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ABOUT 18th Surgical Hospital
- World War II Origins: The 18th Surgical Hospital was first activated on 25 July 1942 at Camp Barkeley, Texas, and served as a mobile hospital during World War II.
- European Theater Deployment: The hospital was deployed to the European Theater, supporting Allied operations in France and Germany during the war.
- Korean War Reactivation: The unit was reactivated for service during the Korean War, providing essential surgical support close to the front lines.
- Vietnam Service: The 18th Surgical Hospital was deployed to Vietnam in 1966, initially establishing its facilities in Pleiku before moving to Quang Tri in 1968.
- Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH): While not officially called a MASH, the 18th Surgical Hospital operated in a similar capacity, providing rapid trauma care and surgery near combat zones.
- First Use of “DEPMEDS” in Combat: The 18th Surgical Hospital was the first to use Deployable Medical Systems (DEPMEDS)—modular, inflatable hospital facilities—during combat in Vietnam.
- High Casualty Throughput: During the Vietnam War, the 18th Surgical Hospital treated thousands of wounded U.S. and allied soldiers, as well as Vietnamese civilians and enemy combatants.
- Notable Personnel: The unit included Medal of Honor recipient Specialist Four Donald W. Evans Jr., who was posthumously awarded for heroic actions as a medic in 1967 while attached to the 18th Surgical Hospital.
- Legacy of Innovation: The experiences and innovations of the 18th Surgical Hospital contributed to the development of modern battlefield medicine and the evolution of forward surgical teams.
- Unit Deactivation: The 18th Surgical Hospital was inactivated in 1971 following the U.S. drawdown in Vietnam, but its legacy continues in military medical training and doctrine.