Every time I hear news on the television that one of our servicemen was killed overseas it brings to mind my time when I served as a corpsman with 2nd Bn 5th Marines in 66 and 67 in Vietnam. Our Battalion had lots of Marines killed and wounded and I personally was involved with providing medical care to many of them either in Hotel Company or while at the Bn Aid Station. The Marines depended on their corpsmen to perform their duty when the time came. Far too often, many of the wounded had horrific wounds from mines or other high intensity explosions and our best was not good enough to save their lives.
Heroic acts during these times left the corpsman to ponder their own mortality when nothing worked. We all knew things would happen that we could not control and all we tried to do was save a good buddy’s life. We knew most of the Marines we took care of as we lived among them for months and considered them our brothers and at times cared more for them than our own family members. Combat does that to people.
Most of the corpsmen serving with grunt units were young, usually 19-22 years of age and some older. Our medical training was adequate at the time but not enough when things got really sour. We were expected to provide emergency medical care that a trauma trained surgeon would be hard pressed to perform under the circumstances. When our best failed and we lost a Marine, we were the first to know it, many hours before their family would receive word. I remember thinking I let my Marines down when I was unable to save a friend. It haunted me then, it haunts me now and even more on the day when they died. It never fades for memories last forever and I remember every wounded and dead Marine I took care of. I am sure many others out there feel the same way. Marine corpsmen never forget and I just wanted to express my thoughts because Memorial Day is almost here.
Roger Ware
2/5, 66-67, Vietnam
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A salute to you and all other Corpsman and Medics that were expected to do difficult work under difficult conditions.”We were Young”! SEMPER FI !! Harry RVN ’68 – ’69
Roger: God bless you for your service, if not for you and your corpsmen buddies there would be a lot more Marines not able to say Thank you. Jim Doyle 62-67 Reserves.
Roger Ware you are not alone as a Corpsman with Hotel 2/4 ’67 Arrived March 10 March 11 first day out baptism of fire scared you know what .March 30 ambushed “Corpsman Up “I switched platoons that am from first to second first platoon suffered nine Kia seven wounded one young man gone as I held him in my arms took his last breath .Haunting for 50 years .Nothing I could do.Sad as time went on estranged from the Marines didn’t know names ,Places just moved on doing the best we could .Our training somewhat adequate but did not prepare us for death & Destruction of bodies .8 months in the field transferred to 3 Rd Med .Tet hit us casualties coming in by all methods .I triaged made decision who could be saved / Treated who could not frozen to feelings just did the best I / We other Corpsman could do !!Haunting , Survivors guilt etc .Semper Fidelis Doc
Roger, I was with Echo Battery 2/11 attached to 2/5 in AnHoa in 66 – 67 and I think I remember you. God bless all the corpsmen and thank you.
Doc, well said. I served as a combat engineer until late 1967 when I was burned badly. The first to get to me was a Corpsman. They are still my heroes. Bless you!
Gentleman you did not fail those marines , the art of war used by the enemy took their lives . What was being done then with explosives and has gotten more sophisticated now, no mortal man will ever be able to repair . Where before the grace of God I go only he decides how our lives will impact the world. I am quite sure that each of you saved many Marines that would died without your being there. Thanks for all you were able to save. Focus only on those lost on Memorial day remember make them the hero’s they are. Now focus and remember all those who may have bled to death had it not been for you. I lost Marines because I might have trained them better on how to work around live ejection seats. I lost Flight crew maybe because I did not stress enough proper repair procedures on my aircraft. I launched a lot of sorties for defense of Marines, for training a lot of Pilots , for a lot of test and check of aircraft I try to stay more aware of the success then the failures. Note I said try. Ssgt of Marines
Please be proud and grateful for what you did do and unashamed of what you could not do – its kind of hard to imagine today a 21 year old being thrust into the role you had to play when saving someone else’s life was more important than your own. God bless you always!
Amen brothers
Roger, are you the same corpsman I met many years ago in Philadelphia when we met Captain Kirschke. If so, a big Semper Fi. He was our 81’s platoon commander with 3/5 before he was transferred to 2/5. He was seriously injured and the corpsman did a great job. We met to recall our thoughts.
Marines never forget their Doc. You are a very special breed, thank you and God Bless all Navy/Marine Corpsmen.
Semper Fi Doc`s
I will never forget Pete and Thompson our Platoon Corpsmen our navy brothers taking care of us as needed. To this day I salute the Corpsmen for their service and courage.
Every time you feel haunted by these memories think about how grateful to you these Marines would be if they were here today. Think how grateful their families would have been could they have seen how desperately and hard you worked to save their loved ones. Here is something that never gets old and trite — Semper Fi, brother.
Corpsmen are the best! You were the last to talk to some of those guys. That makes you their best friend, and who else should they be with at the end. You put yourself in harms way to help a brother Marine! Please take pride in what you did and the way you live now!! You made a difference in so many lives. I salute you and all the Corpsmen. Bill Walter, Cpl., 2nd generation USMC, OH RAH – Semper Fi
Roger and surviving members of Hotel Company, 2/5: as S/Sgt Markovitch affirms, you did not fail. You did the best you could with what you had, and that is all that any Marine asks. N.B. In ’69 one newly assigned Embassy Marine Guard “Wesley” told of Hotel Company’s sobriquet of “Hard Luck Hotel” earned by repetitive last minute assignments to remote and hot combat zones- postponing already hard earned leave. Inevitably, this meant additional casualties which you Corpsmen did your level best to treat… Hotel Company survivors are surely unanimous in expressing their heart-felt gratitude and a very special SEMPER FI to you and yours!
Hey, Doc! Don’t you worry about it! We Marines love “our” Doc’s! I was hit in ’70 while serving with 2/5 at An Hoa and after reporting to Bn. Aid Station (ordered to do so) I walked in and saw the comotion of busy as hell Docs tending to the twenty-some Marine wounded and turned about and left. Those seriously wounded Marines and the compasionate Docs administering to them will be etched on my memory forever. Note: we also lost our Doc that day due to wounds received. He had extended his tour to stay in the field with “HIS” Marines. It’s a bond forged in hell, buddy. God bless you and all of your kind!
I was with 2/5 H&S, Comm. on Hill 69 in 1966 and your name rings a very old bell. Thank you for doing all that you could for our brothers. I hope that you are well in all ways. Have you heard from many others? Semper Fi! Ralph “Doom” Dumovic.
Corpsman Ware, We Marines, ALL Marines, know and understand what your job entailed, that’s why we love our “Docs” so much. We know that the bag you carried didn’t have an operating suite, we know that you didn’t have a pharmacy in it, we know that your “bag-o-tricks” provided you with less than one hundredth of what was available to you in the hospital, we know that you did one hell of a job in less, MUCH less, than optimal conditions. We saw what you did for your Marines in the field, we saw how you loved us in return. We know that you didn’t sign up for duty in the Navy to be a grunt, but we saw that you took up the challenge and shared every hardship with your Marines, We know that, like the Marine Corps, the Navy didn’t issue miracles to dispense out of that bag you carried, we could only do the best job with what we had, it’s just a fact. Finally, we Marines know that our Doc’s face was THE last thing that too many of our beloved brothers saw before leaving this earth. A Marine would fight, hand to hand, 100 enemies at a time, rather than perform that duty. No, I’ll take that back, our Doc NEVER looked like he was just doing his “duty”, we knew better, we were “your Marines”. Doc Ware, by God, you KNOW how jealously we Marines guard the brotherhood, but nothing, I mean NOTHING, made us feel better than just knowing the Doc was there, even for those “talks” and encouragement that you dispensed as well. NOBODY but a brother Marine, who has earned it, wears our uniform, EXCEPT our Doc, WHO HAS EARNED IT! I hope you know that there are certain things that a Marine would have no problem killing for, trust me, right at the top is our Doc. To this day, if I should EVER hear someone run his jibs about ANY Doc, the fight is ON, although I’ve never heard even a single, negative word spoken. Trust me on this one, you are being too hard on yourself, Doc Ware. Rest assured, we KNOW that you did every possible thing you could do, to the best of your ability, with the utmost care and love. Just think about the advice and encouragement that you dispensed to your Marines, take it to heart like we did, you deserve it. God bless, God speed and Semper Fi, forever and one day, Doc Ware…
“that there are certain things that a Marine would have no problem killing for, trust me, right at the top is our Doc.” – And the rest of us will help you hide the body….Semper fidelis.
Doc or Roger whichever you prefer, “Doc” I suppose. I served from ’54 to’57. Never needed a corpsman, oops except with a case of walking pneumonia at AIT @ Pendleton Dec, ’54 through Mar. ’55 and then with Easy-2-12 in Japan and Okinawa. I followed the sage advice of the wife of a MSgt stationed at El Toro, whom I was asked to visit by his older sister a good friend of my mother’s. Both of whom were wives of WW I Gyreens. She said, “Keep it in your pants!”. I did and past every routine short-arm inspection. Therefore I was not all that close to our local Corpsman, having NOT had those regular/mandatory conversations that many of the other cannon-cockers were accustomed to. What boils my ass is that our former Hawaiian/Kenyan/Indonesian Community-organizing Commander-in-Chief couldn’t even learn to pronounce your Title correctly!!! What a F’in embarrassment he was!!! And he writes a book titled “Dreams of my MY Father”.the F’in Mao-Mao who deserted him and his mother shortly after his birth to casually pollinate some of the other flowers that caught his fancy and a few of whom he married as provided for in the muslim (sic) tradition in Kenya. Sorry for the rant but I just couldn’t let it go. But Take heart, those who past know what you did and even now smile upon you and your’s.
Thank you and your fellow corpsmen for your service to this great country and the care provided to my brothers! Semper Fi
Doc Ware, we also remember that the corpsman kept us alive and healthy and risked his life to do so. I was with H 2/5 68-69 as an FO an with 2/5 as the Arty Liaison in 69. Semper Fi Doc.
Doc Ware, I was sent home on Sep 17, 1966 to be with my family while waiting for my brother and fellow Marine L/Cpl John M Glasser C/1/7 Fort Page CAP KIA to be brought home. I just reported into Quantico when I found out that my Corpsman Doc Phillip Carrol Fox was KIA on Oct 13, 1966 along with other Marines I served with on Operation Prairie. I was devastated and it took many years for me to overcome saviors guilt. Doc Fox was a great Corpsman and only 20 years old with a child back home. He took care of us like without hesitation and he died while attending a wounded Marine. I write this with tears in my eyes and a prayer on my lips, God Bless you Doc, Semper Fi.
Doc Ware, I remember you. I was the S-3A in 2/5 under Col. Moore. We all relied on you more that you will ever know. You gave us pride and many times courage. I hope you are well. Temper Fi. Chuck Latting, Major, USMC (’66) Chu Lai.
Doc Ware, that should be “Semper Fi”, which you know so well.
July/1964 I reported into Bravo 1/1 at Camp Pendleton, off boot camp and ITR leave. Having two uncles that were Marines I knew all about the game of being sent to supply to request a B.F.A. for a 3.5 rocket launcher or a backstop for a Ontos 106 RR, but what I wasn’t ready for was my new fire-team leader pointing out the Navy Corpsman and telling me go say hi and be sure to call him “sailor” which I promptly did and found out was a big mistake his reply was “He was a “FMF” Corpsman whose sole job was keeping us Marines alive and if I ever called him sailor again he would kick my butt the length of the squad-bay” We became good friends after that and every Monday morning after outside rifle inspection we had to go back into the squad-bay for the two Corpsman to have us do a short-arm inspection and every time he got in front of me he would yell my name and call me “Needle dick the bug ****er” We lost him on Hill-22 Oct/1965 in Vietnam but I hope to see him again!
Roger, I was there when Corpsman Harold Byrd was killed in Vietnam. He was losing his vision when he re-upped but the job they promised him he didn’t get, instead they made him a FMF Corpsman. Heck he would spill calomine lotion all over us just trying to stop the rot, but that didn’t stop him when Lt. Levy got shot he ran out to help him and they both got killed. We love him and all you guys. God Bless you! G/2/3, C/1/1, C/1/9 1964 & 1965
Thank you to all Navy Corpsmen who ever served with the FMF. You are all Heroes to me and a lot of Marines. You train with us and live with us through it all. To me Doc is a young Navy Sailor who in word or deed is always there for the Marines. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did and do every day. Semper Fi Brothers, you should be proud of your service, we Marines are, thank you Docs.
I was a grunt (0311) with Echo 2/4 in Vietnam during 1967-68. Marine corpsmen were the best. We depended on them, and I never knew of any instance when they didn’t give their all treating or trying to save their Marine brothers. Semper Fidelis to all “Docs” — past, present, and future!
Doc, we can never thank you enough. Was a Plt. and Co, CO with 1/5. My corpsmen were outstanding. To this day we will walk through hell for them. They are, and will always be Marines. Semper Fi.
You and all the “Docs” among us were our Angels of Mercy, as much a Marine as a Corpsman. You never et us down, some times God has other plans. Semper Fi Doc!
Corpsman are our brothers. It would not be the Marine Corps without you. Thank You. Semper Fi. Paul. RVN 68to69.
One of previous posts mentioned “Calamine lotion” being used for the “jungle rot” that some of us suffered with – well our Doc’s didn’t use calamine, instead they used Crest toothpaste and only Crest!! Not sure where they learned that “by the seat of your pants” trick but damn if it didn’t work and fast too. Even my follow grunts that suffered w/the “rot” between their toes seemed to heal up fast!! Talk about new found respect for our Doc’s, anyone w/the “rot” sure changed their tune quickly. Have no idea what was in Crest that worked so fast & with good results. Any of you other Doc’s use toothpaste or ever heard of it? G. Ross, F/2/26 Khe Sanh and lots of other fun filled spots in SE Asia.
Hey Doc, You guys were the braves men I ever met. A Marine’s respect and connection for those who “RAN” to our aid can never be lessen in memory or years. I served with Golf Co., 2nd. Bn. 5th. Marines out of An Hoa. I witness a Corpsman with serve wounds save the lives of the squad he was with (I still get tears in my eyes). We were told that he received the Navy Cross for his actions but the truth is so many of you did the same thing every firefight without anyone knowing—-except the Grunts with you. And we have not and will not forget you!! Semper Fi my friend, my brother
Doc, you may have lost some Marines but I bet you saved a hell of a lot more, and trust me we won’t forget the Corpsman that went into harms way with us. We all were very young and should not have done or seen the things that we did, I personally think the Corpsman were some of the bravest “Naval” Marines with the Corps. Semper Fi Doc and God Bless You and all of the Corpsman, Medics, Doctors, Nurses and Dust Off crews.
Roger I knew it was you as soon as I started reading the story. I don’t know why I just knew. I hope everyone in Elkins is doing good. Your old league buddy.
Roger, Every Marine that I know considers every one of you Corpsmen to be his or her “brother”. And most of us also consider them Marines, rather than Navy!
SIMPER FI to all
I am a retired Marine. We live in SATX. Today driving home I was behind a car, bumper sticker was gold with red lettering, had a Eagle, Globe and Ankhor. Lettering stated, “I served in the Fleet Marine Force as a Corpsman”. License plate had a Navy Cross and the rear door had a Purple Heart Scociety medallin. God bless our Navy Corpsmen.
Semper Fi Doc Welcome Home Brother
Roger, know this …”The LORD restores the soul.” Psl 23:3 Thank you for your service. God Bless you and ALL our Corpsman. Chaplain Tony, USMC, MCL
thanks, i participated in operation union 1 and 2 with the 5th marines in 1967. lost a few friends and i hope you tried to help them.Jim, USMC, 0311/0231, 1st marines
I sit and read these comments after reading yours,Doc, SIR, with a tear in my eye. I was raised by a Marine…. Thanks God !…..But was too stupid to join…..My head wasn’t screwed on right….Got an 83 on the ASVAB then ran off with the hell’s angels instead…..Told ya I was stupid, right !? I called up a Marine recruiter right after Sept. 11th and told him I was a commercially rated helicopter pilot…… Thanks to Vietnam vets that influenced me….. Think.. Chicken hawk…Robert Mason and would go anywhere and would go immediately, but was 48 by then and too old…57 now. I did eventually go to Vietnam in a civilian capacity after the war, but having suffered multiple trauma myself more than once…..And I DO mean TRAUMA…..And having lain in the road with two broken legs at the same time….On TWO separate occasions… Thinking..At least I’m not bleeding in a rice paddy and no one’s to kill me.. I’m minutes away from clean hospital bed sheets… I can say with absolute surety that you and your service to others are appreciated by more people than you might think. God bless you and yours , SIR !
Roger, your sincere and heartfelt sentiments, which were probably difficult to pen were however, profoundly well expressed. It’s generally understood that Navy Corpsmen, especially those who serve within Marine infantry units during time of war are recognized as a special breed of men, especially by the Marines they accompany. To serve in such a physically and mentally demanding capacity reveals a person who possesses an unselfish attitude and a genuine desire to do that difficult job. As personal, traumatic experiences cannot be altogether forgotten nor past events altered, I think all we can really do afterward is to always remember and revere those who died, being ever mindful of their individual, ultimate sacrifice (also, not forgetting of course, those who were severely wounded, either physically or mentally). Here’s wishing you and all Navy Corpsmen the best….and like all Marines, offer our deepest appreciation for all you and the others did and to Corpsmen everywhere who continue to perform that extraordinary duty. Semper Fi
THERE IS AN OLD SAYING..GOD CREATED CORPMAN SO US MARINES WOULD HAVE SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO…
Thanks for that brutally honest post. I was attached as Sr. Corpsman to Delta Co., 1/4, 3rd Mar Div ’68-’69. I ALWAYS felt inadequate, even though several Marines have told me since then that I was really good. I am just glad to hear someone else say what I have wanted to say for a long time.
Corpsmen. Everyone of them a Marine! Thank you for watching after us. It is easier to do some of the things that needed done knowing there was someone right next to us doing their level best to look after us when disaster struck. Oorah, Devil Docs! They had a better handle on Semper Fi than many who earned the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.