About this Unit
The 30th Field Hospital was originally constituted on 15 July 1942 in the Army of the United States and activated on 15 August 1942 at Camp Barkeley, Texas. During World War II, the unit provided critical medical support to Allied forces in the European Theater, participating in campaigns across France and Germany. After the war, the hospital was inactivated and later reactivated to support military operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, adapting to evolving battlefield medical needs. Today, the 30th Field Hospital continues its legacy of excellence, providing expeditionary medical care to U.S. and allied forces worldwide.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Roots: The 30th Field Hospital was constituted on 23 June 1943 and activated on 15 July 1943 at Camp Ellis, Illinois, to provide frontline medical care during World War II.
•
European Theater Service: The unit deployed to the European Theater of Operations, serving in France, Belgium, and Germany, supporting major campaigns such as Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.
•
Battle of the Bulge: During the Battle of the Bulge, the 30th Field Hospital provided critical medical support to wounded soldiers under harsh winter conditions and enemy fire.
•
Mobile Medical Care: Field hospitals like the 30th were designed to be rapidly deployed and mobile, allowing them to follow advancing combat units and provide timely surgical and medical care.
•
Postwar Deactivation and Reactivation: The unit was deactivated after World War II but was later reactivated and reorganized several times to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Army.
•
Vietnam War Service: The 30th Field Hospital was deployed to Vietnam in 1966, where it provided medical support near Nha Trang, treating thousands of American and allied casualties.
•
Evacuation and Innovation: The unit was integral in developing new techniques for rapid evacuation and treatment of battlefield injuries, influencing modern combat medicine.
•
Desert Storm Participation: The 30th Field Hospital was activated for Operation Desert Storm in 1990, deploying to Saudi Arabia to support coalition forces during the Gulf War.
•
Transition to Combat Support Hospital: In the 2000s, the unit was reflagged as the 30th Medical Brigade and later as a Combat Support Hospital, reflecting changes in Army medical doctrine.
•
Legacy of Service: Throughout its history, the 30th Field Hospital has embodied the spirit of Army medicine, earning campaign streamers and commendations for its lifesaving service on multiple continents.
