217th Medical Collection Company

Army BBS

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Waymon Carter JR. wrote on March 21, 2021

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City and State: ROCK HILL SC

Unit: 217 MEDICAL COLLECTING CO. 1ST PLATOON, K9 AIR FIE

Service or Relationship: 1950 1951

Comments: Trying to find anyone in the 217 medical collecting co., 1st platoon, K9 air base, who may have served in Korea 1950-1952. Trying to find army buddies and family.

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A. Tuckness wrote on August 2, 2013

Send Email To A. TUCKNESS

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hello,

I would like to know more about my grandfather, Dan Tuckness.
Please contact me if you served with him in Korea.

Keywords: Dan Tuckness

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Michael Corrado wrote on April 13, 2013

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ST ALBANS VT

Unit: 217TH MED. COLLECTING CO.

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: Served with the 217th 4th Plt at Chunchon, and the121st, Evac, Early 1952, until Some
of us [RA's US's] went to the 44th engineers as Medics, then Security at the 25th. the
Non NG Men in the unit, never new the main Unit had left. as I doubted except for a
Warrant Officer who came around and Paid us once a Month, I can't remember his
name, My 201 file was a disaster, for that period, I spent a year on Ft Benning in the
406th CMBT Engineers, and after Korea I was in the VT NATL. Guard, Hq co. 3rd BN
172 inf. 43rd Div. and attained the rank of Master Sgt. [1st Sgt Non NG's with me in
the 217th = Don Lefever/ Wilson / Maynard / Bennett / John Meager / Pop Eades /
Sgt Bellino / so please add me to the Roster. Mike Corrdo, RA11i206119-

THANKS -

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Thomas Martinez wrote on August 23, 2010

Send Email To THOMAS MARTINEZ

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father Willie Martinez, served as a corporal in the 217th Medical Collection Company 4th platoon in Korea 1951-52. He had his basic training in Ft. Ord California and medical training at the Far East Medical Service Specialist School in Shinodayama, Japan.
I have some pictures from his scrap book of being on the softball championship team forthe 217th in 51-52. He also has pictures of an airfield in Chunchon and more of Slaughter Valley dated April 7th 1952 in Hwangpo, Korea. I am really interested in the history of this group as my fatehr did not talk about it a lot while living. Willie passed away August 7th, 2000.

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Keith Wiench wrote on February 17, 2010

Send Email To KEITH WIENCH

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: my father passed away december 2008, i have a picture of him with a team " 217th softball champs" His name was Michael.

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Cecilia Eriksson SR. wrote on January 26, 2008

Send Email To CECILIA ERIKSSON

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City and State: LIDINGÖ

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: I just went on the internet to learn more about the Korean war, as it was a big thing in the life history of my dad. My father was a doctor for the Swedish Red cross, and worked in the Swedish Mash hospital in 1951. His name was Sven Hansson, born in 1917 in Stockholm. He wrote a diary about his job at the hospital, which is very interesting to read. I am now about to type it down so that it will be much easier to read and share with friends and family. If you have information about the Swedish mash or the Swedish red cross, please send me an email: cecilia.eriksson.1972@hotmail.com

Keywords: Swedish red cross Swedish mash

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on September 15, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FORT WORTH TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: I have always been a little bothered that our unit is listed as the 217th Medical Collection Co. It should be the 217th Medical Collecting Company (Sep).

Also, Major General Raymond Pendergrass passed away five or six months ago. I miss him - he was a good friend.

Robert (Bob) Rhea
Member of 217th

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L. Merle Myers wrote on December 22, 2006

Email Update Needed

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City and State: IOWA CITY IA

Unit: 217TH MED COLL CO

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: Wishing all Living Members of the 217th a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Keywords: K 9 Air Base Air Eva

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on December 31, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: This is concerning the letter from Warren Porter asking about his uncle, James Floyd Harrison. He was a personal friend of mine for many years before his death at a young age. He did wear the 8th Army patch in Korea.

I have answered Warren's letter via e-mail.

Bob Rhea

Keywords: 8th Army

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Warren Porter wrote on December 27, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My great uncle was James Floyd Harrison - we called him "Big Boy" because he was the taller of the two twins; he was the brother of my grandmother on my father's side. I was not able to speak with him about his Korea experiences before he passed away but since being involved with both genealogy and Desert Storm myself, I have taken an interest in these type things. My dad has a patch that we think may have been Big Boy's from the 217th. I know it is the 8th Army patch from sources on the web. Can you tell me if the 217th wore the 8th Army patch?

Feel free to e-mail me at wporter@cei.net

Here's the link where I found the patch on-line:
http://www.angelfire.com/ar2/jule6/

Thank you,

Warren

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on October 28, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I am happy to announce I have just located a long list of Ms National Guard personnel who served with us in Korea in 1951/1952. I am in the process of sharing the informstion with my friends. Any ex-member of the 217th should free to contact me.

Robert (Bob) Rhea
CWO-3 US Army Retired

Keywords: Friends from Mississippi

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on October 14, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: Oops, Raymond. You certainly are still around. At least I didn't put you on the deceased list. Sorry.

Bob

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Raymond L. Pendergrass wrote on October 13, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: EUREKA SPRINGS AR

Unit: 217TH MED COLL CO (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: Hey, Bob Rhea, I'm still around guy. See early list of those still around posted by Bob Rhea. Good lord willin the creek don't rise I'll be here awhile longer. Here's to our recently deceased buddy and friend---Norman J. (Knucks) Kendall. A childhood friend and Army buddy whom I miss something fierce. SURELY SOMEONE IN MISSISSIPPI, TENN. is online that was in the 217th. Let us hear from you guys.

Keywords: K-9, Pusan, Tague, several other spots. All memebers of the 217th are friends.

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on October 11, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: This is a list of known 217th/Korea comrades who are deceased:

Billy B (Squint) Blythe,
Wayne M. Bowman,
Donald Butler,
William F. (Brown Jug) Catlett,
Dale R. Dempsey,
Bonnie B. Godfrey,
James F. Harrison,
Virgil B. (Bryce) Kincannon,
Orville (Baldy) Lewis,
Winfred (Wimpy) Lewis,
Glen Moon,
Haskell M (Hack) Orrick,
Donald C (Deacon) Partain,
Billy W (Jake) Phillips,
Haskell R. (Lulu) Phillips,
Billy J. Porter,
Gerald W. (Knob) Porter,
Troy C. (Peewee) Reynolds,
Jimmy F. Stone,
Dan G (Milky) Tuckness,
Cecil A. Trowbridge (Our first C.O.),
Norman (Knucks) Kendall,
Roger Whitecotten.

I miss these guys -- the 217th was similar to a family.

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on October 11, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I will attempt to post a list of the guys who served in Korea with the 217th who are still around. I will appreciate any help with this anyone might have.

Melvin Parrish - Dardanelle, Ar
Ken Mayfield - Jefferson, Tx
Dave Porter - Booneville, Ar
Bennie Warren - Magazine, Ar
Edward Bangs - Fort Worth, Tx
Alphes Lunsford - Fort Smith, Ar
Jimmy Walker - Fort Smith, Ar
George Humphrey - Magazine, Ar
Otto Osborne - Booneville, Ar
Jim Bayless - Washington State
John Earl Stone - Fort Smith, Ar
Bob Dempsey - Booneville, Ar
Clifford Dickson - Laurel, Miss
Billy Ray (Tobe) Springer - Booneville, Ar
Richard (Dick) Dorrough - Van Buren, Ar
Robert (Bob) Rhea - Arlington, Tx
Henry Stone - Magazine, Ar
Martin O. Swint - Little Rock, Ar
Glenn Byrd - Booneville, Ar

There may be more -- if so, please add them to the list. Thanks

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Richard (Dick) Dorrough wrote on October 10, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: VAN BUREN AR

Unit: 217TH MED. COLL. CO. (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I was a charter member of the 217th Med Coll Co (sep)located in Booneville, Arkansas Our unit arrived in Korea in 1951. My 1st platoon leader Was 1st Lt Tate. We were assigned to K9 airstrip air evacuation.We received wounded patients vie rail and c-47 aircraft. We would then load the patients onto C-54 aircraft for flight to Japan. My 1st platoon was made up of National Guard and Reservist from Miss. Ga. and Ala. I would sure love to communicate with these Men.

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Jimmy Walker wrote on October 10, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FT. SMITH AR

Unit: 4TH PLATOON 217TH MED COLL CO

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: There is a mistake in my address I would like to correct. 5108 South 94th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 This is correct.

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Jimmy Walker wrote on October 10, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FT. SMITH AR

Unit: 4TH PLATOON 217TH MED COLL CO

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: 217th Med coll Co. 4th Platoon. Platoon Leader Lt Lewis G Mills 1st Sgt Bonnie B Godfrey Asst Sgt Jimmy Walker. After the company split up in Pusan we joined up with the 121st Evac Hospital in Tague. Later we moved with Evac Hospital to Yongdongpo. Later the 4th platoon was sent to Chunchon to replace a clearing company.

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on October 10, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I am Robert (Bob) Rhea. I am proud to be a charter member of the 217th. Our unit served a year in Korea, from May 1951 to May 1952. In my opinion, we served well. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers us or who served with the 217th at any time.

Anyway, we decided to install a permanent marker in our hometown of Booneville, Arkansas. We asked for donations and received more than our goal in a short period of time, mostly from ex-members, their families and friends. We placed it in front of the new National Guard Armory in Booneville. We honored our unit and also our Commanding Officer (Cecil A. Trowbridge) and our 1st Sergeant (Dale R. Dempsey). We wanted to be remembered by our future generations. The ceremony was held on 28 June, 2003. Several ex-217th members attended plus we had a nice crowd from the area. The Adjutant General of Arkansas honored us as guest speaker. Retired Major General Raymond Pendergrass served as master of ceremonies. General Pendergrass was the driving force behind this from start to finish and was largely responsible for it's success.

Robert (Bob) Rhea
CWO-3 Retired

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Denise Hembree wrote on December 26, 2002

Send Email To DENISE HEMBREE

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City and State: MARYVILLE TN

Unit: 217 MED COLLECTION

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am trying to help my Dad locate anyone that served with him during his deployment to Korea. He was with the 217th from jan 1951 to dec 1952. his name is Wallace Odin Kerce - he served as an ambulance driver.

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Robert C. (Bob) Rhea wrote on August 28, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ARLINGTON TX

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COMPANY (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I, as Pendergrass and Sutton arrived in Japan with the 217th in Jan, 1961. After a short time attached to the 35th Station Hospital in Kyoto we were shipped to Korea in May, 1951. After a few days in the Pusan Assembly Area, we were split up by Platoon and sent all over. I was a Personnel Clerk and was attached to the 4th Platoon in Chun Chon and the 52d Medical Bn in Yong Dung Po. Thanks to Norman and Barbara Kendall, Billy R Springer and others, our reunion was great. The only thing missing was some of our many friends from Miss, Tenn, and Ala. We would sure like to hear from you.

Keywords: Attchd to 223d Med Clearing Co at K47 near Chun Chon.

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William Eichholz wrote on February 22, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: PORT ORANGE FL

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL CLEARING COMP.

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: E-mail is for son in Georgia

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Loren M. Myers wrote on February 13, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: IOWA CITY IA

Unit: 217 MED COLL CO

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: 217 MED COLL CO

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Raymond L. Pendergrass wrote on September 17, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ROLLA MO

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING CO (SEP)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I want to correct a couple of errors in my email of November 1999. Most of the guys from the 217th Med Coll Co(Sep) came home in May of 1952 - not 1951. We arrive in Korea in May of 1951 from Japan. Also as Bill Sutton noted the Platoon attached to a MASH outfit was Norwegian not Swiss or Swede. And spelling town is Wejonbu. Our outfit did have reunion of a number of us in Booneville, Arkansas this past June - we're still looking for people that were members of the 217th.

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Loren M. Myers wrote on September 17, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State: IOWA CITY IA

Unit: 217TH MED COLL CO

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: Myself and Charles Schreiber bunked down in the Control Center ON K-9. My job mostly was printing up the Manifest for the Nurses on the flight of patient going back to Japan.

Keywords: Friend Charles Schreiber

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Bill Sutton wrote on June 7, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: 217TH MEDICAL COLLECTING COMPANY

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: The northern unit of the 217th Medical Collecting Company was attached to a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital whose medical staff were Norwegian. We received and treated wounded from the 1st Cavalry Division (until they were pulled out), the 45th ID, and sometimes from the 1st Commonwealth Division. We were located in an apple orchard near Wejonbu most of the time.

We are searching for veterans, or anyone who knows a veteran, who served with the 217th Medical Collecting Company in Korea during 1951-1952. The 217th Medical Collecting Company was a National Guard unit from Booneville, Arkansas, but men from all across the country (particularly Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee) also served. We are attempting to arrange a reunion in Booneville on June 24, 2000 and in succeeding years.

If you are a veteran, or know a veteran, of the 217th, please get in touch with:

Norman Kendall
Phone: 501-675-2973

Or

Bill Sutton
E-mail: billynn@webzone.net
Phone: 918-449-8013

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Raymond L. Pendergrass wrote on November 4, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ROLLA MO

Unit: 217TH MED COLLECTING CO(SEP)

Service or Relationship:

Comments: Info on unit:

The 217th was an Arkansas National Guard outfit
activated 20 Aug 1950. The unit was a litter
bearer outfit. About 100 of us. We were sent to
Ft. Benning, Ga. to brush up on training.

Departed Ft. Benning for Korea in Jan. 1951,
Enroute we had our orders changed and spent 4
months in Kyoto, Japan attached to a Station
Hospital (don't remember the #s).

Moved to Korea in May 1951, rumor had it we were
supposed to go to 2nd ID but ended up strewn all
over Korea from Pusan to Wujonbu(SP?)

Most platoons were attached to Air Force Medical
Evacuation Units on various airstrips. The one up
north was attached to a Swedish or Swiss (?) MASH
unit.

One platoon was attached to a Korean/Chinese POW
camp. Most of us returned stateside in May of
1951.

Ray Pendergrass

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