Clara K. Cleland
Bio
Clara K. Cleland, after receiving her nursing degree, joined the Army Nurse Corps. She shares she was influenced by the service of two brothers and a sister in World War II. She began basic training at Fort Sam Houston and later transferred to Walter Reed Hospital. In June 1950, after receiving orders to prepare to go to Korea, she went to Fort Lewis, Washington. Following her departure from the United States, she arrived in Japan and began assisting in a hospital. Later, she and her unit arrived in the harbor of Incheon, approximately ten days following the Incheon Landing. Upon her arrival, she began treating patients, including both civilians and soldiers. During her service, she and her unit set up Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals in locations throughout North and South Korea. She describes her nursing duties, daily life, memorable patients, and some harrowing experiences.
Video Clips
Caring for Patients at Incheon
Clara Cleland discusses her arrival in Korea, approximately ten days after the Incheon landing. She describes entering a harbor full of ships of all sizes. She explains how some of the nurses were sent to a Prisoner of War Camp for captured North Koreans and how she went with nurses to an old schoolhouse that was being used as a hospital to treat civilians. She remembers the children, many of which suffered from burns, and how they cried all night. She recounts how she and other nurses came under fire while attempting to help injured servicemen when a headquarters company was attacked.
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Nursing Wounded Soldiers After Various Campaigns
Clara Cleland describes her nursing duties as various battles were occurring, including taking care of patients from the Jangin (Chosin) Reservoir. She recalls how she and her unit set up various Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH) and remembers witnessing the U.S.S. Missouri firing its guns and heavy fire from other ships as well. She explains how her unit was then moved to assist another unit on a hospital ship and how, from there, they began treating non-emergent patients with illnesses.
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Nursing Duties and Medical Facilities
Clara Cleland describes her nursing duties prior to the Chinese invasion. She recalls how they received soldiers with all types of wounds but that gunshot wounds were the most prevalent. She explains that one of their jobs was to bathe soldiers who were unable to take care of themselves. She recalls moving to the receiving ward, which included providing care before soldiers went into surgery. She explains how the hospital was a miniature of what might be found at a larger hospital, including laboratories and x-ray machines.
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Living Conditions and Food in Korea
Clara Cleland describes how her time in Korea was spent in tents and school houses. She explains they wore fatigues and boots. She admits it was hard for her to find boots her size, so she would wear snow packs to make them fit. She details how she used and cleaned her mess kit and canteens. She shares she often drank coffee in the middle of the night and details the typical foods, including C-Rations when they were moving and pancakes which she thought was the best food served.
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