Percy L. Jones Military Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan-- Part 2

With the outbreak of World War II, local builder Floyd  Skidmore proposed that the nearly vacant sanitarium be converted into a military hospital.    Upon his recommendation, in August 1942, the United States Army bought the buildings for $2.5 million and F.J. Skidmore & Son rebuilt the derelict structure in just six months working around the clock.

The capacity of the hospital was raised from 1,000 beds to 1,500 and ramps and rails were constructed throughout the facility.

On February 27, 1943, the hospital was officially dedicated by its first commander, Colonel Norman T. Kirk.  He was the former chief of surgical services at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C.. The new hospital was named after Colonel Percy L. Jones, U.S. Army,  a pioneering Army surgeon who  developed modern battlefield ambulance evacuation.

--GreGen