Continued
S E C R E T
(Medical History Continued)
Fresh water was rationed, food was poor and troops were fed twice a day. Sanitation was insufficient for washing mess gear, causing a minor epidemic of diarrhea among the troops. Recreational facilities were few and morale low. Physical exercise was held a few mornings each week and physical inspections twice a week. One case of early syphilis in the unit was dis- covered and treatment promptly instituted. Atabrine treatment was initiated seven days prior to debarka- tion, consisting of one tablet daily for six days of the week, Milne Bay was reached on the 13th Apr ‘44 and the vessel anchored there for six days, after which it proceeded to Finschhafen, New Guinea. The organi- zation debarked at said place on the 21st Apr. ‘44. All equipment, medical and individual, arrived complete and in excellent condition. One enlisted man was evacuated the day after arrival because of an acute psychosis. After remaining at a staging area in Fin- schhafen for a few days, the organization was given a camp site at Guailen a few miles north.
D. Guailen, New Guinea - The camp site area, having been previously occupied and neglected, was in a filthy condition. In addition, since the site was close to the shore, there was a great prevalence of Aades Sartalarins, a common vector of Dengue. The first week was devoted to cleaning up the area, combating the fly and mosquito menace, building sanitary structures and checking equipment. Men were acclimatized and failure to observe individual protective measures against Malaria and other tropical diseases was subject to disciplinary action. Nevertheless nine men, eight of which were officers, came down with Dengue. One was hospitalized for malaria. (Based on this report, Herman had Malaria, not Dengue since he was the only fellow hospitalized) Troops lived in pyramidal tents furnished with electric lights. Food was excellent. Mail service was good and morale improved. On the 10th May ‘44, the organization consisted of 13 officers and 103 enlisted men. No important changes occurred in the personnel. Medical services were furnished by a base dispensary and the organization was engaged in some training in the use of carbines. On the 14th May ‘44, in accordance with Movement Order Hq Sixth Army dated 12th May ‘44, The 637th Clearing Co. Sept. less 1 Platoon, the other as the 2nd Platoon. 637th Clearing Co, Sept. The 1st Platoon consisted of seven officers including the CO and 55 enlisted men. On the same day the 1st Platoon was moved to a beach approximately four miles north of Guailen. On the 15th of May the 1st Platoon including all of its equipment was moved by LCHs or LSTs to Finschhafen. The 1st Platoon was staged and assigned to the 159th RGT (regiment) a part of the Tornado Task Force. On the 17th May ‘44 the unit boarded the Stephen G. Porter and sailed for its first combat mission. Sanitary conditions aboard the Porter were very poor. Toilet facilities and food were inadequate. Troops and equipment were exposed to the rain and morale was low. E. Waiate -- “ Sared Area” – 22nd May ‘44 to the 27th June ‘44. After 5 days sailing up the New Guinea coast, the unit landed at Toem, Dutch New Guinea, where it set up and bivouacked for two days. On the 24th, May ‘44 this organization set up ready to operate beside the 54th Evacuation Hospital, which was receiving more patients than its bed capacity allowed. The first patient entered our ward 25th, May ‘44. The bed capacity of our unit was 100, arranged 20 to a ward tent. Five wards were set up in addition to the dispensary, dental clinic, and minor surgical clinic. The 54th Evac Hosp admitted patients and sent only medical patients to our hospital.
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