Under General Order Number 40, a name was born. That name was Tripler Army Medical Center. On June 26, 1920, the Department Hospital Honolulu Hawaii was renamed. It honored Brevet Brigadier General Charles Stuart Tripler. He served as the Medical Director for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.
Though he was never stationed in Hawaii, his contributions were immense. He penned the “Manual of the Medical Officer of the Army of the United States”. It outlined physical requirements for recruits. He also wrote the “Handbook for the Military Surgeon”. This standardized the Army’s medical practices including administration, hygiene, and surgery.
Let’s step back further in time. The roots of Tripler Army Medical Center trace back to 1898. During the Spanish-American War, troops received care in tents along Waikiki’s shores. By 1907, wooden structures at Fort Shafter became the new hospital.
Imagine the scene at Fort Shafter. The dedicated staff cared for those injured in the Pearl Harbor attack. Throughout World War II, almost 2,000 patients were treated daily. The hospital expanded to nearby facilities to meet the growing need. Tripler earned the Central Pacific battle streamer. It remains the only Department of Defense medical center with this honor.
A larger facility was crucial during the war. Plans emerged for a hospital in Moanalua Valley. Lt. Gen. Robert C. Richardson envisioned a tropical oasis. He wanted a place of solace for soldiers to recuperate. A New York architecture firm designed the hospital. They replicated the coral pink color of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki.
The new Tripler Army Medical Center opened its doors in 1948. It offered cutting-edge medical advancements and construction techniques. At the time, it was the tallest skyscraper in the Pacific. In 1985, a major expansion added 433,000 square feet.
Throughout its history, Tripler has welcomed many distinguished guests. Presidents, astronauts, royalty, sports legends, and Hollywood stars have visited. Thousands of medical professionals and chaplains have provided care and comfort. Tripler has cared for expectant mothers, children with polio, and injured service members. It has aided veterans from the Spanish-American War onward. For countless wounded soldiers and POWs in Korea or Vietnam, Tripler was their first taste of home.
Today, Tripler Army Medical Center serves over 430,000 individuals. These include active duty military members, beneficiaries, and veterans. They come from across the Pacific region.
The General Bronze Corporation played a role in constructing Tripler. This company is known for its work on the Seagram Building. It also created the Atlas and Prometheus sculptures in Rockefeller Center. They fabricated the aluminum windows for Tripler Army Base Hospital.
In 1959, the original hospital was demolished. This made way for the expansion of Moanalua Road. It is now known as Interstate H-201. Tripler Army Medical Center stands as a testament to care and service. It looks out over Honolulu from its location on the slopes of Moanalua Ridge.