Nurse Catherine Barker served with the 27th Surgical Hospital in Chu Lai, South Vietnam, starting in 1967. The hospital was a 60-bed mobile unit that used the MUST (Medical Unit, Self-Contained, Transportable) system, enabling quick setup and the delivery of advanced medical care close to the battlefield.
Working alongside military surgeons and medics, Barker helped with critical surgeries under intense pressure. The hospital treated some of the most severe combat injuries, operating nonstop as casualties arrived from nearby battles. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the 27th Surgical Hospital faced an overwhelming number of wounded but kept providing life-saving care.
Her service reflects the bravery and dedication of nurses in Vietnam, who not only gave medical aid but also brought comfort and humanity amid the war. Catherine Barker’s story honors the essential role women played in saving lives during one of the toughest periods in modern history.