Douglas Henry M. in Ed.

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Biography

Douglas Myron Henry was born in Abilene, Taylor, Texas (named after Gen. Douglas MacArthur, WWII hero); on Friday, 9 March 1945 at Abilene, Taylor, Texas. He was the only child of Myron LeRoy Henry, 1919-1990 and Julia Berniece Whittington-Henry, 1916-1986. At the time of Doug's birth his father was stationed at Camp Barkley, Texas, part of the 1846th Service Detachment Unit assigned to guard the 800+ German POWs housed there. At the end of the World War II the family moved to Merrill, Lincoln, Wisconsin where Doug's father was employed at Merrill Manufacturing, Inc.

Doug completed kindergarten there and during the summer of 1951, they moved to North Bend, Coos, Oregon. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1963 where his most enjoyable times were spent in the vocal music department. He continued his education at SouthWestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.

Then in the fall of 1966 he enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned posts in Germany, first at 2nd Field Hospital in Münchweiler and later in the staff chaplain's office at Headquarters, Medical Command, Europe in Heidelberg serving as assistant chaplain administrator. Doug married Gabriele (Gabi) Jutta Jung on 26 July 1969 in Thaleischweiler, Germany in the Thaleischweiler-Fröschen Lutheran Church built ca. 1492. No children. Frequent travel between Oregon and Germany, 1969-2011. While in Germany he lived in Münchweiler, and Waldorf (sister city of Astoria, Oregon). Following his marriage the couple lived in Gauangelloch (near Heidelberg). Being discharged in August 1970, he returned home and quickly completed his bachelor and masters degrees in secondary education.

Education: A. A. Southwestern Oregon Community College, Coos Bay, Oregon, 1966. B. S. in secondary education, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon, 1972. M. Ed., secondary social science, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon, 1973. Post graduate studies at Portland State University and University of Oregon, summer sessions, 1975-1979. Oregon and Washington admin. (principal) certificates, grades 7-12. Oregon and Washington teaching certificates, grades 5-12

Employment: 4 years, United States Army, 1966-70 --- Main assignments: 2nd Field Hospital*, Münchweiler, Germany and Headquarters, Medical Command Europe, Heidelberg, Germany, 1967-70. 14 years --- United States Postal Service --- passport officer. 20 years --- Oregon public education: Teacher in secondary schools, high school vice principals, junior-senior high school principal, and higher education math-science coordinator working to improve high school math and science programs at Oregon State University. Oregon towns of residence : Merrill, Wisconsin; North Bend, Oregon; Brookings; Astoria; Madras; Corvallis and Albany. Retired September 1, 2005.

Leadership-Membership: First Presbyterian Church; Past president, Crook County Rotary Club; High School Adviser, Key Club, Madras High School; Past president, Astoria Morning Toastmasters Club; Chair and charter member, Astoria Historic Sites Commission; Chair and charter member, Central Oregon Energy Conservation Group; Theta Delta Phi, college scholastic fraternity, Southern Oregon University.

Hobbies and Interests: Speak, read and write German; world travel; writing; genealogy; adult and child tutoring programs; general education; reading; walking; hiking; gardening; coin collecting, piano and stamp collecting.

Writings and Publications: "The Red's Invasion of Oregon --- The Rajneesh Movement," 1985, 422, pp. "Letters to Mr. Crenshaw from the Children of America," 2013, 50 pp. "1428 Places to See and 757 Things to Know Before You Die," 2012, 60 pp. "Daily Life, Religion and Culture in Modern Germany," 2009, 20 pp. "Definite Articles of Common German Nouns," 2002, 26 pp. "30 Inventions That Changed the World," 2010, 280 pp. "A Collection of Short Stories," 2009, 25 pp. "Mr. Sherbert's Return," 2001, 27 pp. "A Collection of Humorous Stories and Thoughts about the USPS," 2000, 30 pp. "A Season of Change," --- a drama-comedy stage play, 1988, 25 pp. "The Meeting at 911 Panicky Way," a movie script, 2000, 33 pp. "My Life and Times in Germany," 2006, 12 pp. "Memories of a Soldier," 2009, 15 pp. "The Conjugation of Common German Verbs," 2010, 50 pp. "Stanley Makes America Laugh," original cartoons, 1985, 50 pp. "Letters from God," 2014, 50 pp.

Douglas was baptized on Sunday afternoon, 6 May 1945 at the Guy Henry residence, 403 Liberty Street, Merrill, Wisconsin. The witnesses to the ceremony were Mr. and Mrs. Guy Henry, Mrs. Emma Henry, and parents Pfc. Myron and Juliah Henry. Pfc. Henry is now stationed at View, Texas. The Rev. Edward A. George officiated.

Douglas has maintained membership in the First Presbyterian Church, USA.

• Brief History of 2nd Field Hospital:

1917 - 1919 World War I - European Theater. 1940 - 1945 World War II - South Pacific Theater. 1946 - 1954 National Guard Status. 1954 - 1967 2nd Armored Division. 1967 - 1989 9th Hospital Center.

Construction on the Münchweiler, Germany site began in the early 1950s. The Class I facility opened its doors to its first patients on 1 October 1954. It began as a maximum 500-bed facility under the command of Colonel Ralph L. Cox, M. D.

The Münchweiler Medical Service Area consisted of several hundred square miles of pink, timbered mountains, beautiful red rock formations and clear trout streams and in an area where many thousands of troops and their dependents were stationed. The United States Army Hospital, Münchweiler provided the medical care to the people in those remote installations which lacked the glamorous German names so familiar to the folks back home.

The Münchweiler Army Hospital was manned by the 225th Station Hospital which was activated 25 January 1943 at Fort Benning, Georgia. On 9 August 1943, the 225th embarked for Oran, Algeria where its mission was to support the invasion forces in Italy. The unit soon moved to Naples-Bagnoli, Italy following the Allied advance. There it operated from the buildings at the city fairgrounds and month after month treated the large number of combat casualties who returned from the lines. Though designated as a 500-bed unit, the hospital often treated twice that number of patients throughout the Italian campaign. For its outstanding accomplishment during the period of January 1944 to March 1945, the unit was awarded the Unit Citation for Meritorious Service with the red streamer embroidered European Theater. The Presidential Unit citation was added later. The hospital guidon carried battle streamers embroidered Rome-Arno, Naples and Foggia. After several moves in Italy, the 225th Station Hospital was returned to the states and inactivated at Camp Siebert, Alabama on 14 November 1945. The 225th was re-activated in support of the United States Army Europe on 10 March 1955 and was assigned to the Münchweiler-Rodalben area and re-designated as the 2nd Field Hospital.

In 1963, the 2nd Field Hospital was commanded by Major Paul R. Staley, MC. Some of his key personnel at that time were Captain David J. Dahl, MC, Chief of Surgery; Major Bruna Fusa, Army Nurse Corp, Chief Nurse; Major Joe B. Gipson, MSC, Executive Officer; Captain Sidney Cohen, MC, Chief of Medicine and Captain Allen J. Awad, MC, Chief of OB-GYN.

Located at the United States Army Hospital, Münchweiler were the 124th Dental Detachment which had dental units in Pirmasens and Zweibrücken. Also attached to the post were the 31st and 37th Ambulance Trains (Rail). Within the concept of supply economy, the hospital had the additional responsibility of providing logistical support to the 15th Evacuation Hospital, (the same unit where General Patton's first slapping incident took place on 3 August 1943 in Italy), the 208th Signal Company and the 64th Ordnance Company. The 2nd Field Hospital unit was host to many other units as they came through on various military missions. For logistical support purposes Münchweiler was a sub-post of the Pirmasens post.

The hospital building was erected in 1955 on a 500-bed chassis. It was authorized 75 beds with a like number of standby beds. In the event of a disaster or military-imposed requirements, facilities were available for expansion to 1100 beds. In addition to inpatient and dispensary type care the hospital provided specialized clinics in pediatrics, OB-GYN, EENT, internal medicine and surgery. For a time personnel of the 2nd Field Hospital manned the outlying dispensaries at Pirmasens, Massweiler and Fischbach. The doctors and nurses of the unit were also members of disaster-relief teams and were at times called to support them as Captain Dahl, Chief of Surgery did in a disaster that occurred in Iran.

The staff was constantly striving for better, more efficient patient care. For example, a Centralized Tray Service was begun at the hospital which improved patient dining facilities. Although comparatively small in size the United States Army Hospital in Münchweiler continued through its superior personnel and modern techniques to live up to its motto, "Superior professional care courteously administered." *

PARTIAL ROSTER OF PERSONNEL - 2ND FIELD HOSPITAL - Münchweiler, Germany, during period 1965 - 1971:

Captain Patrick K. Aiu, OB-GYN, MD, later rose to rank of Col. in Hawaii National Guard, (deceased), for many years delivered babies throughout the Hawaiian Islands SP4 Jim Barr, medic. SP4 Beardsley. SP4 Jimmy Bell, motor pool. SP4 Billingsley, medic. SP4 Bobo, medic, (good friend of SP4 Smith). PFC Bonderick, supply and motor pool. SP6 John Boyd, registrar's office. Captain James E. Buchanan, MD, Auburn, Indiana. SP4 Ralph E. Burns, motor pool, York, Pennsylvania. Captain Anthony Canepa, supply officer, Memphis, Tennessee (deceased). SP4 Douglas Cummings, medic. SP4 Davis. SP5 Dawson, came to 2nd Field Hospital via US Military Academy. SP4 Larry Drosity, Louisville, Kentucky. Captain George Edwards, adjutant, pharmacist, registrar, North Carolina. SP4 James Evans, registrar's office, Illinois. SP4 Fritsche. Colonel Robert D. Gamble, commanding officer, 1968-1971, Texas. SP4 Terry Gilchrist, motor pool, Olympia, Washington. SP4 John Gossett, admissions office, Arkansas. SP4 Green. SP4 Grove, mail clerk. SP4 Joseph "Woody" Gutowski, motor pool, NY, died September 2014. SP5 Steve Haas, supply, Enon, Ohio, died September 2019. Colonel Thomas Hanson, Commanding officer, 1966-68, Georgia. SP5 Stanley Haramoto, headquarters clerk, Hawaii, later Idaho. SP4 Kenneth Hartje, Illinois. SP4 Eric Haury, medic, Connecticut (deceased). SP4 Henning, medic. SP5 Douglas Henry, chaplain's assistant, Albany, Oregon. SSG Hippensteal, registrar. SSG John Hornbraker, registrar's office, (drove an old Mercedes). SP4 Howard, medic. SP4 Israel, medic. Gabi Jung, German civilian secretary, married Doug Henry 7/26/69. Captain Richard Kahn, MD, California. Mrs. Esther Kahn, American civilian dental hygienist, wife of Captain Kahn. Captain Duane K. Kaneshiro, Hawaii, now in Vacaville, California. SP4 Kline, cook. SP5 Roger Kirk, registrar's office, Texas. Charlotte Kirchner, German civilian secretary, headquarters. SP4 Richard Kookogey, medic, Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Mr. Kornish, German civilian, head of German civilian personnel. Mrs. Kornish, German civilian registrar's office. SP5 Michael Levy, medic, New York. SP5 Robert Lewis, registrar's office, Guyman, Oklahoma. SSG Larry Libel, assistant Supply Sergeant, Cody, Wyoming. SP4 Verlin T. Littlejohn, motor pool, Knoxville, Tennessee. PFC Ronald W. McCauley. SFC James L. McQueen. SP5 James Marchant, company Clerk, Illinois (deceased). SP4 Robert Miller, medic, Illinois. Captain John C. Moore, Assistant adjutant. SP4 Wendell D. Morris. SP4 James Moseley, motor pool, New York. PVT Edward B. Murray. Jim Nardiero, medic, Illinois. SP5 David Newland, chaplain's assistant, 1966-68, Ohio. SP4 James Patterson, cook. SSG Patterson, cook. 1LT Ronald Phelps, detachment commanding officer, 1968-71, N. Carol. and Texas. SP4 Larry Pisanni, medic, New Jersey. SP4 James Preuss. SFC James Quinn, mess hall sergeant. SP5 Jerry Ricard, personnel, Wheaton, Illinois. Captain David Lewis Richardson, Jr., detachment commanding officer, 1965-68; later became a medical doctor. Captain Karen (Larson) Richardson, head nurse, wife of Captain David Richardson; passed away in 2006 in North Carolina. Major (later LTC) Stanley G. Roat, chaplain, Cincinnati, Ohio and Georgia; passed away in January 2024 at the age of 90. Mrs. Schuhy, German civilian, cleaning lady. Mrs. Anni Schwenk, German civilian secretary. SP4 Doug Sheridan, medic. SP4 Smith, x-ray technician. PVT William Smith, medic, went AWOL to Sweden. SP4 John Smoker, motor pool, New Mexico. SFC James Steffins, Missouri or Utah. SP4 John "Johannes" Sterkman, personnel, Seattle, Washington. SP4 Teal, cook. MSG John Trentadue, supply, Pleasanton, California. Mr. Willi Weber, German civilian, supply. LTC Henry G. Wolfgang, executive officer, Irwin, Pennsylvania. Major Kenneth Wittenberg, chaplain, 1965-68, Michigan. Mrs. Zephus, German civilian secretary.

Sources

• United States Army Medical Bulletin, Vol. 20, no. 3, March 1963, pp 71-73 (OCoLC) 02489630.
• Personal recollections of Douglas M. Henry, Gabi J. Henry and James Marchant.
• Bureau of Vital Statistics, Texas Department of Health, Certificate of Birth, Vol. 15, p. 337, 12 March 1945.