Table Of Content

MEDICAL SERVICE IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN ENDOFABUSYDAY UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II The Technical Services THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT: MEDICAL SERVICE IN THE WAR AGAINST JAPAN by Mary Ellen Condon-Rall and Albert E. Cowdrey CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY UNITED STATES ARMY WASHINGTON, D.C., 1998 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Condon-Rall, Mary Ellen, 1938– The Medical Department : medical service in the war against Japan / by Mary Ellen Condon-Rall and Albert E. Cowdrey. p. cm. — (United States Army in World War II. The technical services) (CMH pub ; 10–24) Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. World War, 1939–1945—Medical care—United States. 2. Medicine, Military—United States—History—20th century. 3. United States. Army—Medical care. I. Cowdrey, Albert E. II. Title. III. Series. IV. Series: United States Army in World War II. Technical services. D807.U6C567 1998 940.54‘7573—dc21 98–22644 CIP First Printing—CMH Pub 10–24 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II Advisory Committee (As of September 1997) Joseph T. Glatthaar Col. Everett L. Roper, Jr. University of Houston (Chairman) U.S. Army War College Carlo W. D’Este Brig. Gen. Fletcher M. Lamkin, Jr. New Seabury, Mass. U.S. Military Academy Lt. Gen. Frederick E. Vollrath Raymond A. Callahan Archivist of the Army University of Delaware Mark A. Stolar Gerhard L. Weinberg University of Vermont University of North Carolina Maj. Gen. James J. Cravens, Jr. Brig. Gen. Joseph R. Inge U.S. Army Training and Doctrine U.S. Army Command and General Command Staff College Carol A. Reardon George C. Herring, Jr. Pennsylvania State University University of Kentucky Michael J. Kurtz National Archives and Records Administration U.S. Army Center of Military History Brig. Gen. John W. Mountcastle, Chief of Military History Chief Historian Jeffrey J. Clarke Chief, Histories Division Col. Clyde L. Jonas Editor in Chief John W. Elsberg v . . . To Those Who Served Foreword The Medical Department: Medical Service in the War Against Japanis the third and concluding volume on the overseas activities of the U.S. Army Medical Department during World War II. In the Asian-Pacific theaters of operations Army medical personnel supported troops in a variety of remote disease-rid- den environments, burdened by vast distances, diverse climates, and almost insoluble logistical problems. This study recounts how the Army’s senior medical officers pooled their talents with the scientific knowledge of the day to overcome these obstacles and, in the process, realized significant advances in military medicine. In the course of the long, grueling war against Japan these dedicated professionals developed new drugs and tech- niques for preventing and controlling disease, fielded hospitals and units uniquely equipped to support jungle and island fighting, and perfected amphibious medical support. The story of these developments, as well as of the planning and organiz- ing of theater medical services, provides practical lessons for military stu- dents and military leaders of all ranks. I urge you to read this history for its illuminating examples of the finest in combat medical support and organi- zation, principles that remain vital to our military today. Washington, D.C. JOHN W. MOUNTCASTLE 1 June 1997 Brigadier General, USA Chief of Military History ix