Dennis O'Brien, reporting for the The Virginian-Pilot on Corpsmen can mean life or death for Marines:
As the Marines of Amphibious Task Force East went ashore this week, each platoon took one member of the Navy family — one very important member.
The Marines do not have medics. In combat, they rely on corpsmen, which are a Navy commodity. Trained to patch up battle wounds and prepare the injured for travel to hospitals in the rear, the corpsmen can mean the difference between life and death.
As a Marine, I depended on Corpsmen to deal with everything from routine immunizations, allergy shots and the flu to a second degree sunburn from too much time spent at Onslow Beach. It's a thankless job, but they do it well. I'm equally proud to list some Corpsmen as friends. Thanks to all the men and women in the Navy Corpsmen field for putting up with us jarheads. I sincerely hope that your loads will be light in the unnecessary coming conflict.
I am doing research for a fictional book I am writing, can you please give me any info on Med Evac. Are they USMC pilots and helicopters? What kind of helicopters are used in todays wars for Med Evac of USMC soldiers in the field? What is the helicopter crew of a Med Evac? Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Philip L. Roncarati
7/26/2003 5:03:00 AM
James: Just surfing, and I deeply appreciate your sentiments about us “long haired Marines”. I have been retired from the Navy for 25 years, but some of my fondest memories are of taking care of our “Devil Dogs.” Take care and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Mike
12/19/2003 9:41:00