![]() The many big and small but important details were being ironed out, weaknesses discovered, and a smooth functioning organization was slowly but surely asserting itself. Newly-assigned EM joined the detail on August 17, to help clean up the mess, and prepare the hospital area. #Leroy sanitarium fullThe advance detail embarked for their destination, only to find empty buildings full of rubble, trash, an dirt. A rumored move, possibly to a Port of Embarkation, materialized when an advance party left to prepare a hospital site in a deserted CCC camp near Fort Jessup, Louisiana. The three weeks of operation at Mansfield were in fact more of an “exploratory” phase, during which time some 50 patients a day were received for treatment. No sooner was the Hospital declared “operational” than Lieutenant General Walter Krueger ordered the Red and Blue Forces to start the battle. The 56th opened July 29, 1942, after five bewildering days of backbreaking work, to prepare everything. Upon arrival, the Nurses were taken to the Mansfield High School where they were billeted in the gymnasium. The ANC Officers had meanwhile reached Mansfield by train along with most of the Hospital’s equipment on July 25, 1942. #Leroy sanitarium plusThe Officers and Enlisted personnel moved by truck convoy to Mansfield, covering 300 plus miles, with a first bivouac at Houston Memorial Park, Texas, where both Officers and Enlisted Men had to pitch their pup tents. To the general disappointment, as everyone was eager to move overseas, orders were received on July 23, 1942, to proceed to Mansfield, Louisiana, for participation in US Army Maneuvers. Training and Maneuvers:Īt the start of the Training Program, bets were already organized, stating that “the fighting 56 th” would be overseas in from six to eight weeks! Meanwhile the training was well received, interest was high, friendships were formed, rumors abounded, and there was a growing feeling of unity, comradeship, and power within the organization – the 56th Evacuation Hospital was no longer just a name, but a UNIT! He received numerous academic, military, and medical service awards during his career. Winans was chief of staff at Baylor Hospital from 1929 through 1955, and served on the Baylor Hospital Medical Board for seven terms. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1945. This medical unit served in North Africa and Italy, including action on the Anzio Beachhead. Army during World War II and organized the 56th Evacuation Hospital (Baylor). Winans began teaching at the Baylor University School of Medicine in 1921 and served as chair of its Department of Internal Medicine in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Winans returned to Dallas in 1920 to set up a private medical practice. After receiving his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University, H. Henry Winans was a Dallas, Texas, Physician and Teacher. Winans (1893-1965), first Commanding Officer, 56th Evacuation Hospital. Following the Louisiana Maneuvers, the new organization now consisted of 48 Officers – 49 Nurses – and 315 Enlisted Men. Blessé, MC, joined the 750-bed 56th Evacuation Hospital on May 4, 1942, as the new Commanding Officer. During the months of April – May – June – and July of 1942, many new Officers, Nurses, and EM joined the organization. As expected, 30 new Officers reported for duty at Fort Sam Houston, April 10, 1942, and along with 94 Enlisted Men and 2 additional Officers, a Training Program was begun. 12, Headquarters, Eighth Corps Area, dated March 29, 1942, activated the 56th Evacuation Hospital. Winans, MC, became the Commanding Officer. On March 17, 1942, all Commissioned Officers and Nurses were ordered to report for duty at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas (Military Reservation total acreage 23,592 troop capacity 719 Officers & 25,825 Enlisted Men –ed), and Lieutenant Colonel Henry M. Nurses and additional Medical and Surgical Officers volunteered their services. Winans’ work of organizing the new Hospital was greatly accelerated. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Lt. The Physicians and Surgeons who had volunteered as members of the 56th Evacuation Hospital were given their commissions in the Army of the United States in February 1941. Winans, MD, Professor of Medicine, was appointed to organize the new Hospital. Magee, that an Executive Committee be appointed to organize an Army medical unit to be designated the 56th Evacuation Hospital, it was time to act. When the Board of Trustees of the Baylor University College of Medicine, Dallas, Texas, received a telegram from the Surgeon General James C. Shriver, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A., and printed by Holling Press Inc., Buffalo, N.Y. Cover of the Book “The Story of the 56th Evac” dedicated to to the members of the 56th Evacuation Hospital, published by W. ![]()
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