I started my 38 year Navy career as a Hospital Corpsman, following in my father's footsteps. Best decision I ever made. BZ to all Corpsmen and especially to my 8404 brothers.
Back in 1983 I had cut the palm of my hand out in the field pretty bad and our only corpsman was with a heat casualty and unavailable for quite some time. I showed it to one of our lieutenants and he told me "Oh! Another sick, lame and lazy !"
Duly chastised I tried to clean it up the best I could and just suck it up. The next morning I had a raging fever, my fingers were blue and my palm had developed a blood pocket which was turning the veins in my forearm blue also.
When the Doc saw it he lost his shit. He immediately cut it open and drained it and had me taken to the battalion aid station.
They told me if I was left unattended for another couple of hours, I would had suffered blood poisoning, some hand damage and probably had to undergo some type of amputation.
A wonderful piece as usual, but it also serves to remind me of Obama's likely unintended slur when he mentioned "corpse-men" during some blither or other. Thanks you for all your rememberings.
I had a very good friend, CWO3 Gary R. Schuetz, USN. He did tours with the Marines as a Corpsman, was a Vietnam veteran, an all-around rock solid man. Gary retired as a Physicians Assistant and went back to work at the clinic at NTTC Corry Station serving Navy, Marine and Army personnel at that base. Sometime during his career he got a needle stick and with it, unknown to him, Hepatitus C. Between the needle stick and Agent Orange he delevoped liver cancer and passed away. Gary was so well thought of that they named the base clinic after him. BZ to all Corpsman.
I encountered a gentleman with almost identical wounds at a firearms training class. Given his age, it was Vietnam. I guess prosthetics weren't as advanced then so he was in a wheelchair. Both legs and one arm had been amputated but his positive attitude was intact. He qualified on a course of fire that was substantially more difficult than a POST test. Everyone cheered when he was presented with his certificate.
Yes CDR! Raise high that special Corpsman and his Wife!
A corpsman is an “Angel” sent from God above! That he taught his fellow shipmates and marines how to
assess and treat an emergency shipboard or in the field… that’s dedication!
Every “significant other” of a devoted service member should read Corpsman James Raffetto’s story… Thank you for sharing. We spread the word! A Navy Nurse needs a dedicated corpsman! A law student, like me… Nurse Jane… needs to show examples of bravery! And… the responsibility to keep giving hope! Very respectfully written … LCDR Swann.
As a Marine and Vietnam combat veteran I salute this corpsman and pray for his continued health, both physically and mentally. I realize his road is difficult, but he seems to have embraced the challenge.
On another note, I have good friend of many years who served as a corpsman in Vietnam. We didn’t serve together, but share many similar experiences. He has been 100% medically disabled for quite some time and like most of us Vietnam vets looking at our future permanent resting place.
Chuck and I were both dismayed when he asked to be interred at Paris Island cemetery. The Marine Corps denied his request, saying it was reserved for Marines only.
This seems like a decision that could be challenged, and that most Marines would accept as a legitimate "exceptional circumstance." GodSpeed to both of you
This story reminded my of the Harold Russel character in the old movie "The Best Years of our Lives" and after all this time I looked into Harold Russell. It seems he lived a very long and fulfilling life. The video link on the wiki page is worth a watch.
BZ to Corpsman Raffetto and his Marine brothers.
I started my 38 year Navy career as a Hospital Corpsman, following in my father's footsteps. Best decision I ever made. BZ to all Corpsmen and especially to my 8404 brothers.
Back in 1983 I had cut the palm of my hand out in the field pretty bad and our only corpsman was with a heat casualty and unavailable for quite some time. I showed it to one of our lieutenants and he told me "Oh! Another sick, lame and lazy !"
Duly chastised I tried to clean it up the best I could and just suck it up. The next morning I had a raging fever, my fingers were blue and my palm had developed a blood pocket which was turning the veins in my forearm blue also.
When the Doc saw it he lost his shit. He immediately cut it open and drained it and had me taken to the battalion aid station.
They told me if I was left unattended for another couple of hours, I would had suffered blood poisoning, some hand damage and probably had to undergo some type of amputation.
So yes, a US Navy corpsman did saved my life.
A fine Fullbore Friday post this. Exemplary!
"Corpsman"; more than many....truly SEMPER Fidelis; 'een though they be Navy. Brothers. IYKYK
A wonderful piece as usual, but it also serves to remind me of Obama's likely unintended slur when he mentioned "corpse-men" during some blither or other. Thanks you for all your rememberings.
OOOHHHRRAAA Doc we love you man!
I had a very good friend, CWO3 Gary R. Schuetz, USN. He did tours with the Marines as a Corpsman, was a Vietnam veteran, an all-around rock solid man. Gary retired as a Physicians Assistant and went back to work at the clinic at NTTC Corry Station serving Navy, Marine and Army personnel at that base. Sometime during his career he got a needle stick and with it, unknown to him, Hepatitus C. Between the needle stick and Agent Orange he delevoped liver cancer and passed away. Gary was so well thought of that they named the base clinic after him. BZ to all Corpsman.
https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Patient-Portal-for-MHS-Quality-Patient-Safety-and-Access-Information/See-How-Were-Doing/DHA/NBHC-NTTC-PENSACOLA?DmisId=0513
I encountered a gentleman with almost identical wounds at a firearms training class. Given his age, it was Vietnam. I guess prosthetics weren't as advanced then so he was in a wheelchair. Both legs and one arm had been amputated but his positive attitude was intact. He qualified on a course of fire that was substantially more difficult than a POST test. Everyone cheered when he was presented with his certificate.
"Unequal. “Hasn’t paid his dues.” etc."
Even the little guy can be Fullbore when life gets tough.
Yes CDR! Raise high that special Corpsman and his Wife!
A corpsman is an “Angel” sent from God above! That he taught his fellow shipmates and marines how to
assess and treat an emergency shipboard or in the field… that’s dedication!
Every “significant other” of a devoted service member should read Corpsman James Raffetto’s story… Thank you for sharing. We spread the word! A Navy Nurse needs a dedicated corpsman! A law student, like me… Nurse Jane… needs to show examples of bravery! And… the responsibility to keep giving hope! Very respectfully written … LCDR Swann.
As a Marine and Vietnam combat veteran I salute this corpsman and pray for his continued health, both physically and mentally. I realize his road is difficult, but he seems to have embraced the challenge.
On another note, I have good friend of many years who served as a corpsman in Vietnam. We didn’t serve together, but share many similar experiences. He has been 100% medically disabled for quite some time and like most of us Vietnam vets looking at our future permanent resting place.
Chuck and I were both dismayed when he asked to be interred at Paris Island cemetery. The Marine Corps denied his request, saying it was reserved for Marines only.
It was a gut punch to both of us.
This seems like a decision that could be challenged, and that most Marines would accept as a legitimate "exceptional circumstance." GodSpeed to both of you
BZ to this young man.
This story reminded my of the Harold Russel character in the old movie "The Best Years of our Lives" and after all this time I looked into Harold Russell. It seems he lived a very long and fulfilling life. The video link on the wiki page is worth a watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp1E5smfSDI
"This is where I fell; I’m going to stand where I am and move forward from here"
That single sentence says it all. It's the ultimate expression of the OODA loop, and more importantly reveals a deep abiding faith and humility.
Thank you for sharing this, it's brightened up my Saturday morning.
(Yes I'm reading it late)