Date of Award
Fall 12-2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
History
Department
History
Major Professor
Dr. Allan Millett
Second Advisor
Dr. James Mokhiber
Third Advisor
Dr. Robert Dupont
Abstract
Second Lieutenant Charles Scheffel, B Company Platoon Leader, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division modified existing methods of venereal disease control in Algeria, North Africa during Operation Torch after being ordered to reduce the venereal disease rate by his regimental commander, Colonel William Ritter. Tasked with defeating the Germans first, Scheffel learned other enemies lurked as well, and he instituted an illegal policy to solve the problem as fast and as effectively as possible. Official United States policy on the eve of World War Two prohibited the establishment and operation of a brothel. Scheffel operated this brothel as the United States Army occupied Arab lands for the first time in its history and improved the combat effectiveness of his regiment.
Recommended Citation
Gibbs, Thomas J., "Venereal Disease and American Policy in a Foreign War Zone: 39th Infantry Regiment in Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Algeria. May of 1943." (2015). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2076.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2076
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.