Corpsman Up: Hospital Corps Marks 127 Years of Unwavering Commitment and Courage
18 June 2025
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Today, the 127th birthday of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps was celebrated with honor and pride at the Defense Health Headquarters. The ceremony brought together Navy Medicine leadership and corpsmen to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Hospital Corps and their continuing impact across the fleet and around the world.
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Erica Coleman opened the celebration, “The many selfless acts performed by hospital corpsmen over the last 127 years has defined the legacy of the Hospital Corps, earning the respect and admiration of those we serve alongside. We will no doubt continue to uphold and press forward with our legacy.”
While the Hospital Corps was established in 1898 by President William McKinley, enlisted Sailors have been serving in medical roles since the first days of the Navy, as loblolly boys, apothecaries, medical attendants and surgical stewards. To date, hospital corpsmen are the most decorated rate in the Navy, with 23 Medal of Honor recipients, 946 Silver Stars and 1,582 Bronze Stars with the combat “V” for valor.
Rear Adm. Rick Freedman, Navy deputy Surgeon General and deputy chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery said during the event, “In moments when my faith and confidence were shaken, I looked to my left and to my right – and there was always a corpsman standing beside me, ready to answer the call.”
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4220000/corpsman-up-hospital-corps-marks-127-years-of-unwavering-commitment-and-courage/
