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U. S. Naval Hospital,
Okinawa
After World War II, military hospital
facilities on Okinawa, originally isolated field hospitals, were
organized into a strip of Quonset huts. The huts were situated in
present day Ginowan City and known as Camp Mercy Hospital (click here
for a 30KB photo). The medical center actively supported world forces
during the various conflicts and continued to sustain readiness for
troops stationed on the island. In 1954, construction began on the U.S.
Army Hospital at Camp Kuwae. The hospital was commissioned in 1958 and
it eventually expanded to a 700-bed facility to provide medical
treatment for military members carrying out campaigns throughout the
Pacific. Negotiations began in March of 1976 for the transfer of the
hospital from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Navy and from October 1976 until
its commissioning as the U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center on February
28, 1977, Army and Navy personnel jointly staffed the facility.
Today most Okinawan residents continue to refer to the base as “Camp
Kuwae”, as was its name for almost thirty years. However, on January 28,
1982 (with an official dedication taking place on June 8, 1982), the
base was renamed Camp Lester in memory of Medal of Honor recipient
Hospital Apprentice 1st Class Fred Faulkner Lester.
On June 8, 1945, Lester, a Corpsman with 1st Battalion, 22nd Marines,
6th Marine Division, spotted a wounded Marine lying in an open field
beyond the front lines. Disregarding his own safety, he crawled
steadfast toward the injured Marine under a barrage of open fire,
sustaining his own life-threatening injuries. While pulling his comrade
to safety, Lester was struck by enemy fire a second time and realizing
the mortality of his own wounds, he instructed two members of his squad
in the proper medical treatment of the rescued Marine and two other
injured Marines. He refused medical treatment for himself and soon
succumbed to his wounds, gallantly giving his life to preserve the lives
of others.
Today, the U.S. Naval Hospital, Camp Lester, Okinawa, is the largest
overseas naval medical treatment facility and a referral center for the
entire Western Pacific. It is jointly staffed both of Navy and Air Force
personnel. The hospital serves a beneficiary population of 55,000 active
duty personnel, their family members, civilian employees, contract
personnel, retirees, and also provides referral service for almost
175,000 beneficiaries throughout the Western Pacific.
Besides the core facility itself, the U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa, is
also responsible for the management of nine Branch Medical Clinics
staffed by Navy personnel and III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF)
Major Subordinate Commands. These clinics are located at US Naval
Hospital, Camp Schwab, Camp Hansen, Marine Corps Brig, White Beach, Camp
Courtney, Torii Station, Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma,
and Camp Kinser. Four of these facilities are designated as Military
Family Medicine Clinics providing comprehensive medical support to
military family members.
Significant programs and accomplishments throughout the years include: a
new customer service campaign, “We Go the Extra Mile”, to reemphasize
its commitment to providing outstanding customer service, and on-going
heat venting and air conditioning (HVAC) replacement projects to include
a $1.2 million Emergency Room renovation.
While the location of the building has transformed over the past 50
years, the dedication of its staff members to provide quality service
and promote military readiness remains constant. The United States Naval
Hospital, Okinawa strives to offer superior services to the community
and the world
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