|
Navy corpsmen have been a valuable asset to the Navy Hospital Corps since it came into existence in 1898. The first member of the Hospital Corps to be awarded the Medal of Honor was Hospital Apprentice Stanley Robert. This was during the Boxer Uprising in China. Prior to World War 1, a total of 4 Medals of Honor were awarded to hospital corpsmen.
During World War 1, there were 16,000 enlisted men in the Hospital Corps. They earned a reputation for performance of duty. Those serving with the Marine Corps in the field especially demonstrated this reputation. The Hospital corps performed admirably and many members were cited for valor and performance of duty under fire by both the United States and France. Fifteen corpsman were killed in action, 2 died of wounds, and 146 others were wounded or gassed. 460 awards and citations were given to members of the Hospital Corps. These include 2 Medals of Honor, 55 Navy Crosses, 31 Distinguished Service Medals, 2 U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medals and 27 Letters of Commendation.
During World War 2, approximately 200,000 men and women served in the Hospital Corps. Out of every 100 men of the Navy and Marine Corps wounded, 97 recovered. This is an impressive record. 889 corpsmen were killed or mortally wounded. In all, there were 1,724 casualties among corpsmen. 7 corpsmen were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Members of the Hospital Corps received 820 major awards and citations. The Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star were awarded to corpsmen in numbers too numerous to count. On February 22, 1945, Pharmacist mate John Bradley proudly assisted in the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima. This act inspired the well-known statue depicting the flag raising.
During the Korean Conflict, members of the Medical again performed brilliantly. During the Inchon-Seoul operation, medical units attached to the 1st Marine Division treated 2, 844 casualties during the 22-day period of 15 SEP to 7 OCT 1950. Wherever marines were fighting, corpsmen were there. The percentage of casualties among medical personnel was greater than that of the Marines they supported. 5 Corpsmen were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
During the Vietnam Conflict, hospital corpsmen served in Marine Corps, Navy Air and Ground forces and Riverine Warfare. They also were assigned to small teams that provided care and preventive health advice to Vietnamese civilians. Others were assigned to Vietnamese military units as advisors. 620 corpsmen were killed or mortally wounded. 3,353 were wounded in action 3 corpsmen earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, 29 were awarded Navy Crosses. Other awards include 127 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of merit, 290 Bronze Stars, and 4, 563 Purple Hearts.
When the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon was bombed by terrorists, 15 corpsmen were killed. Corpsmen have been present at sea and ashore whenever the U.S. Military has taken action. When not at war, corpsmen continue to provide topnotch medical care. Their duties are too numerous to list. They are at work 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year.
Hospital Corpsmen’s Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before God and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the Hospital Corps. I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust and will assist the Medical Officer with loyalty and honesty. I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient. I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence. I dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to the work before me. I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my naval career.
|
| |
