Medical Support for the American Expeditionary Forces in France during the First World War

World War I represents the first time that the United States Army Medical Department successfully supported a mass army overseas. The system established served as a model for those used in subsequent wars. By studying the support for the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.), today's military planners can better anticipate medical problems and provide solutions. Medical support for the A.E.F. evolved from that of the Civil War and the Spanish- American War. The years from the end of the Spanish-American War until the start of World War I were ones of reform and preparation for the Medical Department. The A.E.F. established medical support using regular Army units and ones raised by the Red Cross. However, the demand for infantry and machine gun units left the Medical Department with a severe shortage of personnel and units. The A.E.F. adjusted by sending surgical teams from the base hospitals to the evacuation and field hospitals. Similarly, hospitals expanded far beyond their anticipated capacity. In the grueling battles of the war, the system, although stressed, worked. This success showed the Medical Department could provide medical support to an American Army overseas.