Army Air Corps Cadets in the Mess Hall at Springfield College (ca. 1943)
Description:
This black and white photograph shows the mess hall at Springfield College full of Army Air Corps cadets (ca. 1943). There are many cadets pictured sitting and eating, while dozens of soldiers also line the back of the dining hall standing. Some cadets are mingling amongst each other and pictured on the dining tables are various foods and items such as seasonings, napkins, and dishes. 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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