The Life of a Marine Surgeon
Dr Nguyen Van The, M.D. Lt. Colonel
The Marine Medical Battalion was formed on the October 1st 1968, in the second half of the Mau Than year. The battlefields of South Vietnam enjoyed relative calm. We had time to move the medical unit to the new camp located in Rung Cam, Thu Duc. It was composed of the Marine Medical Battalion Headquarters and the Le Huu Sanh Marine Hospital, which covered an area of 18 acres.
The name Le Huu Sanh brings back memories. Le Huu Sanh, Tran Ngoc Minh and I all studied at the ARVN's Military Medical School. They both became doctors for the Marines and both died while serving on the battlefields in Central Vietnam. As new medical graduates, Tran Ngoc Minh and I reported to the Marine Brigade Headquarters at the same time as each other. It was 1964, and the Battle of Binh Gia had just broken out. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Battalion, and the Military Hospital located behind the Tran Quoc Toan Market was later named after him.
Le Huu Sanh was a year below me in the 12th Regular Medical Class. One day, when I was on leave in Saigon, I met him in front of the Marie Curie Girls' School (a prestigious school in one of the most affluent parts of Saigon that followed the French system of education). At that time, the allocation of medical graduates into units had not taken place. Seeing me in my combat fatigues, Sanh asked:
“Tell me about the Marines. Is it OK ?”
Half joking, half serious I said:
“Well, I don't know if OK is the word - Tran Ngoc Minh has just been killed in action. But we all have a fate of our own. It's tough in the Marines, but it's also challenging and rewarding.”
He replied:
“If so, I will choose to enter the Marine Corps - at least I will know you.”
And he did. Some months later, as chief of the 5th Battalion's medical platoon, he was killed in action.
As Marine Division surgeon, I suggested to my superiors to name the Medical Hospital that was to be built after him, so that my friend - the hero and doctor that he was - would be remembered.
Dr Wenger, a naval lieutenant from the US Navy accompanied me to every US Evacuation Hospital in Long Binh, and to all the US bases in South Vietnam, to find a model and to seek ideas for the new Marine Hospital.
Dr Wenger was the medical advisor for the VNMC and the VNN in 1968. He later went on to become Senior Naval Surgeon in the American Pacific Fleet. When I became a refugee, he visited me when I finally settled in Texas.
Le Huu Sanh Marine Hospital was built by an American building company according to international criteria. It had 250 beds, and was fully equipped with modern facilities. The surgical and dental departments were particularly sophisticated. There was also a maternity and pediatric department to take care of the families of the Marines. The hospital also created jobs for the relatives of the Marines - over 100 women were trained as midwives for the Maternity ward.
The staff at the new hospital were very positive and high-spirited. All new personnel - doctors, nurses, orderlies... were very enthusiastic. Each tried in their own way to make the place more cheerful. Rows of firs and eucalyptus trees lined both sides of the asphalt path leading up to the entrance, so that a pleasant smell would waft in the afternoon breeze. Porcelain elephants, terra cotta statues, flower pots, cool marble seats graced the gardens. For Catholics, there was statue of the Virgin Mary, and for the Buddhists, there was a statue of Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. Religion was very important for the families and the soldiers who survived the war - many left the hospital with their faith in their religion strengthened. Many Marines owed their lives to Dr Tuong, Dr Hiep, Dr Cuong, and Dr Hai - the surgeons at the Hospital. Also working at the hospital were Dr My, Dr Hanh, Dr Dong Nam and Dr Tam. A host of other Marine doctors worked in various wards day and night.
1969, and 1970, passed quietly and uneventfully. The battle fields expanded to neighbouring countries where the NVA had retreated to resupply, restructure, and regroup. We went with the troops bound for Cambodia to participate in the battles at Chau Doc, Chuong Thien, and Neak Luong.
Then Operation Lam Son 719 was organized. Its aim was to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which had always fuelled the fierce battles in Central Vietnam. The Marine Division including the Medical Battalion was airlifted to Ai Tu Combat Base prior to being transported to Khe Sanh. Khe Sanh was a beautiful, historical place that held many secrets. It became a painful name to many. Marine Division Headquarters and the Marine Supporting Units positioned on top of small green hills. Around us rose tall mountains, one of which was Mt Coroc, a huge peak that rose up to merge with clouds.
Lamson 719 was a large scale operation that involved many Vietnamese and US units. In the day time, squadrons of helicopters flew to Laos to airlift troops and supplies. In the afternoons, the helicopters, like a flock of birds, flew back to roost in their nests. With each passing day, the number that returned to base grew less and less.
At night, I would lie in the underground bunker, counting enemy artillery shellings and rockets. Thousands would be lauched each night. An ironic thought often passed through my mind:
“Would I have time to count the one that would claim my bunker?”
As the Operation progressed medevac helicopter started to dump the wounded next to the medical hill. They were then transferred to field dispensaries in our position. The surgical team led by Dr Cuong worked continuously. Our position was within the range of enemy artillery. One day, as I trudged up the slippery hill under heavy rain, to attend the daily surgical briefing, an enemy artillery round exploded a few hundred metres in front of me. A jeep and the bush next to it burst into flames. The blast was so strong that it threw me to the ground and I rolled several times. It brought home to me the frightening realities of war.
The enemy continued their daily shellings. Unfortunately, the helicopter landing zones were within the enemy's artillery range. We became busier and busier, as more and more wounded Marines were dropped off.
On one particular day, the shelling was so heavy and continuous that Dr Manh, who was in charge of Triage threw caution to the winds and continued his work, totally ignoring the explosions. Seeing how dangerous the situation was becoming, I had to run to him and said: “Let's seek shelter behind these PSP sheets.” (PSP stood for Perforated Steel Plates).
When they stopped shelling, we continued our task. The severely wounded Marines were transferred to regional Military Hospitals and to Hospital Ships off-shore.
I have never liked the number 13. On a certain 13th day, my six sense warned me that something dreadful was going to happen. All day, I felt nervous and edgy. At the Staff Briefing, I found out the sad news. A rocket had hit the bunker of the medical platoon belonging to the 7th Marine Battalion. Dr Anh, the head of the platoon was blinded in one eye. Staff Sergeant Phuoc, the chief nurse, was killed instantly. Several others were wounded. This news upset me a great deal. Before the operation started, Phuoc had asked me to transfer him to a stationary, non-fighting unit. But as his request came too close to our departure for Lam Son, I promised him that I would consider his case when we got back.
Days later, helicopters brought back their bodies, which were already beginning to disintegrate and putrify. Wearing gloves, I tried to search the chest of each body in the hope of finding Phuoc's name tag. Finally I identified his body, and transferred his remains to Base Camp for burial.
The battle in Laos continued until the ARVN had to retreat. The success of the retreat was a tribute to the Field Commander's talent. The Marines were airlifted back to Khe Sanh with minimal losses. After two months embroiled in the operation, the Marine Division moved to Lavang to rest before returning to the Base Camp in Thu Duc.
The efforts of the Medical Battalion in Operation Lam Son were recognized. Two months later, the Medical Battalion and its Commander was honoured before the whole ARVN with a medal for valour.
After the operation, the Marine Division continued to expand to meet the needs of the battlefields - especially after Vietnamization, when the Allied Forces withdrew.
In 1972, the battlefields in Central Vietnam boiled over again. From the defensive line at the My Chanh river, the Marine Division launched a counter-attack to recover Quang Tri. It was a memorable leaf in the history of Vietnam.
“Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
After 20 years out of my country, my heart is still with the Marines, although the time I spent with them was less than half the time I have been in the USA.
As far as the Marines are concerned, we did not lose the war. We were merely denied the opportunity to win. Our country was lost on political grounds more than on military grounds. We now live with souvenirs, and memories of the past, and all our dead brothers are immortalized in our memories.
Specifics of the Vietnamese Marine Medical Battalion
Battalion Commander:
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van The, from October 1st 1968 to April 30th 1975.
Executive Officer:
Major Tran Manh Tuong, from October 1st 1968 to April 30th 1975.
Formed on October 1st 1968 after the Tet Offensive. On the same day the Marine Brigade was transformed to the Marine Division.
It was independent, and was not a subordinate unit of the navy.
All officers - doctors, dentists, pharmacists, administrators were appointed by the ARVN Medical Corps to the Marine Corps.
All positions, from Master Sergeant to Private was manned by the Marine Corps' own manpower.
The Marine Medical Battalion recruited soldiers, and trained them to become nurses, corpsmen, and technicians.
When a wounded Marine was admitted to the Le Huu Sanh Marine Hospital, his name was transfered to the Surplus Block of the Marine Medical Battalion so that they could receive benefits.
The Surplus Block of the Marine Medical Battalion was commanded by Major To Van Cap, a Da Lat National Military Academy graduate. He too, was wounded in the war. The number of wounded fluctuated between a thousand and nine thousand, depending on the battles fought. The highest casualties coincided with the Laos and Quang Tri battles.
The Marine Hospital was named on the same day that the Marine Medical Battalion was formed.
Dr Le Huu Sanh who was in the 12th Regular Medical Class, died in 1966 while serving in the 5th Marine Battalion, in Central Vietnam.
From 1969 onwards, the Marine Medical Battalion and the Le Huu Sanh Marine Hospital was located at Song Than Base, at Rung Cam, Thu Duc.
Le Huu Sanh Marine Hospital was built by the American Company RMK and the Marine Engineers on 18 acres, in the shape of a cross, similar to the US Evacuation Hospital.
Hospital Chief Surgeons:
Major Tran Manh Tuong: 1968 - 1970
Major Truong Minh Cuong: 1970 - 1972.
Major Tran Cong Hiep: 1972 - 1975.
After Operation Lam Son 719, the Marine Medical Battalion was honoured by the ARVN.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van The
Marine Division Surgeon
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