Alvin P. Hall papers

1938-1973

Dr. Alvin P. Hall was the first African American physician licensed to practice psychiatry in Ohio and served in the military for many years. Born in Ohio, he earned his Bachelor's degree from Ohio University at Athens and was awarded his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1935. Hall served as a physician in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Ohio Army Reserves; during World War II, he was on active duty in Africa and Italy with the 366th Infantry Regiment, reaching the rank of Captain, Battalion Surgeon. He attended Case Western Reserve University where he completed his psychiatric training in 1951. Hall practiced neuro- and clinical psychiatry in Ohio until his death in 1973. The Alvin P. Hall papers consist of documents relating to Hall's military career and contain Army course completion certificates, reassignment orders with related correspondence, Army Reserve papers, and handbills regarding the Allied victory in Italy. There are also news clippings and typed and printed copies of his editorial "What It Means to Be an American" (1940), in addition to an article about venereal disease control during World War II, author unidentified.