HISTORY OF MEDICAL COMPANY

By Pvt. C. W. Crandell

A medical unit designated as the 3rd Battalion Medical Section was organized at Belle Fourche, SD, on 16 Apr 48, with Major Freeman J Gilbert, section commander and 1st Lt Erwin Holt, personnel officer.  This unit began training with 11 enlisted men.

Summer encampment for the year of 1948 was held 11 through 27 Jun at Camp Rapid, Rapid City, SD.  While at camp Sgt Alsieke, Sgt Delbert Justice and Cpl Ginsbach operated a dispensary.  Lt Col Dillon, of Rapid City, a reserve medical officer served with the unit as encampment medical officer and Major Whittier was the Dental surgeon and Lt Holt was battalion surgeon's assistant.

After camp meetings were held regularly every Monday evening in a small room in the city hall.  There was little change in strength status of the unit during this period.

On 14 Mar 49 orders were received by the section to prepare for reorganization as Medical Company, 196th Infantry Regiment with Major Gilbert as commanding officer and Lt Holt as motor, mess and supply officer.  A new officer, Cpt Robert S Voyles, was sworn in and assigned as administration officer.  At this time, SFC Charles R Richardson was examined and made full time administrative assistant.

The newly formed Medical Company served at the summer encampment at Camp Ripley, MN, 11 through 26 Jun 49.  Two officers and 28 enlisted men operated a dispensary, served as aid-men on firing ranges and went through a training schedule which included tent pitching, litter drill, air transportation, a three day bivouac and medical classes.  Upon return to the home station weekly drills ere resumed.  Tent pitching and cooking in the field were practiced and a night field problem executed during and overnight bivouac held at Iron Creek Lake, July 1949.

On 4 Mar 50, Harrison J Welch went before the board of officers and was recommended for a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.  He joined the unit in this grade and was assigned as ambulance section leader.

Three officers and 18 enlisted attended the summer encampment, 11 through 27 Jun 50, at Camp McCoy, WI.  Upon return to the home station weekly drills were resumed.  Strength ceilings were removed 1 Aug 50 and an accelerated recruiting program was inaugurated.  During August 1950, the drill schedule was set up to include three drills per week in anticipation of induction into active service.

By direction of the President of the United States and General Order 119, Headquarters Fifth Army, dated 7 Aug 50, Medical Company was ordered into active Federal service on 1 Sep 50.  Sgt Justice and Cpl Robert Gorder arrived at Camp Carson, CO on 7 Sep as an advance detachment.  On 9 Sep the convoy, headed by SFC Sheldon Shaw arrived.  The remaining personnel, including Major Gilbert, Lt Holt and Lt Welch made the journey by private automobile.

Total personnel on duty 10 Sep 50, at Camp Carson, consisted of four officers and 41 enlisted men.  The rest of September and all of October was spent training, setting up training schedules and cleaning and policing barracks and areas.   Seventy eight additional recruits were added to the company, bringing the total to 119 EM as of 1 Nov.  The company laced 13 officers and 86 EM to bring it to authorized strength.  The  month of November was spent in routine training.

First Lt Vance Kelsey joined the company on 6 Nov 50 and was assigned as a medical assistant.  A total of 86 EM were added to the company bringing the strength to 205 men as of 30 Nov.

During December the men of Med Co awaited the Christmas holidays and as many as possible were given leaves.  Two enlisted men were added to the company in December.  On 12 Jan 51 2nd Lt Arthur Marcovich was assigned to the company.   Four enlisted men were placed on detached service with the Mountain Training Detachment during January while the remainder of the company continued training.   Company strength, as of 31 Jan was seven officers and 191 enlisted men.

1Lt Donald Caldwell was assigned to the company on 9 Feb 51 as ambulance section leader.  Company strength had grown to eight officers and 202 EM by 28 Feb.   During March the men participated as aid-men in a series of over night bivouacs.   Med Co sent aid-men to the various firing ranges and into the field with companies engaged in tactical training.

A company party was held 28 Apr in the mess hall.  Even the officers, who were pressed into service as waiters, enjoyed the party.

On April a class studying the German language was started under the instruction of Pvt Charles Bekeny.  The 64 students in the class met twice a week for a two hour session.  The following enlisted men received mountain training during the month of April:  Sgt Thomas Hansen, Cpl John Folten, Cpl Lawrence Schmaltz, Cpl William Hunter, Cpl Victor Ziter, Cpl William O'Hare, Cpl Wayne Massie, Cpl Ernest Balderama, Cpl William Beeler and Cpl Eugene Anderson.  Training in the form of overnight bivouacs occupied many of the men of Med Co during April.  There were nine officers and 217 EM in the company as of 30 Apr 51.