The United States Army Medical Service Corps

The United States Army Medical Service Corps is an important national resource with a long and distinguished history. Many thousands of officers have proudly served in its ranks, selflessly prosecuting the nation's defense missions in peace and war throughout the world. With varied academic backgrounds and disciplines, these officers have been widely recognized and highly regarded leaders in their respective fields. They represent the growth in medical science and military medical operations and administration over two centuries.

This work documents the history of the Medical Service Corps through the work of an active duty MSC officer who began researching and writing in 1983 when the corps assumed this task as its own project. The account is the story of the corps, told by the corps for its members, the Army, its sister services, and the nation it serves. The lessons of its history are rooted in America's wartime experiences, and they are intended for those who will follow in the hope that our future leaders will learn from the past. It is also important that progress documented by this account continue, for the officers of the Medical Service Corps have by no means achieved their highest goals.

MACK C. HILL
Brigadier General
Chief, Medical Service Corps

JOHN W. MOUNTCASTLE
Brigadier General
Chief of Military History