Lineage and Honors
Lineage
*Constituted 1 March 1976 in the Army Reserve as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 2d Hospital Center *Activated 15 April 1976 at Hamilton Air Force Base, California *Reorganized and redesignated 17 September 1992 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Medical Brigade *Location changed 1 December 1993 to San Pablo, CaliforniaHonors
Campaign Participation Credit
*Iraq **Transition of Iraq **Iraqi GovernanceDecorations
* Meritorious Unit Citation (Army), streamer embroidered IRAQ 2004Insignia
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Description
On a white disc with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) gold border 2 1/4 inches (5.72 cm) in diameter overall, a maroon cross with the arms rounded at the ends bearing an inverted gold fleamSymbolism
Maroon and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Medical Corps. The cross alludes to medical care and service while the inverted fleam, an ancient surgical implement, simulates the numeral "2," representing the unit's numerical designation. Gold is for honor and excellence.Background
The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 20 October 1992. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-801)Distinctive Unit Insignia
150px, center, Distinctive Unit Insignia, 2nd Medical BrigadeDescription
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width overall consisting of an inverted gold fleam on a red cross with equal length arms rounded at the ends surmounting the junction of two gold swords saltirewise all centered on a white disc which is surrounded by a continuous maroon scroll folded inward at either side issuing gold rays from the upper arch behind the swordpoint; the scroll folded three times in base and crossing in front of the swords above the hilt and bearing in gold letters "CENTER OF MERCY" on the left, center and right hand segments respectively.Symbolism
Maroon and white are colors traditionally associated with the Medical Department. The fleam, an ancient medical scalpel, resembles the numeral two and is centered on a red cross, a traditional symbol for medical services, and represents the unit's primary mission. The crossed swords allude to the soldier and to the two components supported by the unit. The white disc refers to hope. The sun rays refer to a setting sun alluding to the western United States where the unit is located.Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 2d Hospital Center on 31 August 1979. It was redesignated for the 2d Medical Brigade with the description and symbolism revised on 20 October 1992.Combat Service Identification Badge
Description/Blazon
A gold color metal and enamel device 2 inches (5.08 cm) in diameter consisting of a design similar to the shoulder sleeve insignia.History
The 2nd Hospital Center was activated in April 1976 to fill a void created with the inactivation of the XVth Corps, to provide a command and control headquarters for hospitals on the west coast of the United States. The mission of a hospital center was to provide command and control of two or more geographically co-located general hospitals located in the Communications Zone, and the 2nd Hospital Center was assigned two general hospitals, although one, the 6253rd USAH, was a 1,000 bed TDA expansion hospital designed to expand an existing CONUS-based medical treatment facility.Commanders
Organization
July 1976
*HHD, 2nd Hospital Center, Hamilton Field, Novato, California *6253rd US Army Hospital (1,000 Bed), Hamilton Field, Novato, California *347th General Hospital, Sunnyvale, California *352nd Evacuation Hospital, Oakland, California *US Army Advisor Group, Hamilton Field, Novato, CaliforniaIraq, 2004
*HHC, 2nd Medical Brigade *31st Combat Support Hospital *67th Combat Support Hospital *118th Medical Battalion *226th Medical Battalion *429th Medical Battalion *Navy Forward Deployed Preventive Medicine Unit - East *Navy Forward Deployed Preventive Medicine Unit - WestCurrent
*HHC, 2nd Medical Brigade, Dublin, California * 820th Hospital Center, Dublin, California **352nd Field Hospital, Dublin, California **328th Field Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah * 313th Hospital Center, Vancouver, Washington **396th Field Hospital, Vancouver, Washington **385th Field Hospital, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington * 145th Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), Garden Grove, CaliforniaReferences
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