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DODGE 4X4 AMBULANCE AWAITS  CUSTOMERS

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The 503d would spend nine months in Gordonvale, and practice jumps were a necessity to keep skill and proficiency - and to maintain the currency of parachute pay. Practice jumps were made into unimproved fallow sugar cane fields, and broken ankles would become the bane of an orthopedic surgeon posted at the local station hospital - Dr. Charles Bradford,  enjoying the paratrooper camaraderie, would transfer into the Paratroopers, and despite being a big man, never broke any bones. He became an invaluable, and saved the lives of many friends.
 

"One sad incident occurred when paratroopers whose jump field was at Green Hill, were awaiting the arrival of General MacArthur. [on 25 June 1943] The General was late and the planes had circled and re-circled for about two hours. When the jump eventually did begin one parachute failed to open and the paratrooper lost his life on the fields of Green Hill." (H. Clive Morton)
 

 

Images courtesy of Chet Nycum, "G" Co., 503d PRCT - � 2008 -  503d PRCT Heritage Bn