1ST MARINE DIVISION - SPECIAL ACTION REPORT - ANNEX Q SURGEON - SEPTEMBER 1950 - OCTOBER 1950

Korean War

Korean War Project Record: USMC-68

CD: 01

United States Marine Corps History Division

Quantico, Virginia

Records: United States Marine Corps

Unit Name: 1st Marine Division

Depository: National Archives and Records Administration

Location: College Park, Maryland

Editor: Hal Barker

Korean War Project

P.O. Box 180190

Dallas, TX 75218-0190

http://www.koreanwar.org

Korean War Project USMC-00100355DECLASST!<TED

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Annex ~~een to lst ~~rine DiYision Special Action Report.

Fron: To:

Subject:

Reference:

The Division Surgeon The Commanding General, lst Marine Division, FMF

Special Action Report for period 28 August 1950 to 7 October 1950.

(a) Division Genera~ Order No. 16~

r. Introduction:

';

A. This report is desi~ued to sel~qe as a description of the overall med.lcal ~et"'.;--lce provided to the lst Harine Division 'F"l"IF, vhlle ~t.rerating in tho Tr.chc~-Kumpc-Seou1 1 Koren e..rea3 duri."1.g tl'le pert~ 28 A"":"..lst to 7 October 1950,

Brierly, from a military standpoint, the operation consisted of an amphibious assault over extremely difficult beaches and subsequent land w~ fare up to 40 rr.:Ues inland. Oe~ ~ pe-.·;,incnt items referring to the iO~ tion of the medical service and ple~~~g and preparation w~ be in~1udad~

B. On formation of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade at Camp J. H. Pendleton, the Division had been stripped of most of its Medical Officers and Hospital. Corpsmen. The remaining officers were: The Division Surgeon and Administrative Aasistw:lt, tl1e Coiiiir1abd1ng Of"£icer ot the Hediea.l Be.tta.lion

~~~hA~!~;~~{~o~fc:;: !~~i~~~~~~~~o;;;;~:rdra~~ef;~~i::;~, ~~:s;~;~:ye:!lled other Naval activities includin~ +.he Reserve~ The Division Surgeon, Com:ma_nd­in~ Officer of the Medical Battalion, and the Administrative Assistant were not embarked with the Division. On 28 August 1950, the Brigade SUrgeon, lst Provisional Harine Brigade was assigned duty as the Division Surgeon and re­po~ted aboarii the USS HT. l·l~Kll~!. Af-ter a. ~i.o:rv~h Gtudy oi the projected operation, and oon!'erence w-ith tha Attack Force and X Corps Eh..tt"'§eons, a Mt:~d­icn.l Plan \.'aS f'or.Jn.llated~ Tbe Division began to arrive at Kobi; JapA--n,: on l Sentemher lQ~O. and the Division Staff reoorted on 5 Seotember 1950. On 11 S~ptelllbe; i 956: th~ n:!.visio;, began departUre for the target area, Meanwhile, medical elements of the lst Provisional Marine Brigade had mounted out :from Pusan, Korea, on ll Sep-tember 1950, i"or rendezvous e.t sea. wi.th the 1st i·iarine Divlsion.

II~ Task Or!!e.nize.ticn~

On l!lounting out, the Hedical service of the lst Marine Division, FMF, was virtually at war-time strength. Discrepancies existed in some o! the s0rvice element medical sections wLere, initially, it w~s nacasa~-i to transtsr three medical officers irom tham to the ~~~trt battalion medic~1 aaotiona of the 5th Reg:izn.ent.aJ.. Cca:it.at Te~~ in order to b:ring the latter to T/0 allDY&!lee:.

In addition, three lllll'Etieal teems ~>>ere assigned by ComPhibsGrp I to work with medical com;Panies ashore after the illitial assault phase was oOIIIp:l.eted.

DECLASSIFIED

Korean War Project USMC-00100356

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II. Task Ore:e.nization:

Bach team was compozed of three medical officers, one mediea1 ~ervice co~ps officer, and ten hospital corpsmen, Siocilurly, an advance echelon of the Army lZlst Evacuution Hospital, consisting of ten medical officers and twent7 co:..ysmcn, w;:w .tr.P.do uvailD.ble ~ho;A.--:;J.y a£tcr the lw-~ing Wid worked with the Heil­ic~~ Battalion unt"~- their ;'~::"ent ·~'~.:ct was landed ashore, v~"" r-Day plu.a 1.4.

III. PreliminarY l'lannine::

·· :·.' Detailed pla.nning was possible only for the assault phase of the oper-ation, Such planning was conditioned qy the presence of a thirty foot tide which wade traffic to &nd iroLl the beach iliipossible e;.;cept during lligh water inte.~.·vals i i.e., periods of from trJee to four h~~s oc~~ring t~~ce daily. Conoequcntly, there won1d be peric.rJa of from eight t..? ten h011~s dtn"'ing yfl-toh it l.;on1d be in:­poss!ble to evacuate ca~~ties~ Inasmuch as these factors precluded normal operatin~ procedures, detailed ~ans were drawn for each desi~ted landing beach area in the target in an effort to make the best of a difficult situation.

A. Green Beach.

1. Green Beach w~~ situated on tha na~~vast aida of tha island of ~lollr.i-dc; 8.. ~~ hilly island guarding the harbor and connect-ed to the l!la..in= ll'ltK1 by e. causeway five hundred yards in l.engtb'!' One battalion la..~l"..g team 11a.e to e:ffect a landing on this beach at high tide at o6.30. Vessels lifting this battalion consisted of three Al'D and one LSD which were to retire on disembarkation of the troons. Since the remaini~ shins of tho attack force were not scheduled to arrive ill the outer harbor area-untii later in tm> day, the LSD was designated to receive all casualties from Green Beach and was reinfor-oed wi.th a D!lrgical teaw. In adC.i tion, the LSD wao in~tr'.J.Cted to remain as close to the landing beach as tb.e ta.ctics.l situation ·~;ould }:.enrdt. Gasnn1 ties WB!"~ to b3 :placed in ?~ l~~-:1-~~e cra....rt returninf' .from the beach as lent! aa such craft con1 d ooera te. When t.he si tLtation ;~-~tted, the Shor.;o Party Medical Offioe:r was ordered" to :reconnoiter the vest side of the island to determine the feasibility of using a small finger pier as a low water approach, If this proved feasible,- the LSD was to be not11'1ed and ambulance boats dispatched to the pier to remove casualties,

B. Red Beach.

1= Red Eea.ch ua.s located on the mainla..11.d immediately north of the cause,... v.a;y to Hnlmi-do !sle..nd and ct thE> foot of th.;o co!lll1\ercial !'action of Inchon. 'l'he beach in this area had been bulkheaded and the height of the stone sea-wall aver~ged about nine feet. The lancting on this beach vas to -be effected by two battalion -landing teams plus elements of the Republic o£ Ko1•ea Harines a~ 1730 on the same day. Initial casual ties were to be evacuated in landing craft· a" long as it ""'" possible for them to operate. On tna last high w~tar, six LSTis were to beach and :remain until tha nc:n.~ high vater period. Of t-hesa, tw--;; were eqw-t~-ped as LST(H) e.nd staffed w"ith one surgical taA.....!!l a.-~nh to provi-.1e !or Cru;Je3 d~...an-:1_"-g .:!..~f;)~~~-te gur .... gical treatment~

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DECLASSWIED

DECLASSIFIED

Korean War Project USMC-00100357

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OONF1T>~T·AT:t-:'ri ~ ~~ :.· ,:. "'1., ~·.>vs r ll. ~ III. Preliminmy Plaru:dng:

D~CLASS!FH~!l

(Cont•dj

i. -!--,

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The re~ai~i~g LST•s ~~re ~e~~foroed ~~th one Me~~.e?~. offi.e~r ~d ten Hospital Corpsmen i"rO!II the lot Medical Battnl:!.on !md were eqtrlpped to furnish supportive therapy, The Shore Party Medical officer waa tc) ma.ke a reconnaissance to determine :1f evacuation oVer the cause'W&y to Wolln1-do vas i'easibie, and, ii so, surpl:us serious casual.ties were to be evacuated bT this ruwte.

l. Blue Beach was located on the mainland in the southwestern nart of Inchon appro:ximatel.:y two l!liles south oi' Red Beach, The landing on this beach ws to be effected by one Regimental Combat Team simultancouel:y With the landing at Red Beach. Initi.U casuaJ.tiea were to be evacuated in landi.ng craft a.s long aa they ccrwld operata in the area. Since this beach was separated from the ma.:!.n chcnnel "by" a~l"'roximately 5 1 000 yards of m-:.ld fl.e.ts e.~ lo\:1 w-at-er 1 t"~Wler B?acuat1.on ~~ impoasih1~. Th~r3for~; ~11 cas~?!ti33 not L~ed~~t~!y ~~~~Rt~d were to be co11ected at a point near the beach a.nd ten ambulance boats -were to 00 dispatched to that area on the next high tide.

D, Additional Planning, •

1. Additional p16.lu-~ called for the clearing platoons to revert to Division control on 15!ld:i.ng and re.:!.zlforcem.ent \od. +.h suri+o~1 t~mna from tha Attack Fore~ ~~ 3oon a3 the ~netic~~ eittk~tion w~-~d pe~it~

2. \!hole blood vas transoorted bY the .Attack Force: 1.150 oints beiM available initially-. Later in the campaign~ whole blood supplles. vere" to be brought in by air from the t+06th laboratory- in Japan,

3. No reasonably ac~urate casualty ustimate cuuld ba arrived at inas­:mu.ch as e.n e.ssa"Ult le.nAi~g in the face of a tl:.irty .f"oot tide was be;ond ::r:.:.r- e..v...-=

perien.ee; F'.,l...r".Jler; e.eeure.te intelligence e.t to the o.a~bilitiee of the enamy ws not available. For the assault phase; the figure of 500 cas~.lt:!.es was assumed for planning purposes with a flat rate of 20}: casualties for the overall operation.

4. Four DUi iog g&neru.tors and the r~maind.er of the fog oil and Dili1 brought 0'"\lt ~., the l.at PICW-!.~ional I~i:c.e EriG..-:..de1 \."ae ~oaded Abo.e.:vJ. ehipfi ~ OOr:t-ing from P"~sa.n. Plans yera made to oonoentrot~ fog~=llg ~~rations .in the densely p~jlated areas of !nahan and Se~t1 as soon as ~he taotica~ situation v(ll'lld permit.

IV. Training and Rehearsals:

Lack of time precluded. illtensive training activ-ity. The period p ... -.Lor­to embarkation from the United States was necessarily spent in rece:tV.eg, assi~ ing, and a~t:!.'itting medical. personnel.. 0n17 info~~ leetnr$3 ~oero poe!!l.i.'"-~.e en ,.nn+.A +.n .TAnon. A Ahn..t. 'lnte..-lm in .Tanan. q_~~Q tO Q..li-~0. \IllS utillzed bY the Dlrl;i~ s~;.;~D in -:h;;~ct~~dic;i,-su~i;s-~-e®i~~i &U;d :in;tructinil:' ln fl~ld ~~cal sunoort •• Ho rehearsal was possible. - - US7{11 ft(:~lii.'~I:R

...... --3 - Ui..Vi..i'iVVii ii.il . .

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Korean War Project USMC-00100358

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Not applicable.

VI. Movement to and Arrival at Obiectivo .Areas

Vll: Oceratians:

A. Assault Phase.

l.

e.~ LO"".re-..Hau.r; The Th~rd Bat·~?_lion, 5~~ ~~rin~~; l~"ld~d at. Green Bea<ili !'It 0630 !U1d secured the island by noo. E:!."ht.een caS',., t.iea re­sulted from this action and were ably handled by the suriZical team on the LSD; some were later transferred to the USS }\T.-McKINLEY: The finger pier waa·t~ to be usable at low water and casualties occurring after the-initial assault were evacuated :tram here 1n accordance with plan.

b. H~~Ha~: The First ar~ Second Battalions, 5th }~rines, effected ~~~ l~~dir~ on Red B~~~h ~~t~r p~e~~r&tion of that ~nd th~ BluG B~aoh area by" naval g'l.mfire Rnd aerial bombardment.. However 1 stubborn resistance was encountered and moderatelY heav:v casualties resulted from mortar and machine gUn fire. Primary obJectives were reached by 2400. Evacuation of casualties proceeded according to plan. However, handling of casualties aboard the LST(H) was hampered by necessary Ullloading operations. T"nere were aPProximately 250 casuaJ.:ties dw·.ing the fil•st night on Red Beach,. Simult.WJeou.sly v-ith that on R~ Beach, alamants of tha First ll..arines effected tha l~ing on Bl::.1e Be-ach w-ith relatively few caaual:t.iea. S·h"loa oC£!l!iFmica:tion w-ith t'hia area va..e e:rlremely diffion~ t, ten e.m.[ri.J.le.noe boats t.rere dispatched at hi~n tide +-~_e fQllowing morning and were found to be more than required to move the caBUAlties cOllected there.

2. D-Day Plus 1 (9-16-:>oj:

~ne Div~sion attack forces bror~ zy~t of tha ~acr~ead and reached tha Ferae beaehh~e.d lin~ by dark; a.-d'V't,~C elemerrt_s progr~sai'lg as far ;,-,1 ~.,_d a.a e:L"'C miles. The lst Medical Batt-alion began la.-.,ding at hi~h tide at 0530 and :rendezvoused at the Red Beach area. The Division Surgeon and the Medical Battalion Commander made a reconnaisance of the eastern part of Inchon to select hospital sites. An excellent'location in two large, undAmaged school buildings, one mile east o£· the city and :i.mmediateJ.y o:Cf the main highway, was found. The lst Medical :BattaliOD, les;; clearing platoons that had not as yet lauded, ~-as ordered to proceed. fol"\...'tl ... ~ to this site v.nd. ast.a.blish the ~st Marina :Pi-.-.:.aion Hospital,. L~r:;Ai~c- of tb.a 1st Men~c~t1 E-attA1ion at au~h an earl7 hav.r had not been cont.:. ... ~ .. , e.tedoio A~ren+-1 y an error in call o~,.,~ of f!eria.ls reeul. ted in elements of the Medioo:J,_ Batte.lion bei.ilg 11\nded Mho:re il!stdad of the Signal BattaJ.iOII. Casual ties were relatively light during the day alld were ei'.ficiently handled and evacuated over the beaches, the majority going to the USS CONSOLATION.

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DECLASSIFIED

Korean War Project USMC-00100359

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VII~ Oner.e.tiona :

B. Exploitation Phase.

1. !)...Day plus 2 (9-l7-50j.

General UlJ.loa,olh•g \..>as 1n progrcs;:; and supplies and equiJllient of th~ 1st Medica~ Ba:ttA1ion w~ra flo~"ing ashore ste~.-H1y; scouting parties w=:re 6tationed at Bl1 beaches to direct these supplies to the hospital site~ ~Crk at the Division Hosnital continued and. at 1400. that activitv vas readv to receive and furnish-definitive surgical care ·to" casualties, The wo~d-~~-­passed to all fol'>lal'd medical elements to chancre the evacuation route to tbe Division Hospital. Earlier in the day. at 1030, in response to informtion received !rom the ROK liaison officer that there wore rruny civ~ian ca~Yai~Les "~ tbe are?.; reconn~i3Br+-~ca l-:'!!S m...~da to locat.e facilities for- their care. A local ci'Vllia.n hosp.i1:..a...1 1 Tntern Provinc;ta.1. !-Iosp!t.a!1 Inchon: wae f01.llld to be entirely inadequate in both eouinment and staff. An adeouate site £or a. nro­visionai hospital was £ound ill the Middle Girls -School bUuding, Inchon: '}.­staff for this installation waa organized ~~d ordered to accomPiish the ~ imu.m hJrmaultariWl treatment. cowmansu.ra.te with ouppliea avallable. The staff CODfjisted of the follol.'illg; One .Kor~"l ?u.blic Health off'icial, three L-:iizy' rner1:!_ca~ of.ficer!9 of the advance echelon of the 12-lst Ev'a.-~11Ation !!o3pit.A1; one MedicaL officer each from the Shore Party 8..nd the Beach Party, and two' Medical o££icers and approoclma.tely twenty corn:;men f'1·om the Uedical Battalion. Eauitment and supplies were .t'urnished in pi..rt bY the Hedical Battalion, Shore PB.rti. Eng:Ln.. eer; a Special. Brigade, plus some captured material. Tne casualty lood was pro­hibitive f-rom tiia opening o£ the :i.Jlsta:Llation.

}'.lli tary cpe:=.-s. tions 1c.--ere prcgre as~ f@.r "..~ advance of plan Kumpo airport, 9.7 mllea west of Se(!lll, ooing overrun du.....!n~ the day-. A great 1118.111' prisoners o£ lillr vere taken and two medical officers were ordered to tbe stockade at Inchon to treat casual tie a 11111011gst them. The most serious of these were evacuated to the LST(H).

2. D-Day plus 3 (9-1~50).

The 1st Marine Division Hospital Ml.S in :f'Ull operation. Only- the equipment or tiA,ft COliipany w-aa placed in operation and their personnel were aug­mented by the stat!' of n13n C~; the eq""'pmeut o: the latter beillg ke,Pt ill a sta.te of read~~s::J for a::!_:r projected movement for:...rard~ "0" Co:mpe_"_y landed a.~d rendeZvoused at the lat Me,_l"ine Divisinn Hospita.l A.l."'ea~ Persormel of the Epidemic Disease Control Unit landed with supoJ.ies and fogllinJl eauiPlllent, A£ter a survey. the entire city of Inchon was covered with DDT £og1 speciei attention being given to the destrayed areas and to military installations. A surgical team we re­quested £-rom the Control Vassal and Team llo. Two landed and was iu:te~.~.·atad w'i til non :P'&d.icu.l c~~. Hel1cvl6tera now- in G!'.;;mtion u~J~ rive serious cafjee e-n;.e­u.A:tad '!'rt'l.'!l 'thA 1Rt. Y'Arina P...av'.-mental. o....-a.-...1 Pest to the D:!.:":!.e.:!.an Hosn:!..teJ.. ~-~-- -~~ ~- --- ----- ---w- -·--- - - - - - ·- - -- ~·- ·-·

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DECLASSIFTFD

Korean War Project USMC-00100360

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il£CLiiSSitiHl - .... _ ~ ..,.S"!'"-'- ..-~---

VII. OPerations:

B. EXploitation Phase (Cont'd)

). D-Da.;; plus 4 (9--19-50)

Reconnaissance ~~s made up to the projected lower crossing of the Han River and a. site selected for nc,u Medical Cn~ey on the m.e.in road. be­tveen Kumpo airport and the lover cross:l.nt!. This installation .. ave close sun.. port to the crossing and al.so served as an- evacuation hold.inlt ~ scr;~~ --..­facility, "C" Medical COliJPanY ordered to move fol'Ward to 11eiectcd location at 14.30 and WCLS estabJ.isbed and :rew.l.y to J."cceivo casual ties at 1800. Inas­~~ch as this was a move of ten miles ~:er tr~!fic-congested reads, the rapidity \lith vhich tr...i.e eornp~-~ r~""1ied it~ elf for f\~1 1 i"unotioning w-as ::;; ... rJ,.e demoD.­etration of the value of traini.ng ~~ experience. Thie compa~ baA oper~ted vi th the 1st Provisional. Marine Brigade in southern Korea.

The .32nd Regiment, '7th D1v11!1on, USA, which had been committed that morning was notified o£ the evacuation route to and facilities of the lst PArins Di~~sion Hospital and ~t helicopter ae.v~ce was av-~aMLe tor the evacuation of aeriv~s cases ..

At 1900 the Air EvMua.tion o:t't'icer ""'" Mnt,.,ten .. t Kumnn airport and a con:f'erence held at "C" Medical. Company--to-;;;ang;-d;talls ·~r evacuation.

SUlllinS.I:.,Y o£ t..Ya.cua.tion: Catru.al ties t-ro:m the 'let Regiment e1rracuated to the lst He.rine Division Hc~pita..l via wn.l::r..U.ance cr haliccptar. Su~lua c~suR1.tiea And tho~~ not fit for duty wi~~in ten d~-s ~l~~er ~~-­,,Ated to Yellcn-r Beach And out· to the USS COKSOLfi'ION. Casual ti ee frOl!l the 5th Regiment evacuated to "C" Medical. 0~ via ambulance or he.U.copter. Surplus ca.s118lties evacuated by immediate air (3 hours} to Itsuld.. JaPan.. l.lsth A:rrey- station Hospital. · - - -

"D" MeA_-' e~.:!_ Com_r .. ~y a.~~ two eurgi~ .... , te{L-on~ ordered u.p to rair­force ncn Metlicel CntnpA-n~ to care for expected heavy easua._l ties frO!!l Han River crossinll. "0" Medical 00lliP8JlY ordered to disregard the ten day evacuation "policy and keep decks cleared- for incoming casu&:lties. using aVanable excellent air evacuation facilities to the utmoat.

5. D-Da.y plus 6 (9-ZL-50).

":'".;; lst r.'.a.ri.ne Reglment rcceiv~ hca"i casua.itisa O:u ... .:.Og a.ttacY..s in the a=J.tsld.rta of Iongdnna,-p' c-ri. !11 availa.b, e anibn1 e.ncea (14) !!.!!.d three helicopters Atu!., eyed to eva.cn~tte ea~Jaltiee !"rom this regiment~

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DECLASSIFIED

Korean War Project USMC-00100361

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VI!. Ooerations: (Cont•d)

B. Exploitation Phase (Cont1 d) I

:.;. D-Dq plus 6 (9--2~50)

Stretcher situation acute as +.ha Air G'\ta011Ation system is :not returning litt~re from Japan. Three hundred littera requeated and received from CDR Eaton, AttMk Force Surgeon.

A message received that the ROK Regiment required ambulances tor 19 caauaJ..ties, A check of the tactical situation revealed that the Regiment was virtually and casualtie5 ordered to +.h~.

surruu.nded, the ref' oro the a.m"uula.noes were w-i thhel.d L ~ 1........ .L-~~-1~ -~--- ~.1...1 -1.. ""'----1~-- .&.1...~~·-L

ev~:u,a:.;e~ ~:l a ;,ru'-".=.. -.;v~v~; w.u..:.~ w:.;:; ~~;=::.:-~ ~·~.a.:.g:l

An em.bclance relay point was established at near side of the lower Han River crossing, CasuBlties were heavy from both the 5th Regiment and the let Regiment and ambul.ance facilities overtaxed. A Marine Division does not have sufficient organic ambulances to suppo.~ land ~urfare ope~atlons.

e!:~i~~!ra;a~ ~n~;;:~e~~~1 ~fm;;1~;~~B a;~q:!o £:ft~t ~~~f!:~i~:r !~~iionS ~ rln no't a...'ltiai't"'.a.te their needs. The Reaimental Surgeons were instructed that they

I W~Bt-contact the D:!.vi~;ion Surgeon prior to 1600 daily and give a detailed report of' their medi.oal supply, em.bclaooe, and casualty situation,

At 22,30 a radio message -~nterc;-p~ed from the lst Battalion, let :fi£.rines, that they urgentJ.y required l"lve WtiOUlanaes, t-wenty-fi.ve liiiter-s,

~:~~o~e~~~t~ :~;~~~~~e~;c~o:n~h;~~v!;~~5w~;r:0~5b~d!:a~!dt';;~~ de:::rtrcyed. on appros.ch to Yongd,,,~, o...ri. An aJ!!bnla..'lce pa-rty- and equi~ent d!anatched to acene with lWaon officer as guide. The mission was completed by 0,330 the next morning and twenty-seven casualties evacuated,

6, D-Dey plus 7 (9-22-50).

u .... "'l.: ---+..-. ... .,. 'r">r.-.r.n.-~n.7 .f-un +r. +t.r.:..~+."ii'-f'i~~ , .t .&"~ --....t-- _ .. _ .... .c--.. t ,I.J.o;;;;.,L...£,.\,.>V,P'"''-'J.II'I' J:''-'"'"oi.U"'".W........b ..,.,...._. ..,..,.. .., ............ -,.._w_ ..:.,-'-~~;C'~':~ ~i:l'~ .. ~,l,,l,~ 1

I dilly. Holtever, !f'~ny requests for thif) :3er.ri.ce t.rere ref\..1sed e.s ·they requested 1

1\

/ hA1 :tecpte:-s to pick up ca-s11~tl ties .in o.re-tts under direct S1D8ll arms and automatic fire. Dut to operational losses, we were reduced to one helicopter,

The 7th Regiment landed and moved forward to assembly a.rea. The 7th Regimental Surgeon was briefed in field medical suppo~~ and ev~uation routes, and vital supplies p:t•ocured f"rO.iU the Div.:.sion Modi.cal Supply eection. None of the ~iedical officers of this Regiment have had an; trair-;ng Or \e~r:tenee ~-~ fio1 d !iler.....:tc::!. n a •

' The line of evacuation frO!!! tho lst }le.rine Regiment to the Div­ision Hosnital. nov annrox:i:ms.tel:v fifteen ll!iles long, however, it is over a paved hil!h~Y ana no forward movement- of the hospital ie-contemplated until the Han -River is cros11ed at Seoul.. To 1'acilitate better ambulance control and o:JVacwt"tion, the Medical Battalion Executive O££icel'" etitablished an amb"wl~~e J;el.af point at tbe

~ -- • . ..• tl ... l'~ ,.-\ •. , .... _ ... ..., lst Regimental CWilmWld Fost lll l•mgaungp! o-rJ.. .._,~ L \~~ (Jt~~.:~ .. if·l·J'l 'i ? .v~).~ -~ ..

·--~---- ·-'-----~- ....... ~ ........... ~--~·---........--~-· .··

DECLASSIFIED

..

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Korean War Project USMC-00100362

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VII: . Operations:

6~ D=Day plue 7 ('?--22=50) (Cont•d)

Litters, whale blood, and minor items. or supply now being brought in by air, Air evacuation facilities are e:xnellent, Three Medical. officers and !iity Hospital Corpsmen reported for duty. These are the replace­menta which should have been available· a month ago to W.·ing the lst fT..,v.:.sior£i. i·farine B.~.-.:.c-a.da up to ;;ar-t."t-r . .-~. streng-th.

7. TLDay plus 8 (9--21...50).

"E" Medical Company reported ashore and 1nstructed.to rendezvous at the Division Hospital and reidy- equipment for forward movement on order, Cas­ualties high these past few da;yll and all medical companies are forced to .forego:, the established evacuation pcilic7 and evacuation U~ air or to Rhips.

The Di~~sion Hospit~ orderad to clear R11 rAtiant~ t~~~ c~~ be tro!lsportad :in ::trrt.icip.3.tion of ;f'ur+..her hea."q' ca.eru.al.ties t:.rhen the 1st !-tarine F.egi-l!!ent croseee the H..n River in the !llorning, We are now supporting two-ROK re<'iments and the 7th ArmY Division as well as ~:ivin~t care to our own and count-

'""':-.;....,~~8 civilian casualties: - -

8. D-Dq plus 9 (9-24--50)

CaS""~, ties relatively light f!"Cill lat l·~rine Rag'iment b'~t h~aV"'/

frc--m the 5th !·f~rine Reghr:ent which is operating -1 ~ en area. north\.test of Seoul. The e\racua~-; on route from the 5+.h ~arine Regiment ;Ls now long and complicated br the necessity for transportating back across the lower Han River crossing, The 5th ~Iarine Rerimental Silrgeon instructed to reconnoiter a possible route of evac­~tion to his-right to connect up w1 th the Shore Party evacuation point on the far shore of the upper Han River crossing.

The lst 11eilic"-1 BattAlion hAs established a collect~ and ~U~~bu.­

lence relay point on the near shore of the upper Han River crossing and all cas­ualties from the 1st Regiment, and majority of those from the 5th Regiment, are now being evacuated via these! facilities,> The casualty" load is being divided be­tween "C" Medical Compa:o;y and the let Division Hospital, The 7th Regiment lii onl7 lightlY' engaged and their casua.lties are rat·w.--uing to non i·iad.ical C~ via the lower river crossing.

10.,

The civilian casualty problem is causing grave concern. A con.­ference was held 'With the Assistant DiVis:l.on Commander t.o determine the bsst means of handling the expected flood of civ:Uie.n casualties resulting from the tak'ng of Seoul. Inventorlot supplies at the let L"iTisiw i-iedical 61.1!'~ sac;t}.on

DECLASSiFiED

..

,_

J -~

Korean War Project USMC-00100363DF.CLASS!P.!ED

"' '· .. I' .-1·--·,' '

~~J:I. Operations: (Cont;d)

(Cont1d)

indicates supplies holding up well, therefore more supplies released to aid / civ:Uie.ns. The 7th Regiment sui"rered comparatively heavy casualties in Seoul and am'ulllance :f'acilitiee again over-taxed, The problem further complicated ~ the !act that the~e eaau=ltiee were baing evacuated over both river cross-:!.~-!:S ft~~ the l;;r.~~r cros~r!ng ~-as reache--d. only "~a a long ro-u.te. Tho Regimental Surgeon \o~S.s Mrectecl to channA1 ell cas'\.U!J.ties to the upper cros8ing -if" possible. The ambulance relay section at that point was reinforced \.lith DUKW• s ""d the problem scil.ved, ~

11, D-Day pi.us 12 (9-2"7-50)

The e:LV"~1a.n casu.alty problem contitt..laa. Tha original civllian hospit-al at T.,.,ehon n~~ ~oe .f:~":.rteen MeriioA-1 officers ahd thirty corpsmen. ~.-n~ patient load is ter~ific and most of them orig~nata in the Seoul area~ ~he l~t Division Hospital and "0" Medice.l Comoe.n.v have e.leo been hoanitalid.rur civiliAns~ .f'urnieltlng hUmanitarian and definitive care when !acUities ~r.Ui-illow. ~-T;;-~se' ~? ei ~ua_?.on! "E" _ V.e~caJ. C~ _ordered :fon1ard to establish hospital i'acll-;;;;;:Le;; m IUilgililll~;p' ~>-1'1. "l>" Ned.ie<U Compan;y further ordered to recruit aJJ. ciT.:.liazi doctors and. nurse~ &'V'fi.ila.'bla in the area... All re,t.alients no"tl.i"led. of ~~e e~-1::~,":-!iahment of tnia facility.

The Officer-in-Char!l'e E~D.C.U. o1-dered to reconnoiter t.he c:!.tr of Seoul in preparation for ro{:ging operati~;.s:

wounded l·!edical

On taking of Seou:i. this dateJ a number of abandoned North Korean WQ.,I.-~ diaco·vered ~.Y the !)W"l Re~..t.!iient and these were ordered removed to ;;En

' c~;;ar~ instal.le.tion.

\12. D-Day ::Uus l3 (9-2~50)

A hospital site for the "B" l1edical Company located in Souul at the Yons.an High School; the buildings clean and relativel..;y undamaged, "B" Medical CompaD¥ reinforced w~th a surgical team, and ordered forward to this site. They ara to est;;.bli~h d.t.lfil :iacilitiesi e,4a for ci • ..:.lia.n casualties in a. gyiiiilS.Sium. located in o.~~ end of the: componnd.i e....,n ano+.her for 11arina casualties lcH:;ated in an auditor= ium :in the other end o£ the cnmpO''.lnd. The EDCU h.e.s s+...e.rted f""~S""":! operatione "~ Seoul at military installations,

13. D-Day plus l4 (9-29-50)

Xth Corps a..1''\l10"tmced t..~e ost.qh~is~~ent of ~~e l?..!st !~ EV&C"~tion HospitM at !Qn!dungp• o-ri~ Tn .addition, a thirty da? paliey ordered AM the l.st Marine Division notified to send all casualties. falling 'Within that category • to that installation, (~:O~.tl·! ;,.',..'\•• ~-·· -- ••

9

·' ; .,- .:s ;" •"- 'w; \. i _, -, ·~ .• ,

· '·"·'~i1n 1;io' 1 '· ~. ~- .. -· ".t .. t-·

DECLASSIFIED

Korean War Project USMC-00100364

..... ·.,

·-··.

D ECL_,_>\SSlFlED

~. ~=-.

V!I ..

B, Exploitation Phase (Cont• d)

lJ. D-Day plus l4 (9-29-50j (Conttdj

The 7th Rati~ent a.d:v-ancing out to the northeast o£ Seo-..U. and

recai"..i.ng ,~ casu&J.tics. All amb>..U.anoe pocl activated at !!B!! l·!edical Company

to coorni~ata e~~ouation~

l4. D-Day plus 15 (9-:3~50)

The thirty-d~ evacuation policy cancelled inasmuch as the 1st

Marine Division l!ospit.al alone bo.d 400 casual tie11 on hand in T.hi;; categor,y.

E'Vacuation of casual ties by air and sea. rasUtued. nBn Nodical O:ou.a.~rv ha:l started to receive pa:c~en~::J ~nd, in order to ;!'acilitete avaouation, the Llrn~,,~"1CG: r~!a.y-

0.c~p previously st~tioned at npper river cros$ing, ~oved fo~~_rd and stationed ~1.:t.b. nsn MeA.f_eel. Compn'"Y@ The 7th Regiment stm suffe:ring considerable oasual­

t!ee. Necese!U7' suP)i!.:!.es :f'orwal'ded to them fl'om "B" Medical Company.

To facilitate the distrib'wtion of sul""~ie3 in the Seoul area., the

Div..i.sion Medical Su,.;rJ.,y- ottieer o::."'dered to m.:;ve 5~ of m$'d.ic~.! supplies frO!!J.

Inchon !'or-w-ar-d to Sean1. "'"'"' ... ..,,.. ........ ,..,. .f"n ... ·n -t+.v aa+.Ah1 i A'hPrl in A_ f'l'l"'"'mAr hasnit.e.l

hni1din0' lcna.t-ed at t.~e ;I~;*:Ba;;~~~ ;;;;a, -s~ocl::---w;-~; now-~-til~-position of

;,:;;;;~:M;in;;-~t~ks t\lenty mhes to the northwest and twenty mlles to the north·

o:r"t.he ciiY and, at the same tilne, pl'epare to l'e-embark for anothel' e.mpb1bious

operation,. As fast as units al'e relieved !'rom the line, the;r al'e being te­

hab:Uite.ted.

I

.

;-The DiY~~ion 1-f&Jiael Supply o££iaar directed to make a r01.!e.b :

invanto,~.J of u"!l medical S"~.tpplie:a an..1 equ.:L:;;~ent ar.d pre~re an:~:tnformal. reqUisition

tc secure reqnire:me.~ta for ~~habilitation from the X Corps~

16. D-Dq plus 17 (1~2,..50)

No change in the evacuation picture; the medical plan for future, • "" • • • • " i'ii"o..- ------ ... "11 _,......,_..,.ri,.;; I - -~j --"" \ -L' .1.L- ., -~

operation prepareCl ana 6Uom;L ~ueu. J.ut:::l pt:~.a.-~uuu~ ..... " ... .,.. ......... "' \m6a.J..C~; c• w..:!d! ~=n. .. Provisional Marine Brigade completed ar~ eubmitted. Parsonn~l ~cc~~t"'_"~ for m~ ica.l peraow"iel of the let H~~.:.ne Division is -t ... e.rree.:rs and ie ·hn;poasihl e or accom­

plishment at the present tims due to a eombdl~ation of £actors ~Ch of which are (l) Origin·' Teco:rde (F.AVPE!I-.S 5001 Daily !)iacy, NAVMED HC-3, etc.,) either no:t pre­

na.l'ed ar lost iii trane:!.t f'!'o:m Cemp Pendleton to target area, (2) FallUl'e or the

Adlllini stl'at:!.ve Assistant to accompan;r the Division, and (J) The cOJDbat operations

now in pl'ogreaa.

~ 10- • •

DECI .ASSiFif:.J)

Korean War Project USMC-00100365

•

. ,-_ .,

--~--------~-~------------------~-

. . . ~:.

·-

·····

,.

VII. OPerations: (Cont'd)

B. Exploitation Phase (Conttd)

The on11ect~n~ sections ~~re released to their ~~rant orgaD= izations. These sections have been our weakest link in the chain nf' A""'""at.i ,..,. ohiefl;v oocause, !rom lack of trainitlg and eXperi;~ce~ tb;-B;ttali~~ M~di~;;J.-­ol'f.:i.cers have been unable to control them.

Tna 4th A~ Field Hospital established at Ascom CiiT about 15 lnilea to the r-ear.. .!. platoon of ten e:n'tP.lla;'lces \..'2.3 obta.ined· iron;, tha 506th Aml:J'I.!.le.nce C~~; X Co~e; to eva.c,_.._~_te the for..rard Me~~ c~J. Cnn"~~.~tni ~; cr~ ambu1anoes bei!lg employe4 to work the long (18-25 miles) cha:ln o:!.' evacuation between regiJnents ai:ld medical companies. - . . .

18. :O..D&.y' plus 19 (10...4-50)

A retrograde .movement to the beach at Inchon ~,.y the Div..Lsion is now in pr-oc;~·ess. Because of tl':.!s, a.rrar:ge:ments made to evacuate eiV.:l.ie.n casu.-~_, ties from 11!!11 Me~~ co:!_ Com;o~y to e. civi.J.ie.n hoa;-.it?! {Ur..iversity Hospi:t-A1) in Seoul 0 nan Medical Co~;r Ol'df!red to C!!a!le ~oceptin<: CMPAl tie!! at l2QO to­morrow. nnn Medical COliJP8.ll.Y ordered to return to the Division Hosnital area at Inchon and combat load on vew.cles in preparation for embarkation.- nEn Medical Company directed to turn over casualties entirely to civilian starr and rehabU­itate liUpplies and equipment.

Relativel7 few casu..:!. ties this date which were evacuated to the 4th Ariq Field Hospital at Ascom. City. nan Medical Company started !Qovement to Division Hospital at Inchon.

:w. D-Da:r plus 2l and 22 (10-6-50)

!!Q!! Hedical Cewpany lUOv-'rg to t-each SJ:ea a.t Inchon. All unite prej:.A'T"ing for e:m.t-.art.·n:tion~ Th~ Division Sn-rge:on h~ld a confarenc~ ~"'itb. MarH o~1 Cn'rrlp&!IJ" COl:l!m8lldera 3 Regimenta1_ s~geonai and BattAlion Surgeons; pt..ttl""'"1"1~ the errors in the campaign just completed, discussing remedial ID£lasures, and explain­ing the detalls of the medical plan for the forthcoming operation,

....,., .. ~,EI• Results of Operations:

Filled i~·aetion •• , Di e4 or wounds • • • Died of disease • • • M1sll1ng in acuon. • •

• • • •••••• 364 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • " ....

53 1 6

Wounded in action. • ·• • • • • • • Total Battle Caoua.L '-•a43

•• .1961 .2;;55.

DECLASSIFIED

Korean War Project USMC-00100366

.. : ;<

~- . .

nF.C!,ASS!F!F,n

~~ -.--.. JiEGI.ASSifiED vur~.r-·J.~~·,;,- · .. · ·

Wounded in action evacuated from Korea , , • • , 1184 Wounded :i.n action returned to duty • • • , • • • 375 Sick evacuated from Korea • • • • •• • • • • • • Sick ro~~~ed to duty • • • • • • •• • • ••••

Percent died of disease Percent died of wounds

• • • • • • • • • • •••• oonL •• • • ... ••••••• 027

?'I? Admission statistics for D:i:rl.s:!.on Hospital and Medical companies attached:

(lst Medical Battal:!.on) ' ..

. . . . . . . . . -Div .Hospital. B Co. C&D Coa. l~ativity A & B Hed Cos (Seo,,,) (XLwo)

!-!arines 987 518 1.301 Navy 40 ll 27 Army 152 18 188 ROK & KM:: 100 2J. 186 Civilian 26 6l5 315 PCW " 0 39 Totals :,J activitj 1313 1183 2056

n. Cn1'1111~11t ll.l'ld Recommendations;

E Co. !!ongclr~.,gpo)

5 0 0 7

952

2Sll. 78

358 322 19~.

..... -. 5~6 ?

The Medical service of a Marine Diviaion as presently organized proved :l.tsel:f extremely :flexible and, ;r.i.th .;few exceptions, adequate to engage in an oper­ation of the nature just completed. T"ne difficulties 6:A."'Perienced were due to tw-o Il18.iD factors; (1) lack of su.f:fieient ~bulances of the prot:-.:.:r: t~£-e, SJld (2) lack of tr~~r.~~a Medical Officer~ and Hospit~l Ccrprr.men=

A. J..mbnla.ncea: The deep penetration and wide frontage of the Division's operations occasioned a ~ch longer chain of evacuation than that u~y occurring ill purely amphibious le.nc11ngs. inasmuch as the prim:lry lllission of a Marine Division iS still the amphibious assault, it is not considered necessary to increase the number of organic ambulances to that deemed adequate for land warfare. However, tne Hedical Ccw~~es ahv-ild ~.:. equi~tJed w-!th the r~ (:3/4) ton type e.mb":ll2.Ilee and their xr:.Unber incr-eased from t~"' to a·hc per ccanpa!zy'. Tn Ar1:Htion +.here 8honld be ~ Te.'l::o:!.e of Qrg~nize.t!on for an embr.lle.nce como!U:!Y {!Similar to that of the U~ S~ Army Medical nepart.rnent) so that puch an organiza.hoD. can be re!ldi.l:r available 1n the eVent that tilans for 8ny operation call for a deeper penetration than the usual amphibious ~ssault. - - - -

B. Trai.ni.ng of Peraoooel: Frow. a. b:rodd v.i.e-w-point, it is r-idiouluws to aag~e that Medical officera ~d Hospital cor-psmen withu~~ ind~~tr-ination; e7~ pe.rience, or ph.r=icel conditioning can a~~ to the ~~t of ~~?ir ~~-r~""~~i~~-es "'-~

com':-?.t wi-t:-~ g orga"~_ze.tion whose personnel have had montha~ :lf not y~rs1 of ,,,.,.nM"at.ion. The observation is i'reouentlv made bY the uninformed that 11 they learn

~;rl~kl.Y ~-com.bitn lN.t ·this-18 £reauentJ.y a· costly 6ducation - both in the lives of the._medical personnel themselves and the- casual ties for Wich they .are respons:l.ble,

•• -12-

..

--·-- ------- ---·----- --··---~------ .. _, --··-~

DECLASSiFiED

Korean War Project USMC-00100367

.u.. C!ll!lllent and Reconunendations~ (Cont; d)

,! detaUed di&cU!!!!ion of the training of medica.1 perso!'_•v~l; or the lack of it apparent during this employment, is too lengthy for ineluaion il.n an action report. It is aii absolute necessity that a echool for Medical officers and Hospital corpwnen, embracing the techniques of Medical support of an amphibious operation, be asta.bliahad and llla.intained during pea.oetime ;d. th a rleY of davelopin.g a reaarvoi.r "'~ t};d n t.he. naval Madioal est-abliabment which can be ce..lled upon in time of emergency sucb. as the recent e~"'Sion of the lst !·Iarine Division to war-time strength.

c. Additional Comment: . .

1. Equ.i~eo.t and S-upplies; The o:rg"u.nic medical aectio-.ws of the l3t and ;t.h Raghnanta ~-e-re eqw! pj:-ed and a.upplied. s.s nearly es possible ill keep.. ing with the recor:nnenM~tions of the Field !!ediccl Equi!""'ent Beard~ It is gra.":-__ f'y:ing to report that their aupplies vere (ldequa_te at nll time!! e.nd were easil;r tre.nsparted. Tha medical section of the 7th Regiment had been outfitted in accordance with present all.owanee tables and untU changes could be made after their initial emplo;yJnent, they vera constantly abort of vital items and bogged dow with . iinnecessa.cy equipn1ent. The ten and +.hi J-~;y. day auppJ..y blocks wel•& adequate and Dilly miner revisions, to include newer, pr;;;:ven tintibiotics are recomend.ed. Hewaical compai:ly' ec,r.li:ament .:!.s too bu.llcy'; poorl.y packed; l.e.cke ..-.roy essentia1 ;tte;ns; ~~~

...,. __ !lj;m eonW!!!! m'i!lY unnecessary :l.tem!l. E=ly !'.doption of the etre!!l1llined eqtrl:!""'ent rEiciilmnended by' the· Field Medica! Board is urged, -

.2. Clerical· Reporting& The system of casualty reportins as out-lined in "tile .Administrative VJ.·der w-as highly satisfactory. PersOiill.W. repo~:tiilg, i hon~Ye1·, has t.~en t>OorlY handled because of' a :Iur""Jlber of factora. As etated. be- · • .. / ! fore; aither dn~ to f~i1ur~ to prar~re origin~,- reeord3 or ~~Gir lo~s ~n transit "rom Cl!l!!p Pendleton to the target; bAs res\11 tea in !!. greli1.t delay in !lubmieeion of

· oersonnel reports. Further, 1 t is considered that the nrenaration of the oorsonnlll diary by the-Hedical Department for all naval personnel·in-the Division is" a duplication o:f e:f!ort, inasmuch as these personnel &.l'O already shown on 'Wlit diarltiil, :W. peae&tiJiw preparation o:L the diaey presents ilO great d:i.i£icult;y 1 but tho ccn~rt.e.nt ahiit.ing o£ paraonnel that occura in wa.r-+.ima is productive of too ~ arrora ainoa the me~icA1 anminiatrativa aaction dc~s not haver:~ accasa to A 1 1 changes~

3. Helicopter: Helicopters, vbich were first utilized for evac­uation \lith the 1st Provisional ~Iarine Brigade, again proved themselves an efficient and rapid meane of transporting serious casualties, A total of 164 caEu.altiea were evacuated ~.1 tl"J.a means from the vicinity of regimenta.l and batt-alion aid st-ations to medical battalion inatalle.tione. Dif'f'i;;:;cl.ty was ell=

c~~t~red in that ~~~y requests ~~re ~a~e for tr~s service Qy at~~! officers not qualified to judge tbe patient• s condition and, as a l"esult, :ma.n-7 needless "'-'l'ips '\lOre made. Aa the uumber of helicopters at hand vera all too fev. this

e&Ul ted in tbe:!.r not beillg available 011 flevenl. OCcasions vhen the;y were Borel)" needvd to evacuate lifi! or death cases. It is bighl;y rec0111111ended tb!lt evacuation

••

D:f..C! .. ASS!F!ED

..

;

' i.

Korean War Project USMC-00100368

IX, COII!Illent and RecoLllllendations:

c. Addi tiOillll Collllllent:

(Cont'd)

(Cont'd)

. ·~

:requir6lnanta be oontampla.tad !n f'itrv.rir,g the nu.mbar oi halicopt.ara a.aaignad to a Division and tr~t ~,, e:raft ao nasignad 00 aqa-Tppa.i ~'"i,+.h oapsn1 es to ~-el'"'!Uit easier evacuatton of litter cases. ~l-~her 1 ell re~~oste £or helicopter evacuation eh~ild pass through medical. channel. a except in extrB!IIe emergency,

4• L1tter Bearerss There is stlll. no def'in1te assigwnent of' Marine personnel for use as litter bearere frOill the front line to the battalion aid station. In 'riJ?4:ij instances, amb-""-ano&s and personnel of the uollectiug section vere utilized :far ~orw-ard o'£ the aid st-ation.. '!here is no condemr~tion of this practice on occ-aaion;. '!;:ri..J.t it results in e. breukdol:!tl o£ evacuation from the battalion e.id st.at.i on to the rear which is a flmot~on ·of the oolloetit!g section, The Utter bearer problem is ·not a new one a.nd, if p.n efficient evaeua tion system is to be mainwUed, concrete stens JJW~t be taken' to insure that litter bearer personnel are included~ the battalion organization and that CommaDdjng Officers utilize them for that p~~ose.

5 ~ LST (E) : The use of such era.ft as au..'d.l.ie...7 caS'I..tal. ty handling vessels :h at be11t a !DB.ke shift procedure. On this operation they functioned well to the limit of their persoDllel and equip!llcnt. HO\Ievar, e.s this is not their primary lllission1 casualty care~ was hampered by the confusion or· UDloo.d.ing. It. 1s recommended that LST 1 or similar vesael 1 be specially equipped and staffed and asdgned the pri­mary mission of se •• .:.ng as auxi.lia.q hospital ahips in close Vllpport of ~e lW1.hi'b­ie".ls Qtlsault. An added !"ea.ture or -v=l:ue is that the decks of these ships ~~ be -.... -:ll ut111z~d ~~ a l~4~ &re~ !or helicopters~

6. Preventive Medicine: While it ia difficult to evaluate the re­sults of the intense fogging of' Inchon, of' Seoul1 and of the environs of relatively fixed mllitary 1nstallations, nevertheless1 it is gratifying to report that there were no outbreaka Q£ diueasu amongst the troops and 1nef£ectives were exceedingly

~=~~us;-~~~~~ a~!:!~~ ~:~~!o:~~~11!e i:~i~!;tP~~u;~:;~~~=~~; ~r::~;~4pcer mo~~~toee vere ~~ficient~y contrOlled to prevent Rny epidemic ~~tbreaka from these sectors durin~ the time of ODeration. Gross f'oaRin£ ODerations aooear to b~ tho beat method b.r which a measUre of' control can be gained b,y relatively few personnel.

It ia noted. that, a.lmoat wd:thou.t exception, units arrived in the­F~ Ea.et w--i thcrJ.t :.t.nsect control =~pplies 5"'~ch as illsect repellent, lousa PO"=-dar, DDT o! ft"!'IY 'V1!.riety; and diepensin~ ecrJ.i~ent. Jnn~1e !dte were either laclrh'l~ entirel.:y or were incomplete. The ODly routine sanitary precaution observed was the sprinkling of lime around heads and urinals and this practice is of extremely doubtful value e:zcept frOill an ae11thetic viewpoint. Far too rew immersion type water heaters and it was Ollly.Vi.th difficulty that IIOille 11emi:ii.ance of proper oper­ation of these w-as o'i.,\,a:inad.

,,, =

••

DECLASSIFIED

L

Korean War Project USMC-00100369D~CLASS!FH~!l

~------~=~•m=-•·•-•-------------·----------------------------~• .. ---.

.. --. '\

(Cent' d)

c. Additional Comment: (Cont•d)

It ie highly recommended that action be taken to acquaint Supply Ofi"icers, on a se~:y.4ce-w'ide basis, W'"l'Wl "C.Oeir- r-espons:UU.i.l."ty of pro.­c.nlr'~r.g and tr.=L--ir.., a,v:;-.1!1able the j:-est s.nd central s-~pplies liet-ed in the ba.a:!.c te.hl.ee o£ equi~ent~

E. H, HERING Captain Iv.L 1 U3N Div~sian Surgeon

- 15-

IJE-CLA_SSlFlED

...

- __ I

,,