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| Medical History, 3rd Surgical Hospital ( Mobile,Air) : The 3rd Surg was constituted on 8 May 1918, as Mobile Hospital Number 3 in the American Expeditionary Forces. The Hospital served in France during World war I. The Hospital was re-activated in Australia in 1942 as the 3rd Portable Hospital. The unit served in the Southwest Pacific until it was inactivated in the Philipines in November, 1945. In May 1949, it was reactivated as the 3rd Mobile Surgical Hospital at Ft. Meade Maryland and was sent to Eniwetok Atoll to provide medical support to military personnel stationed there. The Hospital operated a Dispensary in Eniwetok from March to October 1950, The Surgical and Ward sections were located on a ship, The USS APL-27, Anchored off shore until permanent buildings were completed ashore. The Hospital then returned to The U.S. in 1951 and eventually returned to Ft Meade Md. In 1954 The Hospital served in a training status and in various support roles, including medical support for forrest fire fighters, establishing exhibits and evacuations demonstrations, and providing support for units during summer training. In May 1965, The unit was alerted for movement to Vietnam. The First Patient was seen on 18 Sept 1965 ( In 1945 the first american soldier was killed in Vietnam by forces of the Viet Minh commanded by Ho Chi Minh.) At Bien Hoa, RVN. The Unit became air mobile in February 1966. between February and April of that year, the Hospital supported Operation Garfield in the Ban Me Thuot area, and returned to Bien Hoa on 9 April 1966. Construction on a new Hospital complex was completed in July 1966. The new facilities allowed patients to be treated in air conditioned buildings to negate high temperature and humidity. The Hospital operated in Bien Hoa until April 1967. The unit then moved to Dong Tam Base in May 1967 as a MUST unit. On 1 June, The first patient was received in support of the 9th Infantry Division. The Hospital was removed from the 1st Logistical Command and placed under headquarters U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) as part of the 44th Medical Brigade, under the 67th Medical Group. in September and October 1967. The 346th Medical Detachment (MA) Can Tho, was attached for administrative control on 23 October 1967. Shrapnel from frequent mortar and rocket attacks on Dong Tam Base Camp often punctured the inflatable MUST elements seriously hampering operations. This necessitated a self help program to cover all MUST elements with earthfilled revetments. A severe mortar attack on 24 July hurried the construction plans and the revetments were completed in September 1967. the Hospital was then assigned to the 68th Medical Group on 16 Febrary 1968 The 3rd Surg closed out its operation at the Dong Tam Base in the Summer of 1969, when the 9th Infintry Division was returned to the U.S. In August 1969, The unit moved to Binh Thuy and was attached to the 29th Evacuation Hospital. It assumed operational control of the facility and attached units. 346th Medical Detachment (MA) , 43rd Medical Detachment (RB) and was supported by The 57th ("The Originals") and 82nd (Delta Dustoff) Medical Detachments (Helicopter Ambulance) . The 3rd Surgical Hospital(M,A.) and attached units operated a 75 bed hospital at Binh Thuy in support of U.S. Army personnel, Free world Military assistance forces, Cilvilian War Casualities and Civilian Irregular Defense Group and others as directed by higher authority. NOTE: In April 1972, The Hospital ceased operations and turned in all serviceable equipment and was deactivated in May 1972. God Bless those that served! |
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