The Snake Pit

In the early 1960’s, not many U.S. soldiers had been wounded in Vietnam and those who had been wounded were sent to military hospitals near their homes. In 1964, the war in Vietnam was starting to heat-up and soldiers with severe wounds were sent to military hospitals that had the expertise to treat them. One of the premier hospitals was Walter Reed Army General Hospital located outside Washington, D.C. This was also the hospital of choice for presidents, former presidents and other officials of the government..

In Ward #1, there was a section at the far end of the ward which became known as “The Pit”, later on “The Snake Pit.” In 1965, there were seven officers, captains, lieutenants and warrant officers assigned to the “Pit”. Although other officers were assigned to “The Pit” their stay and personalities did not linger; i.e., seriousness of wounds or did not fit the “Pit” norm. The officers mentioned in this story remained together for at least one year or more, resulting in a close comradeship, helping each other when times were tough both physically and mentally.