Recent discussion w/Marine Corps Museum
I would like to share recent communications I had with The National Museum of the Marine Corps. After several visits, I left a comment card with my sadness over the POOR representation of Doc's at the museum.
Next time U go, see what I mean.
Dear Mr Bobele,
I'm sorry your recent trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps was not as exciting as it should have been. We do in fact recognize US Navy Hospital Corpsmen in our museum. Here are but a few examples:
-World War I Gallery: the film in the immersive exhibit shows Marines crossing the wheat field into German machine gun positions. In one dramatic
scene, the Marine Lieutenant is hit by shrapnel from an exploding shell, the Gunnery Sgt yells for the Corpsman, and the Corpsman runs to the fallen
Lieutenant.
-World War II Gallery: at the entrance to the gallery in the large glass exhibit case are two static cast figures, a wounded Marine on a stretcher and a Corpsman administering first aid to him. In the Iwo Jima exhibit, the USN insignias on the panel near the Iwo flag represent Navy losses to include Corpsmen. Lastly, Doc Bradley is included in the photo of the 2d flag raising.
-Korean War Gallery: the immersive exhibit shows Capt Barber's grunt company holding their position against heavy Chinese attackers near the Frozen Chosin, a cast figure of Capt Barber is shown, wounded in the thigh being treated by another cast figure of a Corpsman.
-Vietnam Gallery: two areas, in the film of the Operation Box Score (located in the hut behind the dog), "Doc" Steve Thompson is featured in film (received Silver Star) and in an exhibit on Navy-Marine Team, images of Corpsmen are included.
-Legacy Walk (timeline) Gallery: included in the Medal of Honor kiosk are those USN Hospital Corpsmen who while serving with Marines received the Medal of Honor. The kiosk includes the photo, award citation and bio of the awardee.
I'm sure if I searched the 1600 images in the museum's galleries, I could locate additional images of Corpsmen doing their duty with great heroism.
Please visit us again and look for the above instances where the museum recognizes their "Docs" performing in every clime and place.
Sincerely,
Bob Sullivan
Head, Curatorial Services
MY RESPONSE
Dear Mr. Sullivan;
I am compelled to answer your recent response to my comment card. I live in Orlando and on a recent trip to D.C. I took my family to see the Iwo Jima memorial near Arlington National Cemetery. While there, I discussed the statue with a small group next to us, as I was explaining things to my son. Part of the
discussion was trying to clarify that there was 1 Navy Corpsman in the group of 6 men raising the flag. One person said “it is ridiculous to state that a Sailor is in the Marine Corps statue.” I tried to explain but it was to no avail. My wife finally pulled me away saying
that maybe they would “Google” my details. This upset me.
*A Marine rifle platoon usually consists of 13 men and 2 Corpsmen. In Vietnam, I do not remember our platoon ever having a full complement of Marines.
1 of 6 or 2 of 15 men, we are an integral part of the Marine Corps.
Can you honestly say that Corpsmen are given equivalent merit at the Museum? I do not think so! Ask Combat Corporals what they think of their Corpsmen.
I request that you spend a few moments reading the Corpsmen page at Vietnam 2/1 Regimental website:
http://libertyyes.homestead.com/Corpsman.html
So that you better know me, see my page at:
http://libertyyes.homestead.com/Corpsman4.html
During Vietnam, Corpsmen received more meritorious awards, including four Medals of Honor plus the highest W.I.A and K.I.A’s than any other rating (M..O.S.) in the entire Navy. Three guesses as to why.
I do not want to answer each one of your examples of Corpsmen currently at the Museum except for one. Your statement “Lastly, Doc Bradley is included in the
photo of the 2d flag raising.” This makes my point. Show me where this is explained (that Doc Bradley was a Corpsman) to the average person viewing this
display. The Flag that flew that day is a part of the TRUE symbol of the Corps; however, it is given more prominence than the men who raised it … and one was a Navy Corpsman!
"You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...." Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C
Ron Bobele Doc Bo
Echo 2/1 1969
1st Med Batt, Danang 1970
