"MEDICAL SECTION, HISTORICAL REPORT"
_________________
Thomas H. Stevens MC
Regimental Surgeon

 

 

From our Document Collection  

 

 

This document may be incomplete as it does not contain names of troopers who were known injured on the jump, and were evacuated for medical treatment at first opportunity.

 

To see this document in its intended typeface

 

 

REGIMENTAL MEDICAL DETACHMENT
503d Parachute Infantry
Text Box: .

APO 73

7 March 1945

SUBJECT : Medical Section, Historical Report.

TO      : Commanding General, Sixth Army, APO 442.

1.      0700 hour 16 February 1945 members of the 503d Regimental Combat Team loaded into transport planes at San Jose Mindoro, Philippine Island, in preparation for the jump on Corregidor, Philippine Islands. Members of the Medical Detachment jumped with the headquarters Sections and Platoons to which they were assigned. The first paratroopers jumped at 0833 hour. As the jump fields were small and rough, and a high wind blowing, only seven or eight men were jumped at a time. Because of this precaution, jump casualties, though high, were not as great as had been anticipated. Some few were shot by Japanese Marines while descending, but the jump caught the Japanese by complete surprise and unprepared to resist a parachute landing.

2.      The Regimental Aid Station was in operation by 0930 hour when the first jump casualties were brought in. The Regimental Aid Station furnished all medical care for the first thirty-six hours. The 18th Portable Surgical Hospital, which had made an amphibious landing with the 3d Battalion, 34th Inf., at 0930 hour, 16 February 1945, moved in and worked with us the rest of the mission. They administered excellent surgical and medical care to the members of the Rock Force. Through their untiring efforts, much suffering of the injured was alleviated and many lives were saved. The 503d Regimental Combat Team owes a sincere debt of gratitude to the Officers and Enlisted men composing this hospital. List of jump casualties are as follows:

Jump Casualties, 16 Feb 45

 

161

Jump Casualties, 17 Feb 45

 

41

Later Reported

 

7

Total

 

209

     
     

 KIA and DOW by Day

16 Feb 45

- 21

 

22 Feb 45

-  8

 

28 Feb 45

- 2

17 Feb 45

-  9

 

23 Feb 45

- 12

 

 3 Mar 45

- 0

18 Feb 45

- 19

 

24 Feb 45

-  8

 

 2 Mar 45

- 0

19 Feb 45

- 15

 

25 Feb 45

- 16

 

 3 Mar 45

- 3

20 Feb 45

-  7

 

26 Feb 45

- 24

 

 4 Mar 45

- 0

21 Feb 45

-  9

 

27 Feb 45

- 12

 

 5 Mar 45

- 1

     

 

 

 Medical Section, Historical Report. (Cont'd)

 

These figures represent 17 Officers and 148 Enlisted Men, a total of 165. Of these, those who died of wounds after receiving medical care, 3 were Officers and 20, Enlisted Men.

3.       The total of wounded in action includes 17 Officers and 267 Enlisted men by enemy action. Total injured in action includes 15 Officers and 316 Enlisted Men. Total casualties for the entire mission includes 18 cases of Hepatitis, 46 cases of Dysentery, and 14 cases F.U.0. The majority of the F.U.O. cases were probably Malaria, as they responded to treatment with Atabrine. Of the total number of casualties, 613 were evacuated from the island, the rest being returned to duty. The total of 750 casualties occurred in the 503d Regimental Combat Team. 

4.       The Medical Detachment suffered heavy casualties dur�ing the mission. On 16 February 1945, T/3 Thomas E. McCann Jr., was reported missing is action, and found dead and mutilated forty-eight hours later.

 

KIA

T/3 McCann, Thomas E. Jr.

11048812

16 Feb 45

 

T/5 Pinter, Lester R.

36376168

26 Feb 45

 

 

 

 

DOW

T/5 Miller,. Clarence A.

20425354

23 Fab 45

 

T/4 Costanzo, Maurice V.

20547668

26 Feb 45

 

Pfc Folinazzo, Frank F.

38831285

26 Feb 45

 

 

 

 

JUMP INJURIES    

 

 

 

 

 

Capt McKnight, Robert R.

0-470434

16 Feb 45

 

lst/Sgt Lingel, John

35020546

16 Feb 45

 

T/5  Riekenbak, Richard A.

20224461

16 Feb 45.

  Pfc Pace, Joseph D. 33535472 16 Feb 45

 

Pvt Prince, Donald O.

14158392_

16 Feb 45

 

Pvt Mohring, Henry K.

32846313

16 Feb 45

 

Pvt Norris, James E.

35728328

16 Feb 45

 

Pvt Giberson, Donald G.

31091847

16 Feb 45

 WIA

Pfc Heiler, Robert E.

16035224

18 Feb 45

 

Pfc Steckewskil Edward J.

32225972

19 Feb 45

 

Pfc Harrington, Edward P.

20281895

24 Feb 45

 

T/4 Bowers, John

11018374

21 Feb 45

 

T/5 Ashton, William E.

38417453

21 Feb 45

 

Pvt Cassidy, Francis B. Jr.

31261821

24 Feb 45

 

T/Sgt Fairbanks, Weston E.

31013362

25 Feb 45

 

Pvt Anderson, Harry C.

35789062

25 Feb 45

 

T/5 Scott, Ryan L.

34093745

26 Feb 45

 

Pfc Perra, Nicholas R.

32563928

26 Feb 45

 

Pvt Comeriske_ Joseph

32732584

26 Feb 45

 

   

 

 

 

Medical Section, Historical Report, (Cont�d)

 

Three members of the Medical Detachment were evacuated because of disease. 

 

Capt

Fleming, Peter B.

0-464189

25 Feb 45

 

Pfc

Hicks, Arnold H.

39274680

25 Feb 45

 

Pvt

Wallace, Gerald A.

39525126

25 Feb 45

5.       Casualties were relatively light throughout the mission as a result of enemy action. On 19 February an ammunition dump exploded causing numerous casualties. On 26 February another explosion occurred causing 196 casualties. These two explosions at least doubled .all deaths and seriously wounded. 

6.       The members of the Medical Detachment worked tirelessly and efficiently, and the morale of all was excellent throughout the mission.

 

 

THOMAS H. STEVENS,
Major MC,
Reg-01, Surgeon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

The 503d PRCT Heritage Battalion  and the The Corregidor Historic Society rely upon donations from like-minded individuals with a commitment to the volunteer spirit. 

Join us, and make sure we're here the next time you are.


Editorial Heritage Bn. Policy
Board Members

Copyright �, The Corregidor Historic Society, 1999-2009 - All Rights Reserved
Last Updated: 07-12-09