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Our History

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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Video
Dec 19, 2023

The Chosin Few: Recounting the Battle of Chosin Reservoir

The Chosin Few: Recounting the Battle of Chosin Reservoir

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.

Article
Dec 15, 2023

Passing the Guidon: A Ceremony of Leadership Transition at Uniformed Services University's Change of Command

Uniformed Services University's Brigade Commander U.S. Army Col. Patrick Donahue relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Albert Kinkead on Dec. 1, 2023, at the change of command ceremony in the university's Rice Hall. (Photo by Tom Balfour/Uniformed Services University)

Uniformed Services University's Brigade Commander U.S. Army Col. Patrick Donahue passes the guidon to U.S. Army Col. Albert Kinkead, symbolizing a change of command and celebrating Donahue's distinguished 30-year career, as the university looks forward to a new chapter under Kinkead's leadership.

Article
Dec 11, 2023

Florida Guardsman Receives U.S. Surgeon General’s Highest Civilian Honor

In this time of unprecedented global health challenges, frontline responders like U.S. Air Force Maj. Kevin Tipton stand out as beacons of hope and resilience. Tipton, a critical care nurse practitioner with the 125th Fighter Wing of the Florida Air National Guard, received the Surgeon General’s Medallion from Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, the U.S. ...

Article
Dec 6, 2023

Angels of the Battlefield Honor Medical Personnel Who Went Above Call of Duty

Angels of the Battlefield Honor Medical Personnel Who Went Above Call of Duty

Six medical professionals from across the armed services recently earned honors as Angels of the Battlefield, a title bestowed upon them by the Armed Services-YMCA in honor of military medical personnel and first responders for their life-saving medical treatment and trauma care of service members, partner forces, and civilians at home and abroad.

Video
Dec 6, 2023

Navy Medic Recounts the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Navy Medic Recounts the Attack on Pearl Harbor

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 ...

Article
Nov 20, 2023

Armed Services YMCA Recognizes U.S. Army “Angel of the Battlefield”

The U.S. Army recipient of the 2023 Armed Services Angel of the Battlefield award is U.S. Staff Sgt. Ta'Quesha Abson, currently assigned to the Medical Readiness Brigade, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (Photo by Ronald Wolf, U.S. Army Medical Command)

Each year the Armed Services YMCA presents the “Angel of the Battlefield Award” to a heroic enlisted medical professional from each branch of the Armed Services. For 2023, the Army recipient of this award was U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ta'Quesha Abson, currently at the Medical Readiness Brigade, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Video
Nov 8, 2023

MHS Honors U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser

MHS Honors U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser

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 ...

Last Updated: March 06, 2024
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