Corpsman Up!

[thedrifter]

Corpsman Up!
MSgt Tom Bartlett


Up at the front and filled with fear,
He pleads with God, "Don't leave me here!"
Wounded and bleeding, and hunched with pain,
Thrown on his back in the mud and rain.
Others went down, some hit; all scared.
No one moved; no one dared!
We'd moved swiftly through the paddy mire,
And then it happened; enemy fire!


It's "Corpsman Up!" when things get hot.
The nearest thing to God we got.
"Corpsman Up!" to save a breath;
"Corpsman up!" in the face of death.
Stop the bleeding; treat for shock.
No time for hesitation, "Doc."
Patch him up and get him back;
Back to the rear; call a medevac.


Operating room well lit and clean;
Doctors waiting, dressin green.
Operate with speed and skill;
Experts with determined will.
Save lives or limbs to save dreams
No matter how impossible it seems,
Work on in sweat and mud and grime;
To save a life...there's not much time!


You joined the Navy to learn your trade,
And went to school, and made the grade.
It's "Corpsman up!" when rounds are flyin;
"Corpsman up!" when men are dying.
You're one of us, a grunt or grit;
Like it or not, you just can't quit.
"Corpsman up!" Step out of ranks!
"Corpsman up!"-and accept our thanks.



Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

FROM A DOC'S POINT OF VIEW

As a Corpsman in green and not navy blue,
I offer this poem from a Doc's point of view.
We've been honored by stories, poems and such
By Marines we have served with and respected so much.

They speak of our honor, bravery and skill,
And the cry, "Corpsman up!" still gives me a chill.
When a Marine goes down, what will it be?
A trache? Tie off bleeders? Start an IV?

Only one thing is certain as we rush to the scene,
Our ass will be covered by our brothers in green.
You see we're adopted, "Sons of the Corps".
No more "Anchors away" - "Semper Fi" evermore!

It's true when you're wounded, your life's in our hands,
And we'll treat and protect you to the very last man.
For you are our point man, our cover, our shield,
And we count on your skills all our days in the field.

Many a grunt laid his life on the line
To make sure Doc got to the wounded in time.
So, my brothers, I thank you, as all us Docs should.
It's YOU who make us Corpsmen look good!

Semper Fi,
Doc Hutch



Sempers,

Roger