PROOF 1-3
S E C R E T
637TH CLEARING COMPANY, SEP, LESS 1 FLAT OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER APO 704, C/O POSTMASTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL
SUBJECT: MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION FROM THE PERIOD 1ST JUN ‘44 TO 30TH JUNE ‘44 INCLUSIVE. TO :
COMMANDING GENERAL, 6TH ARMY (THRU MED CHANNELS)
1. A. Fort Ord, California: - This organization, at full T/O strength in officers and enlisted men was garrisoned at Fort Ord, California, from 1st Jan ‘44 to 9th Mar ‘44. It was a Separate Company, having been activated on 15th September ‘43 with the personnel of the Clearing Co, 70th Med. Battalion, Nevertheless the unit remained attached to the 70th Med. Bn., which was assigned to 1st Bn, Special Troops, 3rd Corps, for administration and training. During this period, considerable time was devoted to the training of personnel in their individ- ual functions, emphasis being placed on technical subjects
and operation in the field. Physical training was rigid and men were in excellent condition. Lectures were frequently conducted on malaria and other tropical diseases. The readiness date for the organization having been set as 21st Feb ‘44, the latter part of the period was devoted to crating, packing, etc. in preparation for shipment overseas. While at Fort Ord, troops were quartered in wooden barracks. Living conditions were excellent, as was the sanitation and food. Morale was high. A dispensary was run by the unit, servicing the medical needs of the 70th Med. Bn. Sick call averaged about 15 per day. No interesting clinical subjects were encountered and all treatments were of the ordinary type. B. Camp Stoneman, California: - 9th Mar ‘44 to the 21st Mar ‘44. On the 9th March ‘44, the organization was moved by buses to Camp Stoneman, California, to be further staged for shipment overseas. Troops were housed in wooden barracks. Sanitary conditions and food were excellent. Time not devoted to receiving equipment and checking Medical Supplies, which were complete and in the best of condition, was spent in rigid training on debarkation nets, obstacle courses and road marches. No important last-minute changes in personnel took place. Men were inoculated against Typhus (epidemic) and Cholera. Medical officers assisted in physical inspections and inoculations of troops being staged. On March 21st ‘44, a US Army river boat was boarded at Pittsburgh, Calif., and, on the same day, the troops boarded the, SS Hawaiian Shipper , at Oakland, California, sailing on the 22nd March ‘44 for what later proved to be Finschaven, New Guinea. C. Aboard the SS Hawaiian Shipper : - 22nd Mar ‘44 to 21st Apr ‘44, Living conditions on board this converted freighter were far from satisfactory. Troops were crowded in a hold with minimum amount of space and ventilation, air was dense and hot. Latrines were unsan- itary and inadequate in number, as were the salt-water showers. As a result, skin infections became prevalent, especially epidermophytosis. Four men in the company were hospital- ized.
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