MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Community members gathered at the Club Iwakuni Eagles Nest here to commemorate the 112th birthday of the Hospital Corpsman, June 18.
They spent the evening celebrating the Naval corpsman history and traditions while honoring their fallen comrades.
“I think this was an outstanding opportunity to show our pride for our job,” said Petty Officer 3rd class Anthony Cooper, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron medical readiness representative and Hospital Corpsman Ball attendee.
“I think it’s great that we not only have other rates from the Navy but we have Marines here to celebrate, and that’s a big thing for us because we work hand in hand with Marines.”
As long as the United States has been involved in war, there has always been a need for medical personnel on the field of battle.
Although the need was there, it was’nt properly addressed with personnel who were trained specifically for medical treatment on the field.
The need for a skilled group of trained medical professionals in the field of battle became more apparent as the methods of killing in warfare advanced during the late 1800s.
With the threat of the Spanish-American War, Congress approved a bill which created the naval rates of hospital apprentice, hospital apprentice first class and hospital steward on June 17, 1898, officially bringing the hospital corpsman to birth.
Station corpsman remembered and honored that long history as they observed a moment of silence for past corpsman and reaffirmed their commitment to being a corpsman by reciting the corpsman’s pledge.
“(Being a corpsman) means a lot (to me),” said Cooper. “I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here about what a corpsman is.
Being a corpsman, you got to be able to take care of yourself as well as your Marines and sailors.
You got to have that pride and professionalism about yourself at all times and be able to handle yourself so you can take care of the rest of the populace.”
During the ball, station members observed a cake cutting ceremony, which involved Chief Adrian Figueroa, Hospital Corpsman Ball guest speaker, Chief Simeon Cadavos, oldest corpsman present at the ball, and Seaman Zachary Hallowood, youngest corpsman present.
Figueroa cut the cake and passed a slice to Cadavos, who took a bite and then symbolically passed the slice along with their long history to Hallowood.
Figueroa said being a corpsman and having the honor of carrying the history and responsibility of a corpsman fills him with an indescribable feeling.
“I can’t put it into words,” said Figueroa. “It’s just the compassion.”