16th MASH

The 16th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (16th MASH) was a United States Army medical unit activated during the Korean War to provide rapid, front-line surgical care to wounded soldiers. Established in 1950, the 16th MASH was among the first units to utilize mobile surgical techniques, significantly improving survival rates by bringing advanced medical treatment closer to the battlefield. The unit operated in various locations throughout Korea, moving as the front lines shifted, and played a crucial role in treating thousands of casualties. After the war, the 16th MASH’s pioneering work influenced the development of modern military medical practices and later evolved into Combat Support Hospitals (CSHs).