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.