Pine Island (AV 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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H - D DIVISION Call 999! Sick Bay! There has been an accident on the sea-plane deck! A calm- voice assures him that the doctor will be there immediately, and very shortly the situation is under good and sufficient medical care. Yes, this was an emergency, perhaps a frequent occurence aboard ship, but the Medical Department stands ready arid alert for any such existing emergencies. The Medical Department was commissioned on Oct. 7, 1950, at Alameda. Prior to the commissioning date, the ship being in mothballs a short time had left its scar of dustland decadence within the sick-bay interiors. Under the efficient supervision of the ship's doctor and the corpsmen, the task of painting and repairing the sick-bay area was soon completed, so that immediate medical attention could be administered to the crew. In organizing the division personnel, men were assign- ed by the'Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The ship's senior medical officer is T. W.,Moir, LtJG, MCR. The first enlisted personnel reporting aboard at the time were Chief Zimmermang E. Tidwell, HMI, C. R. Kay, l-lM2g and D. B. Thompson, HN. ' The months of January and February were cold, bleak months, which lowered some of the personnel's resistance, thereby causing an epidemic of tonsillitis. During the month of February two 'more corpsmen, C, L. Jones, HM3, and J. W. Jackson, I-IM3, were trans- ferred to the ship from the Naval Hospital at Yokosuka. For the safety of the plane crews a crash boat was called away whenever a plane landed or took off. Besides the boat crew, a corpsman was on hand to render first aid should it be needed. Surgery was not in the- minority on this cruise, appendectomies and tonsillectomies were performed along with the setting of simple fractures. I During our General quarter drills at the 'Pescadores the corpsmen assigned to certain stations would hold classes on first aid and the certain precautions that should be taken in event of atomic warfare. As a climax to the Medical Department activities, during our long cruise, anepidemic of dysentery broke out aboard ship during the first week of July. Whileinot of sufficient magnitude to .endanger the operational mission of the ship, the epidemic taxed the department to the utmost. By rigid isolation-and treatment, techniques in which all hands cooperated, the epidemic was brought under control and terminated, thus enabling us to make the long-awaited trip to Hong Kong. S - The success of the Medical Department would not have been possible if 'the cooperation received had not been given by every man. The interest shown by this department's personnel was outstanding in performance of their work, and those in need of medical care. The Dental Department, an integral part of H-D Division, was formally opened the day of recommis- sioning- under the direction of Lt. D. L. Maxfield, DC, USN, and L. S. Butler, DT1. Butler, one of the first white hats to report on board, immediately began assembling equipment and preparing a dental lab in the sick bay section of the PINE ISLAND. ' Most of the pre-commissioning time when not actually preparing for the opening of the laboratory, wash spent in caring for the ship's dental patients at the Alameda Air Station Dental Dispensary. In its first six months of operation, the dental depart- ment treated over 60 percent of the ship's company as well as handling all dental cases of personnel in the various squadrons and air wings aboard in forward areas. 65

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For many, it was their first 'trip out of the States and it wasua thrilling sight when, on the morning of Dec. 30, 1950 we sawfthe peak of Mt. Fujiyama glistening in the bright sun. This was Japan. ' After a brief stop at Yokosuka, almost' under the shadow of Fujiyama, the ship headed for Iwakuni which was to be our first Far Eastern duty station. Dropping anchor at lwakuni all hands were wondering what fascinating and interesting sights would be in store for us, con- sequently when the liberty call was sounded, it was quickly answered by our crew. Bundled in peacoats against the chilling cold, our adventurers set forth in the liberty launches for the boat landing. When we landed the sun was just setting and the air of adventure deepened. iWe looked about for- a way into town and were fortunate in catching ridesfrom our good-natured Australian friends to the gate where a taxi or rickishaw was easily found. for the short ride to the shopping center and hotels. A The Iwakuni Airfield was operated jointly by the Royal Australian Airforce and the United States Air Force. Here was a gymnasium which was immediately placed at our disposal by our friends for calisthenics, basketball and handball, which most of the crew took advantage of on their recreation periods which were 'a half a day to the liberty party prior to the regular liberty hours. , 67