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45th Portable Surgical Hospital

United States military hospital

Field	Value
unit_name	45th Surgical Hospital
dates	1943–1945
1953–1954
1956–1970
country	US
branch	Regular Army
battles	World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
notable_commanders	Major Gary P. Wratten
identification_symbol_label	Distinctive unit insignia

1953–1954 1956–1970 Korean War Vietnam War

The 45th Surgical Hospital was a United States military hospital that saw service in the China-Burma-India theater in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Lineage

Activated 7 June 1943 at Camp White, Oregon as the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital

Inactivated 1945

Activated 1953 in Korea

Inactivated 1954

Activated 1956 at Fort Sam Houston Texas

Inactivated in the Republic of Vietnam, 10 December 1970

Honors

Campaign participation credit

World War II

India-Burma
China Defensive
Central Burma
China Offensive

Korean War

Third Winter Campaign
Summer-Fall 1953

Vietnam

Decorations

Meritorious Unit Citation (Army)

VIETNAM 1966-1969

Distinctive unit insignia

Description

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a black Chinthe astride a silver cross issuing from a Taeguk between two maroon fleams. All in front and below a stylized palm branch with two oak leaves proper.

Symbolism

Maroon and white are the colors used for the Medical Department. The Chinthe or Burmese griffin, taken from the seal of Burma, refers to the Hospital's service in that area during World War II. The Taeguk alludes to the Hospital's service in Korea and together with the two fleams (a heraldic surgical instrument used in early medicine) represents the two campaigns in Korea. The fleams and cross further symbolize the basic mission of the Surgical Hospital. The palm symbolizes long life and the oak leaves strength and bravery.

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 3 September 1969.

Korean War

Vietnam

The main body of the 45th arrived at Vung Tau, Vietnam on 4 October 1966. On 4 November 1966, the 45th's commanding officer, Major Gary P. Wratten, was killed during a mortar attack.

References

"History of the 45th Surgical Hospital".
Moyar, John B. "68th Medical Group Operational Report--Lessons Learned, Period Ending 30 April 1971." National Archives II at College Park, Maryland: Record Group 319 Entry UD 1166 Box 70 Folder "USARV Groups--68th Medical", 1971.
"1st45th".
"Archived copy".

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

military-units-and-formations-of-the-united-states-army-in-the-vietnam-war united-states-military-hospitals hospitals-established-in-1943 military-units-and-formations-established-in-1943 military-units-and-formations-disestablished-in-1970 medical-units-and-formations-of-the-united-states-army

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