The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-02-24
An-Negro Staff Mans Efficient
Hospital In North Burma Area

BURMA-lNDIA THEArER OF
OPERATIONS. - Supplying the
medical needs OF the thousands OF
soldiers, whose tireleSs efforts have
been largely responsible for the
successful construction OF the Ledo
Road. is new hospital. stated en-
tirely by Negro personnel. Located
high in the Maya Hills Of North
Burma. this 100 bed hospital,
opened two days before Christmas.
is now offering the most complete
medical service OF any station hos
pital in Burma.
Chosen 10 command this unusus
organization. the second of its
type TO be sent overseas. was tall.
affable Major Wilbur H. Strick-
land. graduate Of Lincoln uni
versity% Oxford, Pa. and the
Howard University College OF
Medicine, Washington, D. c. Prior
10 his entry into the army in 1912,
Major Strickland practiced in
Philadelphia. specializing in inter-
nal medicine, and was an attending
at the Mercy and Doug
las hospitals in that city He was
one Of the original staff members
OF the first all-NeCro hospital in the
army established al Fort Hauchuca.
Ariz.. and was assistant chief Of
medicine al that hospital at the
time Of his assignment 10 activate
and command this new hospital.
ACTIVATED IN AUGUST, l943
the organization trained as a unit
for one year before leaving the
States for the Burma-lndia theater.
The location assigned the hospital
was an abandoned qusrtermaster
road station. Arriving in October
OF last year. the entire staff. doc
tors, nurses, technicians and cooks
rolled up their sleeves and set 10
work. Deep drainage bitches were
dug TO carry off the expects
heavy monsoon waters: barrack.
and wards were constructed with
the help of native labor: surplus
invasion pipe was Salvaged from
the ripe line and pressed into use
20 supply the hospita, with water:
many Of the existing bashas were
rebuilt; and others condemned and
burned.
Out OF the ashes grew station
hospital that has no equal in Bur-
ma. and one that is a tribute and
a credit to the perseverance and in
genuity OF these courageous men
and women.
MODEST MAJ. STRICKLAND
asserts: we are not an unusual
organizations; we are just another
average group Of well trained
American citizens who all happen
to be colored. We are ready and
able to do ANYTHING that comes
To the majority of our personnel
the inauguration of this hospital -
represents the fulfillment of An
ideal: an ideal that allows free
men of opportunity to pursue
their chosen occupations, regard
less Of race or creed. We are
proud to have been chosen TO
serve our country in the capaei-
ties for which our training and
talents best At u.s."
Interesting 10 note Is the fact
that the pay allotment rate of this
organization for savings and War
Bonds averages over rs per cent
Of their wages. Also a large per-
centage OF the personnel have en-
rolled in the courses offered by the
Armed Forces Institute.
OUT OF THIS HOSPITAL has
grown still another hospital Utiliz-
ing the personnel Of this unit as a
cadre, the other hospital has been
sctivated and is now attached TO
Maj Strickland's unit while await
ing orders 10 move on and install
their own unit The chief surgeon.
capable and experienced Captain
Robert S wilkinson. nationally
known surgeon. whose contribu-
tions 20 outstanding surgical jour
nails are quoted in Military Surgi-
cal Manuals. was picked 20 head
this new unit Former associated
visiting surgeon for the Harlem
Valley State hospital and consult
ing sur geon for the Harlem hos
pi;al. Captain wilkinson was a
membe OF Phi Beta Kappa fra
ternity at Dartmouth college before
entering Harvard Medical college
Although the majority Of the
troops building and maintaining
this toughest OF all highways are
Negroes the patients cared for are
Of mixed variety. White and Ne
gro patients are treated alike by
these highly skilled doctors and
nurses. 90