helmet full of water inside a pup tent to shield you from the world. At times, two nurses shared a tent. We could hear artillery fire overhead.

September 25. We acquired some pyramidal tents which were large enough for four nurses. The folks in Charlottesville and at the University of Virginia began a collection to reequip our hospital because we were specifically affiliated with the University of Virginia and they cared about us.

September 26. This was my first experience with daylight savings time. We set our watches back an hour so darkness began at 1800 hours and daylight at 0530.

September 28.  We were beginning to feel settled into our pyramidal tents, but at 2100 hours the swirling of a coastal tornado accompanied by torrential rain blew down our tents. Many pup tents of the enlisted men were blown away. I was inside a tent with some others. We desperately tried to steady the center pole but it finally toppled on us. Everything was soaked and mud covered. All the tents of the 16th Evacuation Hospital across the road from us went down like ten pins. Some patients were blown out into the road. Clothes and materiel were scattered all over the area. For the rest of the night our nurses were trucked to a building occupied by air corps officers. They gallantly provided us with stimulant. Space was limited, and as I remember it, I curled up after I was dry and slept on the barroom floor. We had a great treat of fresh eggs for breakfast. Our normal fare was only powdered eggs.

September 29. Our Commanding Officer, Colonel John McKoan, learned from General Blesse that the 8th Evacuation Hospital was to be sent back to Africa to reequip. Colonel McKoan was able to persuade the General to change his decision.

September 30. Our cooks purchased a water buffalo, and we had stew for supper.

October 1, 1943. Naples fell to the Allies. We got ready to use our gas masks as there were rumors of the Germans using gas as they withdrew. They wrecked and blew up everything they couldn’t carry with them. The post office in Naples was booby-trapped, and when the bomb went off, many Italians were hurt and over 100 killed.

Sterilizing room entrance into operating room at 8th Evac

October 2. Nine German prisoners were treated in our dispensary. They were our first patients in Italy. Our 8th Evacuation Hospital had 16 medical officers, 22 nurses, and 55 enlisted men who took over the care of patients. The patients suffered mostly from malaria, catarrh jaundice, dysentery, respiratory infections, and sandfly fever. Sanitary “shock troops” were sent into the conquered city of Naples to start repairs on the destruction of the water and sewage facilities.

October 3. Of the 1000 patients who were left victim to the elements five days earlier, 780 were moved into a tobacco warehouse with the drying tobacco still hanging in Paestum, Italy.

October 13. We moved to Caserta, Italy, where we set up in the only building we were to inhabit while in Italy.

November 1943. Small groups of us were sent on Detachment Service to a station hospital. The nurses’ quarters were in a bedbug-infested former Italian barracks. Fortunately, we were there only a few days. One of my friends came down with poliomyelitis. She and I were sent back to our hospital where she was placed in contagion. I nursed her until November 8th when she was sent back to the United States. After about four years of rehab, she walked with a cane.

November 9. Air raids continued to be frequent. Strict blackouts were observed. Sometimes we had more than one raid each night. Three German prisoners of war were admitted. Through begging, borrowing, and forced requisitioning we were now pretty well reequipped. This time had been well spent.

November 11. We celebrated Armistice Day with enough spit and polish to elicit praise even from the regular army people who visited frequently. We also celebrated Thomas Jefferson’s birthday on April 13th. We were always looking for reasons to celebrate, you might say. Because of continual cold and rain, some of our own personnel came down with pneumonia. This was before we had inoculations for this and for influenza.

8th Evac Ward boxes with supplies complete for a 40-bed ward

November 17. Our famous ward boxes built by our carpenters who were enlisted men were very much admired by visiting dignitaries.

November 19. Our capacity was 750 patients, but we now had 1,021.

November 25. It was business as usual except we had Thanksgiving turkey and apple pie (from cans).

December 15, 1943. At 1900 hour we were told to be ready to move on December 16th at 0730. Our new site was east of Teano, Italy.

December 17. We had to complete the road building ourselves in order for ambulances to reach us from the front. It was a constant battle to keep roads open due to the mud that was almost impassable by trucks or jeeps.

December 19. At 0800 the hospital opened with 203 patients admitted by midnight, mostly from the 3rd and 36th infantry divisions. Ninety-nine of these cases were already in shock, 33 cases were operated upon that day, and we were finally doing what we felt we had gone to war to do.

8th Evac operating tent, Sandridge giving anesthesia on the left

December 20. Casualties still poured in, surgery was running around the clock. As an anesthetist, I worked 16 hours on and 8 hours off around the clock.

December 21. Our first patient death was a battle casualty. Heavy artillery was active, the ground rumbled, and the sky flashed north of us. Two hundred and sixteen patients were admitted today.

December 24-25. Turkey and chocolate cake arrived. The mess sergeant baked pineapple pies, and we had enough of everything for 800 people. Our Red Cross women, Ruth Buffington and Frances Carter, got cigarettes and candy and wrapped them for each patient. We had a small, lighted tree in the American Red Cross day room. It was rainy, muddy, and clinically nasty. The rumbles of artillery made it even more fantastic. Thus passed our first Christmas, 1943, in Italy.

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post 1st Lieutenant Dorothy Sandridge, Nurse Anesthetist appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Fort Walton, Fla.
March 26, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery;
Thank you so very much
for your kind and
welcoming letter, concerning
my son, Pvt. Lawrence Rogers.
I had often wondered how
my son had to go away.
Now I feel much better
since hearing from you, to
know that he had the
care and comfort of you
nurses and doctors, before
passing away.
I greatly appreciate any
information received concerning
him, so if you should
know anything or know any
of his friends who do, would
you please let me know?
And thank you again for your
nice letter, I am much happier,
and shall never forget

Thank you again, and God
Bless you.

Yours very truly
Mrs. Mattie J. Rogers
Fort Walton, Florida

[letter marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/044

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 41) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

712 W. Ashland
Indianola, Ia.
March 23, 1946

Dear Miss Beery,
Received your most
welcome letter some time
ago, and was so pleased
to learn that my late husband
was attended by doctors and
nurses in a hospital.
I wish to thank
you most sincerely for your
assurance in the matter.
The fact that he did have
medical attention gives us
all a greater satisfaction.

I shared the letter
with his parents and they
requested that I send you
their thanks also.
Even though I have re-
married I am always grateful
for any such information.
In closing, may I thank
you again.

Most gratefully yours,
Mrs. Ethel L. Polish Snider

Box/Folder: 33/042

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 39) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Miss Gertrude Winkel
3319 W. 60th Place
Chicago 29. Ill.
Feb. 23, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery:-
This morning my
mother Mrs A Winkel
received your very kind
and thoughtful note,
regarding the care and
comfort of my baby
brother while in the
hospital in Italy.
Mother has asked me
to write you, and thank
you for being so sweet,
and kind enough to
write to a family who
has suffered very much
this past year. Ray was
struck in the head and
neck on the 12th Feb. 1945

and passed away on the
13th. You are the only
person who has written
to us concerning Ray.
I mean of course, that
we were all anxious to
hear from someone who
was with him at the
time when he did need
some one most. I do not
know how you obtained
our name, or whether
you were with him at the
time of death.?
I know that you wrote
“no additional information
can be given.” It has been
some-time now, and each
individual case cannot be
recalled. Could you tell me

if the army keeps a record
of each case, the operation
performed, and the cause
of death.?
It would give us so
much satisfaction to know
that he was attended
by a Catholic Chaplain
before death, receiving the
last rites etc., And that
he was not alone when
he passed away. You know
how it is with the families
of these poor heroes, they
are so far away, and the
little information that they
receive is hardly worth
mentioning.
Tell me Miss Berry were
you in the same hospital

over in Italy?
I do not wish to impose
upon your merciful heart,
but I know that if you
are able, and have the
time you will drop me a line.
Once again our family,
each and every one of us
wishes to tell you how
sincerely grateful we are
for your very great kindness
and goodness of heart.
Thank you again

I remain,
Ray’s sister
Gertrude Winkel

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/012

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 9) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

The purpose of the United States Army Medical Department is to keep soldiers well and able to fight, or, if they are wounded or injured, to return them to duty as quickly as possible. The outbreak of World War II had almost immediate effects upon the Army and the Medical Department. In August 1939, the authorized enlisted strength of the Regular Army was 210,000. By June 1940, as the Nazis moved toward the English Channel, the number was raised to 375,000. After the fall of France, Congress approved a peacetime mobilization which resulted in the Army expanding to over 1,680,000 officers and enlisted men. Consequently, the Medical Department had to enlarge its operations both in the United States and in overseas possessions. Until the United States entered the war, field hospitalization and evacuation was unnecessary, but clearly medical units had to be prepared to serve in the event the United States entered the war. As early as March 1939 Surgeon General Charles R. Reynolds proposed the revival of “affiliated units.” These reserve units were sponsored by civilian hospitals and medical schools and played an important role in the Army’s hospitals in France during World War I. The Surgeon General wrote:

I am convinced that the Medical Department can have reserve hospital units ready to function as required … only by civil institutions sponsoring these units, especially those needed within the early periods of mobilization … [Smith, p. 5].

Dr. William H. Goodwin. Courtesy of C. Bruce Morton’s History of the Department of Surgery.

The University of Virginia sponsored hospital units in both world wars. After the United States entered World War I, Dr. William H. Goodwin received permission from the University to organize a hospital unit to send overseas and was appointed its director. Dr. Goodwin contacted the Red Cross in Washington D.C. and learned he would need to recruit all the supporting staff of the hospital as well as its doctors and nurses. It was also his responsibility to acquire funds to purchase the supplies for the hospital as the War Department had determined that only fully equipped and supplied hospitals would be accepted for active service.

Unit at Camp Sevier, South Carolina

The unit trained at Camp Sevier, South Carolina, under commanding officer Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Julian M. Cabell, an 1886 graduate of the University of Virginia. Designated Base Hospital 41, the unit arrived at L’Ecole de la Legion d’Honneur outside Paris on July 26, 1918. When the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, nearly 3,000 patients were in the hospital. Two and a half months later, all the patients had been evacuated, and the hospital ceased to function.

Dr. Harvey E. Jordan

For several months after the United States entered World War II, it appeared the University of Virginia would not contribute a medical unit due to concern by Dr. Harvey E. Jordan, Dean of the School of Medicine, and others in the administration that the University could not properly staff both the University Hospital and a medical unit for the war effort. However, Dr. Staige Davis Blackford, Associate Professor of Medicine, believed that the University could do both as long as the hospital unit was formed with a nucleus from the faculty and supplemented by members of the resident staff and other physicians with ties to the University of Virginia. Dr. Blackford successfully persuaded the administration that the formation of a unit was feasible.

The post The University of Virginia Hospital in World War I & World War II appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Kalamazoo Mich
March 10-46

My dear Miss Beery,
Your kindness in writing
me about my son, Jack will
most certainly never be forgotten
by me. At first I clung to the
belief it just couldn’t be true,
and then I did so badly want
to know the details, you
can believe me, it helps
to know that he was at least
given good care, I know too
he must have been injured
very bad or he would have
made it, as he was such a
good clean healthy boy.

Thank you again, so much
for writing, seems like my
words are not enough to make
you realize how your letter
has helped me, I was ill
when it came, that is the
reason I have not answered
sooner.
Wishing you all the luck
and joyies [joys] of life

Most sincerely
Florence [?] M. Dulton
215 N. Westnedge Ave.

Box/Folder: 33/033

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 30) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Story of the 8th Evac

• The University of Virginia Hospital in World War I & World War II
• Formation of the 8th Evacuation Hospital: Charlottesville, Virginia & Pageland, North Carolina
• Deployment in Africa & Italy: Operation Torch, Casablanca, Algiers, Sicily, Salerno
• War in Italy: Supporting the Fifth Army from Caserta to Pietramala
• Fifth Army Victory in Italy: From Pietramala to Lake Garda and the U.S.
• The 8th Evacuation Hospital: Supplemental Pictures of Officers and Nurses
• Bibliography/Credits

Personal Recollections of 8th Evac Members

• Dr. John L. Guerrant, Medical Ward Officer & Clinical Laboratory Director
• Dr. Hubert B. Holsinger, Surgeon
• Alice M. Huffman, Nurse
• Frank L. Lowther, Technician Fifth Grade
• Randal Luscombe, Technician Fifth Grade, Utility Shop
• Dorothy Sandridge, Nurse Anesthetist
• Melvin C. Shaffer, Photographer
• William P. Snavely, Assistant Registrar
• Beverley D. Tucker, Technician Fifth Grade, Chaplain’s Assistant

Letters after the War

• Chief Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin of Soldiers Who Died at the 8th Evac
• About Ruth Beery
• About the Letters
• Read the Letters
• See Ruth Beery’s Uniform (Links to the UVA Medical Artifacts Collection in Virgo)

Official Partner of the Veterans History Project
Link to Italian Military History Association, Gotica Toscana*

*The purpose of Gotica Toscana is to record the history and keep alive the memory of WWII by keeping military sites accessible, maintaining records of artifacts, and promoting re-enactor events. For information about past open-air museums and re-enactments and to learn of future events go to http://www.goticatoscana.it/.

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Anoka, Minnesota
Feb 25; 1946

Cpt Ruth Beery
Dear Madam.
I rec’d your letter the other
day. Thanks a million for
writing to us about our
son Pvt Wayne E. Bradley
Yes it is a big comfort to
us to learn our son was
well taken care of. Was
you at the hospital at the
time Wayne was there in
Italy?  Do you know what was
done with Waynes personal
effects? If you cant ans [answer] now
after you are out of the
service will you please
write us and tell us all?
This has been terrible hard
on both myself and his
mother. Again we want to thank
you and tell you how much
we appreciated hearing from you.

Yours Truly
Mr John H. Bradley
Anoka, Minnesota

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/014

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 11) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[El Paso Texas]
May 17 1946

Capt. Ruth Beery – N-741970
Dear Friend:
Recieved [Received] your kind letter, a bit late because
I have moved to an other house. So please accept my
apologies for being so long in answering you.
Your letter was a great comfort to me, in know-
ing that my son was given the best of care. I know
that the U.S. Army, takes care of its own.. But still
in every Mother’s heart is a doubt of how her sons
were taken care of, for in her heart no care is the
best than the care she can give.
I want to thank you for taking the time in wri-
tting [writing] to me, I wanted to hear from somebody who was ne-
ar him. For I understand you were. I don’t want to how
he spent his last hours. But if he was in comfort and
in good hands. Now in your letter you have told me
what I always wanted to know. So Receive my thank [thanks] from
the bottom of my heart.
As long as there are people like you in this world
thing are bound to be better.
Manuel, was a good son, since he was in school he
look [looked] after the welfare of his 4 brothers & sisters. Was
a great help to me, before he went away he supported
me and his brother and sisters, seeing that they attend-
ed school. What he did has proven to have come out al-
right, his brothers and sisters are as he wanted them
to be. I am dong my best so that his younger brother
and sister, have what he would have wanted them to have.
I’ll put them through school as he would have done.
Well receive my thanks again, for I don’t really know
what to do to show you my apreciation [appreciation], if ever you are
in El Paso, you have a home in my house, not an expensive
but comfortable.

Very gratefully yours
(Mrs) Amada G. Salcido
1305 E. Overland St.
El Paso Texas

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/056

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 53) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

1662-53 Street
Brooklyn, N.Y.
30 April 1946

Dear Miss Beery-:
Several months ago you
wrote in reference to my
brother, Pfc. Leo Charatan. Please
accept our thanks for your kind-
ness in doing so.
July will be two years
since his death and we still
know nothing of the circumstances
of his death. I fully realize that
there are definite rules and regulations
involved as to why you can not
disclose any of these circumstances.
However, you will have a
family’s eternal gratitude for
any light you can shed on
this situation.
Thanking you again, I
remain

Sincerely yours
Dorris Charatan

Box/Folder: 33/052

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 49) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Allison Park, Pa.]
March 10, 1946

Dear Cap’t. Beery:
Recently you wrote
to my father concerning
my brother Sgt. Ralph
Hoan [?] and he asked me
to reply to your letter
and thank you for him
for your interest.
It does help very
much to hear from
someone as the infor-
mation we have received
has been so meager and
I believe you know any
word about him is
quite appreciated.
We have been given

no details about his
death whatsoever and
naturally we do not
understand why.
Did you know Ralph
personally? Were
you serving overseas
at the time of his
death? You see it has
been very hard to
believe he is dead. Of
course I suppose it
is the same for every
family who has lost
loved ones.
If you knew
Ralph or if at any time

you can ever tell us
anything won’t you
please write to me
But I really
can’t tell you how
much I appreciate
your writing and so
all I can say is thank
you – thanks again.

Sincerely,
Elsa Cunningham
17 Simon Ave.
R.D, Allison Park,
Pa.
(Mrs. F. W. Cunningham)

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/035

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 32) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Pittsburgh, Pa.]
May 14, 1946.

My dear Cap’t. Beery:
Due to a badly sprained
arm I was unable to write
and thank you for the lovely
answer to my letter. But I
sincerely thank you as I know
you are probably very busy
and to take time to answer
my letter is really very
gratifying.
Naturally it is the hope
of everyone who has lost loved
ones in this war to want to
find out everything possible
concerning them and of course
we are no exception. That is the
reason we would love to know
someone who knew Ralph, and
if at any time you had any in-
formation concerning him – no
matter how small – I would be
ever so grateful to you.
I do appreciate your letters
so, they are a comfort.
I noticed your letter was
post-marked, Rochester, Minn. and
was wondering if you were ever
sent to Pennsylvania. If so, I’d
like to extend an invitation to you

to visit us if you are ever in
Pittsburgh.  Allison Park is merely
a suburb of Pittsburgh and our
telephone is listed in the suburban
directory. So if at any time you
are near here, please do look us
up.
Thank you again for your
interest. You can’t possibly know
how much it means to all of
us.

Sincerely,
Elsa Cunningham

Box/Folder: 33/055

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 52) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Feb 25, 46
Roanoke Texas
Route one

Hello Ruth:
my Dad. recieved [received]
a letter from you yesturday [yesterday]
with a little imfermation [information]
about Meal’s deth [death]. Your
letter was appretiated [appreciated] by
all the family.
my daddy is old
and he can’t see how
to read or write so
I am answering his
letter for him. I am
a brother to Meal Jr,
just two years younger
then [ than] him. —
Ruth, did you know
Meal, or was you

around him when he was
killed??? – I thought
you may be on duty
when you write that
letter, or you could have
been over seas when
my brother got killed,
If you were over seas
when he got killed, maybe
you could send me some
home addresses of some
of the boys that was
in Meal’s company,
I would really like
to get in tuch [touch] with
some of the boys that
knew Meal in person,
I was in the

Navy in this war
and all my duty was
in the Pacific. —I
got my discharge Dec.
4th, and it really
feels nice to be a
civilian again. —
If you can send me
some home addresses
of any boys in Meal’s
company or maby [maybe] you
could send me some
names and their home
town, I can find
them if you can do that.

Sincerley [Sincerely]
LEE

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/021

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 18) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Fort Cobb, Oklahoma
May 10, 1946]

My Dear Capt. Beery.
Your note became misplaced
and only yesterday came to
my attention.
I wish to thank you
for you [your] kindness, I know
you are busy people. we
folks owe an unpayable
debt of gratitude to our

splendid nurses and doctors.
And may God grant us a more
peaceful world, where such sacrifice
may never be needed again.

I remain Sincerely
Mrs.  Fred J. Fielden
Mother of
Capt. Howard L. Fielden

Box/Folder: 33/054

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 51) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

 [Charlottesville, Va
17 February 1946]

Dear Mrs. Cohen,
Your name was
given as the nearest of
kin to T/5 Theodore Cohen.
No additional information
can be given to that
which you have already
received, but it may be
of some satisfaction for
you to know that

T/5 Theodore Cohen was
cared for in a hospital
by doctors and nurses and
that everything possible
was done for his
comfort and recovery.
We felt that not
enough could be done
for the men who gave
so much.

Most sincerely,
Ruth Beery
Capt. anc.

17 February 1946
309 Park Place
Charlottesville, Va

Box/Folder: 33/004

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 2) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Alice Huffman Pinning New Bars on William Snavely

Alice Huffman was born in 1917 in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated from Roanoke High School and the University of Virginia School of Nursing. She then became a nurse with the 8th Evacuation Hospital. After the war she and Helen Berkeley moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work in the new Veteran’s Administration Hospital that had been Thayer General Hospital. She was assigned to a surgical ward, and Helen worked on a tuberculosis ward. As veterans, they were expected to further their education using the G. I. Bill. There were so many in the same situation that the University of Tennessee sent teachers out to them instead of them going to the teachers. As the years passed, she became head nurse on a surgical ward and later supervisor of the surgical wards and the recovery room.

In the early fifties Dr. Harry Joseph Bugel became the director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the V. A. Hospital. In 1960, several years after his first wife died, he and Miss Huffman were married in a small ceremony in the V. A. Chapel. She helped raise his two children and their daughter. After her husband’s stroke in 1993, which left him unable to walk, she became his principal care giver. He passed away after 45 years of marriage. Mrs. Bugel was a long time member of the Vanderbilt Sewing Club which sews for the Vanderbilt hospital, worked weekly in her church library, and was active in the D.A.R. She considered herself very lucky. She died peacefully in her sleep in December 2012 at the age of 95.

I am writing to describe what it was like to be with the 8th Evacuation Hospital during World War II. On March 4, 1943, I received my orders to go on a troop convoy ship across the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was completely blacked out and had to travel in a zig-zag pattern at all times. We were always in danger of being attacked by submarines, and once we were left behind by the convoy. After our time in nothern Africa, we again boarded a ship, this time to cross the Mediterranean to Italy. When we got to Italy, we went over the side of the boat on ropes, got into an amphibious craft, and landed on the beach at Salerno. The day we landed was the first day the beach had not been strafed by gunfire.

8th Evac Nurses Presented to King George VI

A German submarine had sunk the ship carrying our equipment so we slept in pup tents for a week or more while waiting to be re-equipped. One day a friend and I decided to climb a small hill that had a church at the top. While we were resting, we found that one outfit was storing some of their belongings in the church. When they finished unloading, a general came out and asked if we would like a lift down the hill. We accepted his offer, and he introduced himself as General Sullivan, head of the quartermaster corps of the Fifth Army. He asked what outfit we were in, and we told him our story and that we were sleeping in pup tents. He asked what we needed most, and we told him we needed tents for the nurses. He sent them over that afternoon. He became a good friend and danced with me when we happened to be at the same party. He waltzed beautifully.

That reminds me of another story. While we were being re-equipped, we camped near a hospital that was in operation. One day a huge storm tore down the entire hospital. Our commander was evacuating all the nurses, but we asked permission to stay and keep our possessions dry. We had a number of people helping us, and we did keep our tent from blowing down. The next morning we heard about the destruction of the hospital and the relocation of the patients to a tobacco warehouse. Those of us who had dry clothes were the first ones to be sent to help. We had very little to work with. I think we had a few thermometers. We made rounds with the doctors and asked each patient why he was in hospital. We had many cases with malaria. The patients would tell us how many days they had been on Atabrine, and we would tell them how many more days they were to take it. We were soon able to make better records. I don’t remember how long we took care of the patients, but it was a different experience.

Being night supervisor in winter was a challenge. There were twenty some wards, and to make rounds twice during the twelve hour shift took a bit of stamina. We were always in a black out area which meant we could not use a flashlight. In good weather it wasn’t too bad, but when there was sleet or snow, it was miserable. There was no place I was supposed to be so I started from the shock ward. I would say that I was going to make rounds, and if I was not back in two hours to come look for me. The biggest problem was mud which was slippery except when frozen. The other difficulties were stumbling over tent pegs and getting in and out of the tents without showing light.

8th Evac Latrine in Tent

Going to the latrine at night with a flashlight was scary so I always tried to get another nurse to go with me. If that wasn’t possible, I would ask one of the corpsmen to go and stand guard for me. Our winter uniform had four or five pairs of pants, the first being our regular underwear, followed by a pair of long johns. We were issued winter pants which consisted of a pair of wool pants and another pair that were rain and wind resistant. The latrine itself was a six hole toilet which frequently had ice on the back from water dripping down the center tent pole. We didn’t make this trip unless it was absolutely necessary.

I should tell you more about our winter uniforms. We wore our brassiere and two light sweaters. On top of that we wore a wool shirt. If we were going outside, we wore a heavy jacket or overcoat. We were issued motorcycle helmets for our heads. To keep our feet warm we wore two pairs of socks and high top shoes, and over those we wore galoshes with buckles. These were the last things we removed before going to bed. We wore warm gloves if we were going to be outside. We would remove only our helmet, gloves and jacket to work inside.

Biddie Gillespie and Katie Robinson

When we were in Pietramala to spend the winter, the weather was so bad it was decided to winterize all the tents. The hospital was done first and then the tents for personnel. My tent mates were Katie Robinson (shown to right in photo), Thelma Matthews, and Biddie Gillespie(shown to left in photo). I was given the job of moving our belongings into our winterized tent. I worked all day, and when the others got off duty, some of our friends from our trip on the ship came by to see us.

With our friends from the unit, there were about fourteen people in the tent. We were drinking eau de vie and needed to have one of the canteens filled. When the fellow returned after filling the canteen, he saw flames coming out of the bottom of the tent. He ran to get us out and then went to the Red Cross tent to get other officers to help. They brought fire extinguishers, but none of them worked. The low temperature had caused them to leak. Someone called the fire department which was about two miles up the road, and they put out the fire. In the meantime, all of our belongings were moved out into the snow. We were questioned about whether or not we had used kerosene to start the fire in the stove, but we had not. The way the stove was built was the problem. Half of an oil drum was set on a bed of crushed stone and mud, and in our case, there was not enough base to keep the oil cloth on the floor from catching on fire. I don’t remember where we slept that night, but Ruth Beery told us we could go to the rest camp in Rome the next morning.

William Waddell, Richard Bell, Alice Huffman, Sam Casscells, and Hilda Franklin on a Ski Outing

The mode of transportation varied, but I think we flew in General Mark Clark’s plane, which went low enough that we didn’t get in the line of enemy fire. Rest camps were wonderful. The first thing that happened was someone took our galoshes and cleaned them, and we didn’t put them on again until we returned to camp. We did some sightseeing and got in at the last minute to join a group having an audience with the Pope. As we were leaving the room, I got to speak to the Pope and since I didn’t want to kiss his ring, I just smiled and said, “Good Morning,” and he smiled at me. We always did some shopping. There was an orchestra to play for dancing every evening, and there was nearly always someone to play bridge. In addition to rest camps, we were able to ski while in Pietramala.

I want to go back to how those of us in our tent reacted to the wind storm that did so much damage to the hospital. We had no idea how much destruction the storm was causing, or we would have been more worried than we were. After all, the only thing between us and the storm was a piece of canvas. The wind came in stages and as one hit, the whole tent shook. It would stop for a little and come over again to shake us. I think someone came by who climbed on top of the tent to put the spark arrester back in place and then pounded each tent peg back in place. After a number of hours, we decided we would have to get some sleep so we each took a big drink of eau de vie and went to bed.

Now, when we go to reunions or talk on the phone, there are things we can’t remember. For example, how did we keep our underwear clean, or how did we wash our stockings? We did have Italian women wash for us, but not all the time. We furnished the soap and paid a small amount for each piece. Talking about laundry reminds me of the time shortly after we arrived in Italy when we did our laundry in the mill race. The men went swimming and washed their clothes in the icy water at a mill. They didn’t wear bathing suits, so we couldn’t join them. Instead, we swam and washed our clothes in the icy overflow. It was so cold, you dove in and got out as soon as possible. To do laundry, we soaped the clothes and rinsed them as quickly as we could. To dry them, we hung them on bushes or fence rails. They dried very quickly because the air was hot.

Someone once said that living through a war is the most wonderful experience in your life. Of course it’s a terrible thing, but over time you forget the bad and remember the good. I got to travel and meet people I would never have gotten to meet otherwise. The whole thing was hard work, but we were with our best friends, and that made it a lot easier.

Alice Huffman Bugel.

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post 1st Lieutenant Alice M. Huffman, Nurse appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Box 154
Troy Road
Collinsville, Ill.
Feb.26, 1946.

Dear Capt. Beery,
Your letter of February 18 was received.
The writer is the mother of Bruce Cohn.
We were never informed of the nature
of Bruce’s injuries, the location of the
battlefield on which he fell, the circum-
stances surrounding his death and
the whereabouts of his burial place.
I have often wondered about all this.

If you are acquainted with these
facts and it is not putting you to too
much trouble, I should appreciate
hearing about them.
Suppose you are glad to be back from
the theatre of operations. The nurses
did and are still performing a noble
and heroic job of caring for our boys
and we shall always remember it.

Sincerely yours,
Fannie V.R. Kohn
(Mrs. P.H.)

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/022

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 19) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Alexander City Ala,]
Feburary [February] 23, 1948

Dear Ruth,
Writing to see if you could
give me any information about
a buddie of mine Harless Parrish
who was in Italy, wounded and
died. I heard you might give
me some news about his wounds
if he new [knew] any thing after he
was hurt.
I was in Italy But Failed
to be with him at that time I was
wounded after he was, before I
learned any thing. Would appreciate
hearing from you Please,

A Friend,
Thomas Brewer
340-5 St
Alexander City Ala,

Box/Folder: 33/061

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 55) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Melvin C. Shaffer

Melvin C. Shaffer, an Army photographer, accompanied soldiers across Africa, southern Italy, and France, and survived three plane crashes. He was one of about one hundred photographers at Dachau and filmed Hitler’s bunker shortly after Hitler’s death. By the war’s end he had taken half a million photographs and 200,000 feet of motion picture film. His experience led to a distinguished career in visual education at the Medical College of Virginia.

The Melvin C. Shaffer Collection of Photographs depicting North Africa (1943), Germany (1945), and Italy and Southern France (1944-45) may be viewed at http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/all/cul/mcs/index.asp

An aerial photo of the 8th Evac installation just north of Naples in late 1943

In a letter accompanying this photo Mr. Shaffer writes:

This set-up was somewhat near the Cassino battle area with a line of German forces running from Cassino across to the Mediterranean sea. I commandeered a “Bird Dog” (artillery spotting plane) to make this photo and kept urging the pilot to get further out to the North. He kept yelling at me that there were Germans up that way but I just kept yelling “go on north dammit, I need more room.” He did but in the meantime I moved the camera outside the plane into the slipstream only to have it whipped from my hands by the force of the wind. I watched it plunge into a wheat field and yelled at the pilot to land so that I could retrieve it. He kept yelling at me that there were Krauts down there but in due time he landed just beside the camera, taxied over to it, I leaned out of the plane and retrieved it and off we went, followed by a hail of machine gun fire.

We “got the hell out of there” to paraphrase the pilot, dusted off the camera and took this photo. The photo appears a bit shaky but I think this was me rather than any damage from the about 1,000 ft fall.

I used this same camera for thousands of photos thereafter.

This little tale has two purposes:

To show the extent which a good photographer will go to get the photo.

Just how stupid a 19 year old photographer and a 19 year old pilot can be. Absolutely nobody told us to make this photo. It just seemed the thing to do.

This location has another distinction. In the movie “MASH” there is a scene where the soldiers attach ropes to the ladies shower and, on command pull the side down for all to see. Much to the anguish of Col. Drash, this is the location where the original of that scene was filmed, copied to the detail by the producers. Names of all the culprits have long since been suppressed but I admit to doing the photography. You can identify the shower if you follow a line from the big white cross, down across one tent and to the scene of the crime.

Melvin Shaffer

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post Melvin C. Shaffer, Photographer appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Top Row: Margaret Ford, Mary Ellen Gibson, Elizabeth Wiseman, Alice Huffman, Langhorne Cloyd, Mayme Griffitts, Ruth Eastman, Eula Wright, Minnie Lee Dozier, Mamie Donley, Margery Stulting, Frances Thomas, Addie Roadcap, Nova Dowd

Second Row: Mamie Kidd, Ella Gillespie, Kenneth Grim, Preston Trousdale, William Norman Thornton, Beverley Hairfield, William Edgar Waddell, Ruth Beery, James Richmond Low, John Coleman, John Rogers Mapp, William Laird, Jane Anderson, Helen Gilkerson

Bottom Row: Henry Mayo, Leon Culbertson, H. B. Holsinger, E. Cato Drash, Staige D. Blackford, John McNeel, Byrd S. Leavell, Edwin Shearburn, John Guerrant, Albert Gillespie

Officers of the 8th Evac in Casablanca

Top Row: James Richmond Low, John Rogers Mapp, Linus Miller, Raymond Monin, Beverley Hairfield, William Driscoll, Henry Mayo, Edwin Mulford, Herbert Smith, George Northrup, Samuel Casscells, William Laird, Francis Ross, John Morris, Sigfrid Kinkopf, Asa Scarborough

Second Row: Kenneth Grim, William Edgar Waddell, Edwin Shearburn, Albert Gillespie, Joseph Beck, John Haley, William Suhling, Byrd S. Leavell, Samuel Windham, Thomas Payne, Donald Marshall, Leon Culbertson, John Guerrant, James Culbertson, William Norman Thornton, Richard Bell, Alfred Den

Third Row: H. B. Holsinger, William Hill, Edmund Laird, Harris Holmboe, Staige D. Blackford, Lincoln Putnam, E. Cato Drash, John NcNeel, Reynold Siersema, Prentice Kinser, Maurice LeBauer, Joseph Winthrop

Bottom Row: Raymond Lynch, Elijah Jenkins, Francis Churchill, Rex Blessing, William Snavely, Robert Weller, John Murrian

8th Evac Nurses in Casablanca

Top Row: Margaret S. Hornbarger, Frances Houston, Rebecca Dofflemeyer, Alice Eagle, Mayme Griffitts, Alice Huffman, Hilda Franklin, F. Jean Williams, Kate Robinson, Langhorne Cloyd, Thelma Matthews, Frances Thomas, Alice Law, Angela Brusati, Nova Dowd, Dora Guglielmetti

Second Row: Elizabeth Wiseman, C. Elizabeth Johnson, Lottie Gibson, Helen Gilkerson, Mabel Ayers, Mamie Kidd, Ruth Eastman, Ella Gillespie, Jane Anderson, Beatrice Ramsey, Lallah Edwards

Third Row: Margaret Petersen, Clara Orsini, Lucille White, Dorothy Sandridge, Ann Mickle, Ruth Beery, Mary Jane McCone, Madge Darden, Christine Mills, Mamie Donley, Elizabeth Harlin, Mary Ellen Gibson

Bottom Row: Addie Roadcap, Cathleene Carter, Mildred Smith, Helen Berkeley, Ruby Armstrong, Annie L. Dickson, Minnie Lee Dozier, Emma Garland, Myrtle Hatcher, Margaret Phillips, Eula Wright, Elizabeth Engleman, Margaret McGown

The post The 8th Evacuation Hospital: Supplemental Pictures of Officers and Nurses appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Modesto Calif
Mar 10 – 46

Dear Ruth Beery
In Reply to letter written
to my Husband as nearest of kin to
P F.C. Joseph W Kelley Jr. His father passed
away in Aug. 43. soon after our son was
sent overseas
Im wondering about your letter. do you
know some one that knew him. Maybe
his Dr or nurse. was there a message or
something.
I’ve learned so little about it all
of course it seems such a small thing
there are so many like me
But when it means your every day
life. have it all taken away its so

very hard to go on alone, and there’s
so many things one thinks. maybe you
could tell me his nurses name and
address or maybe that isnt allowed but
thank you for the letter any way and
all Good wishes from a Broken Hearted
Mother

Maude Kelley
Rte 1 Box 499
Modesto Calif

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/034

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 31) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Anoka, Minnesota]
March 8, 1946

Ruth Beery
Dear Madam,

We rec’d your letter yesterday and
was very pleased to hear from
you in regards to our Son
Wayne, Will you please ans [answer] these
questions What was the cause
of Wayne’s death how bad was
he wounded and on what date.
was he counsious [conscious] at any time
after entering the hospital what
cemetary [cemetery] is he buried at? We
appriceate [appreciate] very much the information
you have given us, and if
you come to Rochester in the
1st part of April our Son is
on his way to Camp McCoy, Wis
and he is going to take his
mother to Rochester after he
gets his discharge and comes home,
he was stationed with the Troop
Carrier Wing in Korea has been
in the Service three years was the
5th of March. every time we rec [receive] a
letter about Wayne his mother dreams

about him that he is alive.
it makes it very hard for her
when you come to Rochester be
sure and write us and we will
try and see you. I don’t know
Just how far it is from Anoka,
will you please send me the
names of some of the nurses
that took care of Wayne? Mrs. Bradley
wish you would send us a snap
shot of your self in your uniform.
if you will please we will try
and not bother you any more and
if its possible to get to Rochester
while you are there we sure
would like to talk with you
hoping to hear from you soon
and again we wanto [want to] thank you
for writing us yours Truly

Mr John H. Bradley
Box 305, Anoka, Minnesota

Box/Folder: 33/031

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 28) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Mar. 18 – 1946.
San Antonio Texas.

Capt. Ruth Beery.
Charlottsville [Charlottesville], Va.
Dear Friend:-
I will try as best I can
to let you know how much we
apprecitated (appreciated) your kind letter, and
the information you gave us about
our Darling Son Pfc. Samuel E. Lucas.
For days and nights, we wonder,
if he had the right care, and all
that could have been done, was
done for him, as he lived four days
after he was wounded.
We hope and pray he never knew
any thing or suffered in all those
terriable (terrible) long four days and may
be nights. That has been our
night mares and thoughts all along.

Some times we think we would like
to know more, how he was wounded,
and where, but of course we know
it was bad enough to take his life.
We do know it was so hard to care
for them on the Battle Front, but some
tell us, they never let them suffer
any, when they saw they could do
nothing. But I do want to let
you know that just that much in-
formation from you was a great
help and a comfort to us.
I hope that we may hear from
you again, and God Bless you
in all your work and the work that
you did. I know you do not want
or expect any praise, because you
felt you did so little, when you saw
so many suffer and die, but just
to know that you knew our Son,
and was with him to the end
is a great comfort to us-

But you will be rewarded, but
not here.
Please let us hear from you
again, and again I thank
you for your nice letter.

Your loving Friend,
Mrs. Alta Lucas
San Antonio Tex.
May God Bless and keep you.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/040

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 37) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

204-5 ave west
Decatur ala
April 6. 46

Capt Ruth Berry
Dear friend Ruth a few days a go
I Receieved (Received) your most kind letter in regard to my
son Raphel I have been in Calif all winter and
some how this letter was not forward to me and I did
not receieved (receive) it untill [until] I got back home. It was so
kind of you to give me this information for I did
not know very much. I do not want to ask you
any thing you can not tell me but you know how
a mother feels they want to know as much as they
can and if you can tell me any more a bout (about) his
last hours if he knew any thing or said any thing
after he was brought to the Hospital I know the
nature of his wounds A friend was wonded (wounded) with
him I heard but I have never been able to see this
boy It was a great loss to ous [us] to lose Raphel any time
that you can tell me any more I will surly (surely) thank
you. And if you should ever be in Decatur look
ous (us) up I have moved here recently yours truly

Mrs Sally Parker
204 5 ave west
Decatur Ala

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/046

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 43) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Waiakoa, Maui
April 6, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery
Thank you for your letter
and the brief information. We are
glad to hear from you. Altho
P.f.c Shinobu’s life could not be
saved we are glad that everything
possible was done to him.

Thank you
Massichi Kametani

Box/Folder: 33/047

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 44) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[March 11, 1946]
Oak Grove
Eastville Virginia

My dear Miss Beery-
It was kind of
you to write me about my
boy – Lt. Ralph C. Gifford Jr – I
do appreciate your thought in
doing so -
It is some comfort to know

that he had the best of care -
and that all was done for
him that was humanly possible.
He was my only child, and
it has been awfully hard for
me to reconcile myself to
what fate has decreed  -
With heartfelt thanks for

your kind thoughtfulness-

Believe me
Sincerely Always.
Lalea [?] R. S. Gifford
March the eleventh.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/036

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 33) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Madison Tenn.
Feb. 25th 46

Copl. Ruth Beery
Dear Miss Beery
I rec’d your letter concerning the death
of my son Pvt. Arthur E. Stark, who
died of wounds recieved [received] in Action in Itley [Italy]
Jan 26th 1944.
I was very glad to get your letter as we
had recieved [received] two versions of the way
he met death & as both come from
the war department, we hardily [hardly] know
what to think, I wrote his commanding
officer shortly after we was notified of
his death & the report I recieved [received] then
said he was evacuated to a hospital
& two days later he died with out
ever having regained consionous [consciousness]
(Died of scraphnel [shrapnel] wounds)

Then In October following they awarded
him the Silver Star medal & the Citation
that accompined [accompanied] that, said, “Though
painfully wounded, Pvt Stark remained
at his post & kept constanaly [constantly] testing
his lines (He was a switch board operator
in the Infantry)
Then two days later, (after the battle) his
comrades found him dead. He had been
wounded 4 times but was still at his
post.”
The thought of him dying a lone in
that fox hole for lack of attention has
been almost more than I could stand
for he was only a boy (19) & had never
been away from home only a few days
at the time when he enlisted.
He was our only son & such a nice boy.
He had only been in the Army nine months

the day of his death
I can hardily [hardly] realize even now he’s
gone.
Was you stationed in Itlay [Italy} at that time?
You do not say out-right whether you
waited on him or not.
If you did please write me every thing about
it.
My son went over as a replacement troop
& of course went with strangers, & we have
never had any information other than
what we recieved [received] from the war. department
& a letter from the chaplain of his
out-fit.
I cant begin to tell you how much we
appreciate your writing us at this time &
would be so glad to hear from you again
if you have time to write
We sold our farm at Hendersonville after
Arthur was killed & moved into a small
town. Just a few miles from Nashville

Tenn., If you are ever stationed near
here we would be delighted to have
you come out to see us.
My family joins me in again thanking
you for your kindness in writing us
& wishing for you the best in Life

sincerely yours
Mrs. Madge B. Stark.
266 Neely’s Bend Rd.
Madison, Tenn

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/016

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 13) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

St Charles Mo.
Feb 25, 1946

Dear Miss Berry,
Being a
neighbor of Mrs. Hubert
I am writting [writing] to you for
her. She is indeed grateful
to get your kind letter and
know or hear from some-
one who cared for her son
Daniel. It is very hard
on us Mothers not to
know in what way or
condition their last few
hours were. We know
the nurses that cared for
our boys when they are
injured so seriously
are very brave and may
God bless you always
Mrs Hubert would

appreciate if you recall
if her son requested any-
thing or was he unconsious [unconscious]
Just knowing the facts can
and does ease one’s mind.
Also the location of the
hospital and if you know
the name’s of any of his
buddies that was with
him at the time. Any
information you can write
her will be so helpful.
I hope sometime if you
are ever out our way
would be so glad
to meet you.

Thanking you.
Very Sincerely
Mrs. Jos. Painter

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/019

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 16) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Cheyenne Wyo.
April 7. 1946.

Dearest Friend:
I certainly want
to tell you how much I
apperecate [appreciate] the letter you
sent my daughter Mrs Warren
you nore [nor] no one else
will ever know what a
dark spot is left in my
heart of that dear boy losing
his life over there.
He was only a son in law
but a very near and dear
son to me.
His leaving sure has
cause [caused] us many a sorrow
and will for ever.
And my dear child was

you with him when
he left this world
or not. I only wish I
could have been with
him.
His wife is married again
but shes not happy for
no one can ever take that
Boy or Robert D. Warren
place.
I most certainly appericate [appreciate]
your letter and wish that
I could only talk to you
instead of writting [writing].
It was a yr ago
March 6 he died.
I will close hoping you
will write again to us.

Mrs Kroll
1020 E s0 St.
Cheyenne Wyo.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/048

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 45) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Kennesaw, Ga.
Feb 25, 1946

Dear Crpl Beery,
Received your letter
Concerning my son PFC.
Edgar Long sure was glad
to know he was well
taken care of.
I would like to know
why his cloths [clothes] were
never sent home. if
it is possible I would
like to have them.
Hoping to hear from
you again soon.

Most Sincerely
Mrs. Cate Long

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/015

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 12) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

P. O. Box 141
Ashland, Ohio
Feb. 19, 1946.

Dear Capt Beery:-
Received your note today and I want
to thank you for writing to me.
I have often hoped that some day
I would hear from someone that had been
with my late husband or had seen him or
something. I have often wondered just what
happened that day. But I don’t suppose I
ever will since most of the boys he was with
were from Texas.
I had been informed by the govern-
ment that he was ill and since he almost
had pneumonia once before I was rather prepared
for the worse. Altho I still say it was rather
hard to take. But then things do happen and
it could have been right here at home as out
there in his case.
I knew he was being well cared for

he wrote me one letter from the hospital and he
said he was getting the best of everything the
first decent things he had had in weeks.
There is one thing I have often wondered
about and that is his wrist watch. He had broken
the strap and was carrying the watch in his pocket.
until he could get the strap fixed or get a new one.
That was the only thing I didn’t get back or that
was of any importance or value. I don’t know if
it was on him at the time he was brought into
the hospital or not. But I do know that it was
on him just before that.
I did get back the broken strap that
is what seems strange but then strange things
did happen over there as I have found out since
some of the boys I knew have returned.
The watch was a gift from friends and
I would of liked to have given it to my son
some day. The value of the watch alone didn’t
mean much it was just that it belonged to
his Dad and his Dad was very proud of the
gift. My late husband’s name was engraved on
the back so maybe some day I will find it.
Or maybe run across the person that has it.
Because I would know it any place.

But I might as well forget about it there
isn’t anything I can do about it. As I said
strange things do happen.
Yes, I do have a baby but he isn’t
much of a baby any more. He will be 3 in
May. He is built and looks very much
like his Dad. He is very tall for his age. I hate
to think what he will be when he goes to school
he will be so much bigger than the others. But
he can’t help that I guess. Any way I’m very
glad that I have him.
Thank you again for taking time to
write me it was wonderful of you to do so and
I can assure you it was greatly appreicated [appreciated].

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dorothy J. Coss

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/007

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 4) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Dr. John L. Guerrant

John L. Guerrant was born in Callaway, Virginia, in December 1910. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1933 and from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1937. He was a research fellow and resident physician at the University before he left to serve as a medical doctor with the 8th Evac where he was a medical ward officer and Director of the Clinical Laboratory. After the war, in 1945, he married Laura Bailey.  He rose in rank to become Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Chief of the Pulmonary Allergy Division, and founder of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory. He semi-retired in 1976 and was chair of the Professional Review Organization of the Medical Society of Virginia. Although retired, Dr. Guerrant often attended lectures and Grand Rounds at the University of Virginia Medical Center and frequently visited the Health Sciences Library. He was instrumental in helping collect and preserve the history of the 8th Evac. His wife died in 2006, and he died in February 2012 in Charlottesville at age 101.

You asked for personal comments on the 8th Evacuation Hospital, commonly called the 8th Evac. I was fortunate that I could serve my World War II duty as a member of the 8th Evac. We started with a group of excellent doctors and nurses. Most had a relationship with the University of Virginia Medical School or Nursing School. The Army provided a very fine group of enlisted men. We learned to work well together and became an excellent hospital.

There was a strong affection between the 8th Evac, the University of Virginia, and the Charlottesville community. This began with the recruitment of doctors and nurses, lasted through World War II and still persists with numerous veterans.

During the recruitment period Drs. Blackford and Drash and Miss Beery found numerous doctors and nurses eager to join the Unit. Many of them were active members of the University of Virginia Hospital staff. Others had been house staff or nursing staff members in the past or alumni of the University of Virginia. Dean Jordan of the Medical School was very proud that the University could form an affiliated unit. Citizens of the community contributed generously to a fund that could be used by the Unit for special equipment or needs not provided by the usual Army sources. Mr. John R. Morris, the father of an 8th Evac doctor and a local contractor, was active in raising the money.

While on active duty in North Africa and in Italy the 8th Evac was often located next to a road used by the Army. Numerous passing University of Virginia alumni stopped to visit in the hope of seeing an old friend. They might enjoy a meal in our officer’s mess which had an excellent reputation. Colonel Blackford was very gregarious and an excellent conversationalist. He had many friends among the alumni who enjoyed visiting him.

The doctors in our group were accustomed to a weekly Grand Rounds. Under the leadership of Colonel Blackford and Major Leavell the custom was continued during the war, even when we were busy with many admissions and stressful work. There were numerous excellent discussions about current medical problems and interesting patients. Medical officers from nearby units were invited. Many came, and all were encouraged to stay for lunch. The doctors who were battalion surgeons in combat units appreciated the hot shower and clean towel.

Jefferson Day Celebration

We regularly celebrated the University of Virginia Founders Day on Jefferson’s birthday, April 13. The first celebration was in North Africa in 1943. Thirty men and twenty-five women participated. We were joined by numerous members of the 8th Evac. We did honor to Jefferson by reading aloud extracts from some of his letters.Our second celebration was in Italy, where there were numerous University alumni from our hospital and from other units. Colonel Blackford presided. After several talks we adjourned for dinner which was followed by a festive evening and lots of Virginia songs. The Italian Chapter of the University of Virginia Alumni Association was formed.

There were plans for a third Founders Day celebration in April 1945, but it was cancelled because of the death of President Roosevelt.

After World War II some of us returned to the University where we were royally received. We soon started to work. Several of our enlisted men became University of Virginia students.

8th Evacuation Hospital Reunion

For fifty years we had regular five year reunions which were well attended. Former 8th Evac members who had no association with the University before the war seemed to enjoy visiting Charlottesville, and many became enthusiastic about the University.

The memories of my experiences during World War II and the many friends that I made are an important part of my life.

My sincere thanks to those of you in the Historical Section of the Health Sciences Library who have done so much to keep the memory of the 8th Evacuation Hospital alive.

Sincerely yours,

John L. Guerrant

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post Captain John L. Guerrant, M.D., Medical Ward Officer and Clinical Laboratory Director appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Pietramala in Winter and the 1945 Spring Offensive

Winterized Operating Room: shows changes made in the operating light to eliminate cumbersome legs and braces formerly used.

Operating Room: in full swing

8th Evacuation Hospital in Pietramala during the 1944-45 Winter
(click image to enlarge)

The War Ends for the 8th Evac

Leaving Pietramala

Ruins in Italy

Lake Garda

The 8th Evac at Lake Garda

Contributions of the 8th Evacuation Hospital

Dispensary: Soldier receiving an immunization shot.

Shock Tent

Surgery

A fine tribute was paid to the unit by George Tucker, a war correspondent for the Associated Press, in a letter to Brigadier General Joseph Martin after observing the Hospital in Carinola:

Never have I seen any hospital function so effortlessly and smoothly during the terrible confusion of battle. Through the courtesy of Lt. Col. Cato Drash I spent much of the first three days of the battle in the shock wards and in surgery where hour after hour and day after day our doctors and nurses drove themselves relentlessly without thought of themselves so that our casualties could have every chance. There were moments when it seemed as if we would be swamped, but the efficiency of this hospital never faltered for a moment. It was an inspiring thing to see. (Leavell, p. 139)

5th Army Commendation for 8th Evac

The Hospital functioned in the heat of North Africa and southern Italy and in the rain, snow, and cold of the mountains. At times the operating areas were all in use with 100 men waiting for surgery; at other times the staff had time on their hands and little to entertain themselves. Receiving more awards, commendations, and decorations than most similar units, it served longer in North Africa and Italy than any other American hospital. The men and women of the 8th Evacuation Hospital served their country well and were excellent representatives of the University of Virginia.

The post Fifth Army Victory in Italy appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Dear Miss Beerey -.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve received
your comforting letter conscerning [concerning] my Sons
death. Pvt. Francis N. Wolf in Italy.
I’ve tried so hard to answer your letter but
sorrow and grief over took me. I could not
get it accomplished.
I don’t mean to bother you as you have
been more than kind to write to me as
it was. but please will you tell me just
this one thing. Were you with him when he
died and did he ask you to write to
me. Please will you answer this question
for me. As it will mean so much to

me if you do.
I have been in very ill health since I received
that sad news that he was gone.
I have lost one of the most lovable Sons any
mother can ever loose [lose]. And I don’t belive [believe]
any thing is worse for any mother to bear
than losing their Sons and never to even
to have them home to care for them when
they need them
Our home will never be the same as we
both his Dad and I miss him so much.
Pleas [Please] I ask again will you answer that
question just for my sake. “Please” So I
may have a little more comfort
Thanking You and may God bless
you and keep you.

I am Sinceerely [Sincerely]
Mrs. Pearl Wolf
336 Chestnut St.
West Reading Pa.

Former adress [address] was
938 Lancaster Ave.
Reading
Pa.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/060

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 54) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Feb. 25, 1946
Quitman Texas
Copl. Ruth Berry
Dear Miss Berry
We rec your most welcome letter
We didn’t know any thing
Only that our son pvt. John T. Bevill
was wounded on the 17th
of April and died the 20th.
Was you his nurce [nurse]? and could
you tell us how he was
wounded? And if he knew or
said any thing from the
time he was wounded until
he died? Any information
you can give us will sure be
appreated [appreciated]
Your friends,
Mr. and Mrs. Finnie D. Bevill
Quitman
Gen. Del. Texas [envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/017

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 14) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Staten Is N.Y.]
Apr. 9, 1946

Dear Miss Beery,
Thank you so
much for your
kind letter,
concerning my
son Pvt. Michael
P. Rogolewich.

Very Sincerely,
Lida Rogolewich
3058 Victory Blvd.
Travis,
Staten Is N.Y.

Box/Folder: 33/049

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 46) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

The 8th Evac Starts Work in Italy

Litter Bearers Re-Enactment

In October 1943 the 8th Evacuation Hospital moved past crashed planes, burned tanks, and destroyed buildings to Caserta, Italy, to finally begin receiving non-operative patients in buildings on the grounds of a huge castle. Hepatitis, malaria, respiratory infections, psychoneurosis, and psychosis were the most common diseases. Trench foot, shrapnel wounds, fractures, and sprains were the most common diagnoses made on the surgical service.

Lieutenant Colonel Harris Holmboe

Enlisted Men in the Utilities Tent

Lieutenant Colonel Harris Holmboe, Assistant Resident in Surgery at the University of Virginia, was largely responsible for re-equipping the Hospital during the time in Caserta and improving its ability to function. He set up a hospital workshop and worked closely with Randal Luscombe to design equipment over the course of the war. Surgical tents were normally supported with center-poles which hampered movement and slowed the surgeons. A method of erecting the tents without the awkward center-pole was devised. Holmboe obtained aluminum from German bomb cases to make sinks, improved the standard water-heating system, was involved in designing an adjustable operating table and, in general, used his ingenuity to make life in the field more efficient and less onerous.

Wounded around Receiving Room Stove

In December 1943 the Hospital continued its northwest movement in Italy to an area near Teano, where it first functioned as a field hospital as part of a combat operation. The Hospital served an area where some of the most intense fighting of the war occurred under difficult conditions. The locale was mountainous, and rain, snow, and sleet resulted in ankle deep mud which hampered the transportation of daily necessities to the troops on the front and the evacuation of the wounded.

Patient Care in Italy

Casualties in Receiving Tent

Surgical Tent

Dental Clinic

Clinical Lab

The Spring-Summer 1944 Offensive

Ambulances lined up to evacuate patients to base hospitals

Map from The 8th Evac, by Byrd Stuart Leavell

Tent Pitching: The unit became experts in pitching tents.

Medicinal Packing: The new system packing is demonstrated.

Colonel Lewis W. Kirkman

Galluzzo, six miles from Florence, was reached by the 8th Evacuation Hospital on August 30, 1944, under the command of Colonel Lewis W. Kirkman, a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Medicine. September was a busy month with an average of one thousand cases a week, fifty operations a day, and sometimes three hundred admissions and discharges in a day. Rainy weather, mountainous surroundings, and insufficent roads added to the heavy load of all medical units.

Preparing for Winter in Pietramala

Mud in Pietramala

Winterized Ward Tent

Winterized Tent: An oil burning stove heats a winterized tent with wooden floor and sidewalls.

Chopping Wood: The Army provided no fuel for personnel living quarters so the unit improvised.

Prefabricated Shock Ward

The post War in Italy appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Altoona, Ala
March 12, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery
Thank you for your letter. In regard
to answering your letter I will start by
asking you these questions, first did
my son know any thing and talk any
after he was wounded? Second do
you know if he got an identification
bracelet while he was in the hospital
before he died? We got every Xmas
present that we had sent him back,
except the bracelet and I didn’t know
but what he might have gotten it. So
if you can answer those questions I
would appreciate it very much, but if
you can’t that will be all right,
because I know and realize you aren’t
able to tell any thing.
Yes, I realize that the doctors and

nurses did a great and wonderful job
for our boys in the Armed forces, because
there are quite a few that wouldn’t be here
today if it hadn’t been for the great care
that you nurses and doctors [gave]. Thanks
to you.
I’m very proud that my son wasn’t
allowed to suffer and I’m sure that he
was given the greatest of care.
From the pictures I’ve seen of the
Military Cemeteries, they are kept beautifully.
I just imagine that it was kinda [kind of]
impossible for you to keep a complete record
of all the boys.
Thanking you again for your kindness
Hoping to hear from you again. May God
Be With you Always is my prayer to you.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Emma J. Wilson

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/037

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 34) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Brighton, Ill
March 7. 1946

My Dear Ruth
We were so glad to hear
from you about my
Son P.vt Delbert. I guess
you seen him a boy in
his co once wrote & told
us Delbert was wounded
June 23 & died 24 they also
said: he was wounded about
2:30. was that in morning
or after noon & when did
he die what time day or night
did he ever know any thing
after he was taken to the
Hospital Delbert had
3 other Bro in Service
they are all home now

where did he die the
name of the place in
Italy was it near the
Anzio Beach head? was
his wound very bad? was
it deep or what? would
you please let me know
I may never know if
you don’t tell me these
thing I did want to know
what time he died how
soon did they burry [bury] him
after he died. I am sure
the Dr’s & nurses did all
they could was you one of
his nurses? I am Delbert
mother Delbert was the first
to go in our family I had 11
children thanks for writing

Mrs. E. E. Whitaker
Brighton.
Ill.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/030

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 27) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Reading, Penna.]
Tuesday,
April 23, 46

Dear Captain Berry:
On Saturday last, I had the opportunity
of reading the letter you sent my aunt concerning her
son Francis, who was killed in action in Italy.
In the letter you stated that Francis
died in a field hospital, and that all possible aid
was administered to him. You wrote saying you wanted
to help ease her mind concerning her son.
There is one question we all would
like to know, and would appreciate it fully if you
could help. Did Francis ask you to write his
parents? He must have given you some information
as to his home and his parents so you could write.
His buddy came to see Mrs. Wolf upon his discharge,
and told her Francis was slightly wounded in the
leg, and took refuge in a stone home with a few other
wounded. This home later was hit by mortar fire and
crushed Francis, which resulted in his death. We
think Francis must have talked to you before he
died. If he did, would you please write Mrs Wolf
and tell her what he said? She is grieving for
her son, and I know it would ease her mind
greatly. And no matter what it is, you needn’t be
afraid of saying anything wrong, because she is
prepared for the worst.

So if there is any other information you
could give, please write Mrs Clayton Wolf at
336 Chestnut Street, Reading, Penna.

Thank You Very Much,
Leonard Steely

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/051

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 48) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Hobson, Texas
March 21, 1946.

Captain Ruth Beery
Dear friend
This is in reply to your letter recieved [received]
February 20 in regard to my brother
S/Sgt Oscar W. Koenig
It gives us much comfort to know
he was cared for in a hospital by
doctors and nurses although there are
many things we will never know
about how he met his death
He was wounded June 5, 1944 most
likely in the outskirts of Rome this
being one day after Rome fell. The
telegram we recieved [received] stated that he
was only slightly wounded, which
gave us high hopes for his recovery
Then 8 days later we recieved [received] another
saying he had died of wounds. It was
rather hard to understand why he died of
slight wounds when others we know
lived after being serously [seriously] wounded. Of
course mistakes can be made in sending
telegrams and complications could have
set in too.
We thank you from the bottom of

our hearts for being so kind to write
us as this is the only word recieved [received]
outside of those two telegrams from
Uncle Sam. Any additional information
which you might know would be
deeply appreciated. Of course we can
understand that nurses can’t remember
from so long past unless his case
should have been a very outstanding
one.
My father has been very ill but is
much improved so that is why
I am writing instead. We would
be glad to hear from you again and thanks
a million. I remain

Sincerely
Lillie Koenig

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/041

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 38) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Mrs. Edith N. Murphy
16 Glendale Place
Buffalo 8, New York
Feb 24 1946

Dear Capt. Ruth Beery,
It gave me
great pleasure to receive your letter,
and added satisfaction knowing
every thing possible was done for the
comfort of my son John, who made
the supreme sacrifice.
It was very
kind of you to write, and I appreciate
it. Now that the war is over I am
anxiously looking forward to the
discharge of my two sons, one who
has served Uncle Sam in the Marine
Corp since July 1940.
Thanking you for your kindness
I am Sincerly [Sincerely]
Edith Murphy.

Box/Folder: 33/013

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 10) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Feb. 20. 1946, Sidney O.

Dear Miss Berry:
It was a very pleasant
surprise to receive your letter. I had
already known that he died in a
Hospital as his bro. was stationed
in Italy last winter & visited his grave
on Memorial day. He was the nicest
boy a Mother ever had.
His Bro. was Radar operator
on a P. 61 & is a 1st Lt. he is at home
now with his little 8 mo old son
whom we named [     ]
Thank you so much for
writing would love to have you
visit us if you are ever in Ohio

Sincerely
Mrs. Iva Bunker
327 N. Walnut Ave.

Box/Folder: 33/008

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 5) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Miss G Winkel
3319 W. 60th Pl
Chicago, 29. Ill.
March 1, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery:-
The information you
have been so kind to give
us has helped a great deal.
Just to know that our darling
had skilled care, and that
some-one was with him
certainly gives us a little relief.
We are thankful that he
died in a bed, and not
on the cold ground.
One of the chaplains wrote
to me, I believe his name was
Father Marlowe. He said
he traveled back to the hospital
where Ray was, and found
that he had passed away
after an operation was

performed. He also mentioned
that the doctor thought
he would pull through, but
complications must have
set in.
I don’t expect you to recall
any-thing about the men.
I know you had so many
of these good men under
your skilled care. And I
hope the nurses, and doctors
realize that the family
of each one of the boys,
will be eternally grateful
for their untiring service.
They often think of the
difficult task they had.
I certainly wished that
had I been a nurse, I

too might have served.
Three days after we received
the sad notice from the
War Dept. we received a
package from Ray, with
a large photograph of
himself, inclosed [enclosed] in
frame with glass and all.
And a last gift to his mother
a string of beads.
Some of his buddies had
taken pictures out there, and
Ray had promised to send
some. I do wish I could
get in contact with some-one
who has those snaps.
Well I do not want to
take up more of your time
so I will thank you again
for your kindness,
Sincerely,
Gertrude

P.S. If you ever visit
Chicago, You will be more
then [than] welcome at our home.
Gertrude.

Box/Folder: 33/025

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 22) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Guide to Letter Transcription

The letters are transcribed as written. Misspellings in the letters have been preserved, but the correct spelling of a word is given in brackets following the misspelled word. Beery saved most of the envelopes. Many have “ans” written on the envelope itself, and in those cases that is indicated at the end of the transcription by [envelope marked "ans"].

The Letters

The post Read the Letters appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Detroit,
Mich
3 – 23 – 46

Dear Miss Beery:
Please excuse my lengthy
time in answering your
very much appreciated note
in expressing your sympathy
and also your interest in
trying to obtain some
information regarding my
son Pvt. Francis E. Ramp.
Naturally I most assuredly
would like to be able to obtain
something definite as to his
passing etc, but presume the
only way that could be done
is just by chance of contacting
nurses or doctors which cared
for him during that time, and

that would be herculean.
He was a very dear boy, no
drinking or smoking and Certainly
leaves a Void in our lives
which never can be replaced.
Again thanking you very
much for your interest and
wishing the Best of Everything for
you,

Most sincerely,
Mrs. E. Ramp
14855 Fairfield
Detroit 21,
Mich.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/043

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 40) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Mar. 12. 1946
Fall River Mass

Dear Cpl Breery
I have recived [received] your letter and
was very glad to hear from you
it one year ago Feb. 6 that my
boy went away I was so glad
to get this letter I’ll like to thank
who ever gave you my address
you’ll never know the joy in
my heart the day I got it.
it made me nearer to my son
he may be gone but never
forgetting by me there is neve [never]
a days pass that we don’t said
his mane [name]
I had his son over the week end
he is 3 year old and went [when] we show
him his dad picture he say
that my daddy and kiss it

and set on the chair and rock it
he looks so mush [much] like his dad.
couse [course] the baby is only one year old
I don’t have him mush [much] he neve [never]
seen his dad. she remarry and
I try not to go only went [when]she
need me were still fried [friends] I never
meet him yet.
Oh forgive me for telling you
all this you know how it
is if at any time your [you're] this
way please come to see me
I’d love it and thank the one
that gave you my address I
love to thank them my self if I
could. I’ll close now May God
bless you and a lot of luck to
you. a lot of thank for your
letter write again

senserely [sincerely] your
Mrs B[lanche] Levesque

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/038

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 35) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

On February 4, 1942, the Charlottesville Daily Progress newspaper reported:

The University of Virginia again will sponsor a medical unit for war service with the Nation’s armed forces. This time it will be an evacuation hospital unit, designed primarily for emergency surgical cases, instead of a general hospital such as the University sponsored in Base Hospital No. 41 in the First World War. Permission was given yesterday by President John L. Newcomb of the University and Dean Harvey E. Jordan of the School of Medicine for the organization to proceed. [Leavell, p. 3]

Dr. Staige D. Blackford

On March 2, 1942, Dean Jordan wrote a letter recommending that Dr. Staige E. Blackford be made director of the unit, which was to be organized as the 8th Evacuation Hospital. Three days later Lieutenant Colonel Francis M. Fitts, who was in charge of organizing affiliated units for the Medical Corps, replied: “General Magee has approved the designating of Dr. Staige D. Blackford as Director of the Unit. His application has been forwarded with favorable recommendation for his appointment as Lieutenant Colonel.”

Dr. E. Cato Drash

Captain Ruth Berry

The Call to Active Duty

8th Evac Personnel, Prior to Leaving Charlottesville
click to enlarge

It was expected that the 8th Evacuation Hospital would be activated on September 1, 1942. To provide field experience during July and August, the members of the University unit applied for active duty. While awaiting orders, the individuals closed medical practices, transferred patients and their records, sold or stored equipment, and made wills. By the end of June members of the unit received a red-bordered “IMMEDIATE ACTION” order to active duty.

Gym, Pageland, South Carolina

The unit was assigned to the 3d Evacuation Hospital which it joined in Pageland, South Carolina. The new officers spent the first two weeks in basic training. Four or five hours each day were devoted to lectures on military courtesy, medical records, military administration, field sanitation, camouflage, and the use of gas masks. Both officers and enlisted men went on road marches and learned to roll packs and pitch tents.

Nurses Quarters, Pageland, S.C.

After general training they set up an evacuation hospital to serve the troops during maneuvers. Tents for the medical and surgical wards, operating room, dispensary, kitchen, x-ray, and messes were pitched in a field. The members of the unit were also responsible for unpacking the hospital equipment and drugs for the pharmacy.

Officers’ Club, Pageland, S.C.

They discovered that most items had been wrapped in November 1918 newspapers. The equipment was incomplete in modern operating room equipment, lacking in essential laboratory and X-ray equipment, and stocked with obsolete items. Lieutenant Colonel Blackford wrote home to his wife:

Whoever did the packing of our supplies had a keen sense of humor, sometimes putting office equipment, kitchen utensils, books, drugs, surgical apparatus, towels, and so forth all in the same box. And as for the surgical supplies we have every kind of imaginable instrument for examining and treating eyes or removing a stomach, but there is not a single surgical scalpel in the $86,000 worth of equipment. If there are any hemostats in the six carloads of medical supplies, we haven’t been able to find them³ [Byrd Stuart Leavell, The 8th Evac: A History of the University of Virginia Hospital Unit in World War II. Richmond: Dietz, 1970, p.18]

By the middle of July the Hospital began receiving patients. In a little over a month more than 1600 patients were hospitalized, most with minor disorders, but some with more serious diagnoses such as hepatitis, encephalitis, amebic dysentery, and appendicitis.

Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln F. Putnam

The 8th Evacuation Hospital was activated on August 19, 1942, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln F. Putnam, who had been the commanding officer of the 3d Evacuation Hospital. Further training was given to the unit at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. In addition to the usual calisthenics, drills, lectures, and athletics, the officers assisted the Camp Kilmer station hospital personnel in performing physical examinations on troops due to be sent overseas within 48 hours. One thousand men could be examined in four hours by five-person teams.

The post Formation of the 8th Evacuation Hospital appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Feb 29 1946
Rout # 5
Spartanburg
S. C

Dear Miss Berry
I dont know how to thank you
for writing me It sure does
help to know that my son
Joseph had the best of care
and to have someone like
you to write and tell me
about It helps a lot Wish
I could meet and talk with
you We have a D_R pool
that was In Italy did you
know him I cant seame (seem)
to think of any words that
are right to thank you

for writing me about Joseph
he had wrote me a letter the
7 and he was killed the 9th
letter was cheerfull [cheerful] he had
been to see his buddy Odell
Vaughn he was In the
hospital at rome he Is here
at home now both of his
legs was taken off above
the nees [knees] you should see him
walk and see how cheerfull [cheerful]
he takes It let me thank
you again and again and I
remain yours truley [truly]

Mrs Ethel M Moore

Box/Folder: 33/024

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 21) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Linden, New Jersey
March 6, 1946

My Dear Capt. Brown,
I want to thank you for your kindness and
courtesy in writing such a nice letter to me reassuring me
of the fine care given my son Stanley.
As you must realize, knowing that our Stanley
will never come home is a terrible, terrible shock to
us and we just can’t get ourselves to face the truth.
My two older sons William and Charles are both home now,
but the “Baby” of our family is missing and it leaves a
sadness that will never be dispelled.
If possible I would like to talk to you on the
phone to thank you personally for the interest you
have shown and to hear whatever you may have to say
regarding the actions of Stanley and his buddies. We covet every
scrap of news we have of our son – and just talking to you – would be a
dear memory to me. Would you give me your phone number if you
have one – Capt Beery – and let me know for how long you expect to be home.
Thanks again for taking time out to write such a
kind letter. It really is wonderful to find such heart-felt
interest from one I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting and it
sure is appreciated – very, very, much -

Sincerely yours,
Mrs. F. Nezgodowitz

Mrs. Frances Nezgodowitz
128 Maple Avenue, Linden, New Jersey

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/029

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 26) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

• About Ruth Beery
• About the Letters
• Read the Letters
• See Ruth Beery’s Uniform (Links to the UVA Medical Artifacts Collection in Virgo)

About Ruth Beery…

Ruth Beery was born on May 18, 1901, in Missouri to a Methodist minister, Dewitt Aldine Beery, and his wife, Jennie.  Her family moved to Virginia when she was four. Following completion of her secondary school studies at Jefferson High School in Roanoke, she attended and graduated from Emory and Henry College. Beery then trained at the University of Virginia Hospital where she remained as an instructor in science at the School of Nursing.  While later a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, she was asked to be the principal chief nurse of the World War II hospital sponsored by the University of Virginia. Before she could accept the offer, the Army had to grant her an age waiver as she was 41, one year older than the Army age limit for entering service. Read more

About the Letters…

During World War II Captain Ruth Beery kept a small black notebook labeled “Addresses of Deceased.” Her earliest entry is dated December 23, 1943, and her last, more than 200 deaths later, is dated May 23, 1945, about two weeks after Victory in Europe Day…. After the war Beery wrote letters to the next-of-kin of many of the soldiers who had died at the 8th Evacuation Hospital…. Assuming that Beery kept all of the letters she received in response to her letters, nearly half of the next-of-kin wrote her back. These 53 letters form the bulk of the Ruth Beery collection and range from a polite thank you penned by a remarried wife to the desperate pleas for more information about a beloved son. Read more

Read the Letters…

The collection includes “form” letters written by Ruth Beery to the next-of-kin and the 53 letters that she received in response. Read the Letters

The post Captain Ruth Beery, Chief Nurse: Correspondence with Next-of-Kin of Soldiers Who Died at the 8th Evac appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Southmayd Tex.
May, 7, 1946
N. 741970

Copl Ruth Beery
309 Park Place
Charlottesville. Va.

Dear Miss Beery;
I am Mrs. Alvin Garner
I’m answering the letter
you wrote some time
back. Can you give
us any information of
our son’s death? all
we know is P.F.C. Clarence C.
Garner died of wounds.
do you know what
kind of injurys [injuries] and
did you learn to know
him personally. Im his
step mother, it was like

giving my own son up
he was like an own
son I helped raise him
he seemed like my own
he was so good. it was
so hard to give him up
he was prepared to go
made it easier on us
to give him up he was
barely 23 years of age.
ever [every] body loved him
that knew him. he
certainly was good to
me. [deleted words: also his three little]
I have 3 children of my
own you couldn’t tell but
what they were own brother
& sisters. If you know
any thing to write me

surely would appreciate
hearing from you if your [you're]
ever at Southmayd Tex
come to see me. we own
the Southmayd Tel. exchange
I operate it also keep my
house & three children
in School.  Mr Garner
works in the fire dept
at Perrin Field.
Hope to hear from you
soon.

You’rs Sincerely
Mrs Alvin Garner
Southmayd
Texas.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/053

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 50) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

• Leavell, Byrd Stuart. The 8th Evac: A History of the University of Virginia Hospital Unit in World War II. Richmond: Dietz, 1970.
  • This book is the source of most of the information for the exhibit. Dr. Leavell graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1935 and became a member of the Faculty of Medicine in 1939. He attained the rank of major in the war and was awarded the bronze star medal. According to the forward in his book, he was asked during the war to write about the University of Virginia-affiliated unit. Thankfully he did so, as his book gives an extensive history of the 8th Evac.
• Allen, Max S., ed. Medicine under Canvas: A War Journal of the 77th Evacuation Hospital. Kansas City: Sosland, 1949.
• Base Hospital 41 Collection. Historical Collections and Services, The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
• Cabell, Julian M. A Brief Sketch of Base Hospital No. 41. [Washington, D.C.: s.n., 1925].
• 8th Evac Collection. Historical Collections and Services, The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Unless otherwise noted all photographs are from this Collection. Special thanks to Melvin Shaffer for contributing his image of “The 8th Evacuation Hospital in Pietramala during the 1944-45 Winter.”
• Morton, C. Bruce. History of the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1824-1971. Charlottesville: Division of Medical Art and Photography, University of Virginia Medical Center [1974?].
• Shear, Deming J. “Historical Sketch of Base Hospital #41: A University of Virginia W.W.I Unit, n.d.”TMs [photocopy]. Historical Collections and Services, The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
• Smith, Clarence McKittrick. The Medical Department: Hospitalization and Evacuation, Zone of Interior. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, 1956.
• UVa Goes to War [sound recording]: the Story of the 8th Evacuation Hospital in World War II. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, 1989. Audiocassette.
  • This special program highlights the recollections of three 8th Evac alumni. Elizabeth Drash, John L. Guerrant, and W. Norman Thornton share their wartime experiences as they recall the hardships, rewards, and camaraderie of their service in North Africa and Italy. John F. Harlan, himself a WWII veteran and former UVa Hospital Director, acts as moderator. Held November 16, 1989, the program was part of the History of the Health Sciences Lecture Series sponsored by Historical Collections & Services of the UVa Health Sciences Library.

Links to Films:

Presenting Miss Carol Bruce, a song just for the men at the 8^th Evac: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXmWUeq4b2o.

The Evacuation Hospital (1945), War Department Film Bulletin F.B. No. 173 produced by Army Pictorial Service Signal Corps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf7deh0H0GM. (This film is about WWII evacuation hospitals in general.)

Casablanca 1943, U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center Film Archive, the Col. George B. Jarrett Collection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f05v4EQ2ulU. (This film reportedly includes footage of the 8th Evac.)

Credits:

This exhibit was created by Janet Pearson with the assistance of Joby Topper. Special thanks to Dr. John L. Guerrant, Dorothy Sandridge Gloor, and Elizabeth Harlin Drash for sharing their stories and helping us identify photographs. Except where marked otherwise, all text and images in this exhibit are the property of Historical Collections & Services of the Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia. For permission to reproduce any of the text or images or to make comments or suggestions, please contact a member of Historical Collections.

The post Credits, Bibliography & Film Links appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Minneapolis, Minn]
Feb 28, 1946

Dear Capt Ruth Beery-
I was very surprised to recive [receive]
the not [note] you sent me telling me about my
dear son. I’m very thankful to you for
writing & letting me know that he was
cared at hospital. I was always woundering [wondering]
where did my son die, but now I’m satis-
fide [satisfied] because I know. You wrote that no
additional information can be given. I
feel awful about that because I sure
would like to know what part of my
sons body was wounded. Day in & day out
I keep thinking if my son is lying in his
grave without an arm or leg or both; it bothers
me some thing awful. And another thing
is that I sure would love to know

where is my son buried. So please if
you can drop me a not [note] & let me know
at least how I could find out. Please
excuse my writing. I’m shaking all
over writing you these few words. I
want to thank you again my dear.
I’m sorry for not mentioning my sons name, it’s
Sgt Joe D. Fetzek, my son.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. A. J. Fetzek

Mrs. A. J. Fetzek
957 – 42 Ave N. E.
Minneapolis, Minn

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/023

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Anoka, Minn
Apr 16, 1946

Ruth Beery
Dear Madam.
I did not rec [receive] no ans [answer]
to my last letter Would
like to know what
date you will be at
Rochester as Mrs Bradley
wants to meet you
We would like to have
her take a check up
on herself while there
or if you prefer you
can come to Anoka.

We can meet you at the
Anoka Bus depot you
see if Mrs Bradley goes
to Rochester she will
haf [have] to make a [an] appointment
there please let us
hear from you at once
when you will be at
Rochester yours Truly

Mr John H. Bradley
Box 305 Anoka, Minnesota
ans [answer] please

Box/Folder: 33/050

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 47) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Washington Depot, Connecticut
March 4, 1946]

Dear Miss Berry,
It was so thoughtful
of you to send me a letter.
I certainly appreciated it.
Two years ago last
Sunday my son passed away.
Someday I hope we can find
out how he was injured.
Malcolm wrote he had his
fingers hurt and that he
was in a hospital. Letters

from the government stated
he was on the recovery
list. Last a telegram stating
he had died from pneumonia.
Would you know the name
of the place where he died?
In the future I hope we
can find out the name of
the cemetery and the place
where he is buried.
If you could give me any
personal information about
Malcolm it would be
appreciated.

Most sincerely,
Carl E. Johnson

March 4 1946
School Street
Washington Depot
Connecticut

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/028

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William P. Snavely

William Pennington Snavely was born in Charlottesville, Virginia and attended Hampden-Sydney before transferring to the University of Virginia where he received his B.A. and then his Masters in 1941. Snavely served as a Captain and was the assistant registrar in the 8th Evacuation Hospital Unit. He went back to school after the war with the help of the G. I. bill. He earned his Ph.D. in economics and taught for 26 years at the University of Connecticut and then for 13 years at George Mason University. He was chairman of the department at both universities. He was an enthusiastic pilot. He retired in 1986 and returned to Charlottesville. He moved to Florida where he died in February 2010.

 In response to your request, I am glad to pass on some recollection tidbits of my service with the Eighth Evacuation Hospital.

Flash back to the spring of 1942. I was finishing up the courses required for my second graduate degree while waiting for my draft number to be called, when Dr. Blackford stopped by to ask if I would be interested in filling the position of assistant registrar in the evacuation hospital unit which he was forming. This spot carried the rank of second lieutenant in the Medical Administrative Corps of the Army of the United States. I was delighted at the opportunity and accepted on the spot. After a physical exam and the processing of necessary paperwork, I received my commission.

In due course, orders arrived to report to active duty on maneuvers in Pageland, South Carolina, on July 1, 1942. Lt. Col. Blackford, several of the medical officers, and I took the same train and spent the time chatting about what lay ahead. I remember clearly Col. Blackford’s saying, “It will be five years before we see Charlottesville again.” This was a sobering thought for all of us, and certainly for me since I had just gotten married on June 4th. We arrived in Pageland that afternoon and joined a cadre of enlisted men led by a Regular Army Medical Administrative Corps captain. The officers were housed on the large floor of a local school gym where rows of army cots were placed.

I was assigned that first night to bivouac with the enlisted men who were sleeping in pup tents in a nearby woods. I was issued a pup tent with blankets and went off with the Regular Army 1st Sergeant who kindly took me under his wing. We selected a spot under a pine tree, and he helped me set up the tent. I stretched out my blanket and bedded down for what I assumed would be an uneventful night. I quickly became acutely aware that pine needles are a poor substitute for box springs and a mattress. I had stupidly not thought to buy an air mattress and sleeping bag, and resolved to do so at the first opportunity.

About 2:00 a.m., I was startled by someone shaking my foot and saying, “Lieutenant, lieutenant, wake up.” I recognized the voice and said, “What is it, sergeant?” He replied, “Just now when replacing the guard, I found one of the guards on duty asleep. That’s a capital offense.” This startling news grabbed my full attention, and I replied, “What shall we do?” He suggested putting the guard under detention and reporting the incident to the adjutant in the morning. I gladly concurred, but got little more sleep the rest of the night, wondering what the poor guard’s fate might be. Would it be firing squad at dawn? The incident was handled without execution or anything of major consequence, but it certainly brought home to me that I was really in the Army now! I should mention that I did eventually get to visit the PX (Post Exchange) at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and bought both an air mattress and a sleeping bag. They were the best investments I ever made, and I used them both for the rest of the war.

After maneuvers, the 8th Evac was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, to hold for a time. When we left, it was by troop train under tight security for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, near the port of New York. We had numerous stops along the way, one of which happened to be in Charlottesville’s Union Station around 11:00 p.m., or so. A number of us stepped onto the station platform to stretch our legs. A fellow whom I had known in high school happened to be on the platform. He spoke and asked me if this were the 8th Evacuation Hospital Unit. How to reply to this while under conditions of tight security? I simply mumbled, “I don’t know,” and quickly got back on the train. It was frustrating to be stopped in my home town and yet not able to call my wife.

At Camp Kilmer, the pace of getting ready to ship out picked up sharply. I was assigned the task of talking to all of the enlisted men who had not yet taken out a G.I. life insurance policy. Policies of up to $10,000 were available under quite favorable premium terms. I was able to talk almost all of them into taking out a policy, even though Army pay was low and any deduction was painful. This experience convinced me that I was not cut out to be an insurance agent. Free time at Kilmer was spent speculating on how soon we would sail and what our destination would be. As it turned out, no guess was correct.

Flash forward to the Santa Paula. We were on board and on our way–to where? All went as smoothly as one could hope on a terribly crowded troopship. We were part of a very large convoy which included freighters and a number of naval vessels–even a battleship. About ten days out, we hit a very bad storm. Waves were huge, and that night was completely black. I went out on deck and could see nothing–not one other ship. I worried that we might easily bump into another vessel. The next morning things had quieted down, and I could see that every ship in the convoy was precisely in its accustomed place. It was a beautiful sight, and one that gave me great respect for members of the Navy and of the Merchant Marine.

Fast forward to Casablanca, Morocco, which proved to be our landing port. The 8th Evac was up and running in what had been the large Italian Consulate building. I was now also an evacuation officer responsible, with a truly great group of enlisted men, for getting patients being sent home on board whatever hospital ship was in port at the time.

One morning, the patients to be transferred that day were lying on cots placed on the floor of a wide, fairly dark, hall waiting to be loaded into ambulances for the trip to the ship. The large, wooden, outside door suddenly opened, and in strode General Patton with his aide. To say that this was a great shock is putting it mildly. He was known for being a very strict disciplinarian, and to be caught by him for any infraction of Army regulations or procedures was to incur his instant, and not inconsiderable, wrath. I immediately snapped to attention and saluted, but what to do with regard to the patients on the litters on the floor? If I gave the call of, “Attention,” normally given when a high ranking officer enters a room where there are those of lesser rank, I was afraid that some of the litter patients who should not move would try to get up to stand at attention. It helped the situation when General Patton quickly inquired where our commanding officer was. I asked one of our enlisted men to take him to Col. Putnam’s office, and the incident passed.

Fast forward again, this time to the landing of our unit on an Italian beach near Paestum where there were some interesting ancient Greek ruins. We landed on D-12, which means twelve days after the initial assault force. The litter of battle was still scattered all around, including some cases which had held German 88mm gun shells. Captain Suhling, our senior Medical Administration officer, picked up one of the cases and examined it briefly inside and out. He then turned to those of us who were nearby and said, “The Germans have lost the war.” He had shipped tobacco to German companies before the war and knew the German mentality well. He told us to look at how well the case was made. It had beautifully-fitting mortised joints, was zinc lined inside, and had a very sturdy metal handle. He explained that if the Germans were over-designing something so simple as a shell case, they could be assumed to be over-designing most everything else as well. To him, this meant that the demands on their skilled and unskilled workers would exceed the supply, and would limit their production of war materiel. It was an interesting thought. In any event, I picked up one of the cases and used it for storing stuff the rest of the time we were in Italy.

Fast forward again, this time to March, 1944, when the 8th Evac had been operating remarkably efficiently under very adverse physical conditions. We had gone through the winter set up in tents in a large open area. Rain had been very frequent, and all of the pathways were deep with mud. It was at or near freezing for much of the time. The inflow of casualties had been very heavy because of the high ground the Germans occupied. Repeated Allied attacks had been unable to dislodge them. The Evacuation Section had a daily convoy of ambulances carrying patients being transferred to the station hospital in Naples. In going on many of these runs, I had seen Mount Vesuvius from the road we traveled. The thought had gradually sunk in that I would like to climb to the top and take a look into the crater.

Mount Vesuvius

Finally, on a day when things were quieter than usual and the morning ambulance run was finished, four of us took a jeep ride to the base of the mountain and started climbing. The path we took was well worn, and it was interesting to see various vent holes emitting vapor as we got nearer to the top. At the rim, we were able to look at an angle down into the mouth of the volcano. Smoke and steam were rising, and the heat was intense. As we were watching, the molten lava began to belch, making ka-chunk sounds. The ka-chunks got louder and louder and began to throw up globs of molten lava. The globs began to go higher and higher, and by the time they were going a hundred feet above the rim where we were standing, we all realized that this was not the place to be. Though they had been falling back into the mouth of the volcano, we saw nothing to keep them from beginning to land outside this perimeter. We beat a hasty retreat and were glad to get home, particularly since it was no more than three days later that Vesuvius blew its top in one of its historic major eruptions.

After the eruption, I went back at night to take the picture which you see here. It was taken with the camera on a tripod and the shutter set for a timed exposure. What does not show up in the picture is the huge mass of smoke that was billowing up thousands of feet into the air. The smoke was filled with ash particles which were rubbing against each other to produce tremendous amounts of static electricity. It was the discharge of this static electricity as lightning that produced the jagged streaks at the top of the picture. The white blotches scattered over the side of the mountain were white-hot, molten lava pouring down the side. It was quite a show by Mother Nature!

These are a few of the more vivid recollections which I have from my time with the 8th Evacuation Hospital Unit. It was a great privilege to have had the opportunity to serve in it!

William P. Snavely

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post Captain William P. Snavely, Assistant Registrar appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Lockport Illinois
March 31 – 1946

Capt. Ruth Beery,
Dear Friend:
I want to thank you for the
letter you sent me about my
Son, As from his last letter
we gotten, he hadn’t bin [been] sent to
a hospital.
The letter we receaved [received] from
the chaplen [chaplain] said his wons [wounds] was
not of a perminet [permanent] nature and that
he would be all right.
Then we had a letter from
our son, wrote eight days after
he had bin [been] wounded, Saying he
would be all right in a little
while.
He was wounded in the left

side of his stomich [stomach], which was in
a very bad place we know.
But we are very glad to know
he had the doctor and hospital
cair [care], as you have said.
Thanking you very much for
the information you have sent.
and would surtanely [certainly] apprishate [appreciate]
any more you could send us. If
you have any more about our
Son.
We didn’t know any of his
Buddies, as he didn’t send us any
of there [their] address’es.
Due to sickness, I have neglected
to anser [answer] your letter sooner.
Thanking you again for your letter
of comfort, and do write again.

Mrs. Audrey Childress

Box/Folder: 33/045

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Hubert B. Holsinger

Dr. Hubert B. Holsinger, better known as “Shine,” was born in McGaheysville, Virginia on August 29, 1904, the son of Annie Burner and Gabriel F. Holsinger. His father was principal of the local high school and a farmer. Both grandfathers were Civil War veterans. His paternal grandfather was a courier, first for Jeb Stuart and then for Stonewall Jackson. He was taken as a prisoner of war two days before Jackson was killed. His mother’s father was a member of the 6th Virginia Cavalry throughout the war and was wounded four times.

Holsinger earned his undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College in 1924 and graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1928. He did additional training at the Yale-New Haven Hospital and at Cornell before moving in 1932 to Farmville, Virginia where he practiced general surgery, urology, and orthopedics at the Southside Community Hospital. He joined the 8th Evacuation hospital in 1942 and was a Lieutenant-Colonel by the time he left the Army Medical Corps in 1946. After the war he returned to Farmville and practiced medicine at Southside until his retirement in 1968. He married Eula Wright, an 8th Evac nurse, in 1949. He wrote about his life for a School of Medicine 50 year class reunion. His eleven page memoir has seven pages devoted to his time serving with the 8th Evac. Those seven pages form the basis of the following essay. Dr. Holsinger died in 1983.

I joined the 8th Evacuation (University of Virginia) World War II Hospital as a head of a surgical team, going from Farmville to maneuvers in the Carolinas to Fort Benning, Georgia and then on to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. After many alerts at Kilmer we were finally shipped out on the Santa Paula which was part of the largest armada of ships, battleships, air craft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and transports ever assembled. The Santa Paula was a cruise ship which ordinarily carried 300 passengers. There were 5,000 of us on the ship for this cruise. Before embarking we had been supplied with “cold weather clothing.” On the second day out, closed orders were opened telling us we would land on the west coast of Africa. Because of the expected danger, our nurses were left behind, and we were given a contingent of male nurses. We boarded ship on the evening of November 1, 1942 and sailed a zigzag course to Casablanca.

On November 20th we were landed on the coast of Casablanca, Morocco from a landing craft for infantry. There was no fighting. All of the French ships that had remained in Casablanca harbor were either burning or sunk. After much labor, both by Arabs and our own men, we opened a 27 ward hospital in the Italian consulate building in Casablanca. We “smart” medical officers had calculated our distance from enemy territory and decided it was too far for German bombers to come so we never bothered to learn how to turn off the lights in the hospital or on the street corner. On New Years Eve the German bombers came over, and it seemed to me they flew directly over the hospital so as to zero in on the ships in the harbor. We never were able to turn off the hospital lights or the street light on the corner. They set some Arab buildings on fire and a warehouse, otherwise there was no damage. One of our men was slightly wounded in the leg by falling shell fragments.

On March 18, 1943 we moved to Anfa Hill. Our 750 bed hospital became a tent city acting as a convalescence hospital. In July we boarded a train that was full of lice and bedbugs with no window in the coaches. It was really something riding through the numerous tunnels in the mountains behind a coal-burning engine and open coaches. Near Algiers, Algeria we set up in a beautiful, green meadow for an unneeded vacation of six weeks swimming in the Mediterranean and just loafing. As a matter of fact, we were a lost hospital, having supposedly been on our way to Sicily. Our advance unit had gone ahead of us. When we were finally located by the Army, we were moved from there to Oran and bivouacked on Goat Hill which was a dismal, dusty old battlefield full of fox holes and other things that go with battle.

On September 15th we moved from Goat Hill to board a British ship transport, the Durban Castle. Every morning for breakfast they served boiled cabbage which I could not eat. We landed on the beach at Paestum, Italy in the Gulf of Salerno on D12, September 21st. In the crossing our supply ship was sunk by a torpedo so all we had was what we carried on our back plus our bedding roll. We lost all hospital equipment. The first couple of nights we spent in abandoned fox holes, and everyone but me had intense diarrhea including the nurses. A German airplane wing was propped up, and one side was for use of the females and the other side for males.

Moving day: Eula Wright is center left and Holsinger, her future husband, is standing next to her.

As we moved up Italy, a lot of interesting and unusual things seemed to happen. Some of us on a visit to Capri got caught on the island by a Mediterranean storm and were A.W.O.L. for three days. Just as we got back to Naples the German bombers came over and not knowing where the bomb shelters were, we started to follow the fleeing Italians down a dark street. Someone had left a light on in a second story room. One of the Italians picked up a cobblestone from the street and with one throw went through the window with the rock and knocked out the light bulb. Needless to say, we hurried on out of Naples.

While we were north of Naples, Vesuvius erupted for a number of days, and it was quite an aerial display. I always felt that the shaking of the ground from the firing of the artillery may have had something to do with the starting of the eruption. You could actually feel the ground shake when the guns were fired. We were up on top of Vesuvius sightseeing about one week before it erupted.

On one of those cloudy, murky days so common in sunny Italy I happened to be standing in my tent and looked up at a hole in the overcast and through it nine Messerschmidts dived straight down, pointing straight at the point where I was standing, but they did not open fire until they got over the edge of the hospital. However, they had hardly cleared the trees before the British on the hill next to us opened fire on them with their machine guns. It was only a few minutes before a British Spitfire flying at about 300 feet came down the road beside the hospital, and the same British troops opened fire on their own plane. Fortunately they did not injure it in any way.

We moved further on up the road towards Rome, and I went forward with a communication officer to watch the bombardment of Mt. Lungo. General Mark Clark, the Allied Commander in Italy, was there, and the Germans were very quiet, I expect, because of the intense fire from our own artillery. There was a beautiful fruit tree orchard on the side of the road which I thought was just the right size for our hospital, and it would have made an excellent and colorful sight. The executive officer and I went up the next day to look it over with the idea of moving to that area, but the Germans began shelling, and an 88 (you see the shell burst before you hear the whine of the shell) began to bracket us in. We ducked under an arch of a cemetery there, and when the 88 had its four corners, we ducked out as quickly as possible. A week later we went by this arch, and a shell had dropped directly through the middle of it.

Left to right, Hairfield, Holsinger, Low, Thornton, and Drash

While there we watched a platoon of eight men go forward for observation. The rear man had a large book in his hip pocket. The next morning Bev Hairfield, the other surgeon on my team, and I got this man and took quite a while cleaning out devitalized gluteal muscle and especially picking out the fragmented leaves of The Grapes of Wrath which happened to be the book that he had in his pocket.

Every evening when the full moon came up at a hospital north of Florence, we were amused by a German plane shooting at shadows on the side of the hill next to where we were, thinking the shadows were pup tents. But one night while we were operating, a splinter bomb was dropped, hitting a locust tree that was about 75 feet from the surgical tent in which we were working. The splinters from the bomb fragmented and tore the leaves of the tree as if they had been cut with scissors, and the side of the house next to which the tree stood was pockmarked terribly badly. None of the fragments hit the surgical tent, but one fragment went over the tent and gave one of the boys in our outfit a minor wound. We spent the last Christmas just north of Florence at Radicosa Pass, and to celebrate Christmas the soldiers had a large lighted Christmas tree atop the pass.

It was always interesting to me to see how quick the reaction of men on the line could be. We moved from this field hospital across a hill over into the next valley, and one night standing in front of the tent I saw a man half way up the valley light a cigarette, I suppose it was a man. Before the flame died down the Germans and the Americans both had bombarded the hill terrifically, and whoever had lit the match never, I suppose, lived to tell about it.

Over the course of the war we traveled the length of Italy, and on May 4, 1945 the German Army in Italy surrendered. For a complete story of the University of Virginia Eighth Evacuation Hospital read Byrd Leavell’s book, The Eighth Evac. At the end of the war Cato Drash was Commanding Officer, Byrd Leavell was Chief of Medicine, and I was Chief of Surgery. During its three years in Africa and Italy the hospital cared for 48,047 patients; 31,057 with diseases, 10,487 battle casualties, and 7,563 with injuries. Another 45,000 were treated in the out-patient department.

At war’s end in Italy almost everyone in the 5th Army got a ten day trip through Switzerland, paying for the trip out of their own pockets. However, it cost us only 35 dollars for the train ticket, 35 dollars for the hotel and food, and 35 dollars for spending money. This was a wonderful change for us to go to a nice, clean, friendly country from war torn Italy. We visited Interlaken, Luzerne, Yung Frau, Bern, and Zurich. The trip was made in the middle of August, and it was on this trip that a picture of Eula Wright and me was taken. Though shadows mar our faces, I don’t believe that any other picture could express the relief and the happiness we had at that time, being completely away from all the thoughts and miseries of war. We spent about two months on the shore of Lake Garda which was located near Desenzano close to Austria taking care of an occasionally injured or sick soldier but mostly enjoying the sunshine and the swimming in the lake.

After the outfit was deactivated we spent several months at Leghorn waiting for a ship to take us home, and what a ship it (Richard Bassett) turned out to be! There were 800 troops who had had the most time overseas, aboard. While at Leghorn we received excellent food, but on the ship we received two meals a day. Breakfast consisted of two hard boiled eggs, the yellows were black and the whites were yellow. Dinner was a bowl of watered down soup. In my wanderings around the ship, I found the freezing compartment, and it was crammed full with sides of beef. I have often wondered what became of that meat.

Anyway, we were met at Newport News by a band and Red Cross girls with a pint of milk for every soldier. I did receive a Bronze Star while in Italy. During my first year back I learned patriotism stops when the band stops playing. When I joined up, I had a fairly good practice, but my first year back I didn’t make expenses and was just making plans for leaving when an older surgeon became ill, and I took over most of his practice. On December 4, 1949 Eula Wright and I were married.

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post Major Hubert B. Holsinger, M.D., Surgeon appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

The Provisional General Hospital in Casablanca

On November 1, 1942, the men from the 8th Evacuation Hospital were on the U.S.S. Santa Paula. The ship set sail the next day before dawn without the nurses due to concern for their safety, given the possibility of disembarking in a combat zone. The Santa Paula was part of a huge convoy of 35 to 40 ships, including a battleship, a cruiser, an aircraft carrier, and an assortment of destroyers, freighters, and troop transports. Unknown to them at the time, the men from the University unit were part of Operation Torch, the Anglo-American invasion of North Africa.

Italian Consulate

Ward inside the Italian Consulate

Italian Consulate Courtyard Tents

Officers of the 8th Evac in Casablanca, 9 December 1942
(click to enlarge)

The new year of 1943 was ushered in by the unit’s first air raid:

No one seemed to know what to do, but nearly everyone was doing what he ought not to have done. Some patients ran around on the roof for a better view of the spectacle, and others congregated in the courtyard and in front of windows; they yelled encouragement to the anti-aircraft crews and shouted insults at the Nazi bombers. The frenzied activity reminded one of a crowd at a traditional American Football game. The fact that there was danger seemed to have entered no one’s mind…tents and doors were struck, and in the morning bushels of shrapnel were picked up from the roof of the hospital and the courtyard. The disorganization at the hospital during the raid pointed out a serious defect in the unit’s training and preparedness. This defect was quickly remedied; when the next alert came several nights later, the hospital was completely blacked out, and the personnel moved all patients to the ground floor or basement, where they remained until the “all clear” sounded (Leavell, p. 57).

Colonel John W. McKoan

Lieutenant Colonel Putnam was forced to give up his command of the 8th Evac when he suffered a perforated ulcer in January. Lieutenant Colonel E. Cato Drash became acting commanding officer until Colonel John W. McKoan, a graduate of the Harvard University Medical School, arrived. Colonel McKoan oversaw the closing of the hospital at the Italian Consulate a little less than four months after its establishment. In that time there were nearly 4200 admissions. Eighty-four percent of the admissions were due to disease, fifteen percent were injuries, and about one percent were battle casualties from the initial invasion of French Morocco and the New Year’s Eve air raid. In addition to inpatients, thousands of outpatients were treated in outpatient departments and the dental clinic.

Closing Operations in North Africa

On March 14th the 8th Evacuation Hospital moved to a new location on Anfa Hill and four days later began to function as a convalescent hospital. On the same day First Lieutenant Ruth Beery and 51 nurses arrived in Casablanca on the transport John Ericcson. While awaiting approval to sail to Africa, the nurses had been working at Halloran General Hospital on Staten Island, New York. They cared for servicemen who had been wounded in the North African invasion, including some who had been treated at the hospital staffed by the 8th Evacuation unit in Casablanca.

On May 8, 1943, the Tunisia campaign came to a successful conclusion exactly six months after the Allied landings in North Africa. By early June the hospital was dismantled and parked while the staff awaited orders for the next move. During its two months of service as a convalescent hospital, the staff cared for nearly 1460 inpatients. Forty-eight percent were classified as diseased, thirty percent as injured, and twenty-two percent as wounded.

8th Evac Nurses in Casablanca
(click to enlarge)

Anfa Hill Convalescent Hospital

Cap Matifou, Algiers

Downed Plane near Salerno, Italy

The post Deployment In North Africa and Italy appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Captain Ruth Beery

Ruth Beery was born on May 18, 1901, in Missouri to a Methodist minister, Dewitt Aldine Beery, and his wife, Jennie.  She had two sisters, Bethel who was two years older and Miley who was nine years younger. Her family moved to Virginia when she was four. Following completion of her secondary school studies in Roanoke, she attended Martha Washington College in Abingdon. She graduated from Emory and Henry College which merged in 1918 with Mary Washington College. She then taught high school chemistry, Latin, and biology for a year in Smoot, West Virginia.

In 1925 Beery began her study of nursing at the University of Virginia. She received her diploma in 1928 and became the acting pediatric supervisor. She was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship which allowed her to visit hospitals in Connecticut and New York City, a mental institution in Rhode Island and health centers in Alabama. Back at the University of Virginia she became a nursing supervisor in the outpatient department and an instructor in nursing science. During the 1930s Beery studied at the American Hospital in Paris, began a course of graduate study at Columbia Teachers College in administration and worked at the Denver University Hospital for four years as an administrator and surgery teaching supervisor.

While a graduate student in public health nursing at the University of Minnesota, she was asked to become the principal chief nurse of the World War II hospital sponsored by the University of Virginia. Before she could accept the offer, the Army had to grant her an age waiver as she was 41, one year older than the Army age limit for entering service. Commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps, she was instrumental in recruiting nurses to serve and dedicated herself whole-heartedly to the task, appealing for help by personal interviews, letters, speeches, and radio. About 50 nurses were recruited and left Charlottlesville for training. According to Byrd Leavell’s book on the 8th Evacuation Hospital, Beery was a “capable nurse and competent administrator” who “was unselfish; her concern was for the comfort of the sick and wounded, the duties and welfare of the nurses, and the reputation of the 8th Evacuation Hospital.” She served as chief of nurses for the duration of the war, obtained the rank of captain, and was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Following the war Beery continued her studies for a master’s degree in public health nursing and worked as a public health nurse in Fauquier County. She then served 15 years with the Veterans Administration in Texas, North Carolina, Philadelphia, and Richmond. She did private duty nursing for several years in Charlottesville and joined the University of Virginia School of Nursing faculty in 1968 where she served for two years as an administrative assistant for special projects. She died May 4, 1984 and is buried at the University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium.

Sources

• “Diverse Experiences Have Marked Miss Beery’s Years as a Nurse.” Draw Sheet, University of Virginia Hospital, Vol. 18, No. 1, January 29, 1970.
• 8th Evac Collection. Historical Collections and Services, The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
• Leavell, Byrd Stuart. The 8th Evac.: A History of the University of Virginia Hospital Unit in World War II. Richmond: Dietz Press, c1970.
• Rootsweb.ancestry.com: Descendants of John and Barbara Beery.
• Virginia Historical Markers on Waymarking.com: Mary Washington College.
• Wenger, Joseph H. History of the Descendants of J. Conrad Geil and His Son Jacob Geil. Elgin, Illinois: [Author], 1914. Digitized by Google.

The post About Ruth Beery appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Houston 6, Texas]
March 3, 1946

Dear Captain Beery -
Your letter with a bit of news
about my son Sgt. Wm F. Homes
was very gratefully received.
The only other letter I ever
received (other than from the
War Department) was from Chaplain
M. J. Kippenbrock, who was at
the Battalion Aid station when
Billy was brought there.
It is a comfort to know Billy
was cared for in a hospital -
(To [Too] many young boys died alone)
And also to know he was buried
in a United States Cemetery – however
I have never been notified as
to where that cemetery is located,
other than Northern Italy.

There are a number of questions
I would like to ask you – but do
not know that I would feel any
better knowing the answers.
Billy and his younger brother
Jack were all I had. My husband
died 17 years ago this month – when
Billy was 5 and Jack 2 years old.
Some how I never felt anything
would happen to Billy -
And that’s one thing I’d like
to know. How did it happen?
He was only 8 days out of a
hospital from a previous wound.
(October 2) – He wrote a few days
before his death that 2 was his
unlucky number and he would
have to be careful.
If possible could you tell
me – or do you know – how

and where he was wounded -
I am enclosing a little poem
he wrote – it was published in
the Houston Post here – I have
a great many more – but thought
you might like this one -
Please don’t ever doubt but
that we mothers know what
a great work you nurses did -
And that you had great
courage – We deeply appreciate
all that you did – and all
that you wanted to do – .

Sincere best wishes to you -
Jewel Homes
1710 Park St
Houston 6, Texas

[envelope marked "ans"]

[Enclosed poem]
REFLECTION IN WHITE
Bowed to the early twilight,
My head upon my chest;
Through the lonely still of evening
Comes a pain to fill my breast.

As I gaze at the mound that covers you
And the cross above your head,
My eyes are filled with sadness
For YOURS was the fate we dread.

Under the cross that marks you,
Is your face reposed in peace?
Have you really found in that other world,
A long and envious sleep?

Or do you writhe in agony
At the torture we faced for naught?
Are you tormented by those beside us
Who bled and died as we fought?

But, no, for the night has gladness
And the music is for your ears:
Can’t you glimpse the stars above you
glistening like lovers’ tear?

Through this I have the answer:
The world should have no fears,
For the knowledge that you died for them
Will live through the future years.

Box/Folder: 33/026

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 23) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

2-25-46
San Antonio, Tex.

Dear Copl.
Ruth Beery
I received your letter. on
which you notifing [notifying] my dearest
son death. so I am gald [glad] to hear
from you about it. as I understand
that you’ll did all possible
to save his life, I really
apprecited [appreciated] what you’ll has
done for my son,
but I understand that he
was in serious condition
and was Impossible to save
him. I thanking you’ll very
much anyway. I think this be
all I could say to thank
yaw’ll.

508 E. Edmonds St. Your Sincerely
San Antonio Tex. Carmen G. Perez

Box/Folder: 33/020

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 17) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

321 Elder St.
Council Bluffs, Ia.
Feb 21, 1946

Dear Captain Berry:-
Thank you so much
for your kind letter stating
that my husband, Lt. Jerry A
Madden was cared for in a
hospital. You said that you
could give me no more information
than I have received – which
was nothing but May 13, 1944
in Italy – . Somehow your
letter makes me feel that
you know something more. At
least something prompted you
to write – could you tell me
what? I have a feeling that
something has been withheld
that I should or would
like to know.

Somethings seem uncanny -
for instance – Our boy was born
on the 20th of February, 1943 -
Jerry landed in Italy Feb 20, 1944.
And your letter – the first I have
had of the type for a long time -
received Feb 20, 1946. And on top
of that I sensed the letter before
it arrived. Don’t misjudge me
as one who believes of mystics
and the like but too many peculiar
things have happened. Jerry’s ring
came back on his father’s birthday -
and his clothes arrived at the house
on his sister’s birthday.
If you know anything
more about Jerry or if you
were with him would you
let me know. I think it only
fair that his children should
know all they can of him. I

have two – Jerry Jr. who was
three yesterday and Patricia
who was born in July after
the notice of Jerry’s death. Yet
they don’t know what they have
lost but someday they must
know as much as I can tell them.
If you do know nothing
more will you please write
me as to why you wrote the
first letter? Was it prompted
by inquiries by Jerry’s father?
Mr. Madden hasn’t been able
to accept the lack of information
which we have received.
Thank you again for your
kind note.

Sincerely,
Lucille Madden

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/009

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 6) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Clemmons, N.C.
March 9th, 1946

Capt. Ruth Beery N.741970
309 Parke Place.
Charlottsville, [Charlottesville] Va.
Dear Captain Beery,
I appreciated your
letter of Feb. 18th in regard to
my son Pvt. Kenneth H. Davis.
It makes me happy to
know that he was well cared for.
Any further information
regarding him will be appreciated.
Thanks a lot for the information
you gave, and I would like to
hear from you again soon.

Yours truly
Mrs. Jennis C. Davis.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/032

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 29) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Beverley D. Tucker

Beverley Tucker graduated from the University of Virginia in 1942 where he was a member of the track and field, cross-country, and football teams. He enrolled at the Virginia Theological Seminary two days after his discharge from the army. Following graduation, he was assigned to a three church Episcopal town and country parish in or near Scottsville, Virginia, about twenty miles south of Charlottesville. Four and a half years later, he accepted a call to Old Donation Episcopal Church, a colonial church built in 1736, the third church building of a parish begun before 1640. For many years, Old Donation Church had been a country church near Norfolk, Virginia. But by 1953, when Reverend Tucker arrived, the neighborhood of the church was just beginning a rapid suburban growth. He remained until his retirement thirty-one years later and saw the congregation change dramatically both in size and personnel. Like most of the churches in the area, the congregation included a large number of military families, mostly members of the Navy or Marine Corps. Reverend Tucker’s years in the 8th Evac served as an excellent preparation for this kind of ministry.

Reverend Tucker retired in 1984, spent several months relaxing, and then became the part time Pastoral Associate at Christ and St. Luke’s Church in Norfolk. After retiring again in 1989, he continued to minister to the congregation in various capacities. While there, he and his wife, Julia, became involved in the work of a mission serving inner city youth. He also continued to serve as supply clergyman at various churches. He was Rector Emeritus at Old Donation Church, where he assisted the pastor on a volunteer basis. He and his wife also spent a lot of time at their beach cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He died June 13, 2014.

My involvement with the 8th Evacuation Hospital grew out of a conversation that I had with the Rev. “Bill” Laird in the spring of 1942. At the time, I was about to graduate from the University of Virginia and had been accepted at the Virginia Theological Seminary to study for the Episcopal ministry. But Pearl Harbor presented me with an urgent decision. Should I enter the Seminary that June? Or should I postpone my studies until after the war? Since most Seminary students were exempt from the draft, I probably could have gone ahead with my Seminary studies. Moreover, I had previously volunteered for the Marine Corps Reserve, but had failed to pass the eye test. And yet with the whole nation in crisis, would life in the Seminary be taking the easy way out?

Chaplain William H. Laird

This was the decision that I wanted to discuss with Bill Laird. Bill then suggested that I consider joining the 8th Evac. Hospital. The medical staff for the 8th Evac. was being organized at the University of Virginia Hospital, and Bill Laird was being granted a leave of absence from St. Paul’s Church to serve as their Protestant Chaplain. Bill told me that if I joined the 8th Evac., he would recommend me to serve as his assistant. This appealed to me because it offered me the opportunity to serve our country, but also to help me prepare for the ministry. After consulting with Dr. Staige Blackford, who was helping to recruit the medical staff, I enlisted in the Army medical reserve, to be assigned to the 8th Evac. Hospital.

Jack Gordon

And yet, like so much in the army in those days, it was not quite that simple. Although Bill Laird and the medical staff were called to active duty about July 1, 1942, I failed to receive any orders. I heard through the grapevine that the 8th Evac. had received orders to prepare to go overseas, but still no orders for me from the War Department! Returning to Charlottesville late in August, I discovered that another University of Virginia student, Jack Gordon, was in the same boat, also waiting for orders. We realized that without quick action, the unit would go overseas without us. Jack then phoned Dr. (now Col.) Staige Blackford, explaining our predicament. He, in turn, contacted the War Department, and our orders promptly arrived.

However, the orders that we received were at first puzzling. About halfway down a page, we found words something like this: “Pvt. John Gordon and Pvt. Beverley Tucker WP WD to Fort Benning, Ga.” Not being familiar with such army jargon, I drove down to the local recruiting station for enlightenment. We quickly discovered that “WP WD” meant “Will proceed without delay” And so without delay, we boarded a train in Charlottesville and proceeded to Fort Benning, Georgia.

Our sudden appearance at the 8th Evac. caused a minor uproar. What could possibly be the meaning of these two raw recruits in civilian clothes suddenly showing up just as the outfit was preparing to be shipped overseas? One man told me afterwards that the rumor was going around that we must be agents from the FBI, sent to spy on the enlisted men. When I joined some of the personnel at the PX and tried to purchase a beer, I was told, “We have to serve the soldiers first.” Fortunately one of the men had pity on me and came to my rescue by purchasing it for me. That was my introduction to the 8th Evac.

Scarcely more than ten days later, we all boarded a train for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, the embarkation camp for the New York area. In fact, less than two months after I had gone on active duty, I was sailing out into the Atlantic aboard the troop ship, Santa Paula. Jack Gordon and I probably set a record for being the rawest recruits in the U.S. army to be shipped overseas. Our astonishment was even greater when we realized that we were the second wave of the Western Task Force invading Morocco, which at the time was under the control of the Vichy French.

Aboard the Santa Paula, I received my first assignment as the chaplain’s assistant. I served as one of the librarians for the ship’s library, where the men could check out books. That suited me fine, especially since it meant that I was excused from serving KP. The worst feature of the voyage for most of us was the food served in the mess hall. Two meals were served each day, as we had to eat in rotation. The smell in the mess hall was so awful that it destroyed whatever appetite we might have had. I will never forget one breakfast in a storm. Every time the ship rolled, our mess kits would be turned over, and oatmeal about six inches deep would flow back and forth across the floor.

After our arrival at Casablanca, we set up our hospital in the former Italian Consulate, and I began my official duties as chaplain’s assistant. Two services were held each Sunday, a morning service in the hospital, and an evening service in the enlisted men’s bivouac area. But on a personal level, I found this a frustrating period. I began to face what a lowly position a chaplain’s assistant really was. Not only did it offer little opportunity for ministry in the traditional sense, but it also offered few possibilities for helping the sick and wounded. Some of the men used to call me, “G.I. Jesus Junior.” My Sunday job consisted largely in preparing for the services and trying to keep the reed organ operating. Its reeds kept sticking due to the humidity. And of course, there was the job of typing the Chaplain’s monthly report, correspondence, etc.

In the early spring of 1943, the 8th Evac. turned the Italian Consulate over to a more permanent station hospital and moved out of the city to Anfa Hill which is best known as the site of the Casablanca Conference between Roosevelt and Churchill. Although we had no duties as a hospital, in many ways this was one of the most difficult periods so far as morale was concerned. While operating the hospital in the city of Casablanca, once we were off duty, we had been free to go almost anywhere in the European sections of the city. But that spring, the army authority in the Casablanca area placed strict restrictions on the granting of leaves. But what really aroused the anger of the enlisted men of the 8th Evac. was the way our top noncommissioned officers began playing favorites, limiting leaves almost exclusively to the old timers who had formerly been members of the old 3rd Evac. This understandably produced bitter resentment among the rest of the enlisted men.

There was, however, a reluctance on the part of the enlisted men to express what they were really thinking to the officers, including the chaplain. As a result, I was able to be a real help to Chaplain Laird by letting him know what the men were thinking and saying privately. This helped him minister more effectively to their real needs. Fortunately, the above conditions changed radically when a large number of the personnel were transferred out of the 8th Evac., and the enlisted personnel were reorganized, with Herbert Martin as First Sergeant.

But unfortunately, after leaving Anfa Hill, the 8th Evac. suffered a series of mishaps. When we finally boarded the train from Casablanca early in the summer, we became stranded in Algiers when orders of any kind failed to arrive. We did not even have authority to draw rations. By the time we finally received orders, it was too late for us to take part in the invasion of Sicily, as had been originally planned.

A second and more serious mishap took place off the Italian beaches in the Gulf of Salerno when the ship, carrying our hospital equipment and about ten of our men, was sunk by a German submarine. Fortunately our men were all saved. But there we were on the beach of Paestum without any hospital equipment. The presence of so many battle casualties in need of our medical services, but without the equipment to perform them, only added to our frustration. We also lost many of our personal belongings. Chaplain Laird lost his whole library.

I would like to share two incidents that happened at Paestum. We had pitched our pup tents next to a medical battalion, but our neighbors showed little willingness to share with us. One evening, as we were watching the artillery flashes in the distance, those flashes suddenly expanded into a severe thunder storm with winds that blew down all of the tents belonging to the medical battalion. Without a moment’s hesitation, the men of the 8th Evac. responded to the emergency by rushing in and helping them restore their tents. I was never so proud of the way our men repaid good for evil.

A short time afterwards, we set up a recuperating hospital in an old tobacco barn, using stretchers for beds. Many of the patients, being tired of C rations, began buying potatoes from the Italians and frying them in their mess kits. As a result, the whole area was covered with potato peelings. In the meantime, one of the patients got drunk. As punishment, First Sergeant Herbert Martin assigned him the job of cleaning up all these peelings. “This sort of thing is for the birds,” he complained. (Expletives omitted.) “Send me back to the front line.”

And yet, in spite of all our misfortunes, the morale of the 8th Evac. continued to grow. We developed close friendships among the personnel and a determination to demonstrate what we could do if we ever had a chance. Not only did we begin to replace our equipment, but, out of necessity, we developed a talent for moonlighting. For instance, in Algiers, not being authorized to draw rations, we sent some of our roughest and toughest men down to the ration dump, and they were careful to select only the best food that they could find. Eventually we became the best equipped evacuation hospital in Italy.

As we gradually began to assemble our equipment, we were able to perform more and more hospital services. I, in turn, began to assume more responsibilities as chaplain’s assistant. The Red Cross had supplied us with a large library, consisting of paperback books. Unfortunately, only ambulatory patients could avail themselves of this service. So I began carrying a selection of what seemed to be the most popular books through the wards. This served two purposes. First, it provided reading material for the bedridden patients. Secondly, it offered me an opportunity to talk with the patients and to minister to their spiritual as well as to their physical needs. I particularly watched out for those wounded patients who were physically unable to write home. They knew that their parents or wives would be receiving telegrams informing them that their son or husband had been wounded in action. They realized, moreover, how anxious their families would be to hear about their condition. As a result, I wrote numerous letters, dictated by these wounded soldiers. I also wrapped and mailed a large number of Purple Hearts.

During the fall and winter of 1943-44, the war in Italy was fought largely in the mountains. The wounded had to be carried long distances by stretcher bearers, up and down hill, in regions with few roads. Every one in the 8th Evac. remembers a patient named Holland, who had been stranded on the side of a mountain for several days before he was finally evacuated to our hospital. Not only had gangrene developed throughout both legs, but it had spread to his hips. The medical staff performed a real miracle in saving his life. But in the process, they had to amputate the whole of both his legs. For many weeks he lay there, all alone in an isolation tent. Chaplain Laird described him as the most depressed person that he had ever seen. His future seemed so bleak that he really did not want to live. But there is a sequel to his story, which I happened to read in a newspaper after the war. Before going overseas, he had been engaged to his high school sweetheart. Upon returning home, he had written to his fiancee calling off the marriage. But she responded, “I don’t care if you don’t have any legs. I still love you, and I want to marry you.”

Chaplains’ Tents to the left with the Chapel across the walk at Pietramala

During the Italian campaign, the 8th Evac. operated in about ten different locations. As the front moved forward, we followed. We prided ourselves on how rapidly we could move from one location to the next. The hospital usually moved in two shifts. The first shift included the operating team, its equipment, and enough of the hospital to take care of the first patients to arrive. The second shift tore down the rest of the hospital and followed as quickly as possible. Our longest time spent in any one location was during the late fall and the entire winter of 1944-45, in the mountains north of Florence at Pietramala. During a large part of that winter, we were living in snow over two feet deep.

The last place that we operated the hospital was in the Po Valley, in a field a few miles south of Verona. Normally the chaplain’s equipment, chapel, etc., would move in the second shift. But for some reason, in that final move into the Po Valley, Chaplain Laird and I were in the first shift. It was an exciting time for the Allied Forces. After being snowed in all winter, our forces finally broke through the German lines. We passed hundreds of destroyed German tanks, trucks, and other vehicles and equipment. As souvenirs, I picked up a German helmet and other gear. After crossing the Po River on a pontoon bridge, we entered a small town where the Italian partisans were celebrating by shaving the hair of women who had been Nazi collaborators. When we finally reached the site for our hospital south of Verona, we received the news that the entire German army in Italy had surrendered. And so Chaplain Laird gathered us all together to give thanks to God that peace had finally returned to that part of the world.

When the 8th Evac. closed down the hospital south of Verona, we moved to the shores of Lake Garda. Since the majority of the personnel of the 8th Evac. had earned at least the 85 points needed for discharge, the 8th Evac. as a whole was scheduled for discharge. But since Jack Gordon and I had only 82 points, we were transferred to the 185th Medical Battalion, which was scheduled to return to the States for a thirty day furlough and then to be shipped to Japan. Fortunately, the very day that we sailed out of Leghorn, the Japanese surrendered. Someone on the dock held up a copy of the army newspaper, Stars and Stripes, with the huge headlines, “JAPS QUIT.” So not only did I return home before the rest of the 8th Evac., but, after my furlough (extended to forty-five days), I was discharged from the army on Oct. 20, 1945. Two days later, I was enrolled at the Virginia Theological Seminary, which had been in session for about six weeks. By extra studying, I was able to catch up with my class.

Beverley Tucker

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

The post Beverley D. Tucker, Technician Fifth Grade, Chaplain’s Assistant appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Randal Luscombe, February 22, 2000

Randal Luscombe was born in Iowa in September 1914. He was a farmer in the Midwest when he was drafted. He learned his metal working skills, which were of great importance to the 8th Evac, as a young man watching and helping blacksmiths in their shops. After the war he married Berneice Payton, settled in Iowa, and then moved to Missouri, where he raised hogs and cattle, and grew corn, beans, and alfalfa. He used the knowledge he gained about sanitation at the 8th Evac to breed disease-free animals. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He died in May 2004.

The following is taken from telephone conversations with Mr. Luscombe on August 22, August 30, September 6, and September 13, 2000.

Mr. Luscombe expanded on the story in Dr. Byrd Leavell’s book, The 8th Evac, concerning a fence Luscombe was building at Leavell’s request. As told in the book, the breakfast conversation one morning included:

“Yes, Luscombe is a remarkable fellow.”

“Yes.”

“The first time I had anything to do with Luscombe was when we were on the advance party at Teano. I was telling him how I wanted a fence built, marking it off and all that. He said, ‘Captain, you don’t have to tell me a thing. I’ve been building fences all my life; there’s nobody that can build a straighter fence than I can. You go and do something else. I’ll build the fence, and it will be a helluva lot better than anything you have in mind.’ He did, too.”

Mr. Luscombe added that Dr. Leavell had been talking to him about the fence and was holding on to the side of a fencepost which was to be pounded into the ground. About the time that Mr. Luscombe started the swing of his sledgehammer, Dr. Leavell moved a hand to the top of the post. Mr. Luscombe was able to miss the post and hand only by altering, not stopping, his swing. He nearly hit his own toe as the sledgehammer smashed into the ground. That was when he suggested Dr. Leavell leave the fence building to him.

Mr. Luscombe also remembered the trip across northern Africa from Casablanca to Algiers. The officers and nurses traveled in the coach cars of a train while the enlisted men ended up in cattle cars. Mr. Luscombe said that it turned out that the enlisted men were fortunate to be in the cattle cars as the coach cars were infested with bed bugs. Landing in Italy resulted in more discomfort for the 8th Evac. Mr. Luscombe recalled being very hungry for several days. When asked why, he said that the ammunition had to come in first, even before food.

Randal Luscombe directing the pitching of a tent with the newly designed frame

Mr. Luscombe used his knowledge about blacksmithing throughout the war, and worked closely with Colonel Harris Holmboe. The two men would get together for what they called a brainstorm. One of the most useful sessions involved tent frames. Colonel Holmboe asked Mr. Luscombe if he could design a new frame that would eliminate poles coming to the ground in the central areas of the surgery tent to make it less awkward to work. Colonel Holmboe also was concerned about the wind whipping the canvas which stirred up dust. Mr. Luscombe thought about it for a day or two, and Colonel Holmboe retrieved some old poles from the salvage yard. The two of them went over plans Mr. Luscombe had drawn up, and Colonel Holmboe said to give it a try. It worked out so well that eventually Mr. Luscombe made not only the tent frame for surgery, but also four others.

Mr. Luscombe designed and made adjustable IV stands that could accommodate fluid containers for two patients. They were ideal for a hospital that moved frequently because once the three removable legs were detached, they would fold flat. He also made adjustable stands and removable trays to hold the instrument bundles for the surgeons. Keeping in mind the frequent moves, the stands were stackable.

Colonel Holmboe asked Mr. Luscombe if he could design a test tube holder that would withstand the heat and moisture of an autoclave. Mr. Luscombe went to the mess hall to find material he could use. He saw a five gallon bucket and asked for it. Using an iron punch which he fashioned, he made holes in the tin, repeated the process in another piece of tin, and had a test tube holder that lasted as long as the unit needed it.

The Utility Section of the 8th Evac: Carpentry, Welding and Blacksmithing

Mr. Luscombe said he never worked so hard in his life as when he was with the 8th Evac, but that everything he did was to help the patients. His admiration for the doctors was clear. He said, “I don’t know how the doctors stood up under pressure—all day, all night, all day and more if they needed to.” He remembered one day watching Colonel Holmboe and three officers conversing outside the area where he worked. Although it was a nice day, not too hot and not too cold, the men were wiping their brows with handkerchiefs. Colonel Holmboe told Mr. Luscombe later that the doctors were discussing what to do with patients with gangrene. Penicillin was newly available but the proper dosage was unclear. Mr. Luscombe said that he knew what he would do–give some patients a lot of penicillin and some a little and see what happened. He did not know what the doctors decided to do, but the men stopped dying.

Colonel Holmboe frequently visited Mr. Luscombe’s work area. Mr. Luscombe was accustomed to directing him to do an about-face if there were a chance of hot flakes flying off as he worked on his metal. Colonel Holmboe did not question the instruction from an enlisted man once he understood the danger the metal posed to his eyes. One day Colonel Holmboe arrived, and Mr. Luscombe instructed him to turn around while he finished working on a piece of hot iron. Colonel Holmboe immediately turned as did the two men with him. Mr. Luscombe recalled that he felt like sinking into the earth as soon as he realized that the two men were Lieutenant General Mark Clark, commanding general of the 5th Army and Brigadier General Joseph Martin, 5th Army surgeon. After leaving the work area, one of the generals asked Colonel Holmboe what that episode was all about. He responded, “Don’t want to lose an eye, do you?”

John L. Guerrant | Hubert B. Holsinger | Alice M. Huffman | Frank L. Lowther | Randal Luscombe | Dorothy Sandridge | Melvin C. Shaffer | William P. Snavely | Beverley D. Tucker | Frances E. Wells | 8th EVAC home

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[Berwyn, Illinois
March 18 1946]

Dear: Capt Berry

We were happy to receive your
letter of a few days ago, in regard
to our son George.
If you were among those present at
the hospital where George was cared
for we would deeply appreciate any
addittional [additional] information that you
could give us.
Such as the full extent of his
injuries, and if possible how they
were inflicted.
Also if George was conscious and
aware of his conditition [condition] at any
time.
We’ll be anxiously awaiting your
reply, and sincerely hope that you

can enlighten us.

Thankfully yours
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas
[?] Piskac
Berwyn, Illinois

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/039

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 36) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Box 206, R.D.#1
McKeesport, Pa.
February 22, 1946

Dear Miss Beery,

I sure appreciate getting the letter from you
but do wish you could give me a little more
information about my son’s death. Are you one
of the nurses that took care of him?

I had two nice letters from his captain; I wrote
and asked him if my son was conscious before he
died and what really caused his death, but didn’t
get an answer to that. I thought of course it
was because the war wasn’t over and he couldn’t
tell me, so I sure would be glad if you could
answer those questions for me.

That sure was a terrible shock on me, as the
first telegram said slightly wounded, then in two
days we received the word of his death.

One of the boys who was with him, who was from
our town, came to see me and said that as far as
he could find out Morell was shot in the leg, but
I certainly would feel better if I knew exactly
what happened that he died so soon. His captain
did tell me he was more seriously wounded than
they knew when they sent the first telegram. We
all sure miss him (my daughter, her three children
and I all live together).

He was only in the army nine months – he left
May 8th and died February 9th. He sure was a
good boy to his mother and I often wonder why he
was taken when I needed him so much, but I guess
God knows best, and we will have to bear our
burdens the best we can.

So, Miss Beery, if you could give me any more
light on his death I sure would be very grateful
to you. Hoping to hear from you real soon, and
thanking you so much for writing, I remain

Yours very truly,
Sgt. Morell Emberg’s mother
Elizabeth M. Emberg

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/011

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 8) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

1120 4th Ave. No.
Nashville 8, Tenn.
March 3, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery,
I received your very
nice letter last week and
was so glad to know
that it is possible to
hear from someone who
personally knew my
son, Pvt. Guy Norton. I
would like, if it is at
all possible, to know in
what way or how badly
my son was injured.
Capt. Beery if you can

please write and let me know
all the information you can.
This would be very much
appreciated, not only by me,
but also by my entire family.
Beside myself, Pvt. Norton
has his father, a sister and
one brother. We will all be
so very glad to hear.
Please write real soon and let
me know all that you can.
All the information you can
give will be appreciated beyond
the limit of saying. Will be ex-
pecting a letter soon.

Very Sincerely,
Mrs. Margaret Norton

P.S. Please let me know all you
knew about my son.

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/027

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 24) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[Charlottesville, Va
February 17, 1946]

Dear Mrs. Barber,
Your name was
given as the nearest of
kin to Pfc. Jack W. Barber.
No additional
information can be
given to that which
you have already
received, but it may be
of some satisfaction to
you to know that your

husband was cared for in
a hospital by doctors and
nurses, and everything
possible was done for
his comfort and recovery.
We felt that not
enough could be done
for the men who gave
so much.

Most sincerely,
Ruth Beery
Capt. anc.

17 February 1946
309 Park Place
Charlottesville, Va

Box/Folder: 33/005

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 3) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

[East Liverpool. O.]
22, Feb. 1946.

Capt. Ruth Beery:- I received
your letter of consolation; and
it is a great comfort to know
that Paul was taken care of in
a hospital. We were informed
that Paul was pronuced [pronounced] dead
when he arrived at the hospital
10 minutes after the accident. Sever-
al of his Buddies are home now
& they don’t want to talk about it.
He was with the 337th Engrs.
Do you remember about him or
do you have a list of names or records

to go by. I am wondering why
it has been so long hearing
from some one. It has been 2
years the 14th of Jan since his
death. Did you just return to
the States? I could ask a
million questions but it is im-
possible for you to answer them.
I had 3 sons James was 21 when
he entered the service in 1941 and
saw service in the S. W. Pacific.
He was discharged after 33 months
after contracting malaria & Asthma
Paul entered the service when he
was 21 in 1942. He had 6 months train-

ing & was shipped over to Italy.
He had about 10 months over seas
service & now our youngest Son
is in the Service. He is at Camp
Lee Va. in the Q. M. 52nd Co.
8th Bn. He enlisted for 3 years.
& has been in since June 3. We
miss him very much. I have a service
flag in the window a gold star a
discharge emblem & a blue star
for Gerald. Is Charlottesville any
where close to Richmond Va? I want
to thank you for writing and I
would love to hear from you again.
Would it be possible to call you
Long Distance?
Sincerely
Mrs. Muriel Myler

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/010

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 7) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Altoona, Ala.
Feb. 25, 1946

Dear Capt. Beery
Received your letter conserning [concerning] my
son James T Wilson. My appreciation
for your kindness in letting me know
about my son is far more than I can
express in words but I’m very grateful
to learn that he had the best of care
while in the hospital and I’m sure he did.
There are two questions that I would
like to ask you and I’d like to know if
you’d answer them for me, if so let me
know.
Thanking you again for your kindness
and for the work you have done for the
benifit [benefit] of our fine American sons who
gave so much for our country.
I’m hoping to hear from you again.

Sincerely yours
Emma J. Wilson

[envelope marked "ans"]

Box/Folder: 33/018

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 15) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

1648 F Street
Kingsport, Tenn.
Feb. 10, 1946

Dearest Ruth,
We recieved [received] your most welcome
letter concering [concerning] our dear beloved son
and brother Sgt. Charles R. Benfield.
What I can gather you were
Charles nurse, and we would like
to have some infouratin [information] about
Charles death if you can give any,
as we haven’t recieved [received] any as yet,
and would like very much to
find out about him.
It was very nice of you to
write and give us as much infou-
ratin [information] as you did and we thank
you alot.
Any infouratin [information] that you can give
us concering [concerning] him would be greatful [grateful]
appreciated.

A Sister of Charles
Mrs. Mildred Mathews
1648 F Street
Kingsport, Tenn.

Box/Folder: 33/003

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The post Nurse Ruth Beery: Correspondence with Next of Kin (Letter 1) appeared first on 8th Evacuation Hospital.

Beery’s notebook with letters she received

During World War II Captain Ruth Beery kept a small black notebook labeled “Addresses of Deceased.” Her earliest entry is dated December 23, 1943, and her last, more than 200 deaths later, is dated May 23, 1945, about two weeks after Victory in Europe Day. The notebook contains the names and ranks of soldiers or, in some cases, states a person was a prisoner of war or a civilian. The entries have varying amounts of information but include some or all of the following: the geographic location where the soldier was injured, the cause, the types of wounds, time of death, date of death, whether the patient was pre- or post-operative or dead on arrival, and the next of kin with or without an accompanying address. Not all deaths were the result of enemy fire. Several were related to disease, but accidents — vehicular, alcohol, drowning, unplanned discharge of guns, burns — were increasingly common as the cause of death towards the end of the war and after Victory in Europe Day. Several deaths were tagged as self-inflicted by Captain Beery.

After the war Beery wrote letters to the next-of-kin of many of the soldiers who had died at the 8th Evacuation Hospital. Her letters were brief and conveyed minimal information, basically that the loved one had been cared for in a hospital by doctors and nurses who did everything they could for his comfort and recovery. The collection contains a number of letters written by Beery that were returned to her after the post office was unable to deliver them to the intended recipient. These returned letters are postmarked Charlottesville with dates of February 18 through February 21, 1946, within days of the time Beery received her Certificate of Service from the Separation Center at Fort Dix, New Jersey, dated February 25, 1946. An example of her hand-written “form” letter follows:

Dear Mrs. Barber,
Your name was given as the nearest of kin to Pfc. Jack W. Barber.
No additional information can be given to that which you have already received, but it may be of some satisfaction to you to know that your husband was cared for in a hospital by doctors and nurses, and everything possible was done for his comfort and recovery.
We felt that not enough could be done for the men who gave so much.
Most sincerely,
Ruth Beery
Capt. anc.
[Letter 3]

According to notes in the margins of her notebook, Beery wrote 116 next-of-kin. The number of notebook entries, 205, is greater than the number of letters Beery wrote. Why did Beery send letters to some of the next-of-kin, but not all? It is easy to discern the answer in some cases: five men are noted as arriving with no tag and therefore no information as to the next-of-kin, and ten were not Americans and again had no contact information included. At least 35 of the incoming men were dead on arrival, and except in one case, it appears that Beery did not write a letter, and with good reason, as she could hardly say that the loved one had been cared for by a medical staff in a hospital. Another 27 entries have no address or an incomplete address although they are not specifically marked “no tag.” That leaves 13 soldiers who arrived at the hospital alive with a next-of-kin address, but no mark in the book to indicate that Beery wrote a letter. It is not clear why these next-of-kin, especially those six related to soldiers who died as a result of enemy-inflicted injuries, did not receive a letter. It is apparent that the next-of-kin of a man who died as a result of enemy action was more likely to receive a letter than the loved one of someone who had been involved in an accident.

Assuming that Beery kept all of the letters she received in response to her letters, almost half of the next-of-kin wrote her back. Thirty of the 53 response letters were written by the soldiers’ mothers. Five were written by sisters, four by fathers, three by wives, and two were signed with the names of both parents. One mother-in-law responded to Beery’s letter, as did a cousin, a brother, a friend of a mother, and several writers whose relationships cannot be determined. Some of the responses are very brief and to-the-point:

Dear Miss Beery,
Thank you so much for your kind letter, concerning my son Pvt. Michael P. Rogolewich.
Very Sincerely,
Lida Rogolewich
[Letter 46]

Most of the letters that Beery received indicate deep appreciation for her letter. “Thank you again, so much for writing, seems like my words are not enough to make you realize how your letter has helped me ….” [Letter 30] “… I was so glad to get this letter I’ll like to thank who ever gave you my address you’ll never know the joy in my heart the day I got it. it made me nearer to my son ….” [Letter 35] “Once again our family, each and every one of us wishes to tell you how sincerely grateful we are for your very great kindness and goodness of heart. Thank you again ….” [Letter 9] Appreciative relatives invited Beery to visit them in Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Missouri, and Alabama.

Some seemed relatively content with the information that Beery gave. But frequently, in spite of Beery’s caution that no further information would be given, most had a desire for just that: more information. It is apparent from the letter writers that many had received minimal specifics concerning their soldier. “July will be two years since his death and we still know nothing of the circumstances of his death.” [Letter 49] “It does help very much to hear from someone as the information we have received has been so meager and I believe you know any word about him is quite appreciated. We have been given no details about his death whatsoever and naturally we do not understand why.” [Letter 32] “We didn’t know any thing Only that our son pvt. John T. Bevill was wounded on the 17th of April and died the 20th.” [Letter 14] “You know how it is with the families of these poor heroes, they are so far away, and the little information that they receive is hardly worth mentioning.” [Letter 9]

While several relatives asked about a missing watch or clothing, many pleaded to know more about the circumstances surrounding a loved one’s last days. “Would you know the name of the place where he died?” [Letter 25] “How did it happen? … If possible could you tell me – or do you know – how and where he was wounded – .” [Letter 23]  “… where did he die the name of the place in Italy was it near the Anzio Beach head? was his wound very bad? was it deep or what? would you please let me know I may never know if you don’t tell me these thing[s] I did want to know what time he died how soon did they burry [bury] him after he died.” [Letter 27]  “Was you his nurce [nurse]? and could you tell us how he was wounded? And if he knew or said any thing from the time he was wounded until he died?” [Letter 14] “I would like, if it is at all possible, to know in what way or how badly my son was injured.” [Letter 24] “We were never informed of the nature of Bruce’s injuries, the location of the battlefield on which he fell, the circumstances surrounding his death and the whereabouts of his burial place. I have often wondered about all this. If you are acquainted with these facts and it is not putting you to too much trouble, I should appreciate hearing about them.” [Letter 19]. “Were you with him when he died and did he ask you to write to me. Please will you answer this question for me.” [Letter 54]

Beery kept the envelopes as well as the letters she received, and 36 of the 53 letters or accompanying envelopes in the collection have a date and the letters “ans” written on them to indicate that she did write back to the inquiring next-of-kin. Many of the questions were unanswerable by Beery, but not all, given the information she had compiled in her black notebook. None of Beery’s subsequent letters were returned because of non-delivery, but by reading the four letters in the collection [Letter 22], [Letter 28], [Letter 34], and [Letter 52] that are second letters written from a next-of-kin, it is possible to get some sense of what she might have written in her second letter. One writer’s second letter said, “The information you have been so kind to give us has helped a great deal. Just to know that our darling had skilled care, and that some-one was with him certainly gives us a little relief. We are thankful that he died in a bed, and not on the cold ground.” This sister goes on to say, “I don’t expect you to recall any-thing about the men. I know you had so many of these good men under your skilled care.” [Letter 22] In her second letter one mother wrote, “Yes, I realize that the doctors and nurses did a great and wonderful job for our boys in the Armed forces, because there are quite a few that wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for the great care that you nurses and doctors [gave].” She also acknowledged the difficulty of keeping complete records. “I just imagine that it was kinda [kind of] impossible for you to keep a complete record of all the boys.” [Letter 34] Not that an evidently vague response from Beery or an understanding of incomplete records kept all second time letter writers from seeking more information. The mother of [Letter 34] also wrote, “… I will start by asking you these questions, first did my son know any thing and talk any after he was wounded? Second do you know if he got an identification bracelet while he was in the hospital before he died?” A father who wrote three letters to Beery asked in his second, “Will you please ans [answer] these questions What was the cause of Wayne’s death how bad was he wounded and on what date. was he counsious [conscious] at any time after entering the hospital what cemetary [cemetery] is he buried at?” [Letter 28]

The notebook and letters raise questions for us today. What prompted Captain Beery to make the entries in the notebook? Was it because she planned to write letters to the next-of-kin following the war? Did she write down details intending to share them but then change her mind? Or did she share more than it appears she did from the second letters we have from the next-of-kin? Did she have a separate notebook for 1943? We will probably never know the answers to these queries, but we can discern something about Captain Beery from her actions. Byrd Leavell described her as one whose “concern was for the comfort of the sick and wounded.” This concern was evidently not limited to her wartime duties of caring for the sick and wounded in North Africa and Italy during World War II, but included care for the heartsick and emotionally wounded relatives who were grieving the death of a loved one. Her correspondence provided a tenuous and frequently welcome link with a lost son, husband, or brother.

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