The story behind the creation of the poem!

The story behind the creation of the poem -

I’m the one called "DOC"

In 1975 I was serving a tour of recuiting duty in Barstow, CA (home of the Marine Corps Logistics Base). Viet Nam was still lingering in the minds of many. I was referred to as the "squid recruiter". Many of my young navy applicants questioned this in some manner, especially those that wanted to become hospital corpsmen. From my own experience I knew what sacrifices many hospital corpsmen made during Viet Nam. The majority of America doesn’t realize the important role a hospital corpsman serves in the Navy. ? History reveals that, during previous wars and conflicts, many hospital corpsmen gave the extreme sacrifice...they gave their lives so that their marines and sailors might live. For instance how many people are aware that 22 Hospital Corpsmen have been awarded the Medal of Honor? Or...that 13 Naval Ships were named for Hospital Corpsmen...or that a hospital corpsman is one of the individuals immortalized in the statue and pictures of the marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima

For years sailors have been called different names, mostly in good nature and fun, by other members of the armed forces. Throughout my 35 year career the one I heard the most was "Squid". One night, after having been called a "Squid" one too many times, I sat down and wrote this poem on a napkin, later transferring it to paper. It eventually ended up in my "Doc’s Locker" until 1986 when it was first published. The poem has since appeared in various military and civilian publications and even today, copies can be found on bulkheads and desks in medical facilities throughout the Navy.

During my subsequent duties until my retirement in 1991 I served in various assignments including the Fleet Marine Force and, as instructor in Basic Hospital Corps "A" School. In every assignment there were times I would bring this poem out of my locker and use it to inspire those corpsmen I was teaching, and those corpsmen that were working under me. At the Hospital Corps Birthday Ball in June of 1990, I had the honor to once again renew an aquaintance with Mr. Robert Eugene Bush, (Hospital Apprentice First Class, United States Naval Reserve, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient for action during World War II). I presented him with a framed copy of the poem, as to me, he is one of the examples that all corpsmen should strive to follow.

At the beginning of "Desert Shield" I was assigned to 2nd Bn,7th Marines, 1st Marine Division as the Battalion Chief and went to SaudiArabia. I saw the look of concern on many of the young faces of my corpsmen and the 2 young medical officers. Once again I reached into my "Doc’s locker" and put the poem up on the makeshift bulletin board. ( I would hear, later on, after my retirement, that one of those young "unarmed warriors" would be decorated for his heroic actions).

During my retirement ceremony my commanding officer, RADM R.B. Halder, MC, USN, pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and read my poem to the audience. His comments were that this was my legacy to the Navy.

Since my retirement I have been asked on numerous occasions where people could obtain a copy of the poem. It had been published in several military and civilian publications. It was at this point my wife, Sharon, suggested that I put the poem on t-shirts and plaques and offer them to hospital corpsmen throughout the Navy, and to anyone else who may want it. Hence, SHARPEN ENTERPRISES was formed on February 14, 1997 to enable me to do this.

Several Hospital Corps "A" school companies have ordered them as their class shirts; various commands have ordered plaques for presentation to outstanding hospital corpsmen at awards ceremonies in San Diego. In April, 1997, it was read by Bob Bush at the First Marine Division Sailor of the Year awards at Camp Pendleton and again in May at the dedication ceremonies of the Wall of Heroes at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Mr. Bush then presented the individuals with a plaque.

On September 24, 1997 the Basic Hosptial Corps School at San Diego was closed and moved to Great Lakes. For the closure ceremonies the poem was printed in the program and, during the passing of the flag, it was recited to the audience by the Command Master Chief. A large wooden engraved copy of the poem now hangs on the bulkhead, next to the Hospital Corpsman’s Creed, in the entry way of the Naval School of Health Sciences, San Diego.

Through the efforts of two Master Chiefs: Force Master Chief HMCM(SS) Michael Stewart and HMCM(SW/AW) Gary Chapman, the Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery has granted me to permission, for one year, to use the official logo for the 100th anniversary of the Hospital Corps in conjunction with my poem. The new design has the color logo on the front and the poem on the back.

It was truly my honor and privilege to have served as a Navy Hospital Corpsman for over 30 years and, it is with this honor and pride that I present this story to you.

Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Harry D. Penny, Jr.

Chief Hospital Corpsman (Aircrew)

United States Navy (Retired)