ABOUT USNaval Hospital Taipei ,Taiwan
- Cold War Outpost: US Naval Hospital Taipei was established in the mid-1950s during the Cold War to support American military personnel stationed in Taiwan, reflecting the island’s strategic importance in East Asia.
- Location and Facilities: The hospital was located in the Yangmingshan (formerly Grass Mountain) area near Taipei, utilizing a former Japanese Army hospital complex built during the colonial period.
- Support for the Vietnam War: During the Vietnam War, the hospital served as a critical stopover and treatment facility for wounded US military personnel being evacuated from Southeast Asia.
- Multi-Service Role: Though primarily a Navy facility, the hospital also treated Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel, as well as their dependents, and sometimes even local civilians.
- Dependents’ Care: The hospital provided maternity, pediatric, and general medical care to American military families, making it a vital part of the US expatriate community in Taiwan.
- Medical Evacuations: The hospital played a key role in medical evacuations, with helicopters and ambulances frequently moving patients between Taiwan, Okinawa, the Philippines, and the US mainland.
- Closure and Legacy: The hospital was closed in 1979 when the US switched diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China, ending the official US military presence on the island.
- Impact on Local Medicine: Some Taiwanese doctors and nurses received training or experience at the hospital, influencing local medical practices and standards.
- Remnants and Memorials: Some buildings from the hospital complex still stand today in Yangmingshan, with occasional reunions and visits by US veterans and their families.
- Personal Stories: Many American children were born at the hospital, and it is fondly remembered by veterans and their families, who often share stories about life in Taipei and the hospital’s role in their lives.