| Original caption: “Men wounded on Okinawa are lined up on pontoon dock alongside an LST (H) anchored off Okinawa. They will be transferred to hospital ships in the anchorage.” In order to control the evacuation of casualties from the beach, 4 hospital landing ships LST (H) were assigned to each of the attack forces assaulting the western beaches of Okinawa. The medical officer assigned to each LST (H) as Evacuation Control Officer was responsible for the screening and proper distribution of casualties in accordance with 3 major classifications of wounded. Seriously wounded men requiring more than 2 months hospitalization would normally be evacuated in hospital ships; those requiring treatment for more than 2 weeks but less than 2 months would be evacuated in transports during the initial assault phase; and those who could be returned to duty within 2 weeks would be retained at the objective afloat until such time as medical facilities were established ashore. The LST (H)s would remain on station until relieved by the Attack Force Commander, and the Evacuation Control Officers then would move ashore and assign casualties directly to the ships. Responsibility for medical service ashore, including air evacuation when airfields were established, rested with Commanding General, Expeditionary Troops. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2156.jpg |
| Image Size | 919.48 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2370 x 2520 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 1, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Okinawa |
| Country | Ryukyus |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-80-G-472355 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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