Army Air Corps at Springfield College (ca. June 1943)
Description:
This black and white photograph shows Army Air Corps cadets standing at attention on South Field on the campus of Springfield College. The soldiers are in two big groups and are dressed in uniform. Many soldiers are saluting while one soldier is holding an American flag. On the right of the photograph is West Gymnasium of Judd Gymnasia and Locklin Hall can be seen in the back of the photograph beyond the many trees. At the start of World War II, Springfield College served as training grounds for the Army Air Corps, which allotted the college $90,000 for upgrading facilities. In the spring of 1944, the training program was canceled; in order to conserve its assets for expanded postwar operations in the face of decreasing student enrollment, Springfield College negotiated a contract with the U.S. Navy to serve as a Naval Special Hospital. The Navy allotted $75,000 to bring the college up to the mark of a naval hospital, and the first contingent of one hundred and fifty patients arrived on September 22, 1944. It was estimated that five hundred patients could be served. Alumni Hall was used as the hospital, and the old dormitory (now called the Administration Building) became administrative offices and housing for nurses and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). On the back of the photographic print is stamped "JUN"
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