Army Air Corps Cadets Exercising at Springfield College (June 1943)
Description:
This black and white photograph shows a large group of soldiers from Army Air Corps doing exercises on the campus of Springfield College as part of their training for World War II. They exercise have their legs spread wide and are bending, touching the toes of each foot. In the front, a soldier is standing on a wooden platform and appears to be giving directions to the trainees. You can also see a number of big trees and the East Gymnasium of Judd Gymnasia can be seen. This photo was taken in June 1943. 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 1943";
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