Army Air Corps Cadets in Line at the Springfield College Mess Hall (ca. 1943)
Description:
This black and white photograph shows Army Air Corps cadets lined up to get their meal in the Springfield College mess hall (ca. 1943). They are seen in uniforms holding trays with food and dishes. Many cups are pictured behind the counter with dark liquid in them as well as large pitchers. A dining hall server appears to be serving soldiers. There are numerous empty tables in the background and one cadet is looking into the camera. 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).
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