Major Biddle enjoying a Bamie Ba, Saigon 1969.

Bill cutting cake for Army Nurse Corps Birthday at 44th Medical Detachment , Pleiku 1971.

At 3rd Field Hospital, Saigon 1969 -- "Short-timer's calendar."

Bill served with the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon, the 71st Evacuation Hospital and the 44th Medical Detachment in  Pleiku as Chief Nurse and Chief Anesthetist

The 71st Evacuation Hospital's first patient was admitted on May 29th, 1967, and the hospital became a fully operational 400 bed facility on October 25, 1967.  The 71st Evac was situated in a very active and hostile area and was frequently the object of enemy attacks.  During the period of 3 - 24 November 1967, the hospital experienced one of its most demanding tests as a mass casualty situation developed during the battles at Dak To.  There were over  1,600 admissions and 1,359 patients were evacuated.  During the Tet Offensive in January 1968, the 71st received 1,670 casualties from Dak To, Kontum, and Hue.  In 1970 the 71st was deactivated and returned to the States.  

44th Medical Detachment

71st Evacuation Hospital

3rd Field Hospital

Bill receives the Bronze Star

Bill (R.) holds a friendly python  at 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon 1968

THEN

NOW

Bill Biddle

It's been decades since we served. But to many of us, it seems like only yesterday.  Today we are old and slow; but once we were young and swift.  For those who never knew us then; and for those who can't remember when, take a look back at​  the way we were:

The Way We Were

Vietnam Veterans of America

Gary Hutchison Memorial Chapter 1028