339th Combat Support Hospital

• 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.