Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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DENTAL DEPARTMENT THE Dental Department- was one outfit which worked double overtime on the trip out, trying to ensure that all officers and men would be in tip top physical condition in the battle zone. LCDR. F. G. Hodge, DC, USN, took charge of the Dental Department on 4 September 1950, just prior to the ship's sailing for Korean waters. Mul- titudes of details confronted him. Spaces had to be readied and quantities of supplies, loaded at Norfolk, remained to be unpacked and stowed. All hands turned to, often working around the clock. Decks were chipped, bulkheads painted and supplies were catalogued and stowed. In four days the department was ready to function. There were days of liberty in Tropical Panama, and beautiful San Diego. Then began the long trek across the Pacific to Korea by way of Pearl Harbor, in the Hawaiian Islands, and Yokosuka and Sasebo, in Japan. During this period, rough spots were ironed out and the department was taking shape into the efficient organization it had to he to sup- port a fighting ship. When the ship reached the combat area, the Dental Department was ready to break the existing fieet record. It hung up the grand total forthe month of October of one thousand and eighteen dental restorations, plus numerous operations. This feat is all the more remarkable in that this work went on while the ship was under continuous combat maneuvers off the Korean Coast. Doctor Hodge demonstrates local anaesthesia prior to extracting a tooth. Doctor Irwin Fine looks on. B. K. Carter, DT1, making dental appointments The policy of the Dental Department was to render the best dental service to the, greatest number of men doing the fighting, and they have carried out this policy in an outstanding manner. ..,..-Q.-. .l-v.-.., L'-J' -+- J. J. Mulligan and L. D. Sylvain demonstrate or prophylaxis procedure to W. L. Menter if

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1 Some fun Easy does it NE of the Medical Department's most sparkling feats off Korea was the excellent medical treat- ment given seven North Koreans. These Koreans attempted to flee to Pusan to escapve the pangs of starvation as well as Communist tyranny. As non-members of the Wonsan Red party they weren't faring too well under the blessings of Marxism so they begged, borrowed or more probably stole a sampan in a flight for freedom. However, they drifted around for seven days after losing their course. After seven days without food or water with the Grim Reaper crawling over the gunwales, Lady Luck, in the form of the destroyer NORRIS, smiled upon them. The destroyer picked them up and transferred them to the LEYTE since they were suffering intensely from frostbite and malnutrition. After two days of treatment by our medical staff, they had recovered sufficiently to be transferred back to the NORRIS to be deliverd to Pusan for further care. A had case of frostbite Medical officer makes a final examination

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I. i I E THE BIG WHEELS COME ABOARD l l 1 f DURING our service in Ko- E X rea, we were visited by l p many prominent civilian offi- 4 cials and officers inspecting tl1e progress of the Korean ' fighting. Among these was the Secretary of the Navy, the p Hon. Francis P. Matthews. Q . - 1 1 SecNav. greets department heads on arrival Some of the boys from Nebraska A 1 l i I 1 Leaving by 'copter' i A v Q l 1 1 E I E L