Dan Mieduch

Army - 601st Medical Co. 1970-1972

  

I was inducted into the regulararmy on July 31^st 1970 and separated from active duty on Feb 4^th,1972. I took boot camp at ft. Knox, Ky. And was then sent to fort Sam Houston,Tex. To train as a  combat medic. I was then assigned to the 601st medical company supporting the infantry units guarding the Panama Canal.My military job in the canal zone  was the same as Ernest Hemmingway hadin the first world war, that of ambulance driver. However much of my time incentral America was spent as command artist, documenting the work of the 3^rd civil affairs group, airborne in the remote parts of Panama, inoculating remotenative tribes and installing a fresh water system for a hospital on theCaribbean island of Ailigandi in the San Blas Archipelago. Panamawas a tropical paradise with vast sandy beaches and swaying palms. I bought andsold several motorcycles and earned a private pilot's license and medicalcertificate during my spare time. Having spent a year and a day in the CanalZone I was sent to fort Jackson, S.C. and mustered out, having served a littleover 18 months active duty, (The same tenure of duty as the famous Davy Crocket served during the Creek Indian war in 1813). I met Rhonda a year and ahalf after my discharge and we have been together for the last 40 years. Ifyou'd like, I could send some images of the painting I completed during my timewith 3rd civil affairs group,(airborne).

Dan

Dan Painted other items of the Panama Canal for the Department of Defense (D.O.D.) while he was stationed there - see below images of the paintings.

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 Airborne Trooper Out of Plane	Ship along the Panama CanalÂ	Balboa Discovering the PacificÂ