The United States Army 32nd Field Hospital in the Italian Campaign of World War II

Staff Sergeant Irvin McLaughlin's Photo Journal

Many of the photographs in this site were taken by Staff Sergeant Irvin W. McLaughlin using his Kodak Folding Camera during his tour of duty in Italy from September 1943 through September 1945. Sergeant McLaughlin kept a photo journal during his service in the entire campaign. He was a Mess Sergeant and supervised the Mess group that fed both patients and staff, managing food inventory, requisitioning supplies, and ensuring strict sanitation. He learned his craft in the Civilians Conservation Corps (CCC). During the war he would trade with the locals for fresh produce. His talent was quickly recognized by everyone. He and his staff brighten the days of the doctors, nurses, and the medical staff as well a the patients with his well prepared food during the dreary frightening days of the war. The staff looked forward to the meals that increased their morale. Word got around and many high ranking officers regularly stopped by to sample the great food, even General Mark Clark. His Mess section operated out of a 2½-ton truck that carried the field kitchen and towed a supply trailer up the boot of Italy. While his photos were not perfect, they captured the movements of the 32nd Field Hospital during the dark days of the war. See the menu below to view the photos.

Sergeant Steve Kacsor (left) from Michigan and Sergeant Irvin McLaughlin (right) from Illinois. Sergeant's Kacsor and McLaughlin served together in the 5th Army 32nd field Hospital during the Italian Campaign from 1943 - 1945. They were Mess Sergeants. Steve was from Owasso, Michigan, and Irvin was from Moline, Illinois. Both survived the war and became life long friends after the war. Both married and had children. Steve had 3 children and Irvin had 5.

© Copyrighted 2007 by Darrel R Hagberg. All rights reserved. Moline, Illinois U.S.A.

March 17, 2007 - Updated April 7, 2026

Contact darrelrhagberg@gmail.com for more information