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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: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor - thanks for today's Daily Bread!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
41 posted on 06/16/2009 6:33:12 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: Kathy in Alaska

That rates a 21 WOOF Salute


42 posted on 06/16/2009 6:33:23 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: ConorMacNessa

Off to make some supper....back in a bit. (I hope)


43 posted on 06/16/2009 6:33:56 PM PDT by AZamericonnie
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks very much, Kathy!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
44 posted on 06/16/2009 6:34:13 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: All; laurenmarlowe


45 posted on 06/16/2009 6:35:16 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: AZamericonnie
What's for dinner tonite, Connie? (he asks in a transparent effort to get invited)

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
46 posted on 06/16/2009 6:35:49 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: Kathy in Alaska
Standing at Attention for our National Anthem - Hand Salute.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
47 posted on 06/16/2009 6:37:05 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







48 posted on 06/16/2009 6:39:05 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: LUV W

Now!


49 posted on 06/16/2009 6:39:39 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: LUV W

Now!


50 posted on 06/16/2009 6:39:40 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: LUV W

Yes now.


51 posted on 06/16/2009 6:40:25 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Howdy, Mrs. N! (((hugs)))

How are you doing this fine Tuesday evening?

How’s Haley? Am I right in guessing that she is there with you? :D


52 posted on 06/16/2009 6:40:32 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: SandRat; unique
Thank you Military working dogs, Lasso, Boe, and Budge!!



Thanks, unique, for the woohoo dog!


53 posted on 06/16/2009 6:41:01 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: LUV W
Good evening, Luv!

*HUGS*

Thank you very much!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
54 posted on 06/16/2009 6:41:11 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: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; Mrs.Nooseman; alfa6; SandRat; HopeandGlory; EsmeraldaA; ...


FREEDOM ISN’T FREE!



It is purchased with the blood of Patriots!




55 posted on 06/16/2009 6:42:29 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: StarCMC
Happy Birthday, Star!!


Click

56 posted on 06/16/2009 6:43:32 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


Saluting our Canteen heroes and their families...
as well as our troops world-wide!
Thank you for making us aware of all of them, Kathy!

57 posted on 06/16/2009 6:43:38 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: SandRat

Thanks! ;D


58 posted on 06/16/2009 6:46:29 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: ConorMacNessa

You are very welcome! You are MUCH braver than I would ever be! LOL!


59 posted on 06/16/2009 6:47:10 PM PDT by luvie (Zero is dumb as a rock (dangerously so))
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To: ConorMacNessa

Did you have a sunny day?

Traffic not too bad?


60 posted on 06/16/2009 6:48:14 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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