United States Army, 73rd Evacuation Hospital papers

Finding aid prepared by Go Oyagi, March 2, 2011. Updated by Laura R. Rips, January 14, 2016.
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Fax: (626) 449-3477
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2016
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.


Descriptive Summary

Title: United States Army, 73rd Evacuation Hospital papers
Dates: 1943-1985
Collection Number: mssEvacuationhospitalpapers
Creator: United States. Army. Evacuation Hospital 73rd
Extent: 2,713 items in 12 boxes + 1 oversize folder
Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Fax: (626) 449-3477
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: The collection contains correspondence, memoirs, documents and photographs related to the activities of the 73rd Evacuation Unit of the United States Army in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. It also includes material related to reunions of former unit members, donation of items to the Los Angeles County Medical Association Library, and the Library's exhibition on the unit.
Language of Material: The records are in English.

Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Administrative Information

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. United States Army, 73rd Evacuation Hospital Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Provenance

On long-term loan from the Los Angeles County Medical Association, 1992.

Historical Note

The 73rd Evacuation Hospital Unit was formed in 1940 in Los Angeles, California, and activated in 1942. In January 1943, the unit left the United States for the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. The unit arrived in Bombay in March 1943, and was transferred to Margherita, near Ledo in Assam, India, to provide services to the engineering units building the Ledo Road and Chinese soldiers.
In March 1944, the unit moved to Shingbwiyang in northern Burma and was stationed there until it was inactivated in July 1945. All medical officers were on the Attending Staff of the LAC/USC Medical Center and a majority of these were on the Staff of Good Samaritan Hospital.
Unit members identified in the collection include: Clarence M. Agress, Frank M. Anderson, Clarence J. Berne, Joseph H. Boyes, Thomas H. Brem, Reuben Chier, Mildred Clemson (Mildred Franks), Harold A. Cole, Herbert G. Crockett, Wallace N. Davison, Dorothea M. Dent, Arthur R. Dewey, Florence Edgington, Claire Enders, Edward R. Evans, Mary C. Graham, Colby Hall, Vernon Hauser, Coleman Hendricks, Dora M. Henning, Erle Henriksen, Mrs. Deron Hovsepian (Agnes Spies), Thomas Kidd, Kathryn L. Kurka, Mildred F. Lageson, Hazel Langdon, Irma Ludberg, Albert McEvers, James Nelson, Martha Pollock, Herman Riddell, John M. Salyer, Ralph L. Schroeder, Ella Albeck Schueler, Elizabeth F. Scott, William H. Snyder, Charles Montgomery Stewart, L.J. Tragerman, Marjorie Tubbs, Ewing Turner, E. Richmond Ware and Ethel H. Weber

Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence, documents, manuscripts, photographs, slides and ephemera. It primarily contains items donated to the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) Library by former members of the 73rd Evacuation Hospital Unit.
The majority of correspondence is from the 1980s, and consists of letters between former members of the unit with Dr. Lewis T. Bullock, founder and president of the Friends of the LACMA Library, and Elizabeth Crahan, Director of Library Services. These letters center around the acquisition of items related to the 73rd Evacuation Hospital Unit and reunion dinners.
Manuscripts include former unit members' essays, diaries and memoirs. These items document the unit's activities, and describe the experiences of individual members during World War II. There are also copies of official military memorandums, and a report of a military action. The manuscripts include duplicates of photographs found elsewhere in the collection.
Writings by former unit members include:
  • "Clinical Survey of Eight-Six Cases of Scrub Typhus" by Clarence M. Agress and Edward R. Evans
  • "Contribution of Hospital in Time of War" by L.J. Tragerman
  • "Memoirs" by John M. Salyer
  • "My Diary of Experiences in India" by Ethel H. Weber
Photographs make up the bulk of the collection, and primarily represent the unit's activities and views of India and Burma during World War II. The collection also contains a large number of slides, many of which are duplicates of the photographs.
The collection also contains ephemera from the LACMA Library exhibition about the unit, including wall panels and transparent sheets.

Arrangement

The collection is organized in the following manner:
Box 1: Correspondence, arranged in chronological order.
Box 2: Manuscripts, arranged in chronological order.
Boxes 2-11: Photographs, divided into subsections according to subject. This organization is based on the arrangement and categories created by the LACMA Library. Please note that a photograph placed in one category might also depict scenes related to other categories. Photographs of identified doctors and nurses are placed under their name.
Boxes 11-12: Slides. Located in two volumes of binders, as arranged at the LACMA Library.
Box 12: Ephemera.

Related Material

The Joseph H. Boyes papers, located at the Hoover Institution Archives, provide additional information about the 73rd Evacuation Hospital's activities in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. The collection includes a memoir, slides, and miscellany related to Boyes, a Lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Medical Corps, and surgeon in the 73rd Evacuation Hospital.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.  

Corporate Names

United States. Army Medical Service
United States. Army. Evacuation Hospital 73rd

Subjects

Medicine, Military - Burma - World War, 1939-1945
Medicine, Military - China - World War, 1939-1945
Medicine, Military - India - World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945 - Medical care

Genre

Letters (correspondence) - 20th century
Manuscripts - 20th century
Photographs - 20th century
Slides (photographs) - 20th century


Box 1

Correspondence and Manuscripts - Diaries and Memoirs, File 1

Folder 1

Brem, Thomas H. 1 memorandum to "Dear John." (1978, January 11)

Physical Description: 3 items

Notes

With a list of remaining members of the unit, and a copy of each item.
Folder 2

Bullock, Lewis T. 1 letter to L.J. Tragerman. (1980, December 4)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 3

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Clarence J. Berne. (1981, July 14)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 4

Clymer, Geneva A. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1981, July 23)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 5

Ethel H. Weber. 4 letters to Lewis T. Bullock. (1981, August 1) (1981, August 16) (1982, June 25) (1982, October 20)

Physical Description: 5 items

Notes

With a copy of the June 25, 1982 letter.
Folder 6

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Geneva A. Clymer. (1981, August 5)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 7

Crahan, Elizabeth. 2 letters to Ethel H. Weber. (1981, August 19) (1983, December 16)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 8

Weber, Ethel H. 3 letters to Elizabeth Crahan. (1981, August 26) (1983, December 14) (1984, January 18)

Physical Description: 5 items

Notes

With 2 copies of the August 26, 1981 letter and an envelope.
Folder 9

Bullock, Lewis T. 1 letter to members of the unit. (1981, August)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 10

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to John M. Salyer. (1981, October 26)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 11

Bullock, Lewis T. 1 letter to John M. Salyer. (1981, October 27)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 12

Salyer, John M. 1 letter to "Dear Dr. Pollock." ([1981, October])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 13

Henriksen, Erle. 1 letter to Lewis T. Bullock. (1981, November 11)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 14

Dewey, Arthur R. 1 letter to Frank M. Anderson. (1983, August 1)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 15

Evans, Edward R. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, August)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 16

Anderson, Frank M. 1 letter to "Members of the 73rd Evacuation Hospital Unit." (1983, August)

Physical Description: 6 items

Notes

With 5 copies.
Folder 17

Cole, Harold A. 2 letters to Frank M. Anderson. (1983, September 12) (1983, October 15)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 18

Boyes, Joseph H. 1 letter to Frank M. Anderson. (1983, October 4)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 19

Sommer, M.L. 1 memorandum to 'Whom It May Concern." (1983, October 5)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 20

[Loven, Anna?]. 1 memorandum to an unknown addressee. (1983, October 6)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 21

Hovsepian, Agnes Spies. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1983, October 31)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 22

Farrell, Lois. 1 memorandum [to the attendees of the dinner]. ([1983, October])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 23

Scott, Elizabeth F. 1 letter to Los Angeles County Medical Association. ([1983, October])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 24

Tragerman, Mary Grace. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. ([1983, October])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 25

Kidd, Thomas. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1983, November 1)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 26

Graham, Mary C. 1 letter to "Dear Library 'Friends.'" (1983, November 4)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 27

Scott, Elizabeth F. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, November 11)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 28

Schueler, Ella Albech. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, November 12)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 29

Edgington, Florence. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, November 13)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 30

Farrell, Lois. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, November 15)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 31

Graham, Mary C. 1 letter to Frank M. Anderson (1983, November 15)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 32

Henning, Dora M. 1 letter to Frank M. Anderson (1983, November 15)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 33

Lageson, Mildred F. 1 letter to Frances Morrison (1983, November 15)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 34

Salyer, John M. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, November 15)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 35

Buck, Francis C. 1 letter to Frances Morrison. (1983, November 21)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 36

Michaels, Florence. 1 letter to [Elizabeth Crahan]. (1983, November 21)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 37

Graham, Mary C. 2 letters to Elizabeth Crahan. (1983, November 28) (1984, April 2)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 38

Crahan, Elizabeth. 2 letters to Mary C. Graham. (1983, November 30) (1983, December 6)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 39

Anderson, Frank M. 1 letter to "Dear Friends." ([approximately 1983, November])

Physical Description: 9 items

Notes

With 8 copies.
Folder 40

Ender, Claire. 1 letter to "Dear Friends of the Library." (1983, December 2)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 41

Kurka, Kathryn L. 1 letter to "Friends of the LACMA Library." (1983, December 2)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 42

Salyer, John M. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1983, December 15)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 43

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Doctor and Mrs. Hovsepian. (1983, December 18)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 44

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to "Dear Friends." (1984, March 12)

Physical Description: 2 items

Notes

With the "Roster of March 1, 1984."
Folder 45

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to "Dear Friends." (1984, March 12)

Physical Description: 2 items

Notes

With a revised version of the "Roster of March 1, 1984."
Folder 46

Graham, Mary C. 1 letter to "Dear Sir." (1984, March 13)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 47

Fredrickson, Betty. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1984, March 16)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 48

Henning, Dora M. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1984, March 20)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 49

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Betty Fredrickson. (1984, March 26)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 50

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Dora M. Henning. (1984, March 26)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 51

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Dorothea M. Dent. (1984, April 4)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 52

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to "Dear Friends & Members of the 73rd Evacuation Hospital." (1984, April 17)

Physical Description: 7 items

Notes

With 6 copies of the Roster of April 1984.
Folder 53

Morrison, Frances. 1 letter to Ralph Graham. (1984, April 17)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 54

Evans, Edward R. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1984, April 19)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 55

Favole, Bernadine. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1984, April 23)

Physical Description: 2 items

Notes

With an envelope.
Folder 56

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Edward R. Evans. (1984, April 26)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 57

Morrison, Frances. 1 letter to Joseph H. Boyes. (1984, May 24)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 58

Crahan, Elizabeth. 1 letter to Kathy Bufford. (1984, May 25)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 59

Ender, Claire. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1984, June 2)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 60

Morrison, Frances. 1 letter to Claire Ender. (1984, June 12)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 61

Thompson, Barbara. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. (1985, November 25)

Physical Description: 1 item

Notes

With a memorandum.
Folder 62

Boyes, Joseph H. 1 letter to Elizabeth Crahan. ([undated])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 63

Photographs and Documents from the file called "U.S. Army 73rd Evacuation Hospital, China, Burma, India, World War II, Accounts by C.J. Berne, A.R. Dewey, E. Henriksen, J.M. Salyer, L.J. Tragerman, E.H. Weber, File I." (1942-[approximately 1980s])

Physical Description: 45 items
Folder 64

Photographs and Documents from the file called "U.S. Army 73rd Evacuation Hospital, China, Burma, India, World War II, Accounts by C.J. Berne, A.R. Dewey, E. Henriksen, J.M. Salyer, L.J. Tragerman, E.H. Weber, File II." (1942-[approximately 1980s])

Physical Description: 13 items
Folder 65

Diaries and Memoirs, File I. (1942-[approximately 1980s])

Physical Description: 37 items
Box 2

Manuscripts, Diaries and Memoirs, File II - Photographs: Thomas Kidd

Folder 1

Diaries and Memoirs, File II. (1942-[approximately 1980s])

Physical Description: 4 items
Folder 2

Documents related to Claire Ender. (1942-1945)

Physical Description: 7 items
Folder 3

Documents related to the Reunion Dinner of November 1978. (1978-1979)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 4

Documents regarding the Dinner of October 1983. (1983)

Physical Description: 4 items
Folder 5

Roster of the Unit Members. ([approximately 1984])

Physical Description: 5 items
Folder 6

Photographs from Harold A. Cole. (1940s)

Physical Description: 16 items
Folder 7

Photographs from John M. Salyer. (1940s)

Physical Description: 9 items
Folder 8

Clarence M. Agress (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 9

Frank M. Anderson. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 10

C.J. Berne. (1940s)

Physical Description: 12 items
Folder 11

Joseph H. Boyes. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 12

Thomas H. Brem. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 13

Harold A. Cole. (1940s)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 14

Herbert G. Crockett. (1940s)

Physical Description: 5 items
Folder 15

Daves. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 16

Wallace Davidson. (1940s)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 17

[Capt.] Davidson. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 18

Arthur R. Dewey. (1940s)

Physical Description: 5 items
Folder 19

[Edward R.] Evans. (1940s)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 20

Colby Hall. Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 40 items
Folder 21

Colby Hall. Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 30 items
Folder 22

Vernon Hauser. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 23

Coleman Hendricks. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 24

Erle Henriksen. (1940s)

Physical Description: 5 items
Folder 25

Thomas Kidd. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Box 3

Photographs: Albert McEvers - Unidentified

Folder 1

Albert McEvers. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 2

James Nelson. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 3

Herman Riddell. (1940s)

Physical Description: 4 items
Folder 4

Ralph L. Schroeder. (1940s)

Physical Description: 5 items
Folder 5

William H. Snyder. (1940s)

Physical Description: 20 items
Folder 6

Charles Montgomery Stewart. (1940s)

Physical Description: 7 items
Folder 7

L.J. Tragerman. (1940s)

Physical Description: 18 items
Folder 8

Ewing Turner. (1940s)

Physical Description: 29 items
Folder 9

E. Richmond Ware. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 10

Velma Beatty. (1940s)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 11

Claire Ender. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 12

Mildred Franks. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 13

Dorothy Hanson. (1940s)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 14

Marjorie Hawks. (1940s)

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 15

Dora M. Henning. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 16

Hazel Langdon. (1940s)

Physical Description: 6 items
Folder 17

Irma Ludberg. (1940s)

Physical Description: 4 items
Folder 18

Anna Loven. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 19

Martha Pollock. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 20

Marjorie Tubbs. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 21

Charlotte Walker. (1940s)

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 22

Ethel H. Weber. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 23

Reunion Dinner of 1978. (1978)

Physical Description: 4 items
Folder 24

Reunion of [1982?]. ([approximately 1982])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 25

Unidentified and/or Grouped Doctors and Nurses. Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 40 items
Folder 26

Unidentified and/or Grouped Doctors and Nurses. Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 39 items
Box 4

Photographs: Before Leaving the U.S. - Shingbwiyang Part 2.

Folder 1

Before Leaving the U.S. (1940s)

Physical Description: 19 items
Folder 2

Animals. (1940s)

Physical Description: 43 items
Folder 3

Shingbwiyang Part 1. (1944-1945)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 4

Shingbwiyang Part 2. (1944-1945)

Physical Description: 60 items
Box 5

Photographs: Shingbwiyang, Part 3 - Roads, Bridges, Railroads Part 1

Folder 1

Shingbwiyang Part 3. (1944-1945)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 2

Shingbwiyang Part 4. (1944-1945)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 3

Shingbwiyang Part 5. (1944-1945)

Physical Description: 13 items
Folder 4

Roads, Bridges, Railroads Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 40 items
Box 6

Photographs: Roads, Bridges, Railroads Part 2 - Rivers

Folder 1

Roads, Bridges, Railroads, Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 55 items
Folder 2

Wards, Labs, Pharmacy Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 40 items
Folder 3

Wards, Labs, Pharmacy Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 37 items
Folder 4

Rivers. (1940s)

Physical Description: 59 items
Box 7

Photographs: Ledo - Aircrafts Part 1

Folder 1

Ledo Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 2

Ledo Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 57 items
Folder 3

Tea Plantations. (1940s)

Physical Description: 10 items
Folder 4

Aircrafts Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 40 items
Box 8

Photographs: Aircrafts Part 2 - Natives Part 2

Folder 1

Aircrafts Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 50 items
Folder 2

Natives Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 3

Natives Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 60 items
Box 9

Photographs: Natives Part 3 - Scenery-Jungle-Buildings Part 1

Folder 1

Natives Part 3. (1940s)

Physical Description: X items
Folder 2

Natives Part 4. (1940s)

Physical Description: 31 items
Folder 3

Scenery-Jungle-Buildings Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 60 items
Box 10

Photographs: Scenery-Jungle-Buildings, Parts 2-4

Folder 1

Scenery-Jungle-Buildings Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 2

Scenery-Jungle-Buildings Part 3. (1940s)

Physical Description: 60 items
Folder 3

Scenery-Jungle-Buildings Part 4. (1940s)

Physical Description: 54 items
Box 11

Photographs: En Route Home - Slides Part 1

Folder 1

En Route Home. (1940s)

Physical Description: 47 items
Folder 2

Miscellaneous Photographs. (1940s)

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 3

Slides. With the List of Slides Part 1. (1940s)

Physical Description: 419 items
Box 12

Slides Part 2 - Ephemera

Folder 1

Slides. With the List of Slides Part 2. (1940s)

Physical Description: 329 items
Folder 2

Miscellaneous Slides. (1940s)

Physical Description: 5 items
Folder 3

Miscellaneous Negatives. (1940s)

Physical Description: 57 items
Folder 4

Transparent Sheets. ([approximately 1983])

Physical Description: 28 items
Folder 5

Panels of Photographs from the Exhibit. ([approximately 1983])

Physical Description: 7 items (including 4 oversized items located in a folder outside the box).
Folder 6

Panels of Explanation from the Exhibit. ([approximately 1983])

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 7

Labels and Miscellaneous Materials from the Exhibit. ([approximately 1983])

Physical Description: 3 items
Folder 8

List of Objects for the Exhibit. ([approximately 1983])

Physical Description: 1 item
Folder 9

Copies of Articles. ([approximately 1984])

Physical Description: 2 items
Folder 10

An envelope from the LACMA Library to Marian Shirley Lee. ([undated])

Physical Description: 1 item