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Military Medical History

Military medicine has a long and celebrated history. We apply lessons from our past to improve the care of military personnel and their families today and in the future. New surgical techniques, powerful painkillers, antibiotic drugs, and triage and evacuation procedures have revolutionized military medicine.

In this section, you'll find featured stories and information about the history of military medicine.

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Mexican-American War remains arrive in U.S. for dignified transfer

Article

9/30/2016

The skeletal remains of the possible U.S. soldiers were solemnly carried to an awaiting vehicle by the U.S. Army Old Guard ceremonial team, under the watchful gaze of senior military, university and government leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The skeletal remains of the possible U.S. soldiers were transferred for examination to the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System

Recommended Content:

Military Medical History, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System

Gulf War created need for better critical care

Article

1/19/2016

Medical personnel use litters to transport wounded to an Air Force C-141B Starlifter aircraft. The patients were being medically evacuated from Al-Jubayl Air Base, Saudi Arabia to Germany during Operation Desert Storm.

January 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of Desert Storm, and also a turning point in Air Force Medical Service’s Critical Care Transport Teams

Recommended Content:

Military Medical History

Anniversary of Korean War outbreak marks lessons learned in Military Medicine

Article

6/25/2015

A captured North Korean soldier undergoes emergency surgery in an American base hospital (Courtesy: National Museum of Health and Medicine).

The Korean War, which began 65 years ago, raged for three years and led to many advances in military medicine that continue to be applied today.

Recommended Content:

Research and Innovation, Medical Research and Development, Warrior Care, Military Medical History

The History of US Military Nursing – Part II

Article

5/13/2015

Nurses of the Army Nurse Corps are pictured here during World War II. More than 56,000 nurses served in World War II. It was the largest group of nurses to serve in the Army Nurse Corps. Photo Credit: U.S. AMEDD, Office of Medical History

The history of military nurses is explained in the second of a three-part series by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care, Military Medical History

Nurses Week Special: The History of U.S. Military Nursing

Article

5/11/2015

Pictured in 1864 are Civil War volunteer nurse Abby Gibbons of New York City, her daughter Sarah and officers in the main eastern theater of war, Grant's Wilderness Campaign. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Part I of a series to honor Nurses Week, May 6 – 12, will review the early history of the military nurse, along with the role of nurses in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.

Recommended Content:

Military Hospitals and Clinics, Warrior Care, Public Health, Military Medical History

Women’s History Month: From Flight Nurse to Chief of Medical Doctrine, Air Force Major’s Career Soars

Article

3/30/2015

The career of U.S. Air Force Maj. Julie Skinner has included care for wounded warriors while a flight nurse and achievements in nursing administration.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Julie Skinner began her career as a flight nurse in war zones and then moved into nursing administration, where she has earned a reputation for making improvements to systems and processes.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care, Military Medical History

Binding Wounds, Fighting to Serve: African-Americans in Military Medicine

Article

2/24/2015

In 1970, Dr. Joseph Alexander (second from right) led a team of five other transplant surgeons at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to perform the Army's first kidney transplant operation. (Walter Reed Army Medical Center Photo)

In the final part of our series, we look at African-Americans’ service after integration in the U.S. military’s medical services.

Recommended Content:

Military Medical History

Binding Wounds, Fighting to Serve: African-Americans in Military Medicine

Article

2/11/2015

African-American nurses exit a plane at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Approximately 29 black nurses served at the air field. (Tuskegee Army Nurses Project)

In part two of our series, we look at African-Americans’ service in the U.S. military’s medical services

Recommended Content:

Military Medical History

Binding Wounds, Fighting to Serve: African-Americans in Military Medicine

Article

1/30/2015

Fugitive slaves, known as "contraband" worked for the Union Army as nurses, cooks, laundresses, and laborers. Pictured are contraband who served with the 13th Massachusetts Infantry from 1863-1865. (U.S. Military History Institute)

In the first of a series, we look at the history of African-Americans through the Civil War.

Recommended Content:

Heart Health, Military Medical History

Military Uses History of Fighting Infectious Diseases for Treatments of Today

Article

11/10/2014

U.S. military has a long tradition of trying to keep the troops safe from disease

Recommended Content:

Pandemic Diseases, Immunization Healthcare, Public Health, Immunizations, Ebola, Information for Military Families, Military Medical History

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