7th Medical Brigade

The 7th Medical Brigade was a US Army medical brigade, which provided medical support to Seventh Army. The brigade headquarters was located at Coffey Barracks Ludwigsburg, Germany, and the brigade was assigned to the Seventh Army Support Command and, later, under the United States Army Medical Command, Europe. The 7th Medical Brigade was the U.S. Army's first medical brigade to be activated.

7th Medical Brigade
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	21 June 1965 - 21 July 1973
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Garrison/HQ	Coffey Barracks, Ludwigsburg, Germany
Motto(s)	Service Over Self
Commanders
Notable commanders	MG Spencer B. Reid
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

Lineage and honors

Lineage

• Constituted 1965
• Activated 21 June 1965 in Germany^[1]
• Inactivated 21 July 1973 in Germany^[2]

Honors

Campaign participation credit

• None

Decorations

• None

Insignia

Shoulder sleeve insignia

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, 7th Medical Brigade

Description

On a rectangular maroon shield rounded at the bottom, 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.08 cm) on width overall, within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border, a white fleam.^[3]

Symbolism

The colors maroon and white are used to denote medical activities. The fleam is a heraldic symbol for a surgical lancet and its form simulates the unit's numerical designation.^[3]

Background

The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 21 February 1966. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-412)^[3]

Distinctive unit insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia, 7th Medical Brigade

Description

A silver color metal and enamel device consisting of a maroon disc 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height with a silver sun of seven rays rising from its base, the second, fourth and sixth rays straight and throughout and behind a white horizontal band across the center portion of the disc, with, at teach end, a vertical silver wing reversed on, and extending beyond the edge of the disc. At the top on a silver scroll that follows the curve of the disc and overlaps the top of the wings, the inscription "SERVICE OVER SELF" in black letters.^[3]

Symbolism

Maroon and white are the colors used for Army Medical Service; the disc simulates a wheel and refers to the unit's ability to operate fixed or mobile. The white band represents both air and emergency field evacuation as well as alluding to first aid dressings and bandages. The rising sun symbolizes the steadfast reliability of the organization, with the seven rays signifying the numerical designation, and the three long straight rays to the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of man, the object of this duty.^[3]

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 14 February 1967.^[3]

History

Commanders

Image	Rank	Name	Branch	Begin Date	End Date	Notes
	Colonel	Spencer Beil Reid[4]	MC		July 1967[4]	Assumed command of the U.S. Army Hospital Wurzburg.[4] Would later command the United States Army Medical Command, Europe and retired as a Major General.
	Colonel	Warren S. Henderson[4]		July 1967[4]	June 1968	Came to the 7th Medical Brigade from his position as Commander, 62d Medical Group.[4]
	Colonel	Roger A. Juel[5]	MC	June 1968[5]		Had been serving as commander of 30th Medical Group[5]
	Colonel	Wallace R. LeBourdais[6]	MC		July 1971[6]	Assumed command of U.S. Army Hospital, Augsburg[6]
	Colonel	Harry J. Misch[6]	MC	July 1971[6]		Had been serving as commander of 30th Medical Group[6]

Organization

As of 1 July 1966^[7]

• Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 7th Medical Brigade
• 30th Medical Group
  • 4th Surgical Hospital (Mobile) (Army)
  • 32d Surgical Hospital (Mobile) (Army)
  • 128th Evacuation Hospital (Semi-mobile)
• 31st Medical Group
  • 36th Medical Battalion
  • 5th Surgical Hospital (Mobile) (Army)
  • 31st Surgical Hospital (Mobile) (Army)
  • 7th Evacuation Hospital (Semi-mobile)
• 62d Medical Group
  • 46th Surgical Hospital (Mobile) (Army)
  • 2d Surgical Hospital (Mobile) (Army)
  • 8th Evacuation Hospital (Semi-mobile)
  • 15th Evacuation Hospital (Semi-mobile)

See also

• List of former United States Army medical units