About this Unit
The 996th Medical Company is a U.S. Army Reserve unit with a distinguished history of providing medical support to military operations. Activated in the late 20th century, the unit has participated in both stateside missions and overseas deployments, including support during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The 996th Medical has been tasked with delivering essential medical care, evacuation, and support services to soldiers and civilians in austere environments. Known for its professionalism and adaptability, the unit continues to play a vital role in sustaining the health and readiness of U.S. forces.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: The 996th Medical unit was originally constituted during World War II, providing critical medical support to frontline troops in the European Theater.
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Unit Nickname: The 996th Medical has been known as the “Angels in Action” due to their rapid response and life-saving interventions during combat operations.
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Korean War Service: The unit was activated for the Korean War, where they established mobile field hospitals and treated thousands of wounded soldiers under challenging conditions.
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Innovations in Medical Evacuation: The 996th Medical played a key role in pioneering helicopter medevac procedures, which greatly improved survival rates for injured personnel.
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Humanitarian Missions: Besides combat operations, the 996th has been deployed on numerous humanitarian missions, providing disaster relief in places such as Haiti and the Philippines.
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Modern Deployments: Members of the 996th Medical have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, adapting their skills to modern combat and trauma care.
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Award-Winning Service: The unit has received multiple commendations, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation for outstanding medical support during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Joint Training Exercises: The 996th regularly trains with allied forces, enhancing interoperability and sharing best practices in battlefield medicine.
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Reserve Component: The 996th Medical is a U.S. Army Reserve unit, demonstrating the critical role that reservists play in supporting both military and civilian operations worldwide.
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Legacy of Service: Many former members of the 996th Medical have gone on to distinguished careers in civilian healthcare, bringing their battlefield experience to hospitals and emergency response teams across the nation.
