Quartermaster Corps Remembers Fallen Comrades

By Kimberly K. FritzFebruary 24, 2011

Fallen
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 24, 2011) -- The Quartermaster Corps, led by the 51st Quartermaster General Col. (P) Gwen Bingham, honored its fallen brethren during a wreath laying ceremony Tuesday at the Petroleum and Water Department's 41st Street Water Training Site. The commemorative ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of an attack that killed 13 members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment from Greensburg, Pa.

The U.S. Army Reserve water purification unit suffered the greatest number of casualties of any of the allied units during Operation Desert Storm when an Iraqi scud missile destroyed the unit's barracks.

Bingham greeted Maj. Gen. James L. Hodge and other distinguished guests, including retired Lt. Col. (Dr.) Paul McMullen, a former member of the 85th Evacuation Hospital who treated members of the 14th QM Det. on that horrific night.

"While many of us sitting here may not have personally known our fallen teammates, in a figurative sense, we knew them," Bingham said. "We knew them because they, like us, swore an oath of allegiance to this nation, to the red, white and the blue. We knew them as America's sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, Soldiers and comrades in arms. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that each of them loved this country and as they moved out for their mission that day, were prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice in defense of it. Sadly, they did."

Bingham urged the group gathered to never forget the selfless sacrifice and service of the men and women of the 14th QM Det. and their families.

"They will forever be a part of us and will serve as a symbol of our steadfast determination to deter terrorism and accomplish our mission," she said before introducing Col. Philip C. Foster, 475th QM Group commander, the higher headquarters for the 14th QM Det.

"No community suffered more than the town of Greensburg," Foster said. "The 14th Quartermaster Detachment continues today ... as America continues to help countries in the Middle East seek freedom and stamp out terrorism."

The quartermaster community, the PWD and Fort Lee have never forgotten the Soldiers of the 14th QM Det., Foster said before laying a wreath at the stone monument and plaque that was dedicated soon after the attack.

McMullen said he was pleased he was able to attend the ceremony. He recalled the chaos that unfolded that night 20 years ago.

"I'd had dinner that evening, and I was over at the hospital talking with the pharmacist. Things had been so quiet I decided to go back to my tent and write a few letters. Before I started back to the tent I heard a boom. No sooner than I had gotten to my tent our XO came in and said, 'Heads up, a scud just hit the barracks.' We headed back to the hospital to prepare for the incoming wounded. Within 30 minutes, they started rolling in and they never seemed to stop."

McMullen was assigned the minimal care, which he described as the walking wounded.

"I had the dubious honor of admitting the most victims to the hospital that night," he said.

When asked to describe what he was feeling as the event unfolded, McMullen said he didn't have time to feel anything.

"I just had to get busy and work," he said. "Afterward, I began to have feelings about the event. The next day a young lieutenant came into my office and she began to cry and say that she just couldn't do enough," McMullen said emotionally. "I asked her if she did all she could do, and I told her that's all any of us can do."

"It still gets to me," he said weeping. "I stop by here every once in a while to look at the memorial. I'm sorry that I had to be there, but I am glad that I was."