HISTORY OF THE 8076THARMY UNIT,
MOBILE ARMY SURGICALHOSPITAL
(19 JULY 1950-31JANUARY 1953)
AND
45TH SURGICAL HOSPITAL,MOBILE ARMY
(1 FEBRUARY 1953-JULY1953)
HEADQUARTERS
45TH M0BILE ARMY SURGICAL HOSPITAL
APO 301
12 March 1953
UNIT HISTORY
Activated Yokohama, 19 July 1950
1. General Order No. 162, dtd 19July 1950, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army activated the unit asa 60 bed MASH.
2. Personnel including twelve (12)Nurses and eighty-nine (89) Enlisted Men were drawn from hospitals allover Japan. One (1) MSC and one (1) Warrant Officer transferred out ofhospitals in Japan. Ten (10) Medical Officers and other MSC Officers wereflown from the states.
3. Organization was assisted in equippingitself at 155th Station Hospital in Yokohama. Personnel original were assignedto 155th and thus from there to 8076th MASH, APO 707 which was later changedto APO 301.
4. Personnel for Unit D, 8076th MASH,began arriving at 155th on 17th and were processed and equipment issuedthrough period of 19 July. On 19th of July equipment was loaded on trucksand pulled over to Pier 2, Yokohama for combat loading on Sgt. USNS, GeorgeD. Keathley for shipment to Korea. Following key assignments wore madethis date.
Major Kryder E. Van Buskirk -- CommandingOfficer
Captain George O'Day -- Chief Surgery& Ex.
Captain Elizabeth Johnson -- ChiefNurse
Lt Richard E. Eddleman -- SupplyOfficer
Lt Octavian Buta -- Detachment Commander
Boarded the USNS George D. Keathleyon the 20th of July. Personnel all in excellent physical condition. Trucksand equipment were loaded on board.
Sailed at 0800 on the morning ofthe 21st. During the following days of 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and24th the personnel were briefed by the Commanding Officer on what to expect.Daily inspections of the ship were made, and a tentative plan on the jobassignment was made. All personnel wore screened and interviewed. SOP'sset up, and a general overall plan for operations and movement was established.During this time the
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overall administration operationsof the hospital were taking place.
We arrived in Pusan on the 25th ofJulyunder the command of Major Kryder E. Van Buskirk. At midnight that nightthey departed by train for Kumchon and arrived there on the morning ofthe second day. They remained there only a few hours and departed for Taegu,only to stay there for only five days. At 0330 hours en the 1st of Augustthey left Taegu for Miryang to the south. They began setting up at 1730and worked all night getting tents etc. ready. Guerilla attacked the supplytruck that night. The hospital had no operation tables and many ether essentialitems had to be improvised, however the hospital became first time operationthat day with Sgt. Reed (Mess Sgt) as the first patient.
They remained in Miryang for twomonths until the 4th of October, during which time they were the main hospitalof the MASH category which was supporting the Pusan Perimeter, furnishingforward hospital support of every division in Korea with the exceptionof the 25th division. During this period of time 5,674 patients were admittedto this hospital and in one instance 608 patients were admitted in one(24) hour period. Again at this time the supply truck was attacked by guerilla.
It was during this period that theamphibious landing was made at Inchon and accordingly the tide of battlewas turned and the Eighth Army troops began to advance north and the MASHmoved north to Taegu on 4 October, and remained there for one week beforemoving to Taejon on 11 October. It remained in Taejon only two days andmoved north to Suwon on the 12th of October where it remained for onlyeight days, when it moved to Kumchon on the 21st October. It remained inKumchon for only a week and moved on the 28th of October to Haeju and thereagain for only eight days until 5 November.
From the time after Hiryang whenthe landing was made at Inchon until Haeju things seemed to be going quitewell for the U.N. troops and it was about this time that the famous statementthat the boys would be home for Christmas was made. This was made withoutconsidering that the Chinese would enter which they did on 27 November(Major Van Buskirk was promoted to Lt Col 5 November 1950). About thistime the hospital began to work in earnest again and the hospital movedagain to Kumchon on 7 November staying two weeks until 22 November whenit moved to Kunuri for perhaps what was the most tragic episode in itshistory.
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It was then that the coldest weatherever encountered in Korea was met with temperatures as low as 23 and 30degrees below zero with copious amount of snow. Because of the completesurprise of the Chinese intervention, and the unusually cold weather, therewere men who were fighting in nothing more than fatigues and field jackets,so along with numerous battle casualties there were literally hundredsof men froze to death. During the six days they were in Kunuri there were1,836 admissions to the hospital and on one day 661 admitted.
At this time there were only 12 MedicalOfficers and 120 Enlisted Men. There were no such things as blowers forheating, and the entire hospital was in tents. Routinely there were 13and 14 persons in each squad tent.
The patients were arriving in sucha large number that literally there was no place to put them inside thehospital tents, and when the ambulances would arrive they would just haveto leave the patients lying in the snow, where unfortunately some frozeto death before they could even be brought into the hospital tents. Howeverbeing brought inside was no assurance against freezing because the temperaturein the tents was so low that patients froze there, their resistance beinglowered as a result of injuries.
It was at this time that one of themost difficult decisions any Medical Officer ever had to make was made.The influx of casualties was such that the unit was unable to care forall of them. Therefore some of the more seriously injured patients weregiven sufficient medication to prevent suffering and then they were putaside to die while the hospitals attention was focused on those casualtieswho could be saved.
After being in Kunuri for only sixdays, the order to "bug out" was given on the 28th of November, and accordinglythe hospital loaded up and moved out at 1600 hours. Because of the pressingnature of the tactical situation then, not all of the patients were ableto be evacuated simply because there were not enough ambulances to carrythem out, and as a result about 40 of the patients, one of the doctorsand several of the corpsmen were left behind to somewhat uncertain fatesince the Chinese were advancing with such speed that all of the roadsand highways were clogged with retreating U.N. personnel and equipment.Fortunately, help was gotten to rescue the stranded patients with the doctorand corpsmen, so none of the personnel were killed or taken prisoners.
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It was on the "bug out" from Kunuri(four hours before CCF) that the MASH experienced its nearest disaster.Orders had been given Lt. Col. Van Buskirk to with draw to Pyong-yang,the north Korean Capitol by a certain route. However on reaching the forksin the road where the convoy was suppose to go left, Col. Van Buskirk decidedthat the route was unsafe and instead took the right fork, which is quitefortunate because all the troops and convoys which took the left fork weretrapped in a road block with almost 100% of them either being killed ortaken prisoners.
The unit arrived at Pyong-yang at0200 and took over 1,000 patients from the l71 evacuation hospital whichhad been forced to retreat. It continued to treat casualties plus takecare of the evacuation of all those casualties left by that unit. Mostof those evacuations wore by air and the situation was so acute that planesthat normally carried 35 or 40 patients were taking loads of 50 and 60.
The hospital remained at Pyong-yangfor four days only before it was again forced to retreat southward to Kaesong,the old site of the truce talks. At Kaesong they stayed only a week leavingthere at 1530 on the 10th December, again "bugging out", this time to Suwonfor the second time.
At this time the retreat of the U.N.forces was so rushed that the roads were lined actually bumper to bumperwith vehicles and the orders were that if any vehicle broke down, it wasto be pulled to the side of the road, the motor destroyed, and the vehicleburned.
The tales of personal bravery, heroism,self preservation and sheer guts at that time, are a true credit to theArmy. There was one soldier who was captured by the Chinese, who did nothingmore than take his boots and later released him in his bare feet. The weatherat that time was sub zero and the ground covered with snow. This soldierwalked barefooted trying to reach our lines until his feet froze so thathe was unable to walk further; he was forced to sit out in the open forthree weeks with no food, no shelter except for his uniform and no waterexcept for what he could obtain from eating snow. He was found at the endof this three week period weighing approximately 65 pounds and with bothfeet gangrenous and black, necessitating amputation of both logs. He wasone of many who passed through this hospital.
The first Christmas and New YearsDay were spent in Suwon while the front stabilized a bit, but again theU.N. forces were forced to retreat and this time the hospital with drewstill
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further south to Taejon, settingup only to have to breakdown again after a few hours and go to Sanju onan over night move arriving 6 January.
At present most of you have no comprehensionof what a move is like because we are so well established here that itseems inconceivable that the hospital could actually move, but at thattime the hospital was set up to break down the tents, pack up the supplies,load them on trucks and be ready to pull out within 6 hours. There wereno chances for each man to build up a little empire such as we have now,because there was no place to carry the excess gear. Between 4 Octoberand 31 January the hospital moved on an average of once a week, and onone move the hospital was broken down and ready to pull out in one hourand fifteen minutes. The corpsmen and officers who were not driving vehicles,rode on top of the trucks after the gear had been packed.
The month of January was spent inSangju as U.N. regrouped its forces and began the long slow drive backup the peninsula. At Sangju, the hospital was pitched in the river bedand guarded by heavy tanks.
On 1 February l95l the hospital movednorth to Chungju where it stayed for a month before moving to Wonju on4 March. It was at Wonju that U.N. troops took over a Chinese aid stationwhen the Chinese retreated, and found approximately 79 of our own UN soldiersthat had boon held as POWs. The unit moved to Hongchon 5 April.
At this time the MASH was functioningas a truly Mobile Hospital and as a truly Surgical Hospital and as a resultit was nevermore than 10 miles and often as close as five miles behindthe front, and as the fighting moved forward the MASH was right behindit.
At Hongsh'on in the latter part ofApril the Communists began their second counter offensive, and again theMASH had to "bug out", this time on 25 April which happened to be the 9thmonth anniversary of the MASH's arrival in Korea. At that time the hospitalwas only eight miles behind the MLR and knowing that the Communists wereadvancing we had been quite anxious about it and when we would have tomove, however we were assured by Army we would hold fast our positionson the evening of the 25th, and about 0100 of 26 April, Corps advised unitwould have to "bug out". All personnel were assembled, the hospital takendown and patients evacuated. By 0730 the hospital was enroute to Chungjufor the second time.
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This organization was placed in reserveat this time some 60 or 75 miles behind the front and sat up in a schoolbuilding in Chungju which was later occupied by the 11th Evacuation Hospital.
Being in reserve was short lived,though, and two weeks later the unit was moved forward to Suwon for thethird time. During the history of the MASH all was not grim all the timebut occasional humorous things happened which made life quite liveableand did much to blend the MASH into a well-functioning integrated unitwith one of the highest esprit de corps of any outfit in Korea. One ofthose incidents happened in Suwon, and although it was anything but funnyat the time it later served as a wonderful basis for reminiscing: Thiswas the night of the big rain, (one night after several days of almostcontinuous rain when the mud was almost up to the top of your boots. Inaddition to the rain there was a terrific wind storm which effectivelyblow down almost every tent on the compound pulling out the tent stakesas if they were matches. Everyone was routed out by the tents falling downon top of them and in the middle of the night with the rain pouring downin sheets everyone was outside trying to drive in new tent stakes; therewas so much mud this was impossible so in the end all the trucks from themotor pool were called out and the tents were held up by the trucks untilthe mud dried out sufficiently to permit tent stakes to be used again.)
It was at Suwon that the 8076th wasawarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation which reads as follows:
The MOBILE ARMY SURGICAL HOSPITAL,8076th ARMY UNIT is cited for exceptionally meritorious conduct in theperformance of outstanding services in Korea in support of combat operationsduring the period from 25 July 1950 to 11 May 1951. During this periodthe MOBILE ARMY SURGICAL HOSPITAL, 8076th ARMY UNIT functioned in closesupport of front line units rendering outstanding medical services. Itsprimary mission was to perform as a sixty-bed surgical hospital, however,in many instances the unit assumed the additional responsibilities of anevacuation hospital without loss of operational efficiency. Between 2 Augustand 5 October [at] Miryang, the unit furnished forward hospital supportfor all front line troops except the 25th Infantry Division, admitting5,674 patients and in one twenty-four hour period handled 244 surgicalprocedures. On another occasion this unit processed 608 patients in oneday. A total of 15,000 patients were cared for during the nine months thisunit has been in operation, and the medical service rendered to the UnitedNation Forces was of the highest caliber. Under all types of conditions,this hospital has displayed outstanding initiative and aggressive actionin performing its many missions.
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Although the hospital was requiredto operate in no less than thirteen different areas in close medical supportof front line units, its effectiveness and efficiency has excelled thehigh standards set by the Army Medical Service. The MOBILE ARMY SURGICALHOSPITAL, 8076th ARMY UNIT displayed such outstanding devotion and superiorperformance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart and aboveother units with similar missions. The efficiency effectiveness and versatilityshown by the members of the unit in the performance of their assigned missionsreflect great credit on themselves, the Army Medical Service, and the militaryservice of the United States
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL VAN FLEET
The Unit moved from Suwon north toChunchon on 29 May 1951 and shortly after arriving there, Lt. Col. VanBuskirk rotated to the States and the new commanding officer was MajorJohn Mothershead, later Lt. Col. Mothershead. At the tine of arrival inChunchon, there was only a small air strip. There was no rail transportationavailable, and no bridges on the road between Chunchon and Seoul so aftera heavy rain, supply trucks were frequently held up for several days untilthe streams went down enough to permit the trucks to ford them.
While at Chunchon the peace talkswere started and accordingly the tactical situation diminished sufficientlythat the unit had very few patients with the exception of one night whenapproximately 200 Chinese patients were sent within the period of aboutan hour, UN forces having overrun a Chinese clearing station. Among themwas a Chinese Nurse who remained with the unit for approximately a monthtaking care of the numerous prisoner patients during that time.
On 17 September 1951 the unit movedforward to Hwachon. The stay at Chunchon was the longest which had beenaccomplished in any one location, and by that time all of the originalmembers of the outfit had rotated to the states, so this move was accomplishedwith less finesse and ease than the other moves, and in fact had to bemade in a period of two days.
During the last quarter of 1951 theunit remained at Hwachon and as described above continued to function ina most efficient manner. From the period of 17 September 1951 to 31 December1951 the unit took care of 3,986 patients, 98% of them being battle casualties.Rotation and transfers to other areas in the Far Fast Command made heavyindentations on the experienced personnel. Adequate replacements commencedto arrive during the latter part of November and December to the extentthat the
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enlisted strength went from a figureof 196 in November to 223 by the end of December. During the last quarterof l95l the unit was in direct support of the 1st Cavalry Division andthe 7th Infantry Division until mid-November, when the front lines weremoved north approximately nine miles and extended to our left and rightflanks for an average of twenty miles. ROKA Divisions commenced to replaceAmerican Divisions which reflected in the patient status to the extentthat about one half were ROKA patients for the last half of December.
Due to the peace negotiations theentire front was comparatively quiet with the start of the New Year whichcreated a situation that found the unit for the first time in its historydoing work comparable to that of an evacuation hospital. Which includingrunning a rather large out-patient service, giving consultations, performinglaboratory work for nearby units and in general rendering a more diversifiedmedical service. However the primary mission as always was to give surgicalsupport to combat divisions. During the month of January through Aprilthe hospital supported the 7th Division, 2nd, 3rd, and 25th and some elementsof the II ROKA Corps who commenced to move in the area to the north. Theunit participated in one campaign during this period, the second Koreanwinter, 28 November 1951 to 30 April 52 inclusive. In January of 1952,1,178 patients were processed with only 323 battle casualties. In February1952, 1,132 patients were processed with 208 of them as battle casualties.In March, 986 patients were admitted and 239 of them were battle casualties.In April 963 patients were processed with 223 of those as battle casualties.
With the passing of winter and acomparative quiet front. A general improvement program was ordered by Lt.Col. Maurice R. Connolly that actually started in July 1952. For the firstsustained period in the history of the unit personal conveniences and materialcomforts become of paramount importance. Prior to this everyone was toooccupied in work, keeping warm and moving to be very concerned about theadequacy of latrines and quarters, the suitability of the EM and Officersclubs etc. In conjunction with the improvement program a training programwas also put into effect for the first time in the history of the unit.Even paper work, reports and red tape in general commenced to increaseto an extent that at times even the expression "police action" seemed likea vague term as applied to the general situation where the 8076th was concerned.Rotation continued to have its effect as reflected in the decrease of EMstrength of 223 in December to 194 in Apri1. The Officers and Nurse strengthremained constant the majority of the time.
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During May and June American Divisionsto the north were shifted ta other sections of the front and replaced entirewith divisions of the II ROKA Corps which included the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th,9th and Capital ROKA divisions. Other than receiving patients from Americandivisions in reserve and as a result of vehicle accidents most admissionswere ROKA soldiers. In May 762 patients were admitted with 246 of thembattle casualties. In June there were 846 with 229 as battle casualties.In July there were 642 patients with 149 battle casualties.
The summer was highlighted by a formalpresentation, complete with band and formation on the 30 July 1952, fromGeneral Paik Nam Kwon Commanding General of the II ROKA Corps commendingthe organization for its support of ROKA divisions.
August l952 was an uneventful monthwith a total admission of only 432 of which 214 were battle casualties.Such factors as R & R quotas, trips to Seoul, picnics and social activitiesgradually became of more importance, although dirt and generally undesirableliving conditions were a constant problem.
Improvements of the area were expeditedwith the advent of winter which included new tentage and floors for thehospital proper and pre--fab wall lining. The EM mess tent was replaced,a complete new holding ward was framed and setup, the Officers and Nursesquarters were completely replaced, and EM quarters were replaced as required.Pre--fab structures replaced supply housing, Officers and EM club, theaterand chapel, shower unit and motor pool. The PX, barber shop and post officewere put into one tent with new floor, counters and shelves.
August and September found many olderpersonnel leaving. By 15 September the enlisted strength had decreasedto 129 and new personnel were commencing to arrive weekly. The trainingprogram was stepped to counteract this in the form of on the job training,classroom instruction and field training.
September found admissions only 362with 221 of these battle casualties. October admissions went to 486 with284 battle casualties. In November only 322 patients were admitted of which189 were battle casualties. December ended 1952 with 278 admissions ofwhich 108 wore battle casualties.
On the 4th of November Lt. Col. MauriceR. Connolly was evacuated with hemorrhagic fever to the ZI and CaptainCharles E. Hannan assumed Command. Major Irvine O. Jordan was transferredfrom the 121st Evacuation Hospital on the 9th of November and assumed commandon that date. Major Harry Grossman was
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transferred from the 8063rd MASHon the 2nd December and relieved Major Jordon of command on that date.
On the 2nd of December the 8193rdAU, Helicopter Detachment was reorganized as the 50th Medical Detachment,Helicopter Ambulance with an authorized strength of 7 Officers and 21 EM.This change attached them to the hospital for administration and logisticalsupport. Their strength to date was only 4 Officers and 4 EM.
The year 1953 commenced in an uneventfulmanner. For the month of January, 155 patients were admitted to the hospital,42 of them battle casualties. Rotation continued to make constant changesin personnel. The enlisted strength continued to drop to the extent thatfor the first two months of the year it averaged 115 men. Major Harry Grossmanwas evacuated medically on the 29th of January and Captain Charles Hannanassumed Command on that date.
On 7 February 1953 Lt. Col. CharlesF. Hollingsworth was assigned and assumed command. On 1 February the 8076thMASH AU was redesignated to the 45th MASHosp per General Order No. 69 Hdq.(EUSAK) dtd 10 Jan 1953 to operate under TO&E 8-571, which authorizes16 male officers including 3 administrative officers, 12 female officersand 93 enlisted men. The redesignation entailed a considerable amount ofadministrative work which was effected completely by 20 February. On 24February practice moves by all hospital sections were made a part of theregular training program. The results were most gratifying in that duringthe week ending 28 February the hospital proper had moves by sections andthe longest time taken by any one department was an hour and fifteen minutesto completely load, unload and set up to receive patients. As a resultof this it was estimated that in spite of the long stagnant period experienced,the hospital proper could set up and receive patients in five hours.
March 1953
The 45th Surgical Hospital was operationalfor the entire month of March. Our mission was to provide medical supportfor the divisions of the II ROK Corps. In addition, hospitalization andout-patient treatment was given to American divisions in reserve.
Evacuation of patients and casualtieswas effected by units of the 584th Medical Ambulance Company and the 50thMedical Detachment, Helicopter Group.
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APRIL 1953
On April 3, 1953 the hospital madeits first move in several months from Hwachon to Munsan-Ni for the purposeof participating in Operation Little Switch, the first prisoner exchange.The function of the hospital was to receive and give first medical attentionto the returned sick and wounded United Nations prisoners of war. By afternoonof April 4, 1953 the hospital was set up and ready to receive patients.
In an effort to provide a maximumof comfort for the patients, metal folding type beds with mattresses wereused and were made up with new linen and two new blankets. On eachbedside stand were a set of new pajamas, a bathrobe, towel, and slippers.The patients were able to get a meal, a coke, coffee, malted milks, frappes,and cigarettes.
Since there were no cases requiringsurgery among the 213 returned prisoners, the average time spent in thehospital was relatively short. . . . . only forty minutes.
The medical operations for the restof the month consisted of sick call for our own and adjacent units.
MAY 1953
After Operation Little Switch wascarried out, the physical plan of the hospital had to be altered in orderto carry out the needs of and efficient Surgical Hospital. The casewith which the succeeding great number of casualties was handled provedthe change to be adequate and practical. Many of the casualties were TurkishArmed Forces Personnel and there was some difficulty overcoming the languagebarrier.
JUNE 1953
The hospital continued operationsat Munsan-Ni until June 21, 1953 when it moved to a new area at P'Aiu-Ri,Korea. At no time during the move was the hospital non-operational. Casualtiesfor the period from American Divisions, the Turkish Army Brigade, and otherUnited Nations troops.
JULY 1953
During the initial days of the monthmuch time was spent in adding conveniences and luxuries to the area. Ashower unit and laundry were set up. The EM club and Red Cross tent providedrecreational facilities during off-duty hours.
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On July 9, 1953 we were alerted tomove and on July 10 the move was effected. The hospital was operationalnear Toknon-Ni, North Korea from July 10, 1953 thru July 27 supporting7th Infantry Division troops during the pushes against Pork Chop Hill.On July 24 this unit received a letter of commendation (dated 18 July 1953)from Major General Arthur G. Trudeau, Commanding general of the 7th InfantryDivision, for its outstanding medical support.
At Toknon-Ni we were rather crampedfor space, therefore few conveniences or recreational facilities were available.Morale remained high, however, due primarily to the excellent food preparedby our new mess sergeant, Sergeant Loving.
With the signing of the truce onJuly 27, 1953, we were ordered to move back to our former location at P'Aiu-Rito ready ourselves for our part in the long awaited Operation Big Switch.
