Fort Eustis' first hospital opened on March 26, 1941, and was commanded by Colonel William Borden. The War Department declared the hospital surplus property in August 1944 and transferred it to the Navy Department. The hospital was transferred back to the Army on February 1, 1946, and renamed U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Eustis on September 1, 1948. In March 1961 it was renamed for Brigadier General Robert McDonald.