8th Medical Brigade

The 8th Medical Brigade is a medical brigade of the United States Army Reserve subordinate to the 3rd Medical Command) and headquartered at Fort Wadsworth, New York.

8th Medical Brigade
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1976-Present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Army
Type	Medical brigade
Size	Brigade
Part of	3rd Medical Command
Garrison/HQ	Fort Wadsworth, New York
Motto(s)	Strength through health
Colors	Maroon and White
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

Lineage and Honors

Lineage

• Constituted 16 July 1976 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th Medical Brigade and activated at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York.^[1]

Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

• None^[1]

Decorations

• None^[1]

Insignia

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, 6th Medical Brigade

Description

On a maroon octagon 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in height overall bearing a white Greek cross surmounted by a yellow crown of seven points, (six points extending beyond the cross) all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border.^[2]

Symbolism

The Greek cross, a symbol of aid and assistance is used to represent the 8th Medical Brigade. The crown alluding to New York referred to as the "Empire State" was suggested by the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. In numerology the number eight symbolizes regeneration and achievement. The octagon shape furthermore alludes to the numerical designation of the 8th Medical Brigade. Maroon and white are colors used for the Army Medical Department.^[2]

Background

The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 16 July 1976. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-594)^[2]

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia, 4th Medical Brigade

Description

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting chevronwise of a black embattled partition line above a silver metal wingless caduceus surmounting a maroon Greek cross on a green background and all encircled by a continuous maroon scroll, divided in three folds and inscribed "STRENGTH THROUGH HEALTH" in silver letters.^[3]

Symbolism

Maroon and white are the colors used for the Army Medical Department. The cross, a symbol for aid and assistance, symbolizes the basic mission of the Brigade. The caduceus and the color green, a reference to the color of the ancient gowns of medicine, represents the high ideals and traditions of the healing arts. The entwined serpents also simulate the number "8" referring to the organization's numerical designation. The embattled partition line, representing a segment of early coastal fortification, alludes to the early history of Fort Hamilton, the present home area and location of the 8th Medical Brigade.^[3]

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 13 September 1976.^[3]

Combat Service Identification Badge

Combat Service Identification Badge, 4th Medical Brigade

Description/Blazon

A silver color metal and enamel device 2 inches (5.08 cm) in height consisting of a design similar to the shoulder sleeve insignia.^[4]

History

Upon its establishment in 1976, and for many years afterwards, the 8th Medical Brigade was reputed to be the largest medical brigade in the Army, active or reserve.

The 8th Medical Brigade replaced the 818th Hospital Center, which had served as the major medical command and control headquarters in the northeast, when it relocated to Fort Gillem, Georgia, with an effective date of 15 July 1976. Many members of the brigade's initial staff had been members of 818th before it relocated, and its first commander had once served as the deputy hospital canter commander.^[5]

In 2004-2005, the 8th Medical Brigade headquarters sent a detachment to provide command and control over medical units providing support in Kuwait.^[6]

Commanders

Image	Rank	Name	Branch	Begin Date	End Date	Notes
	Brigadier General	Joseph P. Cillo[7]	MC	26 July 1976[7]	26 July 1980[8]
	Brigadier General	Gregorio Brevetti[8]	MC	26 July 1980[8]	14 July 1984
	Brigadier General	Paul Skok[9]	MC	14 July 1984	5 April 1985[9]	Died in Command[9]
	Brigadier General	Thomas E. Potter[9]	MC	5 April 1985[9]	April 1989[10]	Assumed command upon Skok's death[9]
	Brigadier General	Francis R. Jordan, Jr.[10]	MC	April 1989[10]	April 1993[10]	Retired as a Major General[10]
	Brigadier General	Melvin R Johnson[11]	MC	April 1993[11]	May 1997[11]	Retired as a Major General[11]
	Brigadier General	Duane L. May[12]	MC	May 1997[12]	May 2001[12]
	Brigadier General	Robert J. Kasulke[13]	MC	May 2001[13]	23 April 2005[14]	Retired as a Major General[13]
	Brigadier General	Stanley Flemming[14]		23 April 2005[14]	March 2009[15]
	Colonel			March 2009[15]
	Colonel	Kevin Pehr
	Colonel
	Colonel	Nelson G. Rosen[16]	MC	June 2018[16]	March 2019[16]	Retired as a Brigadier General[16]
	Colonel
	Colonel
	Colonel

Organization

1978

• HHC, 8th Medical Brigade, Fort Hamilton, New York^[17]
• 307th General Hospital, New York, New York^[17]
  • 1208th US Army Hospital, Brooklyn, New York^[17]
• 331st General Hospital, Utica, New York^[17]
  • 376th Combat Support Hospital, Liverpool, New York^[17]
• 338th General Hospital, Niagara Falls, New York^[17]
  • 817th Evacuation Hospital, Webster, New York^[17]
• 344th General Hospital, Flushing, New York^[17]
  • 74th Field Hospital, Bronx, New York^[17]
• 364th General Hospital, Albany, New York^[17]
  • 815th Station Hospital, Newburgh, New York^[17]
  • 816th Station Hospital, Binghampton, New York^[17]
• 320th Evacuation Hospital, New York, New York^[17]
• 343rd Evacuation Hospital, New York, New York^[17]
• 365th Evacuation Hospital, Niagara Falls, New York^[17]
• 808th Station Hospital, Hempstead, New York^[17]
  • 356th Station Hospital, Rocky Point, New York^[17]
• 310th Field Hospital, Malone, New York^[17]
• 1st Medical Detachment, Brooklyn, New York^[17]
• 315th Medical Detachment, Brooklyn, New York^[17]

Current

• HHC, 8th Medical Brigade, Fort Wadsworth, New York^[18]
• 818th Hospital Center, Utica, New York^[18]
  • 865th Field Hospital, Utica, New York^[18]
  • 912th Field Hospital, Niagra Falls, New York^[18]
• 439th Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), Fort Dix, New Jersey^[18]