Edward Young Reid Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Narrator
Edward Y. Reid
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateApril 14, 2022
PeriodVietnam War
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Edward Young Reid. OHP.224
Object numberOHP.224
DescriptionEdward Y. Reid served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) as a hospital corpsman first class (HM1) in 1967, during Intrepid’s second Vietnam War deployment. The Museum recorded his oral history interview on April 14, 2022.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Reid began his interview by noting that he grew up in Connecticut. He then provided an overview of his ten years in the Navy, before explaining why he joined the Navy. While recalling his experience in boot camp, Reid described how coming down with pneumonia at Great Lakes led to his decision to become a corpsman. He then discussed his training to become a hospital corpsman. He eventually volunteered to serve with the Marines, which led to a recollection of his time working in a field hospital when he landed with the Marines in Chu Lai, Vietnam, in 1965.
The interview then transitioned to Reid’s time aboard Intrepid. Reid recalled coming aboard Intrepid, which he stated was a terrific experience, as the doctors and corpsmen were great, the ship ran like clockwork, the crew worked together, and Captain John Fair was an excellent skipper. Reid also discussed his job as a hospital corpsman aboard Intrepid, which involved treating the crew during sick call and working as a surgical technician. He then noted common procedures that were performed, specifically circumcisions, and recalled that these were common because patients were given light duty until they were healed. Reid also shared a humorous story relating to one specific circumcision.
As the interview continued, Reid provided additional information regarding sick bay, and he began by comparing the sick bay of his previous ship, USS Providence, to the sick bay of Intrepid. He then explained that nothing was disposable. Items ranging from cloths, drapes and gloves, to syringes and needles, had to be cleaned, sterilized and re-used. Reid also discussed treating injuries that occurred when an arresting cable broke, inoculating the entire crew, performing tattoo removals and administering anesthesia. He briefly discussed the different types of anesthesia that were used at that time, and Reid explained that nitrous oxide, spinal anesthetics, and local anesthetics were used aboard Intrepid. Most of the surgeries performed on Intrepid were regular or scheduled surgeries. When not assisting with surgeries, his work revolved around administrative duties or standing flight deck watches during flight operations. Reid made first class petty officer while aboard Intrepid, and this increase in rank led to more administrative duties.
The interview then shifted to life aboard ship. Reid recounted liberty, noting the time he was injured in Yokosuka, and discussed downtime aboard ship, which for him involved reading books and writing letters. He also recalled a memorable Christmas party in sick bay and explained why this party occurred instead of having liberty in Cape Town, South Africa, due to Apartheid. After describing this Christmas party, Reid recounted a few humorous stories, including recollections of: a pennant they attempted to fly when returning to Norfolk, a crossing the line ceremony, and the time Dr. Laurence Blackburn brought the CPR dummy to the bridge while Intrepid was refueling with an Australian oiler. This prompted Reid to also state that Dr. Blackburn was a good guy and a good leader.
Reid then shared his thoughts on the Vietnam War, as he experienced the war both on the ground and while at sea aboard Intrepid and Providence. He provided additional stories relating to his time at the hospital in Chu Lai, as well.
As the interview came to an end, Reid reiterated his thoughts regarding Intrepid. He stated that it was a good cruise and that the crew was well taken care of with geedunks, the ship’s store, and a barber shop. Reid then explained that he left the Navy with an honorable discharge after he learned he was going to be sent to Vietnam for a fourth time. He also discussed what he hopes the Museum’s visitors will take away from seeing Intrepid’s sick bay, stating, “They’re going to see that we gave our men the best,” noting that sick bay had a pharmacy, a laboratory, an X-ray room, an operating room, comfortable beds, and “everything we wanted.” Reid ended his interview by stating his pride in, and feelings regarding, the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Extent: 6 video files, 26 page transcript
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