The 44th Medical Brigade is a US Army unit located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, providing health care and medical services to the Fort Bragg community, and continuing training in its combat support mission. It was the U.S. Army's second operational medical brigade and, when deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in 1966, the first to support ground combat operations. It has since participated in every major ground combat operation of the United States Army. Command Group Commander: COL Michael Belenky Command Sergeant Major: CSM Curtis C. Conklin Lineage and Key Dates Constituted 30 December 1965 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 44th Medical Brigade. Activated 1 January 1966 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas Advance Party arrived in Vietnam on 18 March 1966, and was located in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. Brigade became Operational on 1 May 1966 in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam.. Brigade headquarters relocated to Long Binh Post, Republic of Vietnam in September 1967. 44th Medical Brigade was Consolidated with the United States Army, Vietnam Surgeon's Office to form the U.S. Army Medical Command, Vietnam (Provisional) on 1 March 1970 at Long Binh Post, Republic of Vietnam and reduced to zero strength. 44th Medical Brigade colors redeployed to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 14 December 1970; 18th Medical Brigade reflagged as 44th Medical Brigade. Inactivated 18 March 1973 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Activated 21 September 1974 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Redesignated 21 June 1976 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 44th Medical Brigade. Reorganized and Redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 44th Medical Command on 16 October 2001 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Reorganized and Redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 44th Medical Brigade on 24 April 2010 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Honors Campaign participation credit Vietnam: Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase II; Counteroffensive, Phase III; Tet Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Counteroffensive, Phase V; Counteroffensive, Phase VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase VII Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Decorations Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for: VIETNAM 1968–1969 VIETNAM 1969–1970 SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990-1991 IRAQ 2004-2005 IRAQ 2008-2009 Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for: VIETNAM 1969–1970 History The 44th Medical Brigade in the Vietnam War 1966 Activation and Deployment Activities Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 44th Medical Brigade was constituted in the Regular Army on 30 December 1965 and activated at Fort Sam