Tripler Army Medical Center is the headquarters of the Pacific Regional Medical Command of the armed forces administered by the United States Army in the State of Hawai'i. It is the largest military hospital in the Asian and Pacific Rim region and serves a military sphere of jurisdiction that spans over 52% of the earth's surface. Located on the slopes of Moanalua Ridge overlooking the Honolulu neighborhoods of Moanalua and Salt Lake, Tripler Army Medical Center's massive coral pink structure can be seen from any point in the Honolulu District.
Tripler Army Medical Center was established in 1907, housed in several wooden structures within Fort Shafter on the island of O'ahu. In 1920 it was named after a legendary American Civil War medic, Brigadier General Charles Stuart Tripler, who made significant contributions to the development of military medicine.
At the outbreak of World War II, Tripler Army Medical Center had a 450-bed capacity which then expanded to 1,000 beds through the addition of barracks-type buildings. Plans for the new Tripler Army Medical Center on Moanalua Ridge were drawn in 1942 and construction was completed in 1948. It was officially dedicated on September 10, 1948.
Tripler Army Medical Center's distinctive pink hue is a result of camouflage measures taken during construction. United States Pacific Command leadership were afraid that the massive structure standing prominently against the mountain slopes would make it into a major target for future Japanese bombing. It was believed that the Japanese wouldn't seriously consider an official United States Armed Forces installation to be painted certain colors. Leadership solved the problem by painting the building coral pink. After the war, the color had stuck and Tripler Army Medical Center became a landmark for it. The only other structure of its size in Hawai'i to be painted pink is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
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