01l|ristums, 1944 This third Christmas for U.S. Fleet Hospital No. 107 is an appropriate time for me, as your Commanding Officer, to express to you my satisfaction with the tasks you and your predecessors have so well completed. Your patience, skill and devotion to duty have meant health and life itself for many of our sick and wounded comrades. The tasks ahead will be hard, too, but let us face them with confidence and enthusiasm and in the knowledge that we are engaged In a worthwhile endeavor for our fellows. It is such an en- deavor, after all, that is an essential part of the Christmas spirit. Captain, MC, USN. U. S. FLEET HOSPITAL No. 107, first known as U. S. Naval Mobile Hospital No. 7. was commissioned at Brooklyn, New York, g July 1942. The first Commanding Officer was Captain W. C. Espach, MC, USN, and the first Executive Officer was Captain C. R, Tatum, MC, USN. The original staff consisted of thirty-two officers and two hundred and forty-five enlisted men. This original unit left the United States 28 November 1942, arriving in New Caledonia 1* December 1942. Equipment soon arrived in quantity, and construction began immediately. The Hospital was put into full operation 23 April 1943, with the admission of the first group of patients. Navy Nurses reported for duty in July 1943. By the early part of August, there was a fully organized complement of fifty nurses, with Lieutenant (jg) Lenore Terrell acting as the Chief Nurse. Captain J. M. Woodard, MC, USN. relieved Captain Tatum as Executive Officer 24 March 1944. The present Commanding Officer, Captain R. R. Gasser, MC, USN, relieved Captain Espach 31 March 1944. The present Executive Officer. Captain D. D. Stofer. MC. USNR, relieved Captain Woodard 27 July 1944, In May of 1944 the Hospital was redesignated as U. S. Fleet Hospital No. 107. CAPTAIN R. R. GASSER, MG, USN CAPTAIN D. D. STOFBR. MC, U SNR OFFICERS Seated, left to right Commander M. G. O’BRIEN. MC-V(S) USNR Commander A. J. W'INELAND. MC-V(S) USNR Commander j. D. MABRY. MC-V(S) USNR Commander J. LOVE. MC-V(S) USNR Commander W. L. ROGERS, MC-V(S) USNR Captain R. R. GASSER (MC) USN Captain D. D, STOFER. MC-V(S) USNR Commander E. G. GIVHAN, MC-V(S) USNR Commander E. P, BUGBEE, MC-V(S) USNR Commander A. P. PRESTON. MC-V(S) USNR Standing, left to right (continued) Lieut (jg) D. W. CROESSMANN. SC-V(G) USNR Lieut(jg) W. C. BUSCH. H-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. C. C. HECK. MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. C. E. ARLANDER. MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant R V. ZUBER. MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant H. ROYER, MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. K. E. SHEARON. DC-V(G) USNR Lieutenant N. R. SCHUHMACHF.R. MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. j. J. HEAD, MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant E. A. GAW, MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. D. G. HENDERSON. MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant H. P. WALL. DC-V(G) USNR Lieut-Comdr, I I, W. GOLDBLATT, MC-V(G) USNR Lieutenant H. H. MARTIN. MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant M. V. STEVENSON. MC-V(S) USNR Lieut(Jg) J. H. HATHAWAY (HC) USN Ch.Pharm. J. J. K1ERSLEAD. USN Lieutenant J. U. HALBMA1ER. ChC-V(S) USNR Ch.Pharm. P. L. ALLERS. USN Lieut-Comdr. L. L. ARNTSEN. MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant L. E. PRYOR (HC) USN Lieutenant J. J. KOUTSKY. MC-V(G) USNR Ch.Pharm. W. L. SC1FRES. USN Lieutenant J. L. CARTER, ChC-VfS) USNR Standing, left to right Lieutenant J. P, SOLTYS!AK (HC) USN Lieutenant H, S. S1SE. MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. E. J. MAHON. MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant M, CUTLER. MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. J. E. GOODMAN, MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. J. A. B. FERSHTAND, MC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant 1. E. BRENNER. DC-V(S) USNR Lieutenant L. V. SMILEY, MC-V(G) USNR Lieut-Comdr. W. D. OWEN (DC) USN Lieut-Comdr. L. L. KENNEY, MC-V(S) USNR Lieut-Comdr. M. j. O’CONNELL. MC-V(S) USNR N U R S E S Sealed, left lo fight (Pint Row) Lieut(jg) M. S. COSTELLO Lieut(Jg) E. H. L1CHTENWALD Lieut(jg) I. J. LATTER Lieut(jg) H. B. DkREMER Lieut(jg) I .. A. TERRELL. Chief Nurse Lieut{jg) G. SPENCER Lieut(jg) J. G. TROYAN Licut(jg) M. A. FE1GE Lieut(jg) E. F. McALOON Standing, left to fight (Second Row) Ensign D. L. JENSEN Ensign N. E. SPEED Ensign M. E. L1PUSECK Ensign S. A. LEGENC Ensign I. L. JAMES Ensign M. L. HOWARD Ensign M. F. MOAURO Ensign E. D. McKENNA Ensign C. E. GUSTAFSON Ensign M. HARR1SS Lieut(jg) P. C. WATSON Liout(jg) O. G, McCLATCHEY Standing, left to right (Firs/ Row) Ensign V. D. SINGLETON Ensign M. K. SINGLETON Ensign J. V. MAKOWIEC Ensign E. H. SHAW Ensign D. H. CROWLEY Ensign M. L. McEACHERN Ensign E. M. HINDS Ensign P. M. O’GRADY Ensign S. E, BRENNAN Ensign E. MARION Ensign E. W. LORD Ensign R. A. COLLINS Ensign E. P. SPANISH Standing, left l» right (third Rt>a>) Ensign J. M. L1EBTAG Ensign A. E. MEYER Ensign W. F. JONES Ensign J. E. KNIGHT Ensign M. M. DEGENER Ensign C. M. SPRAGUE Ensign K. B. DAVISON Ensign D, E. MOORE Ensign E. B. EDWARDS Ensign M. K. JOHNSON CHIEF PETTY OF FI C E R S Sealed, left to right Waller G. FOX. CEM(PA) USN Paul M. STEWART. CPhM(AA) USN Francis J. BROGAN I, CPhM(T) USNR Norman A. ELPERS. CPHM(T) USNR Francis R. PIDGEON. CPhM(AA) USNR John W. BRAEUTIGAM. Jr.. CPhM(PA) USN Raymond L. LaFLAMME. CCS (A A) USN Samuel E. McDOWELL. CY(PA) USNR Henderson B. WARNOCK, CPhM(AA) USNR 5landing, left to right Edwin A. SHERIDAN. CSP(A) (PA) USNR Charles R. WALKER. CPhM(PA) USN Darns M. OSBURN. CPhM(AA) USNR James E. BOURLAND, CPhM(AA) USNR William J. BRADY. CPhM(PA) USN Robert E. HAGGERTY, CPHM(AA) USNR Thomas L. McDONEL, CCS(AA) USN Raymond C. KOVACH. CPhM(PA) USNR "j" ”B" MURPHY, CPhM(AA) USN Loveless N. GARDNER. CSp(A) (T) USNR William G. CASSADY, CPhM(AA) (T) USNR William F. NAUGHTON. CMM(PA) USNR S O M E O / 7 / / £ C K £ H* T H E CHOW LINE BARRAC KS INTER IOR I topical Liarracli* FROM THE NOUMEA ROAD VIEWS OF THE >nr1 1 HIS is the first view obtained when approaching the Hospital. The level ground at the right center is the area into which the original company moved after arrival. Here they lived in tents during the months in which they and the SeaBee units constructed the Hospital buildings. The nearest hut at right center is the Officers’ Club, constructed from native materials by members of the Ship’s Company. COMPOUND FRO M T HE MO VIE A R E A Movies are shown at the theater every evening for the patients and the off-duty watch. Two portable 35 mm. projectors are a part of station equip- ment. A portable i5 mm. projector is used for showing movies in the wards. Seen at the right of the screen are the native grass huts used for Sick Officers’ Quarters, Nurses’ Quarters, and Staff Officers’ Quarters. F R O M A B O V E B A R R A C K S E VIEWS OF THE i HE major functions of the Hospital take place in the buildings centered in the above view. Included in the scene are the administration buildings, surgical wards, medical wards, operating rooms, clinics. X-ray, physiotherapy, and laboratories. The building across the foreground is one of the barracks for the crew. C O M POUND F R O hi S H IP' $ S E li V t C E T E R RAC E 1 HIS view is taken from Ship’s Service Terrace near the recreation hall. Adjacent to the main street are the administration building, wards numbered one to thirteen, operating room A, the dental clinic. X-ray, G. U. clinic, central supply room, the galley, and mess halls. The buildings are of prefabricated metal construction identical to that used in all Fleet hospitals. MAINTENANCE AREA Pictured above are shops and warehouses of various maintenance depart- ments. Adjacent to the tennis court are the carpenter shop, optical shop (Base Optical Unit No. i), outside M. A, A., engineering office, electrical shop, ship- fitter’s shop, garage, armory, paint locker, boatswain’s locker, medical stores warehouses, and medical stores issue room. THE INTERIOR OF A SURGICAL WARD I'xipkilf Will'd RED CROSS WORKERS. From left to right: Miss JANE MAY HEW, Mm CAROLYN PAR A BO. Mm CAROL WEAVERL1NC. Mm REBECCA VAN METER. X HREE American Red Cross hospital workers arrived at U. S. Fleet Hospital No, 107 on 26 May 1944, to begin a program of welfare and recrea- tional activities for the enlisted personnel. These workers were Miss Carol Weaverling, Assistant Field Director; Miss Rebecca Van Meter, Recreation Worker: and Miss Jane Mayhew, Secretary. On 20 July 1944, a fourth worker. Miss Carolyn Parabo, Staff Aide, reported for duty. Red Cross facilities for financial assistance, communications, and counselling- are now available for those with personal or family problems. A well-equipped craft shop and recreation center are open to all. Ward parties and visitations are planned for bed patients, while other recreational activities are carried on for ambulatory patients. Health and comfort articles and recreation supplies are regularly distributed. The staff has welcomed the opportunity of cooper- ating with the Athletic and Recreation Committee in arranging dances and other activities for the crew. CRAFT S H O F A C TI V fTIE S « EC BE A TIO N THE RECREATION HALL AND SHIP’S SERVICE /nri 1 HE Recreation Hall is the center of entertainment and recreation for the crew. It was built by the men after the main hospital buildings were com- pleted. The mural shown in the above picture is one of several painted by Bill Haynes, PhMa/c. The Recreation Hall is equipped with four ping-pong tables, pool table, piano, and various game tables. In one wing is an excellent library of about three thousand volumes. Books are loaned to all hands, and a bookcart serves the wards for bed patients. There is a large reading and writing room. In the opposite wing is Ship's Service. Here the lines form for daily ice cream. Candy, cigarettes, and innumerable articles of merchandise are available. There is everything that a homesick sailor needs—well, almost everything. SHIP'S SERVICE C H A P L A I N H A L B M A I £ R CHAPLA I N CARTER T H E A W A R D 0 E T H E P V R P L E H E A R T Officer* Crass Hut The pictures in this Booffhl ore Official U, S. Navp Photographs. The pictures and printed material have been examined and approved bp Naval Censorship,