36th Evacuation Hospital

On the 9th of May,1967, I arrived at the 36th Evac hospital in a very sorry state, the fact that I sit here is a magnificent testimony to the skill and dedication of doctors nurses and all who attended me on the day. As the result of a landmine, I lost my left leg completely, my right hand was amputated several weeks later. My left hand has only the thumb and forefinger remaining well below full use, but I'm not complaining. I remained in the "post op" till the 19th June, when I was ultimately flown home to Australia. For the last thirty one years I have remembered with much gratitude the wonderful people who cared for me and started me back on the road to recovery. Life has been good to me; wonderful children two great ladies who married me (sadly my first wife past away due to cancer) and reasonably good health. One of my treasured positions is a ten page letter written by many of the "post op" staff and doctors who treated me, when ever I feel down a re read of this letter gets me up and going again. While roaming the net I came across your web site, and noted your 'sister search' which gave me the idea that you maybe able to help me locate one or many of the wonderful people who made it possible for me to enjoy so many more years of life John Thompson P.S. In Vietnam they called me "Jethro"

I saw your ad in the latest VFW Magazine. I was in your lovely hospital in June of 1968 for Malaria and again in January of 1969 for wounds. I would like to personally thank you and all the other nurses that were stationed there at that time. Welcome Home...

MachineGun Rottman 1st Australian TASK Force Nui Dai South Vietnam

Peter Griffen who was a patient of ours and is now a poet and writer has been published. The book is THOUGHTS, MEMORIES AND TEARS, an anthology of war, death and remembrance. It contains ninety one poems, art, articles and pictures. This anthology is a hard hitting, no holds barred, account of the affects intense combat has on the individual soldier. It reveals the mystique of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the dirt level perspectives of the battle hardened infantryman and his trials and tribulations afterwards.
THOUGHTS, MEMORIES AND TEARS is a poignant salute to those who went to war and to those who never returned... A must read for all who want to understand Hell on earth and its aftermath. I think you will find it most enjoyable, interesting, enlightening and well worth reading.
The retail price is $18.95, plus a $3.00 shipping and handling fee, when applicable.
A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to help build a 101st Airborne Division Memorial Monument to be erected at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Peter has written another book which I was privileged to review. This is a powerful story of one Airborne Troop and his time in the Army and the many years struggling with the devils he encountered there.

18 August 66 my platoon of 28 went on a company patrol (total 108) and we got into a blue with about 2,500 VC. The battle lasted nearly 3 hours and my platoon suffered 13 KIA and 8 WIA, the company total was 14 KIA and 24 WIA. All of the WIA went to 36 Evac, the first and possibly the greatest number of Aussies to hit your unit at one time.
Now in February 2000 I thank you and all those on strength for their skill and dedication in looking after my men and the hundreds of Aussies that followed. My home page (URL below) is my contribution to information of the time. Bob Buick
Robert S Buick MM 24 Mountain Ash Drive MOUNTAIN CREEK Qld 4557 AUSTRALIA

Saw your 36th Evac Reunion Notice in the Army Times. I read the Times as part of my job as the Training Director for the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs. As a former patient at the 36th in October of 1968, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to you and all your comrades from the 36th. My wounds were minor, but the treatment received at your facility was top notch. I think I learned the meaning of compassion at your facility. This was a life lesson that has served me well. My thanks again and I wish you all a very good reunion.
Dan Liles DLiles@aol.com
C Troop 3/17th Air Cav 68-69

From SSGT Pete Eckhardt who was a patient at the 36th He was a 22 year old platoon sergeant serving with the 9th Infantry Division and wounded 11 April 1969. Please pass on my appreciation to the staff of the 36th Evac who took such "great" care of me during my stay there. I will never forget how wonderful I was treated and will be eternally grateful. Wish I could tell you all in person! Pete
peckhardt@chubb.com

I was really surprised to find this web site. in 1968 while our swift boat was on patrol I was hit in the left leg with shrapnel. I was treated for my wounds at the 36th in Vung Tau only wish I knew the names of the Nurses that treated me that night. .I was well taken care of and for that I would like to say thank you. to each and everyone of the women that served in Vietnam---- Welcome Home------- you'll always be hero's to me. Fred Spradley GMGSN 1968 Catlo, Vietnam frspradley@flintemc.net

Ed McCaskill a Navy Helicopter pilot brought to the 36th in 1968 Writes: I've been singing praises for you guys since 68', and it's nice to put a name or two to my compliments after all this time. My squadron headquarters (HAL-3 ,Sea Wolves) was in Vung Tau, but I was stationed in one of our detachments at Nha Be until I had the opportunity to visit the 36th Evac.
I don't remember meeting any of the Doctors there as I was pretty spaced-out in the first few days. I do vaguely remember some of the nurses though. Not only were they BEAUTIFUL, but they were right there to help. It was an experience I'll not forget. Have a great reunion; and remember there are a lot of satisfied customers who give ya'll the warmest regards on a daily basis.
Ed McCaskill mccask@pilot.infi.ne

You all took care of me in 1966, when I had Scrub typhus fever. It’s .been along time ago. I can't remember faces or names, age catching up with all of us. I served with the 101st. Thanks so much for taking care of me. there aren’t enough words or time to say how much you all meant to us Sincerely Ron from Henry, IL greaper@mtco.com

I am in total surprise. I have never forgotten the 36th or all the wonderful folks that took fine care of me and every one else. I don't know how you-all could smile every day, at least in front of us. THANKS. I still have my prescription for two beers. I also never forgot CPT. Gayle Wooding, it was a tear jerker to see her picture after all these years. I hope she is doing well, all of you wonderful folks. Merry Christmas. CWO-Ray Kerns Ret. rakjr@newbernnc.com

I was a platoon medic with Co. B 2/8 1st Air Cav when on September 5, 1969, I was wounded on LZ Ike, sustaining multiple fragment wounds to the legs and abdomen. After brief stops at the 45th Surg. in Tay Ninh and the 93rd Evac in Long Binh, I ended up at the 36th Evac. I spent one very long month there before being shipped stateside, and although it's been more than thirty years I wanted to acknowledge and thank all those who participated in my care during that stay. The names and faces have long since been forgotten, but the deeds remain very vivid. I especially want to give credit to a female major (at least I'm pretty sure she was a major), whose name I can't remember, who worked with me in physical therapy. I developed a special relationship with her during my recovery, and although at times I cursed her under my breath for making me do things that I didn't want to do, or I didn't think I could do, or that caused more pain than I wanted to experience, it was without question her persistence that played a significant role in the speed with which I regained the use of my legs.

I have stayed in health care, eventually becoming a physician assistant. My commitment to caring for the sick and injured makes me appreciate all the more the difficult job that all at the 36th Evac were faced with. To those whom I met during my relatively brief encounter, and to the countless others I never did, I want to extend my undying gratitude.

My name is Peter Ainslie, and I was wounded near Xuyen Moc onDec 2, 1966 and admitted to 36 Evac about 20 minutes later. I suffered an amputation to the right leg below the Knee, the leg was just about gone when I arrived and there is no doubt that the staff at 36 Evac saved my life. I still joke about the fact that I am an honourary American, because of the number of blood transfusions I received from US volunteers from units around the hospital. Here were these wonderful guys giving their blood to a damn Australian that they did not know and would probably never see again. I was in Post Op at the hospital for my entire stay. I was there a month and I will never forget the staff, Capt Jackie Kennedy, Polly Parrot, Sgt Huddleston, Dr. Wyncoop (Hope I spelt that correctly) Capt Katsuyama, and yes! you bought things for me although I didn't need much, but I well remember your Sunny smile in the ward. I liked everybody, and I have all their names to this day. The only thing I didn't like was the "Egg Flips and undercooked Lambs Fry " that Dr. Wyncoop insisted that I have a couple of times a day to build up blood. I am married to an Australian Diplomat and we currently live and work in Caracas, Venezuela, so all my photographs, souvenirs, memorabilia, etc are in storage in Australia. The Long Tan Association Newsletter takes about 3 weeks to reach me even though it travels through the venerable Diplomatic Bag. I was one of those blokes who received scratches at Long Tan but went "belly up" four months later. I note that you went to a 36 Evac reunion in Oct if you continue to keep in touch with anyone between reunions would you mind giving them my sincere best wishes, I realize that I was one patient out of thousands and nobody will remember me. Nevertheless, please pass on my best. Oh! and by the way can I submit an advance order for the book? My address is : PeterAinslie, Locked Bag 40, (Caracas Bag), P.O KINGSTON ACT 2604. The Caracas Bag bit is important, otherwise the mail could end up anywhere. Sincerely Peter Ainslie

After all these years, with the advent of the internet, am reliving some of my memories of my year in Viet Nam (June '67-June '68) I was a Navy Electronics Technician based at Cat Lo. Had not been in country very long when I got sick and had a very high fever. I rolled up in a rubber poncho and thought I was freezing to death. The corpsman took my temperature and immediately took me to the 36th at Vung Tau. Spent several days there. The first night, it seemed like they were drawing blood and taking vital signs every hour. I recovered okay but never really knew what the problem was. During my year, made several trips to the base at Vung Tau for beer and pizza and to go to the PX. Got out of the Navy in 1970 and have lived in Omaha since 1972--married, 3 kids. Anyway, thanks for the memories and taking care of me. Sincerely,