565th MED CO

• Vietnam War Service: The 565th Medical Company (Ambulance) was activated and served in Vietnam, providing vital evacuation and medical support during intense combat operations. • Activated in the 1960s: The unit was constituted on 23 March 1966 and activated later that year at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in response to increasing medical demands of the Vietnam conflict. • Nickname – “Road Runners”: The 565th MED CO earned the nickname “Road Runners” for their exceptional speed and reliability in medical evacuations under hazardous conditions. • Innovative Ambulance Operations: The company pioneered new ambulance evacuation techniques, often operating under fire to rescue wounded soldiers from frontline positions. • Decorated for Valor: The 565th and its personnel received several commendations, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation, for their heroism and dedication. • Support to Civilian Populations: Beyond battlefield duties, the unit provided medical support to local Vietnamese civilians, fostering goodwill during the war. • Post-Vietnam Assignments: After Vietnam, the unit returned to the United States and was stationed at various posts, including Fort Polk, Louisiana, supporting training exercises and domestic emergencies. • Cold War Readiness: During the Cold War, the 565th was integral to rapid deployment medical support, participating in large-scale NATO exercises and contingency operations. • Operation Desert Storm: Elements of the 565th Medical Company were mobilized during the Gulf War to provide medical evacuation and support for coalition forces in Southwest Asia. • Legacy and Deactivation: The 565th MED CO was eventually inactivated as part of Army restructuring, but its legacy of innovation and valor in battlefield medicine remains recognized in military history.