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Medical Organizations
Headquarters, US Forces, Austria

Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Forces, Austria from 1945 to 1955. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.


USFA Main Page

General Information

188th Med Bn

246th Med Co

974th Med Co


58th Med Det (HA)

Related Links
Army Hospitals
28th Sta Hosp, Leghorn
109th Fld Hosp, Salzburg
110th Sta Hosp, Vienna
124th Surg Hosp, Hörsching

 
General Information
1949

Medical Care in Vienna in 1949

1954
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Oct 10, 1954)
The four hospitals under USFA have been redesignated as US Army Hospitals. The new designation, which applies to most hospitals overseas and in the US, is strictly an administrative measure. There are no personnel changes.

Affected by the change are the folloiwng hospitals:
109th Fld Hosp is now US Army Hospital, Salzburg
124th Surg Hosp is now US Army Hospital, Linz
110th Sta Hosp is now US Army Hospital, Vienna
28th Sta Hosp is now US Army Hospital, Leghorn

Under the new system, medical records and hospital files become the responsibility of the hospital rather than the unit operating it. If a unit is transferred the medical records remain with the hospital for use by the replacement unit.

 
188th Medical Battalion
1953
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Sept 14, 1953)
Lt Col Owen A. Groves was CO of the 188th Separate Medical Battalion until Sept 1953. (Webmaster note: do not yet have a starting date when Groves assumed command of the battalion,)

(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Dec 17 1953)
The 246th Medical Ambulance Company at Salzburg is part of the 188th Med Bn..

 
58th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance)

An H-13 of the 58th Med Det (HA) at the US Army Hospital, Salzburg (Herbert Williamson)

58th Med Det H-13 on its way during a mission in Austria (Herbert Williamson)
1955
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Feb 27 1955)
The 58th Med Det (HA) is stationed at Salzburg Airport. The unit was activated in 1953 and was the first of its type to be organized in Europe.

Using techniques developed during the Korean war, the detachment is responsible for air rescue in inaccessible terrain. The unit is also used for other missions, such as searching for missing mountain climbers and flood victims as well as staging flybys during command reviews.

Capt Donald L. Miller is the unit's CO.

 
109th Field Hospital -- US Army Hospital, Salzburg

Former US Army Hospital, Salzburg, recent (Bing)

124th General Hospital, 1946-1947 (Webmaster's collection)

57th Field Hospital, sometime in 1948 (Webmaster's collection)

Entrance to the Army hospital at Glasenbach (Webmaster's collection)
(Source: Webmaster's collection)
Webmaster note: I am posting several photos of the US Army hospital at Camp Truscott) in the 1946-48 timeframe.

The photos are not well annotated, so I am making some guesses on what we are looking at.

Initially, it appears, the hospital at Glasenbach supporting troops in the Salzburg area was the 124th General Hospital. This hospital would eventually (1948?) move to the Linz area (Landesfrauenklinik).

In its place, the 57th Field Hospital took over the job of providing medical services for the Salzburg area.

The 109th Field Hospital history (below) indicates that the 9th Station Hospital was activated in Salzburg on August 1, 1949, effectively replacing the 57th. (The STATION LIST for September 1949 lists the 57th now in Würzburg, so that would appear to confirm that assumption.)

Based on station lists I have, the 9th Sta Hosp was redesignated as the 109th Field Hospital sometime in the second half of 1951.

1. Gen Collins arrives for an inspection

2. Medical Supply building

3. Reading room

4. Snack bar

5. Library
     


US Army Hospital, Salzburg, is located at Camp Truscott. Formerly the 109th Field Hospital,
it switched to its present designation on October 11, 1954. The hospital is commanded by
Lt Col Philip M. Nabbe
1955
(Source: USFA Sentinel, July 22, 1955, courtesy Don Maloney)
This month marks the 32d anniversary of the 109th Field Hospital, presently staffing the US Army Hospital, Salzburg.

Organized originally as Station Hospital No. 9 in 1923, the unit first served the I Corps area. In 1925, it was redesignated as the 9th Station Hospital. Eight years later, the unit was withdrawn from the organized reserve and allotted to the Regular Army.

During World War II, the 9th Station Hospital served in Australia, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and Okinawa, the latter where the unit saw combat action.

Inactivated on Okinawa May 30, 1947, the organization came back to active duty January 1, 1948, at Würzburg, Germany.

Once again inactivated in March 1949, the hospital returned to duty August 1, 1949, when it was assigned to USFA.

Located at Camp Truscott, near Salzburg, the hospital for the past six years provided constant medical service to meet the needs of USFA military personnel and their dependents. This year, the hospital has handled more than 50,000 patients in the out-patient clinic and delivered 173 babies. The orthopedic clinic has treated more than 250 broken bone cases.

The hospital, which is equipped to handle all types of major surgery, has more than 400 operations on its books for the first half of the year. Only those cases requiring specialized treatment are sent to the General Hospital in Munich, Germany.

The present staff of the 109th, supplemented by qualified European doctors representing many different nations, gives the hospital an international scope. It has been said that "the 109th can treat a patient in any language."

The staff includes one Russian, one Polish, two Hungarians, one Czech amd several Austrian and German doctors. Other specialists include persons of Spanish, Italian and Yugoslavian backgrounds.

As the 9th Station Hosp during World War II, the unit played a tremendous role in the morale of combat troops. Noted for expert treatment of sick and wounded soldiers, the 9th on Guadalcanal served campaign veterans throughout the Solomon Islands.


109th Fld Hosp
Salzburg

 

1. Capt Lowell H. Stein


2. M/Sgt Maxie C. Evans

3. Dr. Julius H. Michel


4. Lt Col Henry Thompson


5. Capt Marguerite Irwin

6. Patients


7. 1st Lt Allan N. Freid


8. Dependent child

9. Dependent patient


 
110th Station Hospital -- US Army Hospital, Vienna

110th Station Hospital 1947

US Army Hospital, Vienna, 1955. (Hospital is the building in the center. Building to the
right served as quarters for officers assigned to the hospital) (Donald Maloney)

Former US Army Hospital, Vienna, recent (Bing)
1947
(Source: EUCOM Medical Bulletin, June 1947)
  The 110th Station Hospital, presently located in the 19th district of Vienna, Austria, has come a long way since its activation at Camp Pickett, Virginia, in 1942. Operating with a capacity of up to 800 beds during the war, it served in Scotland and England and landed at Le Havre, France, early in 1945.

After being assigned to occupation duty with the U.S. Forces in Austria in September 1945, it functioned under its original allotment of 250 beds which later was further reduced to 150 beds,

The site designated to house the 110th Station Hospital was the former "Kaufmaennische Spital" which was taken over as a hospital by the German Luftwaffe for the duration of the war. The general layout of the plant and its location amidst green parks on high ground overlooking the city of Vienna were ideal. However, damage suffered during the war was found to be considerable and an extensive program of restoration and construction was inaugurated.

Complete new electrical and plumbing systems were required, and it was necessary to replace 95 percent of all double windows. The hospital had been stripped of most of its furnishings and the West wing had been entirely bombed out. Messhalls for patients and indigenous personnel had to be newly constructed, and practically every section of the hospital was reconstructed to meet required high standards of medical care. The result of this now completed program is what many have acclaimed to be one of the finest U.S. Army hospitals in the European Command.

All wards, sections and administrative offices are located in the main building, with the patients' messhall separate but connected to the hospital by a newly constructed enclosed ramp. Billets and messes for the hospital personnel are housed in separate adjacent buildings. The hospital grounds include a large park, part of which, in addition to a small scale greenhouse, is used for growing vegetables which contribute to the improvement of the diet of patients and personnel.

The 110th Station Hospital is providing medical care for about 4,200 military personnel, 1,200 dependents and 800 War Department civilians. In addition, this unit is serving patients flown in from American delegations in eastern European countries as well as authorized members of allied nations. There were approximately 3,900 patients admitted during the past 12-month period, of which 2,400 were medical and 1,500 surgical admissions. In addition there were 53 deliveries, 26,000 outpatient treatments, and 15,000 sittings at the hospital dental clinic. The commanding officer of this hospital has also been designated Surgeon, Vienna Area Command, and Surgeon, Vienna (military) community.

Lt. Colonel Carlton W. Sargent has been in command of the hospital since July 1946. Major John S. Zelenik is Chief of Medical Service; Captain Kenneth E. Blundon, Chief of Surgical Service; Captain Dorothy R. Shrier, Chief Nurse. Major Harry E. Ramsey, Chief of Dental Service and USFA Dental Surgeon, the only remaining original member of this unit since its activation, was returned to the Z.I. in May after 54 months of continuous overseas service. Lt. Colonel Fayette G. Hall recently arrived to replace Major Ramsey as Dental Surgeon USFA and Chief of Dental Service of this unit. The hospital staff consists of 34 officers and nurses, 12 War Department civilians and 86 enlisted personnel.

Due to its proximity to the famous Vienna Medical School this hospital has served as host to groups of from 16 to 20 medical officers attending six-week postgraduate courses at tha Vienna University through arrangements made by the Chief Surgeon, European Command. Recreation facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court, volleyball court, movies, library, a Red Cross Club complete with craftshops, music and ping-pong rooms and lounges. The medical detachment has its own club. A large ballroom and terrace are shared by officers and enlisted personnel for dances. Besides there is a post exchange branch with fountain service, tailor and barber shops and a beautiful new chapel. Special features enjoyed by American personnel in Vienna are excellent presentations of opera and concerts in this well-known musical center.



110th Station Hospital main building, Vienna (Webmaster's collection)
1953
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Dec 17 1953)
The 110th Station Hospital was activated on 17 July 1942 at Camp Pickett, VA, per GO (General Orders) #37.

On 15 January 1944, the unit occupied Block E of the Royal Hospital at Netley, Hampshire, England.

On 19 March 1945, the 110th moved across the English Channel to Camp Phillip Morris near Harfleur, France, and began operation as a tent hospital.

On 7 July 1945, the hospital unit moved to the Louis Pasteur Hospital at Le Havre, France.

On 19 September 1945, the unit undertook another move, this time to Vienna, Austria, where it relieved the 7th Field Hospital.

The unit was reorganized per GO #6, HQ USFA, on 23 November 1953.

Again reorganized on 16 September 1954, per GO #49, HQ USFA, the unit was redesignated as US Army Hospital, Vienna.


 
1955
(Source: Donald Maloney)

Special Orders 77, 20 April 1955 (2 pages)
(1)
 
(1) Webmaster note: I had to transcribe SO #77 because the copy I have is not completely legible. I apologize if any errors were made. If anyone has corrections please email me.

 
124th Surgical Hospital -- US Army Hospital, Linz
1951
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Jan 1 & 21, 1951)
On January 22 dedication ceremonies will be held at Camp McCauley to open the new 124th Station Hosp facility at the installation. Honored guests at the ceremony will include Austrian Chancellor Leopold Figl, US High Commissioner (Austria) Walter J. Donnelly and Lt Gen S. Leroy Irwin, USFA CG. Master of ceremonies will be Col Leonard F. Wilson, USFA Chief Surgeon.

The new hospital is a 134-bed general hospital for US personnel in the Linz-Wels area. It was rebuilt from an old Luftwaffe troops barracks and replaces the Landesfrauenklinik building in Linz which had previously served as the hospital plant for the 124th. The 250-bed Klink had been leased from the Austrian government by the Army since 1948 and is scheduled to be returned to the Austrians. Its capacity included 250 beds with 20 emergency beds, office, clinic rooms, two kitchens and two recreation rooms.

CO of the 124th Sta Hosp is Lt Col James H. Dean.

 
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