8th Medical Brigade

Last updated
8th Medical Brigade
8MBSSI.svg
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1976-Present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
AllegianceFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Type Medical brigade
Size Brigade
Part of 3rd Medical Command
Garrison/HQFort Wadsworth, New York
Motto(s)Strength through health
ColorsMaroon and White
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia 8MedBdeDUI.png

The 8th Medical Brigade is a medical brigade of the United States Army Reserve subordinate to the 3rd Medical Command) and headquartered at Fort Wadsworth, New York.

Contents

Lineage and Honors

Lineage

Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

Decorations

Insignia

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, 6th Medical Brigade 8MBSSI.svg
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, 6th Medical Brigade

Description

On a maroon octagon 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in height overall bearing a white Greek cross surmounted by a yellow crown of seven points, (six points extending beyond the cross) all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border. [2]

Symbolism

The Greek cross, a symbol of aid and assistance is used to represent the 8th Medical Brigade. The crown alluding to New York referred to as the "Empire State" was suggested by the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. In numerology the number eight symbolizes regeneration and achievement. The octagon shape furthermore alludes to the numerical designation of the 8th Medical Brigade. Maroon and white are colors used for the Army Medical Department. [2]

Background

The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 16 July 1976. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-594) [2]

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia, 4th Medical Brigade 8MedBdeDUI.png
Distinctive Unit Insignia, 4th Medical Brigade

Description

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting chevronwise of a black embattled partition line above a silver metal wingless caduceus surmounting a maroon Greek cross on a green background and all encircled by a continuous maroon scroll, divided in three folds and inscribed "STRENGTH THROUGH HEALTH" in silver letters. [3]

Symbolism

Maroon and white are the colors used for the Army Medical Department. The cross, a symbol for aid and assistance, symbolizes the basic mission of the Brigade. The caduceus and the color green, a reference to the color of the ancient gowns of medicine, represents the high ideals and traditions of the healing arts. The entwined serpents also simulate the number "8" referring to the organization's numerical designation. The embattled partition line, representing a segment of early coastal fortification, alludes to the early history of Fort Hamilton, the present home area and location of the 8th Medical Brigade. [3]

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 13 September 1976. [3]

Combat Service Identification Badge

Combat Service Identification Badge, 4th Medical Brigade 8MedBdeCSIB.png
Combat Service Identification Badge, 4th Medical Brigade

Description/Blazon

A silver color metal and enamel device 2 inches (5.08 cm) in height consisting of a design similar to the shoulder sleeve insignia. [4]

History

Upon its establishment in 1976, and for many years afterwards, the 8th Medical Brigade was reputed to be the largest medical brigade in the Army, active or reserve.

The 8th Medical Brigade replaced the 818th Hospital Center, which had served as the major medical command and control headquarters in the northeast, when it relocated to Fort Gillem, Georgia, with an effective date of 15 July 1976. Many members of the brigade's initial staff had been members of 818th before it relocated, and its first commander had once served as the deputy hospital canter commander. [5]

In 2004-2005, the 8th Medical Brigade headquarters sent a detachment to provide command and control over medical units providing support in Kuwait. [6]

Commanders

ImageRankNameBranchBegin DateEnd DateNotes
Brigadier GeneralJoseph P. Cillo [7] MC26 July 1976 [7] 26 July 1980 [8]
Brigadier GeneralGregorio Brevetti [8] MC26 July 1980 [8] 14 July 1984
Brigadier GeneralPaul Skok [9] MC14 July 19845 April 1985 [9] Died in Command [9]
Brigadier GeneralThomas E. Potter [9] MC5 April 1985 [9] April 1989 [10] Assumed command upon Skok's death [9]
Brigadier GeneralFrancis R. Jordan, Jr. [10] MCApril 1989 [10] April 1993 [10] Retired as a Major General [10]
Melvin R Johnson MG.png Brigadier GeneralMelvin R Johnson [11] MCApril 1993 [11] May 1997 [11] Retired as a Major General [11]
Brigadier GeneralDuane L. May [12] MCMay 1997 [12] May 2001 [12]
Brigadier GeneralRobert J. Kasulke [13] MCMay 2001 [13] 23 April 2005 [14] Retired as a Major General [13]
Brigadier GeneralStanley Flemming [14] 23 April 2005 [14] March 2009 [15]
ColonelMarch 2009 [15]
ColonelKevin Pehr
Colonel
Portrait of Nelson G. Rosen, Brigadier General, United States Army.jpg ColonelNelson G. Rosen [16] MCJune 2018 [16] March 2019 [16] Retired as a Brigadier General [16]
Colonel
Colonel
Colonel

Organization

1978

Current

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army .

  1. 1 2 3 "8th Medical Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, Lineage, and Honors". United States Army Medical Department center of History and Heritage. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "8th Medical Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia". The Institute of Heraldry, United States Army. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "8th Medical Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia". The Institute of Heraldry, United States Army. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  4. "8th Medical Brigade Combat Service Identification Badge". The Institute of Heraldry, United States Army. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  5. "Annual Historical Supplement, Headquarters, 818th Hospital Center, 1 January 1976 - 31 December 1976" (PDF). U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, Annual Historical Summaries Papers, Box 53E, Folder 305, 818th Hospital Center, Circa 1977. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  6. "Island-based Army medical unit saluted". Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, New York); Sunday, 24 April 2005. p. 12. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Annual Historical Supplement, 8th Medical Brigade, Calendar Year 1977" (PDF). United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Annual Historical Summaries Papers; Box 6D, Folder 1, 8th Medical Brigade USAR, January - December 1977, Circa 1978. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 "Annual Historical Supplement, 8th Medical Brigade, Fiscal Year 1980" (PDF). United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Annual Historical Summaries Papers; Box 6D, Folder 3, 8th Medical Brigade USAR, Fiscal Year 1980, Circa 1980. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Potter replaces Skok". The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey); Sunday 28 July 1985. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Official United States Army General Officer Biography of Major General Francis Robert Jordan, Jr. (USAR), General Officer Management Office, 13 June 2002
  11. 1 2 3 4 Official United States Army General Officer Biography of Major General Melvin Russel Johnson (USAR), General Officer Management Office, 1 July 2003
  12. 1 2 3 Official United States Army General Officer Biography of Brigadier General Duane Leroy May (USAR), General Officer Management Office,22 January 2002
  13. 1 2 3 Official United States Army General Officer Biography of Major General Robert John Kasulke (USAR), General Officer Management Office, 1 October 2012
  14. 1 2 3 "Island-based Army medical unit saluted". Staten Island Advance, Sunday, 24 September 2005. p. A-12. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  15. 1 2 Official United States Army General Officer Biography of Brigadier General Stanley Lalit Flemming (USAR), General Officer Management Office,13 October 2010
  16. 1 2 3 4 Official United States Army General Officer Biography of Brigadier General Nelson G. Rosen, General Officer Management Office,230 March 2019
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Annual Historical Supplement, 8th Medical Brigade, Fiscal Year 1979" (PDF). United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Annual Historical Summaries Papers; Box 6D, Folder 4, 8th Medical Brigade USAR, Fiscal Year 1979, Circa 1979. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "3rd Medical Command Units". Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2025.