The China Marines - F/2/5

Navy Corpsmen
By Chuck "Transport" Casada

Each Marine Infantry Platoon had assigned to them one Navy Hospital Corpsmen. These sailors wore Marine uniforms except their rating on the left sleeve identified their rank. Corpsmen, to draw a least amount of attention to them wore only a small white circle on the front and the rear of their helmets. In this circle was a small red cross. This was eventually halted later in the war when Corpsmen began the practice of wearing the camo helmet covers like the Marines.

The hospital Corpsmen carried early in the war a single canvas bag to carry their equipment. An original bag found had the contents printed on the flap those contents were:
6 Bandages Gauze, 1 Diagnosis tag with pencil (usually a book), 4 tubes of Tincture of Iodine, 1 bottle of Ammonia, 2 Rubber Tourniquets, 1 case of Pins, scissors, and forceps, 8 packages of Sublimated Gauze, 1 jack knife, 1 spool adhesive plaster, 1 roll wire for splints.

Many Corpsmen also carried a snakebite kit, as poisonous snakes were known to inhabit many of the Pacific Islands. A common item carried by corpsmen was the USMC marked Corpsman bolo or jungle knife. This was used to cut branches etc to provide makeshift splints and liters in the forward areas. This handy blade also found its way into the hands of many Marines. Period photos distinctly show marines carrying this item. Also period photos will show that in the later stages of the war Corpsmen took to carrying sidearms and even the M1 Carbine. Seems the Japs had no regard for the Geneva Convention and the fact that Corpsmen were 'non-combatants'. So the Bluejackets took to carrying arms to defend themselves and perhaps injured Marines.

Another interesting item carried in the mid- late war period is the Yoke or shoulder suspenders and double canvas bags. The US Army also used this arrangement. However noting the improvements the Navy made on their version the army quickly changed to using this style also.

Another common item carried by both the Corpsmen and individual Marines was the Jungle First Aid kit. This is the squarish OD pouch carried on the cartridge belt. Original contents consisted of: 1st Aid Dressing (Carlie dressing), a bottle of insect repellant, a bottle of "Frazer's" solution (have no idea what that is), atabrine tablets (for Malaria), sodium chloride tablets (salt tablets), halazone tablets (water purification), Sulfadiazine tablets (antibiotic tablets also known today as-Microsulfon) and 6 band aids. Of course Marines being Marines would no doubt add or delete items from this kit as they saw fit.

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	Navy Corpsmen By Chuck "Transport" Casada Each Marine Infantry Platoon had assigned to them one Navy Hospital Corpsmen. These sailors wore Marine uniforms except their rating on the left sleeve identified their rank. Corpsmen, to draw a least amount of attention to them wore only a small white circle on the front and the rear of their helmets. In this circle was a small red cross. This was eventually halted later in the war when Corpsmen began the practice of wearing the camo helmet covers like the Marines. The hospital Corpsmen carried early in the war a single canvas bag to carry their equipment. An original bag found had the contents printed on the flap those contents were: 6 Bandages Gauze, 1 Diagnosis tag with pencil (usually a book), 4 tubes of Tincture of Iodine, 1 bottle of Ammonia, 2 Rubber Tourniquets, 1 case of Pins, scissors, and forceps, 8 packages of Sublimated Gauze, 1 jack knife, 1 spool adhesive plaster, 1 roll wire for splints. Many Corpsmen also carried a snakebite kit, as poisonous snakes were known to inhabit many of the Pacific Islands. A common item carried by corpsmen was the USMC marked Corpsman bolo or jungle knife. This was used to cut branches etc to provide makeshift splints and liters in the forward areas. This handy blade also found its way into the hands of many Marines. Period photos distinctly show marines carrying this item. Also period photos will show that in the later stages of the war Corpsmen took to carrying sidearms and even the M1 Carbine. Seems the Japs had no regard for the Geneva Convention and the fact that Corpsmen were 'non-combatants'. So the Bluejackets took to carrying arms to defend themselves and perhaps injured Marines. Another interesting item carried in the mid- late war period is the Yoke or shoulder suspenders and double canvas bags. The US Army also used this arrangement. However noting the improvements the Navy made on their version the army quickly changed to using this style also. Another common item carried by both the Corpsmen and individual Marines was the Jungle First Aid kit. This is the squarish OD pouch carried on the cartridge belt. Original contents consisted of: 1st Aid Dressing (Carlie dressing), a bottle of insect repellant, a bottle of "Frazer's" solution (have no idea what that is), atabrine tablets (for Malaria), sodium chloride tablets (salt tablets), halazone tablets (water purification), Sulfadiazine tablets (antibiotic tablets also known today as-Microsulfon) and 6 band aids. Of course Marines being Marines would no doubt add or delete items from this kit as they saw fit. Return to Home