August 19 through November 7, 2000
Carl <CMead916@aol.com>
My last name while in Vietnam was: Mead
Wenatchee, Wa USA
I was at the 24th Evac from: Ward 5 & 6
Association: Neurosurgeon
Getting ready to retire soon . It's been a long time since the 24th evac.
Tue Nov 7 21:09:50 2000
I AM LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING FRIEND'S LARRY CHIARA
HE WAS A SURGICAL TECH FROM NEW YORK CITY. I AM
ALSO LOOKING FOR LT LOUISE V. DOHERTY SURGICAL NURSE
HOME OF RECORD CHARRY HILL NC ALSO LOOKING FOR MAJOR
PAT KUHN CHIEF NURSE OF SURGERY. ALSO MAJOR PAT MC INTYRE
I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY FOR ANY INFORMATION THANKYOU.
Sun Nov 5 22:28:26 2000
See my article under "History," for the year 1972.
Welcome home. May God bless you all.
PS: Does anyone know the whereabouts of Dr. Marcial Favila?
Wed Nov 1 14:18:02 2000
I am writing this on Halloween.
It was the same day I left home for Vietnam
and it was the same day 12 years ago I entered a group
at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis Minnesota to figure out
what the hell happened during my time at the 24th Evac.
Anyway as I was reading the guest book entries, I recalled
The names of Lyndsey Stone ans Col Cochrane and I do remember
the twin nurses. We worked on the same ward but I don't remember
their names. Capt Penny Kettlewell would likely know their names
she was our head nurse. I met her at the VA a few years back, but
haven't been in contact since. Also met another head nurse
from Neuroward but now I can't remember her name. Hell, I can't
even remember my name half the time it seems. I could say
a number of things about my time at the 24th but maybe some other time.
I'll just sign off by saying Damn Vietnam.
Tue Oct 31 17:34:25 2000
Would like to hear from anyone that was a nurse or Doctor at that time. the
Doctor took alot of personal photos of me. I was in pretty bad shape. Wish I
could fine him and he would share his photos with me. I was with B Co. 4th &
39th 9th INF. Div. I arrived at 24th Evac around noon by chopper on Aug. 5th
1967 with 16 gun shot wounds. thank's for any reply
Sun Oct 22 2:12:03 2000
Looking for Robert Muller for my dad. Thank-you for your help.
Tue Oct 17 22:25:23 2000
Thank you for being there. Couldn't fly fast enough to get everyone back
safe. Have pictures of Cambodian Invasion. May 1,70 Was at FSB Ellingsworth and
FSB Atkinson when they were overrun April 70. Flew all night. Started out as
Flare bird then Medi-vac. Been through the VA system, since 1995. Flew with Paul
Moran and John Pohlman.
Sun Oct 15 23:39:22 2000
Was Xo at 12th Evac, just checking out your page. Good to see folks still
talking to each other about their time in Nam.
12th Evac reunion in San Antonio Nov. 10-12.
I am on Dustys Page which is 12th related. please check out that site also.
If you know anyone from 12th please have them write rharder3@hotmail.com
thanks
Thu Oct 12 20:31:22 2000
I was re-assigend from 5th Field Hospital In Bangkok Thailand, My previous
assignments were 31st Field Hospital Camp Friendship (Korat Thailand), 498th
Medical Company (Air Ambulance)(DUSTOFF) from June 1965-Oct 67. Prior to these
dates, I had served with the
3rd Field Hospital (621210-630326,Ft Benning GA. 95th Evac Hosp(630326-640203),
the 3rd Fld Hosp was de-activated and the 95th Was Formed. 1st Eugene Church and
SGM Galavotti were the Senior Sergeants.640203-650629 I was transferred to the
45th Surgical Hospital,
Fort Sam Houston Texas and on 650629 I was assigned to the the 498th Medical
Company(Air Ambulance). The Unit was activated at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Thu Oct 12 8:56:14 2000
Was at 93 Evac. waiting on the 24th to open for business. Assigned to Post-Op
#3
Head Nurse-Major Joey Young
Lived in Ns. Quarters #4 (next to the guard station) with Rick and Sherri, Susan
Dunn, Ginny, Greta, Peggy, Pat and Red Cross, Jana and Karen. Don Patrick used
to come over and raid the American bread to go with his peanut butter. Remember
the little boy we adopted for a few months and the dog. Who can forget the
climbing and the painting of the water tower by "Bentley". The red
tape cutting was on the 4th. Our first patient arrived on Jan. 7th. It was a 39
year old Sgt. with a MI,no injuries. They all came a few days later after the
Big Red One landed. Look forward to hearing from all of you.
Wed Oct 11 0:03:00 2000
I was with the 2nd. of the 5th. 1st. Cavalry Unit
I was hit by an incoming mortar round the night of July 21st. (My first night in
the field - off LZ Ike). I was
evacuated out to the 24th. Evac. Hospital.
A "THANK YOU" to those who were there for saving my life.
Mon Oct 9 8:20:10 2000
I was brought to the 24th Evac with gunshot wounds just before noon on
February 1,1968.Following surgery I awoke in a body cast. Because of the effects
of pain medications, the events of the next few days have never been clear. Is it
possible that the area around the hospital was under attack and ambulatory
patients went to bunkers and mattresses were brought in to cover those not able
to leave their beds if necessary? I seem to remember that things were at a state
of alert but I was never quite sure what was going on. After several days I was
medevaced to Japan and then to the States. I would like to hear from anyone who
remembers that time and cares to share their recollections.
Fri Oct 6 21:40:41 2000
IT HAS BEEN SO LONG,HAVE LOOKED FOR A SITE LIKE THIS ONE,SO STRANGE TO SEE A
PHOTO OF THE PLACE.
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE GREAT PEOPLE THAT GAVE SO MUCH TO SO MANY.
CAN'T REMEMBER MANY NAMES I KNOW THEY HAD A YEAR BOOK ONE YEAR I WAS THERE DON'T
HAVE ONE WOULD LOVE TO SEE ONE,FIND OUT HOW TO GET ONE.
IF ANY ONE KNOWS HOW I WOULD DO THIS.LET ME KNOW THANKS,,,,
MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL SAFE AND WELLCOME HOME!!!!!!
Wed Oct 4 23:52:17 2000
Transfered to 3rd Field Hosp. in Saigon in June of '72. Last known 35G
(Medical Maintenance) man in country.
Saw our Med. Maintenance building at 3Rd Field, on TV as Saigon fell. When the
C-5 full of Vietnamese kids crashed,
they used the Med. Maint. building as a triage area.
Wed Oct 4 16:10:35 2000
Was in the hospital at blackhorse and transfered to 24th Evac
diagnosis unknown disease. Possibly maleria. Was there for at least
a month. Also had a bad rash on legs. Thanks for all your help in treating me.
Mon Oct 2 23:00:21 2000
I landed in Vietnam on the night the Long Binh ammo dump was exploding. It
looked like a bonfire from the sky. I soon found out it was like the 4th of July
multiplied by 5a large bonfire. We sat on buses for hours at the airport and
waited for them to"clear the area" since there was VC activity. After
laughing and joking for about an hour to pass the time, reality suddenly struck
and I started to cry. I suddenly realized this war was real and I was scared.
After that we were up all night going through the 90th replacement battalion
"signing in" so to speak. Also, the replacement battalion was directly
next to the ammo dump and it was very noisy. They bused us to Saigon (still
without sleep) to meet the chief nurse and she wasn't there so we finally got to
go back and sleep. Several times during the next night guards came to our
barracks to tell us we were on alert and we had to get under the beds. Needless
to say it was quite an introduction and we got little sleep. At the 90th, I met
Greta Hawkin who was later to be my head nurse on the Neurosurgical ward at the
24th evac. We also met some Special Forces guys who took us to a firing range
and I got to practice but also lost my hearing temporarily. During my first few
months at the 24th things were significantly quieter However, it would have
helped if I could have heard the introductory things told to us. For the first
two to three months I worked on general medical and VC ward (not everone's
favorite place to work)and then I transferred to Neuro and remained there for
the rest of the time. I have lots of picutes, etc, but need time to search out
the best ones to send in. I "extended" in VietNam-partly because I got
Hepatitis A while there and was air evac'd to Japan as a patient and didn't feel
like I had really served my full time. It was interesting being the
"patient" and being with the lucky ( if they could be called lucky
since they were wounded) guys who made it back to the States alive. I could go
on and on but won't. I am a Nurse Practitioner working with patients in skilled
nursing facilities. I love it but the job market is tough right now in
California. Several years ago you couldn't get a physician into a skilled
nursing facility and now its one of the few private pay ( Medicare) sectors
available so everyone is vying for patients. For me it was more of a calling
because I loved older people. Anyway, I live in Westminster, California-
interesting that it also contains "little Saigon". So Viet Nam is
still close to me. You are all in my heart and prayers. I remember with fondness
the staff, patients and people I met at the 24th. God Bless You All. Susan.
Sun Sep 24 16:53:23 2000
I remain a nurse to the present day. What we saw and did
at the 24th evac. allowed me to find out who the hell I was.
It made me a damn good and aggressive nurse but revealed a
vulnerability (drugs) that I still battle today. I worked
the E.R. and learned from the ground up. My first day on the
job I along with 2 "seasoned" nurses managed to pull out a
chest tube transfering the patient to a bed. It was the first...but not the last
time that Col. Barcia came down on my head. As someone said (Churchill) "It
was the best of times and the
worst of times." Of all the sights, horrors, and frustrations, the only
horrible thing I take away form
there is holding a "newly dead" kid in my arms and having
the obscene knowledge that many thousands of miles away his
mom and dad are oblivious to my terrible secret.
There is so much to say, but another time perhaps.
Sun Sep 24 0:01:56 2000
Was with first Aussie troops in country- 65-66.Our Unit was attached to
173rd.Airborne Bde.at Bien Hoa. Got home unscathed. Wandered into your site and
enjoyed what I read.Have always had great admiration for the in-country medical
staff. " the unsung heros"
Wed Sep 20 7:20:39 2000
Also known as the "Unnamed Child"
Would anyone who came across Roz Rossini please contact me.
She would be thrilled to know that some of you are still
about.I believe that she referred to certain people as "Little
ducklings" and was often accompanied by a dog called "Judy".
Thanks for any help you can give.
Please contact: Eddie Southcote-Want at esouth@netscape.net
Fri Sep 15 9:56:40 2000
Am retiring now. Moving to the coast soon.Became a "lifer" and
retired as Chf of Surgery @ Eisenhower in '85. Private practice since. Nam was
both the high point and the low point of my life. We did a whole lot of good
while we were there... It's a shame we had to! God bless us all.
Fri Sep 15 9:29:55 2000
Will never forget the Tet Offensive. Remember Wm O Kirk who
I see every so often. Someone stole all my photos and memorabilia
so I have a hard time remembering all the names and faces but
will never forget the experience. Great bunch of people and
the site is most welcome. Drop a line if you remember me.
Anyone remember Katy Coombs or know her whereabouts now?
Sun Sep 10 21:57:53 2000
I was a medic with the 45th Surgical Hospital up in Tay Ninh from June, 1969
till we closed in July, 1970. During that time, we used to refer all of our
neuro injuries to the 24th Evac. Thanks for all of the support you gave us. The
45th does not have a homepage or an organization like the 24th and the 93rd Evac
hospitals. Another member of the 45th, Rocky Burns and I would like to organize
to first reunion of the 45th Surg over Veterans Day weekend in Washington, DC in
2001. If any members of the 93rd were former members of the 45th or know people
who served with the 45th in Vietnam, please contact me or Rocky at rockytop80@earthlink.com
Thanks and welcome home!
Fri Sep 8 9:20:43 2000
I was in the last 30 days of my tour when I was wounded. I was evac'ed to the
24th Evac Hospital the day after the contact due to a pretty severe infection in
the wound site, my right foot. The experience at the 24th Evac stands as the
most moving and powerful of all my War experiences. The was a nurse with whom I
became friends, at first because we were both from Utah, (very unusual due to
Utah's low population at the time) then because we shared a very emotional
experience together. I woke one night to her and several of the staff
frantically working on a new patient, a black soldier that was in very bad
shape. I was pretty drugged from my own meds, and soon fell back to sleep. I
awoke later to a quiet ward, couldn't sleep, so I went down to the nurses
station. She was there crying by herself, at first she was embarrassed, then she
broke down and talked ow wastful this whole thing was, kids dying, and hurt. I
finally got it out of her that the young man was in a bunker that had taken a
direct arty round, our own artillary, shooting above the burm of the firebase.
Stupid mistake. I held her for a little while while she cried. Then we never
spoke of it again. It has been 29 years now and I have never forgotten her. When
I first came home I just wanted to drop out of everything and die. 13 years
later when I sobered up I could not remember her name, and still don't. She was
very tall, 5'10" or so, nice looking. Little quiet and shy. If anyone
remembers this lady let me know.
Norm McDonald
Infantry 2/8 1ST AIR CAV, 1970-71
Sun Sep 3 8:24:35 2000
WHAT A GREAT WEB SITE THANKS.. 24TH EVAC WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF MY HEART
AND SOUL FOREVER.. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE DOCS AND NURSES THAT WAS THERE ..
THERE WAS NONE NO BETTER THAN THEM. IF ANY DOCS AND NURSES THAT WAS STATION
THERE DURING THIS TIME PLEASE E-MAIL.. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO BRING THE PAST TO
THE FUTURE.. GOD BLESS U ALL AND MAY 24TH EVAC STAND FOREVER.. HEY, LARRY IF U
READ THIS GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.. ROOMATES FOREVER( LARRY, GEORGE, AND JOE)
Wed Aug 30 22:16:22 2000
I worked 3 months on medicine and then 9 months on three connected post-op
surgery wards..I am trying to locate Nancy Roberts, Betty Moye, Ron Ericson, Liz
Wilson who were there during my tour.
Mon Aug 28 10:58:06 2000
A powerful experience. I had the opportunity to meet and work with some of
the finest people I have ever met while there. I particularly enjoyed bringing
nurses to local orphanages as part of the unit's civic action program.
Sun Aug 27 12:51:45 2000
You're all great. ONE (SOME OF YOU) SAVED MY LIFE. THANK YOU!
Sat Aug 19 10:05:58 2000