At the start of World War II, the U.S. government used the Greenbrier resort to hold Japanese, German, and Italian diplomats stuck in Washington. After seven months, they were traded for American diplomats overseas.

In 1942, the Army turned the resort into Ashford General Hospital (pictured), with 2,000 beds. It treated over 24,000 soldiers, mainly for nerve and blood vessel injuries. The resort's various activities were used for rehab, and General Eisenhower even vacationed there in 1945 after returning from Europe.

Italian and German prisoners of war helped build and work at Ashford General. Later, Italian POWs were kept at Camp Dawson in Preston County.