About this Unit
The 339th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) is a U.S. Army Reserve medical unit with a distinguished history dating back to its activation in 1942. Originally constituted as the 339th Station Hospital during World War II, the unit provided vital medical support to American and allied forces in the European Theater. Over the decades, the 339th has been reorganized and redesignated, most recently as a Combat Support Hospital, enhancing its capability to deliver comprehensive medical care in deployed environments. The 339th CSH has supported various operations, including contingencies in Southwest Asia, exemplifying its ongoing commitment to saving lives and supporting combat readiness.
Historical Facts
• Origins in WWII: The 339th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) traces its roots back to World War II, when it was first constituted as the 339th Station Hospital in 1943.
• World War II Service: During WWII, the 339th was activated in England and provided critical medical care to Allied soldiers, supporting combat operations in the European Theater.
• Post-War Inactivation: The unit was inactivated after the end of World War II in 1945, as part of the general drawdown of U.S. Army forces.
• Cold War Reactivation: The 339th was reactivated in 1948 in the Army Reserve, reflecting the U.S. military's need for readiness during the Cold War era.
• Desert Storm Deployment: The 339th CSH was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing medical support to coalition forces in the Gulf War.
• Transformation to Combat Support Hospital: The unit was redesignated as a Combat Support Hospital in the late 20th century, reflecting a change in the Army's medical support doctrine to provide more mobile and flexible hospital capabilities.
• Humanitarian Operations: Members of the 339th CSH have participated in various humanitarian missions, including disaster relief operations and medical outreach in the United States and abroad.
• Operation Iraqi Freedom: The 339th was mobilized and deployed to Iraq in the early 2000s, where it provided essential medical care to U.S. and coalition soldiers, as well as local civilians.
• Reserve Component: The 339th CSH is a U.S. Army Reserve unit, primarily composed of citizen-soldiers who balance military service with civilian careers, often in healthcare professions.
• Distinctive Unit Insignia: The unit’s insignia features a maroon cross and a gold laurel wreath, symbolizing medical service and achievement, and is worn proudly by its members.
