U.S. Navy Seaman Katlin Dowling, center left, a hospital apprentice serving at Naval Health Clinic Charleston, and NHCC Command Master Chief Anthony Petrone, center right, cut the cake during NHCC’s Hospital Corpsman Ball, celebrating the 120th birthday of the US Navy Hospital Corps. Standing by are NHCC Executive Officer Capt. Kathleen Hinz, far left, and NHCC Commanding Officer Capt. Dale Barrette, far right. On June 17, 1898, Congress and then-President William McKinley established the Navy Hospital Corps to provide health care to Sailors, Marines, and those entrusted to their care, on the battlefield, at sea, under the sea, and in military treatment facilities worldwide. Although their name has changed from loblolly boy to pharmacists mate to hospital corpsman, more than 30,000 active duty and reserve Navy hospital corpsmen serve today. The Hospital Corps is the largest and most decorated rating in the Navy. Twenty naval ships have been named after hospital corpsmen. Since 1919, 178 corpsmen have received the Navy Cross Award. In the Vietnam War alone, hospital corpsmen received four Medals of Honor, 31 Navy Crosses, 127 Silver Stars, and 291 Bronze Stars for heroics under fire, a testament to the quality of character of the men and women that wear the caduceus and answer to “doc.”

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Lasonya Lowe, right, a hospital corpsman serving at Naval Health Clinic Charleston, swears the Oath of Enlistment as she reenlists June 16, 2018, during NHCC’s Corpsman Ball at the Charleston Club. Lt. Terry Starkey, left, head of NHCC’s Occupational Medicine, served as Lowe’s reenlisting officer. On June 17, 1898, Congress and then-President William McKinley established the Navy Hospital Corps to provide health care to Sailors, Marines, and those entrusted to their care, on the battlefield, at sea, under the sea, and in military treatment facilities worldwide. Although their name has changed from loblolly boy to pharmacists mate to hospital corpsman, more than 30,000 active duty and reserve Navy hospital corpsmen serve today. The Hospital Corps is the largest and most decorated rating in the Navy. Twenty naval ships have been named after hospital corpsmen. Since 1919, 178 corpsmen have received the Navy Cross Award. In the Vietnam War alone, hospital corpsmen received four Medals of Honor, 31 Navy Crosses, 127 Silver Stars, and 291 Bronze Stars for heroics under fire, a testament to the quality of character of the men and women that wear the caduceus and answer to “doc.”