Pictured to the right is PFC Mel Libby and CPT MaryLou Knaebel (now Brown.)  It was a posed picture taken on Ward 5 for a news article.  The picture is worn and faded, and it included a message written on the back by Mel at the time he sent the photo to his family.  With permission:

"This was taken at the ward by some newspaper photographer.  The nurse is my head nurse (CPT Knaebel.)  The fellow is on a bed called a Stryker frame.  Its for guys with spinal chord damage.  The top piece is behind me & use that when we turn him over on his stomach.  This guy is on continuous oxygen.  The machine is behind the big one in the rear.  It pumps oxygen to the guy.  The big machine is a hypo-thermeal (sic).  Its got a rubber blanket that keeps the patient cool when he has a high temperature.  This fellow was pretty bad off.  He died a few days later.

The tube running (illegible words) of his face goes into his throat.  Called a trach  (illegible word).  A lot of patients I work with have these to help them breath better.  We (illegible words) as 8 of these type of patients (spinal chord) (illegible words) time."

Courtesy Mel Libby.
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Webmaster's note:  Notice the sign above the patient's bed indicating he was from the 101^st Airborne Division.  

SP5 Ken Bowen gets a "ten day drop" and DEROSs back home.  Shown from left to right: SSG Herb Towe, SP4 Bill Gorsuch, SP5 Ken Bowen, and an unknown person.  Squatting in front is SP4 Rick Pounds holding Christmas the dog.  Christmas was injured after Ken left Vietnam, but the nurses took good care of her and Christmas decided to bunk in with them. 

I was a second tour volunteer- got back incountry in June '68. Wanted to go to the 24th Evac but you know the Army. Went to the 575th Dispensary at Camp McDermott next to the Nha Trang Airbase. We were a satellite of 8th Field Hosp. I was there 5 months then volunteered to MACV Mobile Advisory Team. Went to Xion  (Webmaster note: Correct spelling Di An) (1st Div Basecamp) for one month Advisor's School and then assigned to Team sent to Quan Tin Province in I Corps. Province Hdqtrs. in Tam Ky. MAT-I-46 was five of us (CPT, LT and 3 NCO's). I was the Medic and we lived with and advised Regional Force and Popular Force soldiers. Spent 5 months in the boondocks, sharing AO with Americal Div. 4/31 Inf. in Hiep Duc Valley (Source: Ken Bowen)

Courtesy of Ken Bowen.
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CPT Kenneth Bopp, Nurse Anesthetist, was issued an Army Commendation Medal.  He received his ARCOM from COL Robert Leaver, Hospital Commander, in the Admin. Bldg. at the 24^th Evac, his unit of assignment from September 1967 through February 1968.  But Ken had been at 3^rd Surgical Hospital (MASH)  in before coming to the 24th.

The medal was awarded for my service at 3d Surg. I also was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received during the July mortar attack on 3d  Surg when they leveled the hospital. There were 17 or so injured that night.  (Source:  Ken Bopp)

The two nurses to Ken's left have been identified as Peggy Perri (next to Ken) and Linda Troeger.  
                                                                                       (Source: Ken Bowen)

See Ken Bopp's Picture Page.

If anyone knows the identity the nurse between COL Leaver and Ken Bopp in this ceremony, please contact the webmaster.

Courtesy of Ken Bopp.
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