Greetings from Florida I'm interested in finding any info about the 512th Medical Coll Co. in the CBI theater. I understand they were a medical detachment to Merrill's Marauders. Thank you.
While this isn't specific as to unit, it should give you a general idea of the responsibilities of the company. Collecting Company – each of the three identical Collecting Companies is an autonomous element within the Medical Battalion, designed to give medical support to an Infantry Regiment. It consists of one Company Headquarters and three Platoons. The latter represent Station Platoon – Litter Bearer Platoon – Ambulance Platoon (and sometimes an improvised Liaison Section). Main functions cover evacuation of casualties from the Aid Stations operated by the Infantry Regiment Medical Detachment (usually performed by litter), maintaining contact with the Aid Stations (with help of a Liaison Section), and operating a Collecting Station for casualties requiring treatment while en route to the rear. Further they are responsible for evacuating casualties from the Collecting Station to the Division Clearing Station (use of an Ambulance Shuttle is therefore mandatory), and for replenishing medical supplies of Aid stations (combat support). Other important activities are command, administration, supply, mess, and motor maintenance. https://www.med-dept.com/articles/brief-overview-of-the-medical-department/
Thanks for the welcome and to Lou for the info on the responsibility of the collecting company. Good info. My father was a medic and litter bearer for the 512th. Hoping to learn as much as I can.
It may be tough to find specific records on the 512th Medical Collecting Company short of getting original documents from the NARA. However, there are some resources that may be helpful to you. CBI Theater: Remembering the forgotten Theater of WWII - website with links China-Burma-India Theater - links to 3 volumes from the US Army in WWII (Green Books) regarding the CBI Medical Service in the War Against Japan - link to Army publication which mentions CBI & medical collecting companies www.med-dept.com - A very good website on US Army Medical history in WWII. You may want to try contacting them. US Army Medical Department website Oh, and welcome to the Forum.
