MEDICS READY THEN AND NOW

Published in Ready On Call Reservist Magazine; July-Sept 1985 Issue, page 19.

The commander has received an intelligence report that there is enemy troop activity in the area. Flares, sound of artillery bursting, cracks of small arms fire penetrates the darkness as soldiers position themselves. Peering intensely over the edge of their camoflauged foxholes, gripping their weapons, the 312th Evacuation Hospital defends perimeters and repulses its aggressor force from attacking its hospital. This scene depicts mission deviation for the 312th Evacuation Hospital headquartered in Greensboro, NC. For the first time in its history, this unit spent fourteen days at Fort Jackson, S.C. training in the field not only as medics, but combat medics. The purpose on this joint field training exercise with Moncrief Army Hospital was to give medical personnel an opportunity to rehearse an actual combat situation and develop responses to an enemy attack on a modern day battlefield.

During the late sixties, the 312th was mobilized to Ft. Benning, Georgia for prior overseas training and in September sent to Chulai, Vietnam to support the 44th Medical Brigade. This AT85 brought back memories for some of the five remaining members of this unit. As Colonel Pauline Hester, Chief Nurse reflected she said, "The choppers especially reminded me of the many casualties that were brought into our emergency room and the many tired and sleepless nights that we shared. It became so busy that we had to hospitalize one of our anesthetist from exhaustion."

SFC Richard E. Rice, presently Operating Room NCO adamantly stresses to his soldiers the importance of sterile technique because he says, "The infections and bacteria was so high in Vietnam that in order to prevent them from setting in open wounds, special precautions always had to be taken."

"Today we place more emphasis on combat skills than when the 312th was called-up in 1968. Because our experience in Vietnam made us realize the need for self-protection," says now First Sergeant William A. Beard. "If we were called today, I would feel good about going with our troops because of their diversified skills, same dedication and sense of commitment to the U.S. Army Reserves.

Remaining patriarchs, SSG James Stine and SFC Roy Peddycord agree with the sentiment of their comrades. They insist that this dual-role training is beneficial to the Army Reserve mission because it better equips our reservists to augment the active component of our Army in the event of a national emergency. Colonel Hester said, "It gives me great pride to have served my country for some 25 years. Inasmuch as my parent unit members and teachings have changed, the same aims are targeted, that is, to remain a ready reserve.

On September 21, 1985 the Vietnam Veterans of the 312th had its first reunion in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The 312th Evacuation Hospital was inactivated September, 2005. Find out more about more about its history at http://unitpages.military.com/.