User:Jfricker/U.S. 93rd Evacuation Hospital

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital was a make-over of the 61st Surgical Hospital and operated through WWII, Vietnam, and the Gulf War.

Early History

1923 - 1942

The parent unit of this hospital was activated as the 61st Surgical Hospital in July 1923 and assigned to the Organized Reserves in the VII Corps area on the east coast of the United States. It became part of the Regular Army on January 1 1938. On June 1 1941, the 61st Surgical Hospital was transferred to Fort George Meade, Maryland, and placed on active duty status. Following participation in the Carolina Maneuvers later that year, the hospital was assigned a training mission, which lasted for two years. The hospital was reorganized and redesignated as the 93rd Evacuation Hospital (Motorized) on August 20 1942. While at Ft. Meade, the hospital was involved in extensive training of officers and enlisted specialties, from both military and civilian institutions.

The 61st Surgical Hospital was a 100 bed field hospital. It was converted to a 400 bed semi-mobile evacuation hospital with a staff of 40 doctors, 43 nurses, and 6 administrative officers.

Participation In World War II

1942 - 1945

The hospital continued to train and participate in maneuvers until April 4 1943, when overseas movement orders were received, and staging was accomplished through Camp Shanks, New York on April 15 1943. The hospital departed New York Harbor on board the USS Mariposa, destination unknown. After eight days and 3500 miles, the ship docked at Casablanca, French Morocco, North Africa. On May 25 1943, the first patients arrived at the hospital. These consisted of both American and British casualties from the nearby airfield and service units. Patients continued to be received and evaluated until June 16 1943, when notification was received to prepare for invasion while attached to the 1st Infantry Division. From June 16 - 18, 1943, the hospital prepared for the invasion of Sicily and Italy, and on July 9 1943 embarked on various ships of the invasion fleet. By July 13 1943, the hospital, completely intact, participated in the invasion of Sicily. From July 13 1943 to September 1 1943, the hospital received casualties and moved to different locations. This was accomplished despite a shortage of equipment while working in some of the most difficult areas and terrain. It was during this time that Patton's infamous "slapping incidents" happened. On September 6 1943, the hospital was disassembled and loaded on vehicles in preparation for Operation Shingle. For the units's participation in this campaign, the 93rd Evacuation Hospital (Motorized) was awarded the Sicilan Campaign Streamer (13 July - 6 September 1943).

The unit may have been reassigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at this time

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital remained at Rembervillers until December 19 1944, at which time it moved to Bischwiller, only five miles from the Rhine River. This proved to be a short stay due to the close proximity of the German front lines. On December 23 1944, the unit again moved, this time to the location of Dieuze. Once established, the hospital received patients and remained at this location until 1945. Throughout the remainder of the war, the 93rd Evacuation Hospital continued the operations pattern that had been established, moving to remain as close to the front lines as the situation permitted. Patient treatment and evacuation continued at each new location, with the last casualties being received around Kersruhe, Germany. These movements took the hospital from the banks of the Rhine, into the Rhineland, Ardennes - Alsace, and finally into Central Europe. Each of these three major campaigns resulted in the unit being awarded a streamer. Additionally, the 93rd Evacuation Hospital received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, then called the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque, designated with the European Theater streamer.

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital was the first hospital unit to arrive at the Dachau concentration camp.

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital had traveled a long and difficult road from North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and finally Central Europe. After serving as regional hospital, the unit was closed in November 1945, in preparation of movement to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Arriving there on December 12 1945, the unit was inactivated.

Officers and staff

Colonel Currier, Commanding Officer
Major Thompson, Executive Officer
Major Franklin Fry, Chief of Medicine and Registrar
Chaplain McMillan
Lt. D'Imperio
Major Etter, Evacuation Officer

Stateside Duty

1955 - 1965

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital was reactivated on January 17 1955, at Fort Riley, Kansas. The unit continued to conduct an active training mission, and participated in large military exercises, such as SAGE BRUSH, 1955 in Louisiana; SWIFT STRIKE II, 1962 in South Carolina; and DESERT STRIKE, 1964 in California. The unit also participated in numerous other local and regional exercises.

Vietnam

1965 - 1971

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital remained at Fort Riley, continuing its mission until July 1965. The unit was alerted for deployment to Vietnam on July 31 1965. Two days prior to this, the 1st Infantry Division had received its alert for similar movement. From that time until its eventual departure date of October 15 1965, activities were directed toward preparation. Personnel and equipment readiness dates were September 21 1965, and this was met. The professional compliment, with few exceptions, arrived September 19 1965; however, it was possible to have the remainder prepared for movement on September 21 1965. Equipment being sent to Beaumont, Texas for shipment to Vietnam was loaded September 24 1965. Personnel were trained insofar as the limited time would allow. On October 15 1965, the unit was air-lifted to San Diego, California, and departed on board US Navy ships the same day. The unit arrived at Vung Tau, Vietnam on October 31 1965, debarking on November 4 1965 for air-lift to Bien Hoa Air Base. The unit bivouacked in an area provided by the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from November 4 1965 to January 4 1966. The last elements departed the bivouac area on that date. During the period of November 4 - 26, 1965, the unit remained in a non-operational status. Red circle equipment and supplies were received November 7 - 10, 1965. On November 27, the first TOE equipment was received. The unit immediately went to work establishing a hospital in buildings provided by the 159th Engineer Group. Patient treatment facilities were established in semi-permanent buildings. The hospital became fully operational on December 1 1965 at Long Binh and remained there throughout its long stay in Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War the 93rd Evacuation Hospital admitted 73,023 patients, treated 9,353 battle casualties, and had over 232,581 out-patient visits. The 93rd Evacuation Hospital participated in and received 13 campaign streamers, and depicted on 3 streamers for sustained and outstanding performance of duty. The unit received the Meritorious Unit Citation (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class Streamer Vietnam 69-70.

On April 15 1971, the hospital ceased patient care and closed. On April 30 1971, the hospital returned to the United States, headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Stateside Duty

1971 - 1990

On May 3 1971, the hospital was reactivated, under the MUST configuration (Medical Unit: Self-contained, Transportable), at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Operation Desert Shield/Storm

1990 - 1991

Stateside Duty

1991 - 1994

Deactivation

The 93rd Evacuation Hospital held its final, formal dining-out at the Fort Leonard Wood Engineer Officers' Open Mess on May 13 1994. The Inactivation Ceremony and Retirement of the Colors was held on May 23 1994 at Gammon Field. On July 17 1994 the unit was officially deactivated, and remains only in our memories.

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Sources

93rd Evac Photos and History (source for this history)
Dr Franklin Fry - personal memoir