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Military medicine has a long and celebrated history. We apply lessons from our past to improve the care of military personnel and their families today and in the future. New surgical techniques, powerful painkillers, antibiotic drugs, and triage and evacuation procedures have revolutionized military medicine.
In this section, you'll find featured stories and information about the history of military medicine.
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Jul 23, 2024
Purple Heart Day is celebrated annually on August 7th to honor and remember U.S. military members who were wounded or killed in action while serving their country.
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Jul 17, 2024
Defense Health Agency promo/sizzle video
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Jun 5, 2024
World War II medic Waverly B. Woodson, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest U.S. military honor, for saving countless lives during the Allied Invasion of Normandy of World War II. Waverly was only 21-years-old, serving in the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, when he was deployed to France. He spent over 30 ...
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May 24, 2024
A brief explainer on military medical dogs or mercy dogs who served in WW1 and WW2.
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May 24, 2024
Military nurses were saved many lives during WW2. 1LT Marian Charlotte Jones and 1LT Edna Nina Statman both served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War 2. They share their stories of caring for our military men after D-Day in Normandy, France.
Watch their full interviews via the Library of Congress:
Jones: https://www.loc.gov/collections ...
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May 22, 2024
Lt Col Frances Liberty, with the US Army Nurses Corps, recounts the heartwarming story of a soldier she cared for during the Vietnam War, the lasting impression they made on each other, and the keepsake he recieved from her, an item which he still holds dear to this day.
Interviews courtesy of the Library of Congress:
https://www.loc.gov/item ...
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May 22, 2024
Three nurses recount their experiences during the Vietnam War, stationed both on land and sea. From deployment to the lasting bonds they created, these women tell a story of heroism, perservierence, and lifelong friendship.
Interview Courtesy of the Library of Congress:
Lt Col Frances Liberty:
https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.02548/
LCDR ...
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Apr 12, 2024
As we wrap up National Blood Donor Month, learn more about the history of blood donations on the battlefield and the incredible work of the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP).
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Feb 7, 2024
American military medicine has been the cornerstone of medical accomplishments since the founding of the United States. The efforts and innovations of the military medical research community has advanced the treatments, logistics, procedures, and medications often taken for granted in today’s civilian medical settings. From emergency response to ...
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Feb 5, 2024
On the battlefield and off. Yesterday and today. Women in military health have been more than doctors or nurses. They're role models. They're leaders and heroes. Here's to all that women do. The Military Health System honors women in military health.
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Dec 19, 2023
General Raymond G Davis and Billy Gene Devasher recount their experiences at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War that occurred from November 26-December 13, 1950.
Read more about how military medics saved the "Chosin Frozen" at health.mil/chosin.
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Dec 6, 2023
Lynn "Doc" Munger was a 23-year-old pharmacist's mate during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When Munger was 98 years old, he told his story of serving as a Navy medic and caring for those injured from the devastating attack.
You can watch his full interview via the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. https://www.loc ...
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Nov 8, 2023
This Veterans Day, the Military Health System remembers U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser who received a Medal of Honor for his courageous service during the Vietnam War.
Learn more at health.mil/MedalofHonor
You can watch the full interview via the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001 ...
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Nov 8, 2023
This Veterans Day 2023, the Military Health System honors military medical personnel who went above and beyond the call of duty by sharing their stories of valor. Two veterans are remembered, U.S. Navy Hospital Apprentice First Class Fred Faulkner Lester and U.S. Army Nurse Corps 2nd Lt. Regina Benson. Learn more about their stories and more at ...
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Jan 3, 2023
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Telita Crosland becomes the fourth director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) in a ceremony Jan. 3, 2023, at Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.
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Last Updated: March 06, 2024