CHAPTER V
Medical Supply
Realignment of Medical Supply Activities
Medical Materiel Management in Overseas
Commands: 1962-66
After the reorganization of the
Department of the Army headquarters in 1962, supply activities in overseas
commands were consolidated within supply agencies organized on a functional
basis. Medical supply was incorporated within the functional systems although in
each instance the command surgeon objected to the change, contending that there
would be a serious deterioration in support to rnedical facilities and medical
units.
Under the new system, supply management
activities for USARPAC were, centralized at the Inventory Control Point in
Hawaii. The Inventory Control Point was responsible for controlling of all
requisitioning of supplies within the command and for the centralized
maintenance of records on the status of supplies for the Eighth U.S. Army in
Korea as well as for U.S. Army units in Japan, Hawaii, and Okinawa.
Medical Materiel Support of the Troop
Buildup
The disadvantages in treating medical
materiel as just another category of supply items were quickly and unequivocally
exposed in 1965 when Army Medical materiel units were faced with an expanded
support mission the build up of U.S. Army troops in Vietnam. One of the most
significant supply problems at the onset of the buildup was a lack of adequate
medical supply personnel in the theater as well as the lack of continuity in key
positions resulting from the 12-month Vietnam tour of duty.
The 8th Field Hospital at Nha Trang was
responsible for medical supply distribution to the medical units in Vietnam.
This unit was augmented by a small staff which was not adequate to provide the
necessary control over the tremendous requirements being generated practically
overnight. This situation was compounded by the protracted delay in deployment
of the 32d (Field Army) Medical Depot which, although 'ready' in July 1965, was
not deployed until late October. One supply detachment had been deployed in July
and another shortly thereafter,
