Heat therapy is applied by Sgt. Rupert DeFreitas to PFC James H. Suitor of 15th Aviation Company, 1st Cavalry Division at the 121st Evacuation Hospital. The hospital receives and treats patients from hospitals and dispensaries throughout Korea. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)
This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Feb. 26, 1959. It is republished unedited in its original form.
ASCOM CITY, Korea — The sound of helicopter blades is often the only warning to medics of the 121st Evacuation Hospital that an emergency case is coming.
But the hospital and its busy, alert corps of doctors and technicians can save lives on short notice and perform experienced, skillful medical piecework toward mending illness or injury.
It’s an Army counterpart of any big-city hospital found in Boston, Seattle, or Detroit.
Capt. Robert L. Williamson, the hospital’s adjutant, said that it probably has “the best facilities and the most capable staff of any hospital in or out of the States.”
He added that most department heads are specialists who have taken board examinations or are board qualified, something that takes 15 to 20 years of study, training or practicing.
Applying weight on the neck of Specialist James L. Grik, Hq. Btry., I Corps, is Private First Class Martin T. J. Barnes, wardman at the 121st. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)
Hospital radiologist Capt. Stanley S. Friedman examines X-Ray plates of patients. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)
Outpatient service is one of the many functions of the 121st Evacuation Hospital in Korea. SP4 James D. Pierce (right) registers SP5 Ronald G. Williams, Eighth Army Aircraft Maintenance, ASCOM, for treatment. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)
Radiologist Stanley S. Friedman - according to the 121st hospital staff one of the few radiologists in the Far East - assists with the reading of X-ray plates for several hospitals in South Korea. Friedman and his department average about 3,000 X-rays a month themselves. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)
Big food wagons make the rounds of the 121st's wards as Sergeant First Class John H. Jackman (right), Headquarters Service Company, 802nd Engineer Battalion, receives his supper from Private First Class Kermit W. Tesch, wardman. A Korean mess attendant (left) assists. (Chris Weinreich/Stars and Stripes)
“Most all consultants to the Eight Army Surgeon’s Office are stationed here,” he said.
But it’s only part of the big picture at the hospital, which takes patients from hospitals and dispensaries all over Korea. The 121st, commanded by Col. Arnold L. Ahnfeldt, has been the doorway to treatment and recovery for U.S. servicemen and Republic of Korea military personnel, Army and non-Army U.S. civilians and Korean nationals.
There are three fully equipped X-ray rooms and portable units that can be wheeled into wards. Capt. Stanley S. Friedman, whom hospital authorities claim as one of the few radiologists in the Far East, takes care of patients from other hospitals and reads and interprets X-ray plates sent to the hospital. The hospital’s own average is about 3,000 X-rays a month.
“We test blood, do bacteria smears, and supply whole blood not only for the 121st but for other hospitals,” said Sgt. Melvin R. Smith, chief technician for the hospital’s laboratory. “We also have the only mobile blood unit in Korea.”
A Van Slyke Apparatus, used to measure gases in the blood, was assembled by a doctor assigned to the hospital.
There’s a pharmacy and a physical therapy department where heat treatments, whirlpool baths and massages can be given to aid recovery.
The hospital can take care of about 400 patients at a time ad has morale facilities, such as a post exchange, a barber shop, movie theater and chapel for them. Gray Ladies and Red Cross volunteers entertain in the wards.
After treatment, a patient is either discharged or set to the 1st Medical Battalion in Seoul for further treatment or full recovery.
