U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 0000/8483

Medically the ship had a capable compliment of 55 Hospital Corpsmen, 2 Flight Surgeons, 1 Senior Medical Officer, and 1 Surgeon. Flight Deck Aid was covered by squadron Corpsmen. My duties included first aid lecturing in many areas of the ship to qualify the crew for duty in a combat zone. Additionally I was the Corpsman in my duty section for fire call.

Occasionally I worked in "Sick Call" but mostly spent time in the Operating Room, keeping it ready for emergencies and elective surgery that did not interfere with the emergency readiness of our medical department, or comprising the ship's mission. 

The team effort went far beyond the medical department. The Sailors in the Laundry Department cleaned and pressed all the laundry used in surgery. They even learned how to fold drapes and towels used in surgery. These were the unsung hero's during the cruise. The turn around for my linens was within a few hours. I delivered the linens and they delivered them back when they were done. If these fellows hadn't gone above and beyond to get these things laundered quickly there may have been shortcomings. But there wasn't. When emergencies occurred the Marine Compliment kept the passageways open to the Medical Department. These men were dedicated and devoted and did their duty above board, every time. 

When surgery was commenced there was a sounding that there will be silence near the Operating Room. I called the ship's bridge to inform The ship's Captain that surgery was going to begin. The ship was held steady without making sharp turns. If a sharp turn was necessary or any movement that may interrupt the Surgeon the bridge would call to let us know. When surgery was completed I would call the bridge to let them know that surgery was over and the ship would then turn. Turning 80,000 tons of this city afloat meant that flight operations would bend the rules if they had to. And they did. All 5,500 men aboard the ship knew surgery was being performed. They all deserve a thank you for their hopes and prayers during the cruise. 

We had casualties, and we had recoveries of both pilots and sailors who lost their lives on duty. Our Medical Department had to stay on line since the Hospital Ships USS Sanctuary and the USS Repose were pulled from the line and were decommissioned. During this time there were fewer Carriers on line.  

My operating room was in the ready for our escort ships which also included merchant marine ships in case they needed surgical assistance and all ships were too far from port. Unlike civilian Medicine the Ranger was far from port, had a mission and it would take too much time to get a patient air lifted from the ship to a shore facility. 

I did make plane requests and if the ship's mission was not compromised then a "Cod" would fly a patient off if within a time frame we could buy for the patient. Otherwise, we had to take care of the patient or patients on board. We did and we did it very well. 

I would call this a tremendous responsibility placed upon our group of young men who were well trained, well motivated and entirely dedicated to the health and welfare of every sailor on board. 

There is no need to give details, and as a Hospital Corpsman I am committed to refrain from graphic details.

It must be remembered that the most decorated rating in all the armed forces is Navy Hospital Corpsmen. Vietnam took many. Families still mourn their losses. Because of the time during this unpopular time in our History we can't forget the efforts. We did the best we could which was always better than best.