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1943
     
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A I WANT
THE TRUTH

 
1st 45th, written By
Paul Theobald

The Article is released under GFDL, by Paul Theobald





The First 45TH PORTABLE SURGICAL HOSPITAL CAMP WHITE OREGON—1943





Left to right---front row
Captain Mainella, Brooklyn NY, Captain Whitbeck, commanding officer, NY
Captain Dardas, Bay City Michigan, First Sergeant Stephens

Left to right---2nd row

Homer Bartram, R #1 Box #17, Fort Gay. W. Virginia
Norman J. Milito, 1731 Fernon St., Philadelphia, PA
Vernon T. Geist 1738 Grant St., Berkely, CA
Rodolfo Quintanilla, Pharr Texas
?
Peter E. Lavelle, 6323 Huntington St., Chicago, Illinois
Belonovitch (cook of the 45th for about 1 year)
Gurney W. Hansen, Winside Neb.
Fred J. Perry 38 Burton St., Reidsville, NC
Harry E. Kimball Jr., Rt. #3 Box 2370 Wilmington, NC
Charles A. Vinicky, Box 26 Fox River Grove Illinois
Joseph Norton, 65 Poningo St., Portchester NY
Charles A. Hunt, 86 River St., Batavia NY
Raymond Hosek(Ford), 3144 S. Euclid Ave., Berwyn, Illinois
Gordon Lavigne, 49 McLaughin Ave., Tupper Lake NY

Left to right 3rd row

Ed Farrington, 2427 Gilmore St.,, East Elmurst NY
Anthony Galucci, 106 Farren Ave., New Haven Conn (2nd cook)
Leonard E. Stabenow, 2514 Forrest Ave., Riverside Illinois
Clifford J. Williams, 4517 13th Ave., Sacramento CA
Albert Lind, 873 Newcomb St., St. Paul, Minnesota
Lawrence P. O’Conner, 306 56th St., Brooklyn NY
Donald Zellmer, University City
Ewald F. Zeeb, Menno, S. Dakota
Warren R. Goldstein, 41 Evangeline St., Rochester NY (co Clerk)
Herbert N. Still, 121 Alabama Ave., Jackson, Miss.
Frederick E. Burkett, 1129 1/2W. 25th St. Los Angeles, CA
Kenneth L Melum, Sioux Falls, S. Dakota
Frederick Werner, 323 Spruce St., West Reading Pa.
Jarvis
Dominick Ferrara, 45 N. Jay St. Schenectady, NY
Herbert Green, NY City

Other members not pictured
James Perez Rt 8. Sacramento Ca
Frank J. Sirianni, 309 South 8th Ave., Marshalltown Iowa
James S. Monroe 1114 W. 2nd St., Ashland Wisconsin
Robert Maine, RFD #1, Island Falls Maine
Picture was taken before Paul Theobald joined the 45th.





JAPAN Starts War with the United States of America


At dawn on Sunday. December 7. 1941 66 years ago today. naval aviation forces of the Empire of Japan attacked the United States Pacific Fleet Center at Pearl Harbor Hawaii and other military targets. The goal of this attack was to sufficiently cripple the US Fleet so that Japan could then attack and capture the Philippines and Indo-China and so secure access to the raw materials needed to maintain its position as a global military and economic power.

Airfields, port facilities. and warships were attacked and severely damaged. Of the nine Pacific Fleet battleships at Pearl that day, Utah and Arizona were completely destroyed and the Oklahoma was salvaged but considered obsolete and designated for scrap. All other battleships were returned to service. The expected result of the attack was to cripple the U. S. Pacific Fleet for a period of up to eighteen months, preventing aggressive action against imperial forces. with the fleet to later be drawn out into a final baftle and destroyed. This goal eluded the Japanese as U. S. forces were acting aggressively in the South Pacific within 60 days and the fleet was fully effective within a year. There was never the kind of massive fleet battle that the Japanese hoped for.

The attack was almost a complete tactical success. By a matter of chance. of the three of the Pacific fleet carriers that would normally be at Pearl that morning. two were at sea on exercises and one was on the U. S. west coast undergoing maintenance. Not knowing the location of these ships that could attack his strike force would cause the tactical commander, Admiral Nagumo to withdraw before a planned third strike. sparing the Pacific fleet, the submarine force, important maintenance facilities and critical fuel supplies. the survival of the repair shops would enable rapid restoration of the fighting capability of the fleet The carriers would enable the first blow to be struck against the Japanese homeland in the Doolittle raid and would prove to be decisive in the Battle of the Coral sea. where the Japanese forces were tumed back in their thrust toward Australia. This would prove essential to U. S. success in the Battle of Midway island, where naval aviation forces from U.S. carriers sank four Imperial carriers.



History of the Portable Surgical Hospitals

 

 

During the summer and fall of 1942, a team of Medical Corps officers modified the basic War Department T/O&E for a standard 25-bed station hospital (T/O&E 8-560, 22 July 1942) into a new theater T/O and table of basic allowances (T/BA) (T/O 8-508-S-SWPA, 31 October 1942) for a portable hospital of 25-beds.  The new unit was capable of supporting small units in its camp-type version (with 4 female Army nurses and organic vehicles) or battalion and regimental combat teams in its task force version (without the 4 nurses and organic vehicles). Commanded by a Medical Corps captain or major, the new 29-man portable hospital had 4 medical officers (3 general surgeons and a general surgeon/anesthetist) and 25 enlisted men, including 2 surgical and 11 medical technicians.  What really marked a radical departure was that all of the unit's equipment, medical and surgical supplies, and rations could weigh no more than the 29 men could personally transport.  Hastily assembled and trained, the portable hospitals suffered from many shortcomings in personnel and equipment, which would soon become obvious in jungle fighting. .  Probably the single most critical problem was the severe limitation placed on the total weight to assure the unit’s portability.  From the start, this meant that to be portable the unit had to give up medical and surgical equipment and supplies that would have been most useful in the field.

 

The Original 45th PSH

 

The first 45th Portable Surgical Hospital was activated 31 May 1943 formed at Camp White, Oregon in 1943 with 33 enlisted men and 4 officers who were Surgeons. Captain Whitbeck was made the commanding officer, Captain Mainella was the adjutant. Captain Dardas was one of the surgeons. The 4th surgeon joined the outfit late in 1943 and left before the hospital went over the Ledo road to Burma. The fourth physician, the anesthetist, eventually joined us shortly after arriving in China in December 1944. This was Captain Katzinelson .

 

A TRAGIC MISTAKE

 

The code number 9201V was assigned to the 45th PSH. The code #9201T was assigned to the 44th PSH which was also at Camp White. The orders for the two PSH were received over the telephone and the V was mistaken for a T. These orders sent the 44th PSH to the East coast to be shipped over seas and the 45th to the West coast for shipping to India. This mistake was disastrous for the 44th and lucky for the 45th.  The disaster was kept under wrap and the 45th first heard of it, when the two hospitals met on the Ledo Road going to Burma.

 

The Rohna disaster:


e-mail Paul Theobald

The 44th PSH, because of the mix up in the code numbers, was sent to the east coast where they boarded the Rhona, a British troop ship. They had joined a convoy of ships headed to the CBI. The troop convoy was attacked by German fighter aircraft near the North African Coast and the convoy suffered a disastrous loss of troops and ships. Soldiers of the 44th told us about the disaster when we met them on the Ledo Road. The bombing caused the greatest loss of troops from any naval action at that time. The bombing was kept secret until 1965 when the story of the Rhona Disaster was released.

 

WE ARE GOING OVERSEAS

 

 The 45th departed from Wilmington, California on the Hermitage, a naval troop ship , the later part of November, 1943 It arrived at Bombay India on the 26th of December 1943. The 45th debarked and went on a train that took them to Calcutta where it arrived on New Years eve 1943.  The hospital spent the night on a railroad siding and the next morning was transferred to Kanchrapara camp. The hospital was one of the first to use the camp. Several weeks later, the long trip to Assam was started and ended with setting up a camp site out side Ledo Assam. Originally the 45th was to fly the hump to China, but plans were changed when changes in the fighting in Burma made a need for the hospital services.

 

 

THE WAR IN BURMA

 

 The Ledo road was under construction and with the onset of the rainy weather; progress in construction and travel was slow. The fighting front was near Kamaing Burma. The hospital setup in the jungle and patients started arriving before setup was completed. It was a steady flow of wounded for 3days that kept the surgeons constantly busy.

 

As the front moved forward, the hospital packed and moved into Kamaing. It was in Kamaing where the hospital treated soldiers of Wingate’s raiders .It was the first medical treatment  for the Wingate raiders who were dropped behind Japanese lines with the promise that they would be taken out in a couple of weeks.  They had been behind the lines for 50 or more days, they either walked out or floated out on the river.

 

The hospital moved to Mogaung Burma in late spring 1944 where the surgery was set up in an old bombed out building near the old mill which became our living quarters. We went on part time duty because the Monsoon rains had brought the fighting to a standstill. During this lull in hospital work several members of the 45th requested that they be circumcised. Captain Mainella was the expert physician who granted their request Although the exact number of cases has long been forgotten, more than one of the men volunteered for this surgery. 

 

The number of war casualties that we operated on was decreasing as each day passed and  we operated on a number of local people who needed medical treatment for injuries or medical problems not due to the war. When the monsoon season came to an end, we traveled by jeep train south to Mawlu. The 45th received orders to pack up and return to the airfield south of Mogaung where we would be transported by plane over the hump to Kunming China.

 

 

 

KUNMING TO KWE LIN China January 1945

 

We stayed in a hostel while in Kunming and did not have any hospital work to do. There was some shopping and partying and resting.. We packed up and left Kunming on the 28th of January 1945. Our destination was unknown to most of us since the Japanese were retreating. The road was mountainous and travel was very slow. When we arrived at our destination, we were not expected. Finally they found a school house for us to use as a hospital. Most of the hospital work was on civilians and a few Chinese army accidents.

Our trip to the front was made mostly by trucks except for t he last 100 miles into Kwelin.. This segment of the trip was made by boat, horseback, or walking. We sat on a rim around Kweilin for several days because, the Chinese could see the Japanese retreat at night and did not want to engage them in more fighting. As we walked into Kweilin, the interpreter told Major Whitbeck that the sign on a pill box said that the war had been over for 4 or 5 days.  We had no radios so the news was new to us. We were flown out of Kweilin to Luichow where we waited transportation to Shanghai. We were going there to take care of prisoners of the war. Most of the officers and the first three grades were sent home from Luichow. The 45th had new officers who informed the outfit that we were again assigned to the Chinese Army for the invasion of Formosa.

 

 

MEDICAL PROBLEMS OF THE 45TH HOSPITAL PERSONEL

 

The 45th hospital personnel were lucky in that they had no casualties as a result of the war actions. There were many who were hospitalized mostly for malaria and diarrhea or  a jungle rot fungus infection. .Many became ill after returning home. Hookworm infection was very common in the regions where the hospital was located but only one case was reported after the men returned home. There was a couple cases of war anxiety which resulted in pensions and medical discharges.

 

The unit was awarded several citations by the Chinese army and government. The hospital personnel were awarded 4 bronze battles stars. Several were awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. The original unit was in the CBI theatre for almost 2 years






                                   

THE 45TH PORTABLE SURGICAL HOSPITAL—

 

There are just a few men still alive who made up the ORIGINAL 45th Portable Surgical Hospital and I thought that one of us should put in writing some of the things that happened during the first 2 or 3 years after it was activated at Camp White in 1943. I was trained as a surgical technician at camp Fort Benjamin near Indianapolis. After graduation, I was sent to the specialist pool at Fitzsimmons hospital near Denver Colorado. A month later, I joined the 45th at Camp White where we were being trained for overseas duty. We all were given a leave so that we could go home before we were sent overseas. At that time the hospital had 33 enlisted men and 4 officers.  The commanding officer was Captain Carl Whitbeck

 


a surgeon from Hudson New York. The adjutant was Captain Frank Mainella, a surgeon from Brooklyn New York.  The third officer was Captain Dardas from Bay City Michigan. Captain Dardas had been trained as a gynecologist and obstretician.We had a fourth doctor but he was transferred out of the outfit, before we left for overseas duty.We had several replacement for the 4th  doctor, but none ever stayed long with the outfit. The one who remained longest was a Dr Katzenelson. He was a medical internist from Brooklyn New York and gave anesthesia. He joined the outfit when we went to China. and stayed with the outfit until the end of the war. The hospital was made up of soldiers from all over the United States

 

The rest of the story,



The home for the 45th while in Shanghai was at the Statesman building in the center of Shanghai where there many stores for shopping. Some of the members of the 45th met many new friends while in Shanghai. The Japanese had several prisons where there were many Germans who had fled Germany during the early stages of the war with Germany. When the war with the Japanese ended the guards at the prison disappeared and the Germans had their first freedom in several years. When they left Germany they converted most of their wealth into precious stone and jewelry. They were not allowed to take money out of Germany. When they had regained their freedom, they used the gems and jewelry to purchase things for the necessities of everyday life. Because of this there was a good market for these articles and many soldiers made bargain purchases of precious gems, rings, bracelets and cameras. We were able to purchase Coca-Cola for the first time in 2 years. Our time in Shanghai was short and we were loaded aboard a Navy infantry landing ship and left for Formosa. The seas were very rough and most of the outfit became seasick. The ship stopped at Ninpo China and the troops were given shore leave. Many went to a public bath house and had a bath. Others looked for and found some excellent Chinese food. The shore leave ended early in the evening and after the men were back on the ship, it left for Formosa. The ship arrived safely in Taihoku and the debarkation was quiet and the expected resistance did not occur. The next day we visited a local hospital and were amazed to find that the walls were almost 6 foot thick and were constructed to be bomb proof. Perez and I went to the airport and found many Japanese planes which had been abandoned because of some minor problems. When we returned to our room, Still, Perez and I were summoned to our new commanding officer and were informed that the three of us were being sent back to Shanghai for medical treatment. We said our goodbyes and were loaded on to a plane for the trip to Shanghai. This is where my connection with the 45th Portable Surgical hospital ends. Years later, I wrote monthly letters to members of the 45th. At that time there were some 16 members that could be located. As time has passed, only five of the original 33 enlisted men are known to still be alive. Captain (now colonel) Whitbeck will celebrate his 95th birthday on the 31, of January at his home in Sarasota Florida.

 

Additional Photographs




Captain Dardes




Captain Katzienelson




Captain Frank S. Mainella




Our home in Kwelien China




Supply tent in China winter 1944




The officers rest




Hair cut day in camp outside Ledo 1944




First stop on the Ledo road




Firpo s restaurant Calcutta good food




Galluci the Mogaung Burma, Cook




Monroe Staff Sargent of Supply




Paul Theobald




First Sergeant Stephens




Formosa




Goldie the company clerk



DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508

SFMR-RBR

December 7, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR US ARMY REVIEW BOARDS AGENCY SUPPORT DIVISION, ST. LOUIS (SFMR-RBR-SL), 9700 PAGE AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MO 63132-5200

SUBJECT: Army Board for Correction of Military Records Record of Proceedings for Goldstein, Warren R., SSN XXX-XX-XXXX, AR20070006614

1. Under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, section 1552, the recommendation of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records is hereby approved, and I direct that all of the Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected as shown under Recommendation in the Proceedings of the Board in the subject case enclosed.

2. Request necessary administrative action be taken to effect the correction of records as indicated no later than April 7, 2008. Further, request that the individual concerned and counsel, if any, as well as any Members of Congress who have shown interest be advised of the correction and that the Army Board for Correction of Military Records be furnished a copy of the correspondence.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

Signed

Ene!

Catherine C. Mitrano Director, Army Board for Correction of Military Records

CF:

( )Applicant


DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE CASE OF:

GOLDSTEIN, WARREN R.

BOARD DATE: 4 December 2007 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070006614

I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

Ms. Catherine C. Mitrano Mr. David S. Griffin

Director Analyst

The following members, a quorum, were present:

Ms. Linda Simmons Ms. Eloise Prendergast Mr. James Hastie

Chairperson Member Member

The Board considered the following evidence:

Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any:


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)

AR20070006614

THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1. The applicant requests, in effect, award of the Combat Medical Badge, the Bronze Star Medal based on the award of the Combat Medical Badge, and four bronze service stars for his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

2. The applicant states, in effect, that officers and others in his unit received these awards.

3. The applicant provides a copy of a letter from his former commander; three pages obtained from the Internet concerning the Bronze Star Medal based on the Combat Medical Badge; his WD AGO 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge); a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); a DA Form 1577; two statements from a former Soldier, including his WD AGO '53-55; a letter from the War Department Adjutant General's Office, St. Louis, Missouri; a letter from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), St. Louis, Missouri; his Honorable Discharge Certificate; a history of portable surgical hospitals; and a history of the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2. The applicant's service personnel records were lost or destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. The records available to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records were provided in part by the applicant and also obtained from alternate sources and are sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. The primary record available to this Board is the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation and Honorable Discharge) with a date of separation of 18 January 1946.

3. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was inducted on 28 January 1943 and entered active duty on 4 February 1943.

4. The applicant's WD AGO 53-55 shows he arrived in the China-Burma-India Theater on 26 December 1943 and departed the theater on 6 January 1946.

5. The applicant's WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) shows the applicant was assigned in Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 055 (clerk general) for 24 months and in MOS 502 (chief clerk) for 4 months. The Summary of Military Occupations shows the applicant performed all company administrative work, made out medical reports, handled correspondence, and kept and filed records. The Summary also shows the applicant supervised 24 men in this work and that he served for 26 months in the China-Burma-India Theater.

6. On 18 January 1946, the applicant was discharged due to demobilization. He had completed 2 years, 11 months, and 14 days of active service that was characterized as honorable.

7. A history of the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital was obtained from the Internet, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This history shows the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital was activated on 31 May 1943 at Camp White, Oregon with Captain W------k commanding. The history further shows the unit arrived in the China-Burma-India Theater on 26 December 1943, was in the China-BurmaIndia for almost 2 years, and was awarded "4 bronze battle stars."

8. The applicant provided a letter, dated 29 March 2007, from his former commander, Captain W------k, now a retired colonel, Army Medical Corps. The former commander stated the applicant was one of the original volunteers when the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital was activated and served with the unit until the war ended. The former commander further stated the unit performed front line emergency surgical operations on Allied troops fighting against the Japanese in Burma and China. The former commander further stated the applicant's record should show "the Combat Medical Badge and the Bronze Star."

9. The applicant provided a letter, dated 10 January 2007, from a former Soldier from his unit and included a copy of the former Soldier's WD AGO 53-55. The former Soldier's WD AGO 53-55 shows his MOS as a surgical technician and he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

10. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provides, in pertinent part, that the Medical Badge was awarded to a member of the Army Medical Service (colonels and below) who had satisfactorily performed medical duties subsequent to 6 December 1941 while assigned or attached to a medical unit of an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size, or as a member of the medical platoon of an infantry or airborne brigade headquarters company, during any period the infantry unit was engaged in active ground combat. Battle participation credit was not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

11. Change 13, dated 18 May 1966, to Army Regulation 672-5-1 changed the title of the Medical Badge to the Combat Medical Badge. However, the eligibility requirements for the award remained the same.

12. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the evolution of the Combat Medical Badge stemmed from a requirement to recognize medical aid-men who shared the same hazards and hardships of ground combat on a daily basis with the infantry Soldier. This regulation further provides that since it's inception, the intent of the Department of the Army regarding this requirement has been that medical personnel must be personally present and under fire in order to be eligible for the awarding of the Combat Medical Badge.

13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy. The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II.

14. Table B-1 of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) identifies the following campaigns for the China-Burma-India Theater: Burma (7 December 1941 - 25 May 1942; India-Burma (2 April 1942 - 28 January 1945); China Defensive (4 July 1942 - 4 May 1945); Central Burma (29 January 1945 - 15 July 1945); and China Offensive (5 May 1945 - 2 September 1945).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1. The evidence shows the applicant's MOS was a clerk and a chief clerk. The applicant's WD AGO Form 100 shows he performed all of the administrative functions of his unit.

2. The WD AGO 53-55 for a former Soldier from the applicant's unit showing he was awarded the Combat Medal Badge and the Bronze Star Medal does not provide evidence the applicant is entitled to the same awards. However, it is noted the former Soldier's MOS shows he was a surgical technician.

3. The regulation provides that, to be eligible for the Combat Medical Badge, a Soldier must have performed medical duties with an infantry unit that is engaged in active ground combat. The evidence shows the applicant was assigned and performed administrative duties. There is no evidence the applicant was assigned to an infantry unit that was actively engaged in active ground combat.

Therefore, the applicant does not meet the regulatory requirements for award of the Combat Medical Badge.

4. Based on the foregoing, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Medical Badge.

5. The statement from the applicant's former commander, the history of the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital, and the applicant's WD AGO 53-55 provide sufficient evidence to conclude the applicant was assigned to the unit upon activation, deployed with the unit to the China-Burma-India Theater, and remained with the unit until he was returned to the U.S. for discharge.

6. The unit's history indicated the unit was awarded four bronze battle stars.

Based on the unit's date of activation and arrival in the China-Burma-India Theater they would have participated in the India-Burma, the China Defensive, the Central Burma, and the China Offensive campaigns.

7. In view of the above, the applicant is entitled to four bronze service stars to be worn on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected to show he is entitled to four bronze service stars to be worn on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the Combat Medical Badge and the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Medical Badge.

3. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.

Come Let us research web Links "concerning regulation provides that, to be eligible for the Combat Medical Badge."

U.S. Department of the Army Web Link www.army.mil Combat Medical Badge

III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY:
The following medical personnel, assigned or attached by appropriate orders to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size, or to a medical unit of company or smaller size, organic to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size, during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat are eligible for award of the badge, provided they are personally present and under fire during such ground combat:

(1) Subsequent to 6 December 1941 – Army Medical Department (Colonels and below), the Navy Medical Department (Captains and below), the Air Force Medical Service (Colonels and below), assigned or attached to the Army, who have satisfactorily performed medical duties.

(2) Subsequent to 19 December 1989 – Special Forces personnel possessing military occupational specialty 18D (Special Operations Medical Sergeant) who satisfactorily performed medical duties while assigned or attached to a Special Forces unit during any period the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.

(3) Subsequent to 16 January 1991 – Personnel outlined in (1) above, assigned or attached to Armor or ground Cavalry units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.

(4) Subsequent to 11 September 2001 – Personnel outlined in (1) and (3) above, assigned or attached to or under operational control of any ground Combat Arms units (not to include members assigned or attached to Aviation units) of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged in actual ground combat provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.

Awards will not be made to general or flag officers. Specific eligibility requirements by geographic area are listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22.

IV. DATE APPROVED: The Combat Medical Badge was approved on 29 January 1945. In February 1951, the proposal to designate the badge as a one-time award was rescinded and it was approved for subsequent award during specified periods. The addition of stars to indicate subsequent awards was also approved. Policy changes were approved on 12 May 2004, by the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.


And This Web Site:

U.S. Head Quarters Department of the Army Pentagon.mil web site Combat Medical Badge

III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: The following medical personnel, assigned or attached by appropriate orders to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size, or to a medical unit of company or smaller size, organic to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size, during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat are eligible for award of the badge, provided they are personally present and under fire during such ground combat:

(1) Subsequent to 6 December 1941 – Army Medical Department (Colonels and below), the Navy Medical Department (Captains and below), the Air Force Medical Service (Colonels and below), assigned or attached to the Army, who have satisfactorily performed medical duties.

(2) Subsequent to 19 December 1989 – Special Forces personnel possessing military occupational specialty 18D (Special Operations Medical Sergeant) who satisfactorily performed medical duties while assigned or attached to a Special Forces unit during any period the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.

(3) Subsequent to 16 January 1991 – Personnel outlined in (1) above, assigned or attached to Armor or ground Cavalry units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.

(4) Subsequent to 18 September 2001 – Medical personnel assigned or attached to or under operational control of any ground Combat Arms units (not to include members assigned or attached to Aviation units) of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged in active ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized for service prior to 18 September 2001.

(5) Effective 3 June 2005, soldiers possessing MOS of 18D are no longer eligible for award of the CMB.

Awards will not be made to general or flag officers. Specific eligibility requirements by geographic area are listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22.

IV. DATE APPROVED: The Combat Medical Badge was approved on 29 January 1945. In February 1951, the proposal to designate the badge as a one-time award was rescinded and it was approved for subsequent award during specified periods. The addition of stars to indicate subsequent awards was also approved. Policy changes were approved on 12 May 2004, by the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1. On 11 February 2005, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved changes to the CMB policy.


CHINA - BURMA - INDIA
Remembering the Forgotten Theater of World War II

India-Burma 2 April 1942-28 January 1945 web site From History.Army.mil

The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II, China Defense 4 July 1942--4 May 1945

The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II, China Offensive 5 May--2 September 1945
Some Excerpts From the above web sites:


Situation in China October 1944



American soldiers attached to a Chinese division send a message from the field. (U.S. Army Military History Institute)



Chinese soldiers await removal to a field hospital for rehabilitation. (U.S. Army Military History Institute)


The Chihchiang Campaign 8 April--7 June 1945


The Chinese return to Liuchow in July 1945. (U.S. Army Military History Institute)

CHAPTER 5, Special Operations in the China-Burma-India Theater

Behind the Japanese Lines in Burma, UNCLASSIFIED

Welcome to the Dragon of the Mangroves Official Site
Buma Campaign
ORGANIZATION CHARTS, Japanese Army Order of Battle Around 1944


The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II, Eastern Burma 29 January--15 July 1945

The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II, India-Burma 2 April 1942--28 January 1945

The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II, Burma, 1942 7 December 1941--26 May 1942

United States Army in World War II, China-Burma-India Theater, Stillwell's Mission to China
by Charles F. Romanus and Riley Sunderland


Webmaster Research Notes:
The Order of the Cloud and Banner (雲麾勳章) is a military award of the Republic of China. It was instituted on June 15, 1935 and is awarded in nine grades for contributions to national security. It is also sometimes referred to as the Order of the Resplendent Banner.



Reference web link for the above Note:
Order of the Cloud and Banner

List of orders, decorations and medals of the Republic of China

Chinese Burma India Theater World War II Uniform

China Burma India Theater (CBI) (later IBT, or India-Burma theater) was the name used by the United States Army for its forces operating in conjunction with British and Chinese Allied air and land forces in China, Burma, and India during World War II. Well-known US units in this theater included the Flying Tigers, transport and bomber units flying the Hump, the 1st Air Commando Group, the engineers who built Ledo Road, and the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), otherwise known as Merrill's Marauders.


The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by Executive Order 9265 [1] issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

There were 21 Army and 48 Navy/Marine official campaigns of the Pacific Theater, denoted on the service ribbon by campaign stars; some construction battalion units issued the medal with award numerals. The arrowhead device is authorized for those campaigns which involved amphibious assaults. The Fleet Marine Force combat operation insignia is also authorized for certain sailors. The flag colors of Japan and the United States are visible in the ribbon.

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was first issued as a ribbon in 1941. A full medal was authorized in 1947, the first of which was presented to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. The European Theater equivalent of the decoration was known as the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.



First awarded December 7, 1941
Last awarded March 2, 1946
Reference:
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Army campaigns
Authorized Army campaigns for the Pacific Theater are as follows:
• Philippine Island 7 Dec 41 - 10 May 42
• Burma, 1942 7 Dec 41 - 26 May 42
• Central Pacific 7 Dec 41 - 6 Dec 43
• East Indies 1 Jan 42 - 22 Jul 42
• India-Burma 2 Apr 42 - 28 Jan 45
• Air Offensive, Japan 17 Apr 42 - 2 Sep 45
• Aleutian Islands 3 Jun 42 - 24 Aug 43
• China Defensive 4 Jul 42 - 4 May 45
• Papua 23 Jul 42 - 23 Jan 43
• Guadalcanal 7 Aug 42 - 21 Feb 43
• New Guinea 24 Jan 43 - 31 Dec 44
• Northern Solomons 22 Feb 43 - 21 Nov 44
• Eastern Mandates 7 Dec 43 - 14 Jun 44
• Bismarck Archipelago 15 Dec 43 - 27 Nov 44
• Western Pacific 17 Apr 44 - 2 Sep 45
• Leyte 17 Oct 44 - 1 Jul 45
• Luzon 15 Dec 44 - 4 Jul 45
• Central Burma 29 Jan 45 - 15 Jul 45
• Southern Philippines 27 Feb 45 - 4 Jul 45
• Ryukyus 26 Mar 45 - 2 Jul 45
• China Offensive 5 May 45 - 2 Sep 45

Reference:
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Executive Order 9265 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt November 6, 1942

JOHN W. MOUNTCASTLE, Brigadier General, USA, Chief of Military History

M. P. W. Stone, Secretary of the Army


China Burma India Theater of World War II



Tribut to Warren R. Goldstein and Paul Theobald, M.D. WWII Veterans

1/1/2008

U.S Army Review Boards Agency Support Division 9700 Page Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5200

Re: Warren R. Goldstein SSN XXX XX XXXX, AR20070006614 15 Briar Patch Road, Rochester, NY 14618

Dear Sirs:

In Introduction of myself, let me say that I am a friend and Army buddy of Mr. Goldstein.
This information is given in support of his request for correction of his Military Records and for the awarding him, the combat medical badge and the Bronze Star.
These awards were given to me while in the field with the
45th Portable Surgical Hospital in China, Burma and India in the years 1943-44.
I was the surgical technician in charge of the 45th surgical department. When I joined the 45th at Camp White we were being trained for combat duty.
We were issued carbines and trained in gas mask usage and in activities which taught us how to react under fire. Our Hospital consisted of 33 enlisted men and four officers.
After arriving in India, we were to fly the hump to China. However the Japanese were attempting an invasion of India and so our orders were changed and we were sent to the front in Northern Burma.
We set up the hospital as close to the front as we could get so that the litter bearers could carry the wounded to our hospital. The wounded started arriving before the hospital was completely set up.
As the front moved forward we packed up and moved forward with the Chinese command that we were attached.
Our next stop was at Kamaing Burma where we treated The Chinese and the British members of Wingate's raiders.
We were never assigned to any American forces and were always with the Chinese and I think this is why a lot of our work was never recorded.
Our next move was to Mogaung Burma where we continued to care for the Chinese and also some Burmese who needed our care. As the head surgical technician, I also did KP duty and guard duty.
The 45th was a small unit and all of us had to serve in many different capacities. We served where we were needed. Like the rest of us, the company clerk, Goldstein, did the same thing.
We carried our carbines where ever we went.
And at times, we came under gun fire. Luckily no one in the 45th was a war casualty, but we did and were in dangerous places many times. During the two plus years in the CBI area we were never quartered in a regular army camp site.
We were always set up in a area where we had to guard and provide for ourselves.
We traveled by trucks, boats, horseback and walking while carrying our equipment on our backs.

When the war was over, we flew to Shanghia where we were assigned to the Chinese forces who were to invade Formosa.
There was reason to believe that there would heavy resistance from the Japanese during the invasion.
Here again luck was with us and not a shot was fired.

For our support of the Chinese army, the outfit was commended by the Chinese with two different awards. Records of these awards were lost many years ago.
I received the order of the Banner in the Clouds after returning home.

The 45th served in 4 battles and always were assigned to the Chinese. We were a medical combat outfit in these 4 battles.
The 45th was the first and longest activated Portable Surgical Hospital.

I am now 85 Years of age. Our commanding officer will soon be celebrating his 95th birthday and Goldstein is 83.
We are the only surviving members of the 1st 45th* We recommend that the Combat Medical badge and the bronze Star be awarded to Warren Goldstein.

Former Head Technician of the 45th Portable.

I went to medical school after the war.

Paul G. Theobald M.D>(ret) Surgical Hospital, 1601 ~ Beech St, received my MD degree in 1951. Normal, Illinois, Army serial # XXXXXXXX SSN XXX XX XXXX

Webmaster Research Notes:
The Order of the Cloud and Banner (雲麾勳章) is a military award of the Republic of China. It was instituted on June 15, 1935 and is awarded in nine grades for contributions to national security. It is also sometimes referred to as the Order of the Resplendent Banner.



Reference web link for the above Note:
Order of the Cloud and Banner

List of orders, decorations and medals of the Republic of China

Chinese Burma India Theater World War II Uniform

China Burma India Theater (CBI) (later IBT, or India-Burma theater) was the name used by the United States Army for its forces operating in conjunction with British and Chinese Allied air and land forces in China, Burma, and India during World War II. Well-known US units in this theater included the Flying Tigers, transport and bomber units flying the Hump, the 1st Air Commando Group, the engineers who built Ledo Road, and the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), otherwise known as Merrill's Marauders.


The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by Executive Order 9265 [1] issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

There were 21 Army and 48 Navy/Marine official campaigns of the Pacific Theater, denoted on the service ribbon by campaign stars; some construction battalion units issued the medal with award numerals. The arrowhead device is authorized for those campaigns which involved amphibious assaults. The Fleet Marine Force combat operation insignia is also authorized for certain sailors. The flag colors of Japan and the United States are visible in the ribbon.

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was first issued as a ribbon in 1941. A full medal was authorized in 1947, the first of which was presented to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. The European Theater equivalent of the decoration was known as the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.



First awarded December 7, 1941
Last awarded March 2, 1946
Reference:
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Army campaigns
Authorized Army campaigns for the Pacific Theater are as follows:
• Philippine Island 7 Dec 41 - 10 May 42
• Burma, 1942 7 Dec 41 - 26 May 42
• Central Pacific 7 Dec 41 - 6 Dec 43
• East Indies 1 Jan 42 - 22 Jul 42
• India-Burma 2 Apr 42 - 28 Jan 45
• Air Offensive, Japan 17 Apr 42 - 2 Sep 45
• Aleutian Islands 3 Jun 42 - 24 Aug 43
• China Defensive 4 Jul 42 - 4 May 45
• Papua 23 Jul 42 - 23 Jan 43
• Guadalcanal 7 Aug 42 - 21 Feb 43
• New Guinea 24 Jan 43 - 31 Dec 44
• Northern Solomons 22 Feb 43 - 21 Nov 44
• Eastern Mandates 7 Dec 43 - 14 Jun 44
• Bismarck Archipelago 15 Dec 43 - 27 Nov 44
• Western Pacific 17 Apr 44 - 2 Sep 45
• Leyte 17 Oct 44 - 1 Jul 45
• Luzon 15 Dec 44 - 4 Jul 45
• Central Burma 29 Jan 45 - 15 Jul 45
• Southern Philippines 27 Feb 45 - 4 Jul 45
• Ryukyus 26 Mar 45 - 2 Jul 45
• China Offensive 5 May 45 - 2 Sep 45

Reference:
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Executive Order 9265 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt November 6, 1942

JOHN W. MOUNTCASTLE, Brigadier General, USA, Chief of Military History

M. P. W. Stone, Secretary of the Army


China Burma India Theater of World War II



DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508

December 7, 2007

AR20070006614, Goldstein, Warren R.

Mr. Warren R. Goldstein 15 Briar Patch Road Rochester NY 14618

Dear Mr. Goldstein:

The Army Board for Correction of Military Records rendered a decision on your application to correct your military records. Partial relief to your request was granted.

Enclosed is a copy of the Record of Proceedings of the Board for your information.

The decision in your case is final. You may request reconsideration of that portion of your application which was denied by the Board within one year only if you can present new evidence or argument that was not considered by the Board when it denied that part of your original application.

The approved Record of Proceedings has been forwarded to the U.S. Army Review Boards Agency Support Division - St. Louis. They will take action to correct your records and will provide you with official notification as soon as the directed correction has been made.

Any further inquiry concerning your case should be addressed to the U.S. Army Review Boards Agency Support Division - St. Louis (SFMR-RBRSL), 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5200.

Sincerely,

f\A- n U

-theriD; '--litrano Direclor, Army Board for Correction of Military Records