The 115th Field Hospital traces its origin to Evacuation Hospital #15, originally organized at Fort Riley, Kansas on 21 March 1918. At the onset of hostilities during WW 1, the unit sailed aboard the "S.S. Mataika," departing the US on 22 August 1918, and arriving in France 3 Sept 1918. Evac Hospital 15 earned a battle streamer for its participation in the Meuse-Argonne Forest offensive from 16 Sept 1918 through 11 Nov 1918. The hospital having served honorably and pround during WW 1, returned to the US aboard the "S.S. America" and was demobilized at Camp Lewis, Washington on 28 June 1919. The 15th Evac. Hospital was reconstituted as the 15th Evac Hospital in 1936, after having been organized as an inactive unit of the regular Army on 1 Oct. 1933. As the first hostilities of WW 2 began, the 15th Evac was again activated in a training status at Fort Meade, Maryland. Shortly thereafter the hospital was alerted for everseas deployment. The 15th learned its destination was North Africa. On 21 Feb. the hospital docked in Algeria. On 10 April 1943, the unit moved a distance approximately 600 miles east to Tunisia. The 15th operated in a number of locations within the North African Theater until just priop to D-Day, 10 July 1943. At this point, the hospital sailed for the southern coast of Sicily, where it supported the b each-head established by allied forces, At one point during the Sicilian Campaign, the patient census rose to an astronomical figure of 978 inpatients. It is interesting to note that during this period (3 Aug 1943), Lt Gen. George S. Patton, paid a thirty minute visit to the hospital, from that visit the often talked about "slapping incident" materialized. The hospital moved to Italy, and participated in both the Salerno and Anzio beachheads. It was during the Anzio beach-head the the 15th came under heavy artillery attack, suffering numerous casualties. Several members were decorated for heroismm during that period. The 15th moved north through Italy, and on 10 June 1944, established itself in a schoolhouse near Rome. This was the first permanent type building the 15th had operated out of in over 18 months. The hospital's comparatively comfortable life in Rome was short lived, and on 21 June 1944, the 15th moved north in support of combat operations through Florence and the Po Valley into Milan, where it served until the end of hostilities. In addition to several campaign streamers, including: Tunisia, Naples-Faggle, Rome-Arno, Po Valley and North Appennines, the 15th received the most prized award of all, the Meritorious Unit Citation, for its outstanding performance during WW 2. Having served honorably and well, the unit was deactivated on 8 Sept. 1945 The 15th was reactivated 25 Aug 1959, at Nurenburg, Germany. In 1961 the hospital moved to Kornwesteim, Germany and was constructed as a training unit without patients. During March 1963, the 15th once again began receiving patients and operated in Baumholder, Germany. In 1964, the hospital moved to Muenchweiler, Germany where it again assumed a training posture. On 1 August 1968, the 15th arrived at Fort Belvoir, Virginia after being airlifted from Rhein Main Air Base, Germany during a period of troop reduction in Europe. On 21 Jan. 1975 the 15th Evacuation Hospital was officially redesignated and reorganized as the 15th Combat Support Hospital. On 31 July 1975 the 15th Combat Support Hospital deployed to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania to provide health care for Indochinese refugees. During the period 22 Aug 1975 through 15 Dec 1975, a total of 12,459 patients were seen on an outpatient basis. In addition, 8,648 refugees were given dental care. On March 1984, after nine years of distinguished serive the 15th Combat Support Hospital was reorganized and redesigned as the 15th Evacuation Hospital. In March of 1988 the 15th began to prepare for the move from Fort Bevoir to Fort Polk, Louisiana. The unit was officially deactivated in June 1988 and was reactivated in August at Fort Polk. Officially reinstated, the 15th became a valuable asset to the 5th Infantry Division. From 8 Jan 1991 to 26 Mar 1991, the hospital deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraqi POW's women and children were primarily treated. Prior to deployment the 15th was fielded with DEPMEDS (Deployable Medical Systems). In Feb 1993, the 15th was redesignated the 115th Field Hospital. 115th Field Hospital training deployments include numerous JRTC rotations, Partnership for Peace exercises, a Bright Star rotation in Egypt, Operation Rolling Thunder, Operation Team Spirit at Fort Polk and Operation Joint Forge (SFOR 7) in Bosnia. The 115th Field Hospital is the standard for all medical TOE units of Fort Polk and has become a central assest not only to JRTC and Fort Polk but the to United States Army as well.