General Content
In 1940, in anticipation of United States' involvement in World War II, the U.S. Surgeon General requested that civilian hospitals organize Military General Hospitals for duty overseas. The 19th General Hospital under WW I veteran Dr. Edward T. Wentworth was mobilized in 1942. In May 1944, Colonel Wentworth's unit was sent to a staging area at Colwyn Bay, North Wales. They embarked for France, landing at Utah Beach on August 16. The unit served in LeMans, France, caring for wounded from the front.
During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 the 19th General was so close to the action that they had to move nursing staff to a safer area. They were shipped home in September 1945. The unit was disbanded in 1950. The 19th General Hospital was known to the Army as a "well-trained unit able to do the job without outside help.
At home the war taxed the hospital's resources much as it had during the First World War. Over 111 medical staff, former interns, and 116 Nursing School Alumni served on all fronts. In addition five board members and thirty-five other employees saw service. To meet the manpower crunch, more volunteers were needed; a Men's Volunteer Corps was organized. To alleviate the nursing shortage, the hospital participated in the Cadet Nurse Corps program.