HHC 326TH MEDICAL

• Origins in World War II: The 326th Medical Battalion was originally constituted in 1942 and assigned to support the 101st Airborne Division, providing critical medical care during some of the most intense fighting of the war. • D-Day and Operation Overlord: Elements of the 326th Medical Battalion landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, and set up aid stations under fire, saving countless airborne paratroopers during the initial invasion. • Heroics at Bastogne: During the Battle of the Bulge, the 326th Medical supported the besieged 101st at Bastogne, operating under constant artillery and small arms fire, often improvising with limited supplies. • Vietnam War Service: The unit was reactivated and deployed to Vietnam, providing forward medical support and pioneering the use of MEDEVAC helicopters for rapid casualty evacuation under fire. • Desert Storm Deployment: The 326th Medical Battalion deployed with the 101st Airborne during Operation Desert Storm, setting up mobile field hospitals and treating hundreds of allied and enemy casualties. • HHC Role: The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) of the 326th Medical has coordinated logistics, command, and control for the battalion, ensuring seamless medical operations in combat and garrison environments. • Post-9/11 Operations: Elements of the 326th Medical have supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing advanced trauma care to soldiers and civilians in austere conditions. • Decorations and Honors: The unit has received numerous commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations and Meritorious Unit Commendations, for extraordinary heroism in action. • Innovations in Battlefield Medicine: The 326th has been instrumental in advancing combat medical practices, including triage systems and forward surgical teams, influencing Army medical doctrine. • Legacy of Care: The motto, “Courage to Care,” encapsulates the unit’s enduring mission—delivering lifesaving care under the most dangerous and challenging conditions throughout its storied history.