Campbell News (7)

FORT CAMPBELL NEWSLINE (7)

Medical Company Offers Support For Combat Team

MEDICAL COMPANY NO 13 ..
   The Medical Company of the 508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team provides medical support for the entire combat team.
   In combat, the mission of this company, with a strength of 179 enlisted men and eleven officers. Is to provide immediate first aid and evacuation to the three battalions of the 508th as well as to the 320th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion and to the 698th Airborne Engineer Company/
   In combat, each rifle .company of the 508th Abn RCT is provided with four company aidmen one for each platoon. Three aidmen are provided for . the heavy weapons companies and one each for the separate companies while the airborne artillery firing batteries have one each. The company aidmen supply the needs of the airborne engineer company. These highly trained aidmen are the backbone of the medical system since it is often the quick initial treatment which determines if a soldier Is to live or die.
   In peacetime, the company operates a Regimental Dispensary which provides medical care for the combat team, and provides medical coverage for the various ranges and drop zones which the combat team uses . In the course of its training. Other medical services include caring for minor ills and injuries, advising platoon leaders and company commanders on their drinking water and sanitation problems.
   Another peacetime mission of the Medical Company Is conducting an extensive training program in anatomy and physiology, drugs and dosages, medical aspects of atomic energy, emergency medical treatments and types of littler carries. This is in addition to normal company airborne specialized training, familiarization small weapons firing, and providing support for all of the regimental units to many of their problems.

[The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN, 31 Aug 1954, Tue, Page 55]

Pictured are members or the highly regarded "Red Devil" Boxing Team. The team arrived at Fort Campbell during mid-season and remained a top contender among fistic aggregations. There was never a dull moment when these troopers stepped Into the ring and the action of these RCT glovesters would often bring Campbell fans to their feet In the midst of the excitement Top row: L-R Simon, Amos, Charleston, Bowden, Lt. Col. Royal R. Taylor (acting 08 Commander at that time), Burroughs (coach) Ray Smith, and Barttolotta. Bottom row L-R Tamburro, Miller, Steward, Dallanegra, Leptx, Hensley, Naumoff and Neal (assistant coach) , .

[The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN, 31 Aug 1954, Tue, Page 42]

Col. G. J. McGowan In Command
of 508th Red Devils

, Colonel Glenn J. McGowan, Commander of the 508th Airborne "Red Devil" Regimental Combat Team, was born In Carbondale, Illinois, February 12. 1909.
   His military career began In 1931 wheh he enlisted" as a Private, in the 344th Infantry, a Reserve Regiment in Southern Illinois. In December! of the same year, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry Reserve.
   Civilian Education Includes both the Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
In 1933 Colonel McGowan was called to active duty with the Civilian Conservation Corps and remained on this duty, almost continuously until he was assigned to the newly Activated Second Armored Division at Fort Benning,, Georgia, in 1940.
    During his Service with the Civilian Conservation Corps he was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1935 In December 1940, while with the Second Armored Division. In December. he was promoted to Captain.
   In March 1941 Colonel McGowan (Then Captain) was accepted as a volunteer in the 501st Parachute Battalion, Fort Benning. Georgia and' embarked on an airborne career which has continued almost unbroken since WWII.. After brief assignments in 1941 with the 502nd Parachute Battalion, the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, both at Fort Benning, and the Airborne Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was assigned as a Battalion Commander in the newly activated 611th Parachute Infantry Regiment with. Station at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.
   In February 1942 he was promoted to Major In January-1943 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned as Executive Officer of the 611th during which time his unit became a part of the newly activated Eleventh Airborne Division at Camp Mackall, North Carolina,
   Colonel McGowan remained as Executive officer of the 511th AIR until the Division moved to Camp Polk, Louisiana, where they staged for overseas duty in the So West Pacific. During this period he was appointed Assistant Chief Staff, G1 and remained assigned: to this position throughout the New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon Campaigns.
   During the Pacific Campaigns Colonel McGowan was awarded the Bronze Star. Air Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, for wounds received In action, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
   In Jane 1945 Colons McGowan returned to the United States and was assigned as Commanding Officer, Special Troops, Fort Benning, Georgia, In December, 1945 he was promoted to Colonel.
   In Jarratry-1948 Colonel McGow-an left the Service and entered a. Civilian Schooling program. In January 1947 he attended the First Associate Course,, Command General and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth and In June 1947 was integrated as a Captain In the Regular Army, with temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
   In August 1947 be was ordered To the Far East Command and assigned as a Battalion-Commander, l7th AIR, 11th Airborne Division.
   In March 1949 he returned to the United States . with the 11th Airborne Division movement to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he remained with the 187th as Regimental Executive Officer.
   In September 1949 Colonel McGowan was ordered to Norfolk, Virginia as Airborne Advisor to the Commander In Chief, Atlantic Fleet, who had been designated as Maneuver Director, Operation:. Portrex. He remained on this assignment until August 1950 at which time he entered the Armed Forces Strategic College Norfolk, Virginia. Upon graduation in January 1951 he was assigned to the ' Intelligence Division, Department of Army, for Military Attaché Duty, Rangoon; Burma.
   Prior to assignment in Burma In September 1951, he attended the Strategic Intelligent School. Washington, and the Attaché Orientation Course.
   While in Burma on Attaché assignment Colonel McGowan wa detailed as a United States Representative on a Four-Natl6n Committee in Bangkok, Thailand, to Implement a United Nations resolution, Involving the movement of Chinese Nationalists from Burmese Territory.
In February 1953 Colonel McGowan was again promoted to temporary Colonel.
   In August 1953 he returned to the United States and was ordered to Fort Benning, Georgia in September to assume Command of the 508lth Airborne Regimental Combat Team.
   Colonel McGowan remained in Command of the 508th and moved the unit to Fort , Campbell, Kentucky on 15 February 1954, Colonel McGowan and his wife, Rose L. McGowan and their three children, Patricia, Glenda and Michael, resides at Fort Campbell, Kentucky..

[]The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN, 31 Aug 1954, Tue, Page 42[