You're in the Army Now! (2)

Maj. (Dr.) Paul M. Ireland was the 47-year-old son of the former Surgeon General of the United States Army, Gen. (Ret.) Merritt Weber Ireland.  He had been named the director of an Army unit of Colorado doctors and nurses.  They were originally to be part of the 7th Surgical Hospital, then later were assigned to the 64th Surgical Hospital, and finally organized into the 92nd Evacuation Hospital.  This Army hospital was sponsored by St. Mary's Hospital in Pueblo.  Nine of the doctors had been trained by the military.  Capt. Pfile and 11 others had not. 

Gene and Beth drove to Denver through the early morning hours from Trinidad.  Beth still remembered some shortcuts to get to Fitzsimmons Hospital on the east side of Denver from her time in Denver as a school teacher at Smiley Junior High School.  The two had met in Denver in 1936 when she was a teacher and he was an intern at St. Lukes Hospital.  Gene reported for active duty at Fitzsimmons at 8:30 A.M. on July 3.  He expected to complete his physical and be instructed to report to Fort Ord in California within a few days. The car was packed and ready for the two- or three-day drive. It didn’t happen. Gene’s (and Beth’s) training had begun.


Gene recounts in his diary:

But we didn’t leave until exactly 2 weeks later! In the meantime we sponged outrageously and intruded upon our good friends the Scotts. It was very embarrassing the double lives we lead – everyone (almost) in Trinidad expected us to be in Ft.Ord, so we couldn’t send them cards. We saw museums and shows until we were bored. Each day I’d call Fitzsimmons or go out, and each day be put off. They had to have an official release for me. It was my first taste of the “Old Army Game”. So finally we unpacked enough to get a dress for Beth and my dress uniform. I went to attend a Surgeons’ meeting and met Tim Rogers and he said Jim Bradley was there. So I found him and didn’t get to the meeting! I went up to the apartment and of course the expected unexpected had happened. Word had come and Beth had been frantically looking for me and couldn’t find me. I burned up the road and managed to get cleared away. We left Denver about 6 P.M. in a rain and drove to Kremmling [CO] in the most delightful rain! That was Friday night the 17^th. We drove long hours, not too fast, and covered lots of ground. When we came into Californiait began to get hot and hotter! Sunday night we arrived in Monterey. I’ll never forget coming over a “pass” (1200 ft!) toward the ocean and feeling a cold breeze from the sea and we could see the fog. The first night we stayed in a tourist camp. Next morning we were up be-times. When they charged me 15¢ for a 10¢ shoeshine I knew we were in California.

Basic training for the doctors was a little different than for enlisted men. For one thing, they were all officers, and as such were granted certain privileges. They were allowed to spend the nights off base with their wives. Just as the doctors became acquainted during the day, the wives also socialized, and some close friendships were formed. Later portions of letters from the front would be exchanged.

The doctors’ basic training was more intellectual than physical, although they had calisthenics at 8 A.M. every morning, followed by close-order drill until 9. The rhythm of the rest of the day varied. Sometimes they would have lectures until 12, followed by lunch, and more lectures until 4. Sometimes they wouldn’t. On a couple of occasions they had 5 or 6 mile hikes, replete with leggings, 3.39 lb. shoes, belt canteen and pack (empty). The training at FortOrd was finished in two weeks.