Naval Hospital Oak Harbor (NHOH) held a celebration commemorating the 110th birthday of the Hospital Corps at
the Officers Club on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, June 28.
The Navy Hospital Corps was established by Congress and President William McKinley on June 17, 1898, which paid
tribute to the contributions made by hospital corpsman over the years involving major conflicts of the U.S.
The event featured a formal ceremony and a buffet-style dinner followed by music and dancing.
Former Navy Bureau of Medicine Force Master Chief, (SW/AW) Jacqueline DiRosa was the guest speaker at the
event.
“Truly it is an honor here to have someone coming from the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy’s (MCPON)
office,” said Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW) Thomas Countryman, NHOH command master chief. “She is
someone who has really been a true Sailor’s Sailor over many, many years, and has shaped, and continues to shape,
the way the Navy is today and in the future.
“I thank you very much for this great opportunity to join you and celebrate our proud legacy of the Hospital
Corps; 110 years of honorable, dedicated service,” said DiRosa. “Though it’s been several years since I’ve served as a
Hospital Corpsman, it remains at the core of who I am today. I live by the words of the Hospital Corps Pledge, specifically, to
practice faithfully, dedicate my heart, mind and my strength to the work before me, and to show in myself an example of all
that is honorable and good.”
DiRosa recognized NHOH Hospital Corpsmen who have deployed and are currently deployed in support of
their country providing humanitarian aid and tending to service members on the front lines. She also recognized
the members who are stepping up to the plate to ensure Sailors get the same standard of care on NAS Whidbey
Island while others are deployed.
“They (hospital corpsmen) are all outstanding examples, who in their day-to-day work exemplify the values
of the Hospital Corps,” said DiRosa. “Their actions will become part of a great heritage that I expect you to pass
on to others and their example is one to emulate.”
According to DiRosa, throughout the war on terror, 58,000 Hospital Corpsmen have deployed, receiving a total
of three Navy Crosses, five Silver Stars, 66 Bronze Stars with Valor, and nearly 500 Purple Hearts. Thirty-three
Hospital Corpsmen have been killed in action since the beginning of the war.
“All of them are heroes, who probably spent their last breath treating a severely wounded Marine on the battle
field,” said DiRosa. “It’s our responsibility to honor the legacy of those who displayed such valor in battle and
to remember those who gave their lives in the name of freedom and devotion to the Marine or Sailor in need.
They will not be forgotten. We honor their sacrifice and we honor those who fell in defense of freedom.”