Infantry Combat Medics in Europe, 1944 45
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Infantry Combat Medics in Europe, 1944 45 Tracy Shilcutt Associate Professor of History, Abilene Christian University
Tracy Shilcutt 2013 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2013 ISBN 978-1-137-34768-8 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6 10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The author has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2013 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Palgrave Macmillan in the UK is an imprint of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan in the US is a division of St Martin s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave and Macmillan are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries ISBN: 978 1 137 34769 5 PDF ISBN: 978 1 349 46746 4 doi: 10.1057/9781137347695 This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. Logging, pulping and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. www.palgrave.com/pivot
For all the combat medics. Thank you.
Contents Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations vii viii Introduction 1 1 Chalkboard Training 10 2 Baptism of Fire 29 3 Combat Reality 49 4 The Battalion Aid Station 63 5 Day-to-Day Health 82 6 Company Aid Men 104 Conclusion 119 Select Bibliography 125 Index 133 vi
Acknowledgments It is difficult to find words to express my gratitude to the many dedicated people who supported and assisted me in this project. To every veteran who responded to the questionnaires and corresponded with me I offer my sincere thanks. Words fail to convey the emotional upheaval inherent in a project such as this, and despite that reality these men shared with me their stories. Thanks to Dr. Mark T. Gilderhus for his faith in me and his untiring support of the project. Thanks also to Dr. John L. Robinson for his commentary and critical review of early drafts. Appreciation is also due to members of the faculty at Abilene Christian University, Dr. Fred Bailey, Dr. Vernon Williams, and Dr. Cole Bennett, and at Texas Christian University, Dr. Kenneth R. Stevens, Dr. Claire Sanders, and Dr. Steven Woodworth. Neel Price, M. D., Kyle Sheets, M. D. and Jim Morrison, M. D. corrected many misconceptions of emergency medical care. Special thanks to Brent Fisher, Jackie Beth Shilcutt, Megan H. Robinson, J. Chase Beakley, and Corey Self for close attention to detail in preparing the manuscript. I am grateful to Michael Doubler for his critique and insight. The staffs of the National Archives, and the Interlibrary Loan departments at Texas Christian University and Abilene Christian University deserve recognition for their guidance and diligence. A special note of thanks to David Keough of the U.S. Army Center of Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. This work would not have been possible without the support of Bryan Shilcutt, Jackie Beth Shilcutt, and Erin Shilcutt thank you. vii
List of Abbreviations AEF A&P ASF ASTP BAR BAS CI CIB CMB CP EC EMT ETO FAO FAS FM FUO HI MAC MAC-OCS MC MHI MRTC MTP NARA OCS RG American Expeditionary Force Ammunition & Pioneer Army Service Forces Army Specialized Training Program Browning automatic rifle battalion aid station Combat Interviews combat infantry badge combat medical badge command post Eisenhower Center Emergency Medical Tags European Theater of Operations Field Artillery Observer forward aid stations Field Manual Fever of Unknown Origin Hospital Interviews Medical Administrative Corps Medical Administrative Corps-Officer Candidate School Medical Corps Military History Institute Medical Replacement Training Center Mobilization Training Program National Archives and Records Administration Officer Candidate School Record Group viii
List of Abbreviations ix SBSA SIW TM UAR VD WIA School for Battalion Surgeon s Assistants self-inflicted wounds Technical Manual Unit Annual Report veneral disease Wounded in Action