Corpsmen celebrate 111th year of lifesaving

Photo By James Clark | Corpsmen with 2nd Marine Division, celebrated the 111th birthday of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, here at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 17. The celebration took place outside the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters, where Sailors and Marines gathered to render respect to the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

06.19.2009

Story by Cpl. James Clark 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and Sailors gathered here, June 17, to celebrate the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps' 111th Birthday.

The rate of hospital corpsman is the largest rate in the Navy, as well as the most decorated — a total of 23 Medals of Honor have been awarded to corpsmen, most of them posthumously, since the rate was created in 1898.

"Marines are able to charge into combat because we know that corpsmen will run in after us," said Col. David Fuquea, chief of staff, 2nd Marine Division. "The life saving skills that corpsmen have honed is why Marines are the premiere fighting force."

Corpsmen are an intrinsic part of any Marine unit and are an invaluable asset on the battlefield.

"Every Marine knows that a doc has his back," Fuquea the Jamestown, R.I., native said. "Since the founding of the Hospital Corps, our success has been inextricably tied to having corpsmen with us."

The birthday celebration included a cake cutting ceremony, where a piece of cake was given first to the oldest Sailor present - signifying the respect of those who carry the heritage of the rate, and the second was given to the youngest - symbolizing the future of the rate.

The birthday is a celebration in the traditions of the Hospital Corps, which is incredibly important to all corpsmen, said Petty Officer 1st Class Jackson L. Tuggle, (Fleet Marine Force), a corpsman with 2nd Marine Division, who celebrated his 17th Hospital Corps birthday.

"Being the most decorated rate in the Navy means that many corpsmen gave the ultimate sacrifice," said the Morgan Town, W.Va., native.

All present paid respects to the Hospital Corps and its corpsmen, who time and again risk serious injury and death to bring aid to wounded Marines and Sailors.

"The Hospital Corps provided us with someone who will come and try to save you no matter the cost, when you cry out for a corpsman or doc," said Cmdr. Harry W. Griffith, division chaplain, 2nd Marine Division.

"The Marines of 2nd Marine Division pay tribute to all corpsmen, past, present and future," Griffith said.

• Date Taken: 06.19.2009
• Date Posted: 06.19.2009 15:51
• Story ID: 35370
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US