was brought to zero personnel and equipment status. The remaining group, the 43rd Medical Group was selected primarily because of its proximity to the major tactical command in II CTZ, namely I Field Force, Vietnam. POW Hospitals At the beginning of 1969, two hospitals were functioning solely in the capacity of POW hospitals; the 74th Field Hospital in Long Binh for POWs generated in III and IV CTZ and the 311th Field Hospital in Qui Nhon for POWs generated in I and II CTZ. When these US Army Reserve units redeployed in Keystone Eagle, their missions were assumed by the 50th Medical Company (Clearing) and the 17th Field Hospital, respectively. The professional complement for the Long Binh POW hospital (50th Medical Company) was provided by the 24th Evacuation Hospital, which was co-located with the POW facility. On 7 October 1969, new policies for the medical care and/or disposition of prisoners of war and detainees were established at a MACV sponsored Joint Services Conference. In essence, POWs and detainees in custody of U.S. Forces, if admitted to US hospitals would be retained and treated only until their Military Intelligence classification had been completed and their medical condition stabilized to a point permitting transfer to an appropriate Government of Vietnam facility. The POW census had declined to a point where the decision was made to discontinue the operation of hospitals solely for POW patients. The 17th Field Hospital was relieved of the POW mission on 7 October 1969 and relocated to An Khe. to operate a 100-bed facility. The remaining POW hospital at Long Binh was closed on 31 December 1969. POW patients continued to enter the hospital system but were not transferred to a centralized location. The ARVN hospital system also became more responsive to the receipt of POW patients. Average Monthly POW beds Occupied RECAP Program USARV published a directive on 20 August 1969 which governed the processing of returned, exchanged, or captured U.S. Army personnel. The directive tasked the 44th Medical Brigade with specific functions to perform in support of the program. The brigade operations officer was the medical coordinator for the program. During 1969, the 44th Medical Brigade processed a total of 18 RECAPS. Medical Command Concept In August 1969, a study was made to determine the feasibility of combining the 44th Medical Brigade headquarters with the Surgeon's Office, Headquarters, USARV into a functional medical command. This study