Infantry Combat Medics in Europe, 1944-45

Combat medics adapted and innovated, overcoming inadequacies in the US Army's medical system and significant shortcomings in their own training. They learned quickly to modify, evade or ignore standing operating procedures in order to save lives, but inherent tensions within infantry units developed to create a paradoxical culture of acceptance and isolation. A close examination of official records and interviews to explore the medical soldier's war in Europe reveals that the Army's gross neglect in training shaped a naive perception of the combat medic's role. Yet, in spite of the lack of realistic preparation and the horrific circumstances in which they worked, combat medics proved extraordinarily capable, creative and committed to doing anything necessary to perform their duties as the essential first link in the wounded solder's life chain.

Tracy M. Shilcutt is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History at Abilene Christian University, USA.