Onboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, four branch clinics are staffed and supported by the Naval Hospital
1978 Ward Stabbing at NRMC Camp Pendleton
Does anyone have any news clippings, articles or other documentation that could be sent to me about a 1978, incident where a Marine stabbed two patients to death on one of the NRMC CAMPEN wards? He also stabbed a male nurse who was a boxer.I heard that earlier in the day he had rolled a six-by killing 3 or 4 Marines and that he had been on Angle Dust (PCP), and was in the hospital for observation. It took five corpsmen to restrain the wounded Marine even after an MP had put five rounds from a…
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A few months ago I did a day trip in my new "Pony" as in new to me. Took a trip down memory lane- boy has that place changed. The exchange and commissary are a block or so inside the main gate, they have satallite West Coast Customs shop on the base now. The air field is fully surrounded by chain link fence and gate guards. The hospital compound is so totally changed - there is a new hospital, the old wooden EM club has long since gone away, the other club that was closest to the barracks is gone. The fire station looks like the same building and in the same location. There are other buildings that are new in that wooded area - heading for the EM club from the barracks. I also did time at Las Pulgas (aka 43 area) that has been totally rebuilt. One "Q" hut was still there and the gas station was in the same place, now it is made of brick and not of wood. What a difference 30 plus years makes. For any of you that drove I15 from California into Nevada - it is no longer two lanes in each direction in the desert - there is one city after another with freeway of 5 plus lanes in each direction. There still some desert the further east you go, the further west it is one city after another.
I was assigned to NAVHOSPCAMPEN on Jun 5th 1968 to July 1968. This was the old temporary Korean war wooden barracks. By the time we got there it was old with many coats of white paint and paste wax on the floor. I remember Miss Helen Bonner (LCDR) She many times got very emotional about finding out that one of her charges had been killed in Viet Nam. Worked on Urology on Ward 30 across from Orthopedics 30-A. ( Dr Broth and Dr Petway) Then transferred to ENT OR until orders came to Viet Nam. Worked call in the ER, Surgical and Medical ICU, Pediatric ICU, and weekends at the well baby clinic. Went down to visit the Corps barracks to have a look after I got out in 1971. It was pretty well destroyed probably with the help of the wax on the floors. One other nurse I remember was Mrs Holderman (LtJG). We have to remember these people just in case it rings a bell to someon else. I will take a look at my service records and check the quarterly evaluations for signatures.
I did not get to Pendleton until late 75 - December I think. Offically I was attached to 1st Med, I came there after my 12.5 months on that Japanese Isle of Okinawa. Camp T was no longer there when I got there - at least to my knowledge. Do you remember some of the em club people - like Addy, Tony Jones, Pappa Frazier, I actually bartened there for awhile. I can't remember his name right now - there was a DTC that was in charge of the club. I attended his retirement ceremony. I am thinking DTC Russell - but I may be wrong on that.
As far as responding as long as I am living and breathing I will respond! We may have different views on some things and butt heads - butt I will respond!
Lindsey F- Sure, I knew LT Kraft and Chief Taylor. Whenever I was an ambulance dispatcher we had to clear certain things with either of them. I used to ride the bus with LT Kraft in the mornings in 1975 to go to Camp Talega, where the Vietnamese refuges were staying. I never socialized with either of them though. Looks like you stayed in and did well. I left the Navy in 1977 and went back to college. Thanks for responding to me.
Bob S - I was stationed at the medical center from 75 to 77. I worked for a LT Kraft and Chief Taylor in Patient Affairs. The LT was a pretty big person and blonde and smoked menthol smokes, Taylor was a big African American - bald and for those times a pretty cool individual. He used to take me to San Diego and I would hang in his house for the weekend, we would hit the Pacers or other strip bars on the way. Party for the weekend and early Monday morning we would go back to Pendleton, usually hung over!
Stationed at the old wooden hospital NAVHOSPCAMPEN. Work Surgical ICU then Inhalation Therapy, assigned to Presidental Ward.
First duty station after HM "A" School - Stopping point before 'Nam.
I started FMSS in May 1975, then was assigned to Pendleton's Emergency Medical Service. I left in February 1977. I lived in the barracks next to the hospital for a month or two, then moved to an ocenfront apartment in Oceanside with a couple fellow corpsman. My first assignment was in Camp Telega (or was it Camp Talega?), the tent ciry with all of the Vietnamese refuges. The first month I was there I delivered a Vietnamese woman's baby in the back of one of those station wagon ambulances on a mountain road, while transporting her to the hospital. I remember Lt. Kraft and Chief Taylor, both nice guys. We wore a red jumpsuit and white helment when working on the ambulances, and thought we were hot stuff. In hindsight, I hope we weren't responsible for too many patient deaths!!! I remember DR. E., an ER physician, whose entire family was killed in a plane crash. Some fellow enlisted last names that come to mind are Lane, Kubiak, Saltzgaver, Baer, Allen. I miss you guys and gal. One of the best times of my life, no doubt. Partied our butts off, that's for sure.
When I got there, there was still remnants of the old barracks and the burnt barracks as well....until they opened the new BEQ. What a difference those days were!
Even though I was not at the new hospital I am connected to this group. I was stationed at the old hospital as the new hospital was being planned. I left for Viet Nam 4AUG69 and had spent a year at the old 'temporary' hospital after FMSS. I actually hiked by the area that would become the new Naval Hospital. Now (2012) there is a new hospital being built near the Oceanside Gate. The original Corps barracks burned down in just a few minutes even though it was right next to the fire station. Probably the "hot wax" to the floor finally ate the place. It was a fire trap being elevated on cement bolsters and constructed of wood and lots of coats of paint. I do have some pictures of the East side. Thanks all for all your service. Terry
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