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THE OLD HOSPITAL AREA THEN...AND NOW.  ALSO SEE BELOW.
In early 1944, as the last divisions finished their training cycle, the Army determined the post was a suitable location for a 2,000-bed convalescence hospital.  Later designated as “US Army General Hospital, Camp Pickett,” it offered treatment to men suffering from physical wounds, disease or the psychological strains of combat (battle fatigue).  Pvt. Red Skelton, the actor/comedian who had taken ill in June 1945 while serving in Italy as a member of an Army entertainment unit, was among the patients treated. 

The hospital ushered in the first large influx of female personnel.  While many were nurse officers, others were enlisted members of the Women’s Army Corps.  Most performed medical tasks, while others served in administrative or clerical positions.  All were volunteers, and every job they did freed a male soldier for combat.

Prior to establishing the expanded hospital, the Army moved the Medical Replacement Training Center from Fort Lee in the summer of 1942.   When it closed in September 1943, MRTC had trained an estimated 10,000 medics for overseas duty.
WINDING DOWN OPERATIONS