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FReeper Canteen ~ Salute to the Hospital Corps US Navy ~ 17JUN2009
Serving the Best Troops and Veterans in the World! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 06/16/2009 6:00:02 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa





The FReeper Canteen Salutes the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps on Its 111th Anniversary

17JUN1898 – 17JUN2009

From the early days of the Republic the Navy has had enlisted medical personnel known variously as “Loblolly Boys”, Surgeons Stewards, Pharmacists Mates and, most recently, Hospital Corpsmen. Established 17JUN1898 by an Act of Congress, the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps is the only wholly enlisted corps in the Navy. The Hospital Corps is the largest rating in the Navy, comprising approximately ten percent of the Navy’s enlisted personnel.

They were originally called Loblolly Boys in Navy records on the 1798 muster roll of USS Constitution. As the requirements of this job expanded, in 1839, the Navy established the Surgeon's Steward Rating, which in turn became Apothecary in 1866. Navy regulations of 1870 refer to the rating as Bayman (possibly sick-bay-man), and in 1898 it became Hospital Steward, in turn becoming Pharmacist's Mate in 1917. After World War II, the name of the rating was changed to Hospital Corpsman.



Apothecary and Bayman, c. 1880



Hospital Steward (CPO) and Hospital Apprentices, c. 1905

There is a special relationship between Hospital Corpsmen and Marines. The Hospital Corps supplies medical support to Marine infantry units. Prior to serving with the Marine Corps, Corpsmen attend Field Medical Service School, an intensive program of combat infantry training similar to boot-camp. They are then deployed for service with Marine Corps units of the FMF (Fleet Marine Force).



From Belleau Wood to Baghdad, from Chateau Thierry to the Chosin Reservoir, in Hue, An Hoa, Khe Sanh, and in every major Marine Corps engagement of WWII, Corpsmen were present and provided medical support to the Corps. The Hospital Corps, in the person of Pharmacists Mate 2/C John H. Bradley (Navy Cross), took part in the iconic flag raising on Mt. Suribachi on 23FEB1945.



PM/2 John H. Bradley, USN





HM/3 Vernon Wike, Khe Sanh, 1967 1st Bn. Ninth Marines "Walking Dead"

"You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...." Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C



Corpsmen have distinguished themselves in battle, being awarded 22 Medals of Honor between the Boxer Rebellion and the present:

Hospital Apprentice Robert H. Stanley, USN (Boxer Rebellion)
Hospital Apprentice First Class William Zuiderveld, USN (Veracruz Incursion)
Hospital Apprentice Fred H. McGuire, USN (Philippine Insurrection)
Hospital Steward William S. Shacklette, USN (Boiler Explosion in San Diego)

World War I:

Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Balch, USN
Hospital Apprentice First Class David E. Hayden, USN

World War II:

Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert Eugene Bush, USN
Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class William D. Halyburton, Jr., USNR
Hospital Apprentice First Class Fred F. Lester, USN
Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce, USN
Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen, USN
Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Jack Williams, USN
Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Willis, USN

Korean War:

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward C. Benfold, USN
Hospital Corpsman Third Class William R. Charette, USN
Hospitalman Richard D. Dewert, USN
Hospitalman Francis C. Hammond, USN

Vietnam War:

Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald E. Ballard, USN
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Wayne M. Caron, USN
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert R. Ingram, USN
Hospital Corpsman Second Class David R. Ray, USN

In addition, Hospital Corpsmen have been awarded a host of lesser decorations, including 174 Navy Crosses, 31 Army Distinguished Service Crosses, 946 Silver Stars and 1582 Bronze Stars.




Women in the Hospital Corps

Starting in January of 1943, women were permitted to enlist into the Hospital Corps. A year later, the first Hospital Corps School for WAVES was commissioned at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland. The first class consisted of 230 enlisted women. Women in the Hospital Corps had previously been WAVES, or members of the Women’s Reserve, U.S. Naval Reserve. New legislation permitted women to enlist in the Regular Navy, and HM1 Ruth Flora became the first hospital corpsman to do so on 12 July 1948. Women have served in the Hospital Corps ever since in most of the jobs performed by men. Women are assigned to most ships and field medical support units of the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). Women are not assigned to submarines, with the SEALs, or some units of the FMF.




In today’s Navy, the Hospital Corps serves in a number of capacities. In hospitals, dispensaries and clinics, Corpsmen serve as nursing assistants on the wards, as laboratory technicians, operating room technicians, x-ray technicians, and in a variety of other roles most medically related but also some administrative in nature. On board ships throughout the Fleet, Corpsmen assist the ship’s surgeon in all manner of ways. Qualified hospital corpsmen may be assigned the responsibility of independent duty aboard ships and submarines; Fleet Marine Force, Special Forces and Seabee units, and at isolated duty stations where no medical officer is available. Corpsmen continue to serve with Marines in the Fleet Marine Force. In their second century of service, the Hospital Corps continues to go above and beyond the call of duty both at sea and ashore to prevent and treat illness and injury to members of the Naval Service.


Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Anchors Aweigh!

The Marine Corps Hymn





Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.


Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.




TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; military; troopsupport
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

I get to spoil Piper a bit this weekend, too. It is the
last time (I think) that we’ll visit them in OK before they
move to Alaska...or wherever it is that the AF will be sending
them! They still haven’t gotten their orders, so who knows!


121 posted on 06/16/2009 8:04:38 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Beautiful!

Thanks!


122 posted on 06/16/2009 8:13:08 PM PDT by Eaker (The Two Loudest Sounds in the World.....Bang When it should have been Click and the Reverse.)
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To: LUV W



123 posted on 06/16/2009 8:15:40 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: ConorMacNessa
Good job, Mac.

I'm on my way home....then I can see the pictures. LOL!


124 posted on 06/16/2009 8:18:24 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
63 F in Laurel, Maryland as we speak -of course, it's after 11 pm here but we're still cooler than you. :)

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
125 posted on 06/16/2009 8:19:16 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
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To: LUV W
So we both get to spoil our Grand babies this weekend.
126 posted on 06/16/2009 8:19:38 PM PDT by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops and Allies!!!!)
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To: Eaker

You are welcome. :)


127 posted on 06/16/2009 8:20:25 PM PDT by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops and Allies!!!!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks, Kathy - Dalmore is one of my faves! Drive safely - I may be off to bed before you get home.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
128 posted on 06/16/2009 8:21:27 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Won’t that be fun! We can compare notes...see what is good
for spoilin’ ‘em! I am taking Piper 2 new dresses and a
pendant and chain from my store. She needs jewelry! LOL!


129 posted on 06/16/2009 8:28:10 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Wow...it’s warmer at the North Pole than it is in Anchorage?
Who knew!

They could be sent to Elmendorf (sp?) instead! They are
frustrated that they haven’t received orders yet. The
military can be annoying sometime in that regard! LOL!


130 posted on 06/16/2009 8:31:01 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: LUV W
I thought they were going to Japan - or was that someone else?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
131 posted on 06/16/2009 8:32:40 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
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To: ConorMacNessa
I have a nice Gewurztraminer to go with the scampi!

Sound delish & I can even pronounce that!:)

132 posted on 06/16/2009 8:39:00 PM PDT by AZamericonnie
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To: ConorMacNessa

No, that was them. They were originally scheduled for Japan, but a medical situation came up and doctors weren’t available there to deal with it.

Then they were told Fairbanks...Eielson AFB. Now, they could go to there, Elmendorf or even Hawaii (such a hardship, that! LOL). Somewhere in AF PAC. They are supposed to be leaving mid-August and have lots of stuff to do to get ready and....no orders. *sigh*


133 posted on 06/16/2009 8:40:25 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Is she sleeping all night yet?

Are you all?:)

Looking forward to new pics...ahem....:)


134 posted on 06/16/2009 8:40:25 PM PDT by AZamericonnie
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Aloha Night Owl!





Can you tell me what happened to FR early this morning? When I checked it for bits and scraps of news all I got was a white screen.
135 posted on 06/16/2009 8:40:46 PM PDT by BIGLOOK (Government needs a Keelhauling now and then.)
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To: AZamericonnie
LOL - it tastes good and if you can pronounce it so much the better. We will have Gewurztraminer and Gemutlichkeit!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
136 posted on 06/16/2009 8:44:18 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
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To: ConorMacNessa

Your thread has a link on Twitter! LOL!

Who knew!


137 posted on 06/16/2009 8:45:05 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: LUV W
Sounds like a pretty good selection of duty stations. Hope they were able to resolve the medical problem.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
138 posted on 06/16/2009 8:46:42 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
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To: LUV W
I've never been on Twitter - wonder how that happened.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
139 posted on 06/16/2009 8:47:51 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
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To: ConorMacNessa

Yes, the medical problem has been dealt with. They are ready
for any of the choices. It’s like an adventure to them.

I’m not so ready for them to be so far away. It would mean
much less visiting back and forth.

OK is 8 hours away by car...the others many hours by expensive plane rides!


140 posted on 06/16/2009 8:53:55 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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