If They Could See Us Now
The Story of Charlotte's 38th Evacuation Hospital
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©2008 Chris Hudson Productions. All Rights Reserved
On October 12th, 1940 General George C. Marshall watched his alma mater, the Virginia Military Institute play football against Davidson College at Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium. After the game he and his wife, attended a party at the old Martin L. Cannon home. At the party General Marshall spoke with Charlotte Surgeon
Dr. Paul Sanger and a discussion began about starting a military hospital unit out of Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Marshall listened to Dr. Sanger’s suggestion and after his visit in Charlotte, took the idea back to Washington.
After completing a number of letters and forms the unit was created and given a name. The 38th Evacuation Hospital.
Many Charlotte doctors and nurses joined the unit. Up to this time the United States had not entered into the war until the fateful day of December 7th, 1941. Three months later, on March 21st, 1942 orders were sent. On April 15th members of the 38th reported to Fort Bragg and under the command of Colonel Raymond Whittier, learning the military way of things began immediately. Calisthenics, gas mask training, and running became a way of life for the doctors and nurses from Charlotte.
After six weeks of training, a benefit was held in honor of the doctors and nurses. Special performances by Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna, Frances Langford, and Salisbury’s very own, Skinnay Ennis and his orchestra helped raise over three thousand dollars for the hospital unit.
On July 27th, 1942 the doctors and nurses were ordered to leave Fort Bragg. The 38th was off to war. Traveling by rail to the New York Port Of Embarkation, members of the 38th boarded the 33,000 ton British Passenger Ship
H.M.S. Andes, and were on their way toward war-torn England.
After just a few months in England, the 38th received a new commanding officer by the name of Colonel Rollin L. Bauchspies. Due to ill health, Colonel Whittier was relieved of his duties and sent back to the States. Soon after he died of heart disease and the 38th suffered their first official death at war.
The 38th spent almost four months in England, training and waiting for their departure. Finally their time had arrived to head toward the battle lines. Their destination: North Africa.
Dr. Paul Sanger and a discussion began about starting a military hospital unit out of Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Marshall listened to Dr. Sanger’s suggestion and after his visit in Charlotte, took the idea back to Washington.
After completing a number of letters and forms the unit was created and given a name. The 38th Evacuation Hospital.
Many Charlotte doctors and nurses joined the unit. Up to this time the United States had not entered into the war until the fateful day of December 7th, 1941. Three months later, on March 21st, 1942 orders were sent. On April 15th members of the 38th reported to Fort Bragg and under the command of Colonel Raymond Whittier, learning the military way of things began immediately. Calisthenics, gas mask training, and running became a way of life for the doctors and nurses from Charlotte.
After six weeks of training, a benefit was held in honor of the doctors and nurses. Special performances by Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna, Frances Langford, and Salisbury’s very own, Skinnay Ennis and his orchestra helped raise over three thousand dollars for the hospital unit.
On July 27th, 1942 the doctors and nurses were ordered to leave Fort Bragg. The 38th was off to war. Traveling by rail to the New York Port Of Embarkation, members of the 38th boarded the 33,000 ton British Passenger Ship
H.M.S. Andes, and were on their way toward war-torn England.
After just a few months in England, the 38th received a new commanding officer by the name of Colonel Rollin L. Bauchspies. Due to ill health, Colonel Whittier was relieved of his duties and sent back to the States. Soon after he died of heart disease and the 38th suffered their first official death at war.
The 38th spent almost four months in England, training and waiting for their departure. Finally their time had arrived to head toward the battle lines. Their destination: North Africa.
A Brief History of 38th Evacuation Hospital
