John "Jack" Schneller, West Valley City, Utah: an interview by Becky B. Lloyd, July 2, 2004: Saving the Legacy tape no. 676

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JOHN C. (JACK) CHNELLER JUL 2 2004 th u; General M B. Stewart. It says here, 'The General tewarl Ho pi tal would b a credit to any progressive US community of 3500 population. Staffed by three Navy doctors and two Army doctors and nineteen Navy and Army enlisted men, the tewart 's sick bay can accommodate 300 men at any one time. The hospital has twenty-eight beds allocated to the Army on this trip with ample space for more men, if necessary. The Navy and Marine personnel have their own wards, a surgical ward, a psychiatric therapy and treatment ward, and eight locked wards of violent cases, complete with berthing arrangements." We used to go down there and some of those guys, they were totally lost. All those locked cells were padded. Those guys would beat their heads against those walls. It was a shame. BEC: That must have been terrible to see. JAC: It was terrible. "The operating room is an up to date place containing two autoclaves, two sterilizers and cabinets filled with instruments and sterile articles for other surgical work. Over the operating table was a battery of powerful lights which operated off the ship's current, but which could be replaced by emergency battery spots in the event of a power breakdown. The sick bay also houses an x-ray room, dental office, pharmacy, and diet kitchen. The Stewart had brought back casualties from the Philippine Islands and wounded who were flown to Pearl Harbor from Iwo Jima. On its last trip from Calcutta, the Stewart took to the States 400 patients of the 142nd General Hospital. Hospitals are a good place to stay away from. However, should you require the assistance of the Army or Navy medics, rest assured that the Stewart's staff has the skill and equipment to put you on your feet quickly." It's surprising. People don't stop to think that they've got a medical staff on a ship like that. 23