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underwear.” Arrived in Da Nang for 24 hours and took a chopper ride to Khe Sanh, where I was for three weeks till we were saved by the 101st Airborne. Chu Lai in late February 1968 and a thing called Tet (supposed to be a holiday), where I saw war in its full fury. Testing both our skills and psychological stability. We did
a good job and I felt like I was helping. Went back for a second tour till September 1969. Finished up as Colonel and Commander of 27th Surgical Hospital. Back to Valley Forge Hospital and honorable discharge in December of 1969.
Allen Davies
Robert C. Donlick
Following graduation from medical school and internship,
in June 1967, was immediately drafted into the Army. Was appointed a Captain, MC, in June 1967. Basic training followed at Rucker, AL. In November, deployed to Vietnam. First assignment was Phiu Loi with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. The Medical Division in Lai Khe. The next move was to the 148th Assault Helicopter Company, where I set up a medical dispensary and was underground for six weeks during the Tet Offensive. Returned stateside in November 1968, and was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Was awarded the Bronze Star, in September 1969. Was noted for the personalized care of the soldiers and their families while stationed in the Military District of Washington.
have certain skills. Because most of the injuries are gunshots
or shrapnel, with multiple organ involvement, a surgeon must
be able to isolate and repair primary life-threatening causes
so that other surgical issues may be postponed. He has to be
able to function under stress that is different than in a civilian hospital, such as the presence of an attending physician, multiple casualties at once, limited supplies, and other conditions unique to a war zone.
Mayer Katz
Joseph F. Kestner
Medical school graduation 1968, with a reserve commission, assigned to U.S. Army. The Berry Plan — choices. Active duty after internship at the Philadelphia General Hospital sounded like a respite. We learned our assignments that spring. I won Vietnam. “Report to Fort Sam Houston.” Choices at Fort Sam: Battalion Surgeon, Special Forces, etc. Flight Surgeon sounded good, due to the mobility. Fort Rucker, for basic aviation medical. To Vietnam. II Corps with the 48th Assault Helicopter Company, Ninh Hoa. Mission: Support of the 9th ROK Infantry Division. March 1, 1970, operations inserting battalions of ROK infantry into the mountains west of Cam Ranh. We lose a helicopter and pilot that day. Our aircraft support the insertion of troops into Cambodia, leading to the protests and shootings at Kent State. In October 1970, a young pilot dies of meliodosis. “You served your tour in Vietnam. Where would you like to serve stateside?” Fort Ord on Monterey peninsula or the Presidio in San Francisco sound good. “You’ve been assigned to Fort Stewart in Hinesville, GA. Take this Bronze Star and Air Medal and go to Stewart.” Nine months at Fort Stewart (including a junket through South America), then, “Here’s your honorable discharge, thank you for your service.”
Ted Kestner
James P. Marvel
On graduation from the University of Delaware, I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. I was accepted into medical school and graduated 1962.
Mayer Katz
Bob Donlick
Mayer Katz
Graduated medical
school as a Berry Plan
recipient. Was activated
in 1967. Attended the
two-week medical
Fort Sam Houston, TX.
Served in Vietnam 1967-
1968. Was extremely
surgically active during
the Tet Offensive, the
Battle of Hue and Khe
Sanh. Operated with the
Army 22nd MASH and
the 3rd Marine Division,
3rd Medical Battalion,
and their Hospital at
Phu Bai. Performed over 400 surgical cases. Was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for taking a live grenade out of a soldier’s face. While serving with the 3rd Marine Division, Medical Battalion in Phu Bai, I learned that a surgeon during the war should
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Joseph F. Kestner
