The United States Army Medical Command, Vietnam (USAMEDCOMV) provided Echelon/Role 3 Health Service Support to units of the United States Army, Vietnam (USAV). It was a Table of Distribution and Allowances organization created by consolidating the staffs of the 44th Medical Brigade and the USAV Surgeon's Office. This action was taken as part of the overall drawdown of forces in Vietnam in an effort to reduce headquarters staffs and increase efficiencies. As the medical footprint further reduced in 1972, it was replaced by the United States Army Health Services Group, Vietnam on 30 April 1972.
Lineage
Organized in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Medical Command, Vietnam (Provisional) on 1 March 1970 in South Vietnam Constituted 14 December 1970 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Medical Command, Vietnam and activated in South Vietnam Inactivated 30 April 1972 in South Vietnam
Honors
Campaign participation credit
Vietnam Winter–Spring 1970 Sanctuary Counteroffensive Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII Consolidation I Consolidation II Vietnam Cease-fire
Decorations
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer Embroidered VIETNAM 1970—1971 Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970
History
On 1 March 1970, the United States Army Medical Command, Vietnam was organized as a result of consolidating the 44th Medical Brigade and the USARV Surgeon's Office. The Medical Command organization eliminated duplication of effort, reduced manpower requirements by 17% end provided a headquarters that would be more responsive to drawdown requirements.
The 43d Medical Group, with headquarters at Nah Trang, was inactivated on 7 February 1970. Per previously developed plans, the reduction of the 44th Medical Brigade from three medical groups to two was the trigger event for the stand-up of the USAMEDCOMV. The 43d Medical Group was responsible for Army level medical support in the area or operations of Military Region II (formerly II Corps Tactical Zone). With the inactivation of the 43d Medical Group the responsibility for the medical units within the geographic area of MR II was divided roughly in half. The 67th Medical Group assumed the responsibility for the northern half and the 68th Medical Group assumed the responsibility for the southern half.
The concept of a medical battalion composed entirely of helicopter and ground ambulance units was also developed. This battalion would have sole responsibility for combat evacuation, both air and air and ground within the 67th Medical Group area of operation. To implement this concept, the 61st Medical Battalion was organized at Qui Nhon during January 1970 and assigned a mix of an air ambulance company, air ambulance detachments, ground ambulance companies and ground ambulance detachments. After a three-month period of testing and observation of the 61st Medical Battalion, the 58th Medical Battalion was organized at Long Binh along similar lines to support the 68th Medical Group.
The concept provided a better utilization of evacuation assets, improved response, improved maintenance and increased command and control. Direct command, control and supervision was provided by a senior experienced Medical Service Corps aviator with extensive experience in medical evacuation, both ground and air.
Calendar year 1970 could be divided into three distinct periods coinciding with the Keystone Robin redeployment schedules. During the first period, Keystone Bluejay, in February through April, the following units were redeployed or inactivated:
UNIT DESIGNATION STRENGTH DATE REDEPLOYED/INACTIVATED1st Medical Company (Ambulance)724 February 19701st Medical Detachment (Mobile Laboratory)126 February 1970359th Veterinary Detachment (IE)86 February 1970HHD, 43d Medical Group417 February 1970760th Veterinary Detachment (JB)199 February 1970463d Medical Detachment (KB)314 February 197067th Medical Detachment (KE)716 February 1970219th Medical Detachment (KJ)1916 February 1970551st Medical Detachment (KH)316 February 197024th Medical Detachment (Mobile Laboratory)1218 February 1970241st Medical Detachment (MB)2118 February 1970764th Medical Detachment (IE)818 February 1970257th Medical Detachment (KJ)3620 February 1970945th Medical Detachment (KA)720 February 1970210th Medical Detachment (MC)3128 February 19702d Surgical Hospital12010 March 1970HHD, 44th Medical Brigade9*15 April 1970TOTAL - 428*—Strength reduction only
The following units were contained in a force structure change with spaces reduced and redistributed within the command:
UNIT DESIGNATION STRENGTH DATE INACTIVATED658th Medical Detachment (AC)825 June 1970188th Medical Detachment (PA)625 June 1970542d Medical Company (Clearing)10725 June 1970563d Medical Company (Clearing)10725 June 1970667th Medical Detachment (AC)825 June 1970HHD, 55th Medical Group4125 June 19707th Surgical Hospital12010 July 1970507th Medical Detachment (FC)3310 July 1970545th Medical Detachment (FC)3310 July 1970666th Medical Detachment (CG)3310 July 1970TOTAL - 470 Although this chart reflects the effective dates, some of these reductions had actually been made months before their effective dates.
During the second redeployment period of calendar year 1970, Keystone Robin (ALPHA), covering June 1970 through 15 October 1970, the following units were redeployed or inactivated:
UNIT DESIGNATION STRENGTH DATE REDEPLOYED/INACTIVATED51st Medical Company (Ambulance)8431 July 1970561st Medical Company (Ambulance)8431 July 197075th Veterinary Detachment (JA)631 July 1970504th Veterinary Detachment (JA)615 August 197071st Evacuation Hospital135*14 October 1970TOTAL - 315*—Strength reduction only
The following units were contained in a force structure change with spaces reduced and redistributed within the command:
UNIT DESIGNATION STRENGTH DATE INACTIVATED17th Field Hospital951 August 1970551st Transportation Detachment561 August 1970TOTAL - 151 The 551st Transportation Detachment provided Direct Support Aircraft Maintenance to the 45th Medical Company (Air Ambulance)
During the third period of calendar year 1970, Keystone Robin (BRAVO), covering 15 October through 31 December 1970, the following units were redeployed or inactivated:
UNIT DESIGNATION STRENGTH DATE REDEPLOYED/INACTIVATED45th Surgical Hospital12315 August 1970254th Medical Detachment (RA)4815 November 1970HHD, 44th Medical Brigade03 December 197012th Evacuation Hospital30514 December 197071st Evacuation Hospital17014 December 19708th Field Hospital39*31 December 1970TOTAL - 685*—Strength reduction only On 3 December 1970, the 44th Medical Brigade's colors were returned to Fort Meade Maryland, where the 18th Medical Brigade was reflagged as the 44th.
In addition to the units effected by Key stone activities, other units were relocated in country in order to balance the alignment of medical support in Vietnam:
UNIT DESIGNATION FROM TO DATE OF MOVE57th Medical Detachment (RA)Lai KheBinh Tuy19 Feb 197039th Medical Detachment (KJ)PleikuAn Khe1 April 1970 98th Medical Detachment (KO)Nha TrangDa Nang1 May 19703d Medical Detachment (LB)PleikuDa Nang1 May 1970483d Medical Detachment (RE)Qui NhonChu Lai20 May 1970500th Medical Detachment (RA)Quang TriPhu Bai20 May 1970237th Medical Detachment (RA)Quang TriPhu Bai20 May 1970507th Medical Detachment (FC)Chu LaiDa Nang15 June 1970673d Medical Detachment (OA)*Long BinhDa Nang1 August 19708th Field HospitalNha TrangAn Khe1 August 1970283d Medical Detachment (RA)PleikuTuy Hoa15 October 197039th Medical Detachment (KJ)***An KheQui Nhon1 December 19708th Field HospitalAn KheTuy Hoa3 December 197053d Medical Detachment (KA)**Long BinhPleiku14 December 1970 -* Less personnel and equipment -** Less equipment -*** Zero strength personnel and equipment
USAMEDCOMV Mission To advise the Deputy Commanding General, USARV, on all matters pertaining to the health of the command; exercise technical supervision over all medical activities; control the assignment and utilization of AMEDD officer personnel; and plan for and ensure that adequate medical service is available within USARV.
Command all Army Medical Department units assigned or attached and provide medical, dental and veterinary service support to United States Army personnel, Free World Military Assistance Forces personnel and other categories of personnel as directed. To provide hospitalization, medical and surgical care to Vietnamese civilians injured as a result or hostile action.
USAMEDCOMV Functions The USAMEDCOMV was tasked with an extensive list of functions, due to the combination of the staff and command and control missions within the headquarters. Those functions included:
Providing advice to the Deputy Commanding General, USARV, on all matters pertaining to the health of the command and exercising staff responsibility for the health services of the command. Developing medical policy consistent with the policy of the command, implementing procedures to insure adherence to established policies and issuing policy guidance. Developing, refining, adjusting, coordinating and implementing medical plans consistent with USARV plans, and developing the medical portion of USARV plans. Establishing procedures for collection, clearing and evacuation of casualties. Controlling and directing all medical service operations to include hospitalization, evacuation, dental, veterinary, medical supply and maintenance, preventive medicine and laboratory support activities of the command. Supervising the medical equipment status reporting system. Providing veterinary food inspection and animal veterinary service to United States Army Forces and such other United States Forces as directed by higher headquarters. Coordinating medical research and providing medical laboratory support to United States Army Forces and other United States Forces, as directed. Providing medical regulating to patients intra-Army, or as directed by higher headquarters. Directing utilization and assignment of AMEDD officer personnel and monitoring assignment and utilization of enlisted personnel of the command. Maintaining medical liaison with and coordinating medical, professional and technical matters with the surgeons of higher headquarters. Providing personnel and administrative support to units assigned or attached. Providing medical support to United States Army units not having an assigned or organic medical support capability. Providing dental service to United States Forces on an area basis as required. Providing humanitarian type dental treatment for United States nationals, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces and Free World Military Assistance Forces and such other activities and organizations as directed by higher headquarters. Pursuing an aggressive preventive dentistry program. On order, be prepared to augment division and separate brigade medical service. Providing a medical system of hospitalization and evacuation to support United States and Free World Military Assistance Forces and such other activities and organizations as directed by higher headquarters. Supervising professional medical service of subordinate units. Exercising custody of medical records and rendering reports on patients treated as required; collecting, analyzing, consolidating and forwarding medical reports and statistics. Providing technical inspection and maintenance support of medical equipment and supplies. Providing inventory control, receipt, storage and issue of all medical stocks for United States Army Forces, other US Military Forces and agencies and for designated Free World Military Assistance Forces, as directed by higher headquarters. Providing medical equipment maintenance and repair facilities. Supervising the medical equipment status reporting system.