What can you tell us about Toul France US Military Hospital?

Answer 1

Oh, what a lovely question! Toul, France, was home to a US Military Hospital during World War I. It provided care and comfort to many brave soldiers during a challenging time. The hospital's presence in Toul showcased the compassion and dedication of those who served, bringing a touch of kindness to a place filled with uncertainty.

Answer 2

I am not exactly sure what you are looking for in regards to Toul, France US Military Hospital so I did a search on your site and found nothing. Here is what I can tell you from my knowledge of having been an American GI stationed in Toul in the early 1960's.

After WW II, the US Government had an agreement with the French government that to house the U.S. military personnel that would be stationed there, the U.S. would not build any permanent buildings in France that could not be used by the French people if and when the US military "pulled out" of France. De Gaulle actually kicked us out in 1967. At a Nato meeting a few years earlier when he said, "I want all the U.S. troops out of France". Secretary of State, Dean Rusk immediately said, "Does that include all the U.S. troops who are buried here".

For this reason the US government built many hospitals, complete with, emergency rooms, operating rooms etc. all over France. I can personally attest to this because I lived in such buildings while stationed in both Toul and Verdun and I know there were many more. The hospital in Toul was named "Joan of Arc". From the internet it appears that it operates today as a French hospital and is still called "Hopital Jeanne d'Arc".(Do a google search spelled that way and it will come up).

Housed at this facility were several military companies. I was in the 525 Eng. Co. DT (which stood for dump truck). Our company had 48 5 ton dump trucks which were put into use at US military construction projects all over France and even parts of Germany. In the wing of the hospital next to us were the Polish Guards. They pulled all of the guard duty on both military posts in Toul. Hopital Jeanne d'Arc was on one side of Toul and the Main Post was on the other side of town. The Polish guards had some kind of special deal with the United States to get their U.S. Citizenship. I can not remember the names of the other units stationed at Jeanne d'Arc, but I do remember one of them was a transportation company that probably had as many tractor trailer rigs as we had dump trucks. The motor pool for all the units was just 1/4 mile or so down the hill from the hospital. The hospital was completely equipped with operating rooms and a medical staff. All of the military units stationed there ate in the same mess hall. There was also a B.O.Q (Bachelor Officer Quarter) building right next to the "Five Deuce Five". Unmarried enlisted men lived dormitory style, officers had individual apartment style accomodations.

In addition to the military units there was also a snack bar and a small PX(Post Exchange) which was our "general store". The U.S. Military Dependent school was also located at Jeanne d'Arc. I think the school only went to 8th Grade. High school students were bussed to Verdun where they were boarded dormitory style, returning to Toul on the weekends. The building in Verdun was also in the form of a hospital, but the hospital itself was considerably smaller than Jeanne d'Arc.

I would like to comment that The Polish Guards did not pull all of the Guard duty since I had the opportunity as a member of the 64th MP Co. to 'guard' the ammo dump at Toul Post. They certainly did cover the back areas of the Nancy Depot. If memory serves me correctly the dogs they patrolled with were kept at Jeanne D'Arc.

The types of facilities mentioned above were to be found at Toul Post and Nancy Depot. Both of those facilities have been turned into industrial zones since the departure of the Army.

From what I have determined, yes the hospital still functions as a hospital & has kept the name of the Maid of Orleans.

She was born not too far from where the bases are located.

I have been back to the area twice since I left in 1963.

I was stationed in Toul, France in the mid-sixties until we moved out in the beginning of 1967. I was part of CZ-37TG (MT) 536 T, we were a tractor trailer outfit. Beside the 574th, there was the 84th and the 72nd? I still have an aerial picture of the then Jeanne D'Arc post and the transient Billets APO 288 ( Heartbreak Hotel as they called it then).