45th Portable Surgical Hospital
hospital in the United States
The 45th Surgical Hospital was a United States military hospital that saw service in the China-Burma-India theater in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Lineage
Activated 7 June 1943 at Camp White, Oregon as the 45th Portable Surgical Hospital
Inactivated 1945
Activated 1953 in Korea
Inactivated 1954
Activated 1956 at Fort Sam Houston Texas
Inactivated in the Republic of Vietnam, 10 December 1970
Honors
Campaign participation credit
World War II
India-Burma
China Defensive
Central Burma
China Offensive
Korean War
Third Winter Campaign
Summer-Fall 1953
Vietnam
Decorations
Meritorious Unit Citation (Army)
VIETNAM 1966-1969
Distinctive unit insignia
Description
A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a black Chinthe astride a silver cross issuing from a Taeguk between two maroon fleams. All in front and below a stylized palm branch with two oak leaves proper.
Symbolism
Maroon and white are the colors used for the Medical Department. The Chinthe or Burmese griffin, taken from the seal of Burma, refers to the Hospital's service in that area during World War II. The Taeguk alludes to the Hospital's service in Korea and together with the two fleams (a heraldic surgical instrument used in early medicine) represents the two campaigns in Korea. The fleams and cross further symbolize the basic mission of the Surgical Hospital. The palm symbolizes long life and the oak leaves strength and bravery.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 3 September 1969.
Korean War
Vietnam
The main body of the 45th arrived at Vung Tau, Vietnam on 4 October 1966. On 4 November 1966, the 45th's commanding officer, Major Gary P. Wratten, was killed during a mortar attack.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “45th Portable Surgical Hospital” is hospital in the United States. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through 45th, Portable and Surgical, not as a finished interpretation.
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The citation trail is more important than the brevity of the summary: it shows where individual claims can be examined in context. The source revision retrieved here is dated May 25, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q4638252. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1943, 1945, 1953 and 1954.
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