Daniel E. Evans Jr. and Charles W. Sasser

Each platoon that went out on a patrol or ambush was accompanied by a combat medical aide or a navy corpsman. Commonly called "Doc" by the platoon members, the medics were responsible for saving thousands of lives in the field, not only from combat wounds, but also from more mundane tropical illnesses. They treated the soldiers and Marines for diseases such as malaria and various fevers, parasites, sexually transmitted diseases, and they examined the troops' skin daily for fungal infections. But it was during combat that the medics earned the love and respect of their platoon. If a soldier or Marine was injured, he knew he could count on Doc to race to his side and start the initial medical treatment, even while the platoon was still under enemy fire.

Daniel E. Evans Jr. served...