Base Hospital No. 20

Base Hospital No. 20, located in Châtel-Guyon, France, was one of hundreds of Base Hospitals created to treat soldiers, wounded during the First World War. It was created in 1916 by the University of Pennsylvania and served the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) until 1919.

While the United States had not yet formally joined the First World War, many were anticipating its inevitable entry. The University of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the American Red Cross and the War Department, began organizing Base Hospital No. 20. in September 1916. Recruitment of personnel, and raising of money to purchase equipment began in earnest. Lt. Col. John B. Carnett was put in charge of organizing the unit and set to work raising the $25,000 USD required to purchase the minimum equipment required for a peacetime hospital. Simultaneously, the following staff were recruited to fill key roles: Col. Edward Martin, Director; Lt. Col. Eldridge L. Eliason, Chief of the Surgical Service; Lt. Col. George M. Piersol, Chiefof the Medical Service; Edith B. Irwin, Chief Nurse; Lt. Col Thomas H. Johnson, as the Commanding Officer; and, Maj. Sherman M. Craiger, Quarter-master. In addition, sixty-five nurses and 153 enlisted men volunteered to serve the hospital. The enlisted men were under the charge of Maj. John H. Musser, Hr. and Maj. Philip F. Williams. Space was required to feed and house all of these people and the Athletic Association and Students’ Training House at the University were given over for their use when they arrived in late 1917.

In preparation for their duties, a variety of training activities were undertaken. All personnel received at least five weeks hospital training as orderlies and anaesthetists, as well as full instruction in practical first aid from Col. Eliason and were required to be able to apply splints, bandages and dressings. Irwin volunteered for active duty with the U.S. Army Walter Reid Hospital in Washington, D.C. to familiarize herself with the operations of an army hospital prior to arrival in France.

After war was formally declared, more equipment and funds were required. While the initial peacetime amount had been covered by a donation from the Harrison Fund, more would be required. Carnett and others were able to raise just over $110,000 USD, plus $40,000 USD worth of equipment for the Hospital.

With personnel trained and all the necessary funds and equipment, the whole operation left the University for Camp Merritt, New Jersey on 1 April 1918. During their three weeks in New Jersey, they were joined by the nurses, dietitians and three civilian stenographers, who had been stationed at Ellis Island, and finally on 22 April, they all set sail on the USS Leviathan.

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