U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Celebrates 100th Anniversary
On June 3, 2016, the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps celebrated its 100th anniversary with multiple activities that took place in San Antonio, Texas, the home of ArmyMedicine. The highlights of the event included an anniversary banquet on June 2 with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) President Joseph Kinnarney as guest speaker. The unveiling of the Veterinary Corps sculpture at Fort Sam Houston took place on June 3. The Veterinary Corps partnered with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Uniformed Veterinary Medicine Association for the monument. Army Veterinary Corps commissioned San Antonio artist Donna Dobberfuhl designed the unique sculpture that represented the Veterinary Corps’ past and current missions.
The need for military veterinary expertise began evolving in 1776 when General George Washington recognized the need for a veterinarian to care for military horses. Although veterinary personnel were used by the military during most of our nation’s history, it wasn’t until the National Defense Act was signed in 1916 that a separate branch for the Army veterinary officers was established. Since then, throughout the Veterinary Corps’ 100 years, veterinary officers, warrant officers, enlisted personnel and civilians have provided outstanding veterinary support to our military, particularly related to animal medicine and surgery, food safety and quality assurance, and medical research efforts around the globe.
Today, members of the Veterinary Corps are highly trained and skilled in many areas, such as veterinary medical and surgical care, food safety, and biomedical research and development. Their expertise has a unique and vital role in our nation’s defense.
In the spirit of celebration, the Veterinary Corps congratulates the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) on their centennial year. The CVM has provided professional education to many veterinarians who have served in the military in the past 100 years. Additionally, the CVM leads the state in the number of graduates who served as active duty military veterinarians in the Army.
The senior ranking veterinarian in the Army is the Veterinary Corps Chief. Of the 26 Veterinary Corps Chiefs since 1916, four of them, the most from any one school, have earned their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Texas A&M: Brigadier General (Retired) Charles Elia (DVM ’43); Brigadier General (Retired) Thomas Murnane (DVM ’47); Brigadier General (Retired) Frank Ramsey (DVM ’54); and Brigadier General (Retired) Mike Cates (DVM ’80). All four were present during the Veterinary Corp’s Anniversary celebration.
The CVM is proud of its officers who have served in the Army Veterinary Corps. Texas A&M recognizes and appreciates the military veterinary personnel and their service to our country.
More details can be found on websites of the Army Veterinary Corps or the Uniformed Veterinary Medicine Association.
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps!
