Arnest, Richard, 1950-

Medical Section, United States (U.S.) Army II Corps, embarked on 1 July 1942 in New York City for transport to Greenock, Scotland. Headquarters was established near Salisbury, England, on 1 September 1942. From 3 September to 20 October 1942, the Corps Surgeon of the Medical Section assisted in the planning for the operation of II Corps as the Center Task Force in the Allied Forces' North Africa landings. The forward echelon of the Medical Section, II Corps, arrived off of Oran, North Africa, on 7 November 1942. At about 1200 hours on D-Day (8 November 1942) the first clearing station for the 1st Infantry Division was established at the town of Arzew. The 44th Surgical Hospital was established on D+1/D+2. As additional medical units landed, more hospital facilities were established that freed other medical assets to advance with the soldiers. On 8 December 1942, the Mediterranean Base Section was organized and assumed responsibility for fixed hospitals under the supervision of Center Task Force. By D+41 (25 December 1942) the Medical Section of II Corps had established 2 general hospitals, 7 station hospitals, 3 evacuation hospitals, 1 surgical hospital, and a supply depot.