44TH MEDICAL BRIGADE NEWS Welcome to the Brigade

Welcome to the Brigade Commander: In a ceremony on 29.- ay, Colonel Frederick W. Timmerman, formerly Command Surgeon, Headquarters, STRIKE Command, assumed command of the 44th Medical Brigade. Major General Charles W. Eifler, who officiated at the ceremony, awarded the Legion of Merit to the departing commander, Colonel Ray L. Miller. Colonel Miller was also the recipient of the Technical Service Honor Medal, First Class, presented by Colonel Hoan, Chief Surgeon, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

Other Coniand Chaes: Numerous command changes have recently taken place within the Brigade. LTC Henry Cosand is now acting CO of the 55th Medical Group and LTC Phillip H. Wvelch is commanding both 71st Evac and the 18th Surg following the departure of Mark T. Cenac. LTC Armin G. Dycaico has replaced LTC Elbert B. Fountain as comnander of the 70th Medical Battalion, MAJ John E. Rafferty is the new commander of the 7th Surg and LTC Kenneth R. Dirks has taken over the 406th Mobile Laboratory. COL Hinton J. Baker is the new CO of the 9th Med Lab and LTC Norman J. Glucksman is now in command of the 4th Med Det (Vet). Command of the 32nd Med Depot was assumed by LTC Richard S. Rand following the departure of COL Willianm W. Southard.

Other Newcomers: The newly assigned Group Exec Officers include, LTC Roy L. Bates, 55th Group; LTC Robert M. Gerber, 68th Group; and LTC Reinhardt H. Kaddatz at the 43rd Group. Also new to the 43rd Group is LTC Owen W. Austin, who is the S-4. Among Evac hospitals' new XOs are, LTC Kenneth Lucas, coming to the 12th Evac from Whiite Sands Missile Range; MAJ Robert L. Frus, with the 71st Evac; LTC Wallace L. Duvall, with the 36th Evac; and MAJ Gerald J. Sperling, with the 67th Evac, replacing LTC James B. Ranck who has moved to the 55th Group as S-3. Recently assigned as XO at the 8th Field is LTC Robert H. Eagon. In the XO position at the 17th Field is MIAJ Edward R. Brophy Jr and LTC Samuel Pemberton is the XO at the 6th Conv Center. LTC Robert E. Miller, Deputy Commander at Brigade Headquarters, should be well known by this time due to his extensive travels which have taken him to the majority of the Brigade medical units. LTC William H. Young Jr has replaced MAJ Herbert F. Dorsett as S-1 and LTC George Caras has replaced LTC Erwin Zimov in the S-4 shop. The positions of Staff Dental Surgeon and Staff Veterinarian are now occupied by COL Jack P. Pollock and COL Richard B. Morgan respectively. Other new arrivals include MAJ Mary A, Armstrong, who replaced the departed LTC Patricia L. Accountious, as Staff Dietitian; CPT John S. Timberlake III, Asst Operations Officer; CPT Joseph F. Constable, Medical Stat Officer; and CPT David N. Sorem, Medical Supply. The new MRO for the Brigade is MAJ Gaylord E. Ailshie.

Hospital Openings: On 1 June the 3rd Surg opened to receive patients at its new location at Dong Tam and prepared to support operations in the Delta. This" hospital is the Brigade's Second MUST Unit and all of its personnel, under the command of LTC Theodore R. Sadler, can be proud of their part in the rapid establishment of its facilities. An unusual feature of its configuration and a first in MUfST history is the Establishment of a Dental Expandable Shelter to accommodate the first MUST dental clinic. Also, on 1 June, the 71st Evac became operational and began receiving patients on a limited scale. The personnel of the unit can be justly proud of their endeavors and accomplishments. The 2nd Surg moved from An Khe to Chu Lai. This unit's support of Operation Oregon is also deserving of praise. Compliments and congratulations on a tremendous job are in order for this dedicated group.