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| Photo courtesy of William Dawson |
For those of us who were around the Taipei area during the Vietnam War, the thought of not having the Naval Hospital around never occurred.
Built in the Tien Mou area in the mid-1960s, the facility was first rate and really took good care of not only men and women in the service, but also their dependents.
An e-mail from William Dawson, who was the son of David and Jean Dawson, brought up an interesting take on primary health care for Americans in Taiwan after WW II and during the Korean War.
William and his family lived near Grass Mountain, but not in BOT housing. He became ill in 1960 and spent a couple of nights in the Grass Mountain Clinic shown above.
His memory puts the clinic on the east side of the main drag near the movie theater and bowling alley. If anyone out there remembers this clinic, please let us know.
In case of a serious injury, illness and maternity needs, the folks around Taipei had MacKay Memorial Hospital to depend upon. Still functioning, the location still remains in Section 2, Chung Shan North Road, Taipei.
The Navy Hospital was in Tienmu when I arrived in late 1962. Somebody told me that the hospital in Tienmu was opened sometime in 1961. There was a Navy bus that run from the HSA west compound to the hospital quite often.
ReplyDeleteI was stationed at the hospital in 1963-4. There were 12 of us Navy nurses.
DeleteFYI. Groundbreaking Ceremony of the U.S. Naval Hospital in Taipei, July 25, 1960.
ReplyDeleteYou mention MacKay Hospital. A few weeks ago I had entered the Starbucks coffee shop on the corner of Chung Shan and Minquan Roads, which is the NE corner of that intersection. That store is housed in a very small triangle building. Just about all of the seating is upstairs on the 2d floor. As I was walking up the stairway, my shoe caught on the outcrop of a step, I lost my balance and fell onto the stairs. I mashed the palm of my hand into the metal which covered the edge of the stair. I got up, and walked to a table on the 2d floor. A few minutes later, as I talked with a friend visiting Taiwan from the US, I mentioned to him that I was feeling and hearing a "clicking" noise in my wrist, the hand that I had landed on when falling on the stairs. My friend went downstairs and talked with the management. The manager sent two employees, my friend and I to MacKay Hospital Emergency room in a taxi. I went through the paper-work drill, into a room to see a physician who spoke English, then had a number of X-rays taken of my wrist and hand. A few minutes later, back to the the ER Physician and find out nothing broken. They gave me some pain medication and I was out the door. Starbucks paid for everything in cash, I believe it was less than US $30.00. A new experience for me, never visited MacKay Hospital during my Taipei tour, 65-68. I do remember going to the new Navy Hospital in Tienmu when I out processed from Taipei Air Station. During my many visits to Taipei, I have used two hospitals for my regular doctor's visits, National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital, which is close to the Presidential Palace and the Central Hospital. The cost of my last visit to see a doctor at NTU was NT $1293, about US $42.80, which includes a slew of lab tests, the Physician Fee. That was the full cost of every thing, I don't have any Insurance here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gentlemen.... It is always a pleasure to receive specific information on any of my posts. It looks as though Mr. Dawson was sick about a year too early! John
ReplyDeletethat pic is the clinic that was on Grass Mtn.
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ReplyDeleteGreat contribution by William Dawson! From previous research of Jenny Lee and Alliance to save and restore what's left of this historic area, the clinic was in Section D (of Yangmingshan US Military Housing area), west of and across the mountain road from Section H-2 (where bowling alley, mini-NEX/PX, Smiley's Grille and Snack Bar complex, AFNT, and Grass Mountain movie theater were located). I tried using Google Earth (street view) to match the mountains in the background, but tall buildings and mountain haze are in the way (Section D has been completely redeveloped). I believe William's photo is viewing east northeast from this area. I'll send in a photo to indicate general outlay and specific location.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the name of the naval hospital in Tien Mu? I am filling out my clearance renewal paperwork and its asking for the name of the us base I was born in.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Mike Bussius
Mike, The official name as described in the literature was United States Naval Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps. John
I was born in TBC station hospital, Taipei, Taiwan in 1961 to Air Force parents. Does anyone know if this location still exist?
ReplyDeleteThere was a MAAG/USTDC hospital (clinic) in the West Compound. The US Naval Hospital in the suburb of Tien Mou opened in 1961. All American facilities no longer stand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply. looking for my parents and was in hopes of finding info on them. Dad was in Air Force and the National records center has no info on him as they say were distroyed by 1973 fire.
ReplyDeleteStill in search as was me and brother was abandoned in 1965.
Send me an email with your full names and story. I have 2 friends who have contacts. John
ReplyDeleteDid you get my e-mail and message on your blog from the above message?
ReplyDeleteI am not sure who you are because we have 3 people trying to find their parents. If you are Tom, your description and e-mail have been passed on to a friend who does this for the children of many servicemen in a situation like yours. We have had luck, but we are old guys and will do our best. John
ReplyDeleteYes. That was me. understand. Awaiting your guys responds. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteI was attached to the Naval Hospital in Tien Mou from Jan 1973 until December 1974. I had a good friend, Dave Mason (aka Mouse) who was a communications specialist assigned to the USASTRATCOM. I have lost contact with him. Should he or others who might know him, please contact me. Mike; mkoevenig
ReplyDelete@charter.net.
I was station in Tainan, Taiwan 70-72 with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. My daughter was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital Taipei. There also was a clinic at Tainan Airbase.
ReplyDeleteI too was born at the Naval Hospital Taipei. I was born in 1972.
DeleteI was also born at the US Naval Hospital in Taipei in 1972. Small world.
DeleteThanks for note, Aimee.
ReplyDeleteI was stationed at the dental clinic from July 1968 to August 1970.
ReplyDeleteDT2 Terry Zehrer
I was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Taipei in 1964-4. We were a 50-bed station hospital with 12 of us Navy nurses. Very interesting experience.
ReplyDeleteI was a dental technician stationed at the hospital from Sept 69-Nov70
ReplyDelete