On June 21st, ABC will debut Combat Hospital, the latest in a long tradition of medical series set in a war-zone. But such Hollywood productions would not be nearly as compelling without the real-life heroes that inspired them. In his new book, Scott McGaugh, author of Midway Magic, pays homage to America’s cadre of medics, corpsmen, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and medical technicians who have provided succor and healing to our front line warriors — from the War for Independence through the present day.

In Battlefield Angels, McGaugh provides a series of personal profiles that illustrate the personal heroism of some of America’s most celebrated medics and corpsmen. Battlefield Angels opens with the story of Caspar Wistar, a pacifist Quaker, who served as a nurse in General Washington’s army and ends with that of Pfc Monica Brown, the army medic who was awarded the Silver Star for rescuing fellow soldiers from a disabled Humvee during an ambush in Eastern Afghanistan in 2007. (Brown is only the second woman in 60 years to receive the prestigious award.) In between, McGaugh traces the valor of medics and corpsman who served during the Civil War, the First World War, both major theaters of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

McGaugh also traces the evolution of battlefield medicine that led to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan having the lowest battlefield fatality rate — ever. Readers will come to learn that many innovations we take for granted such as triage, the ambulance system, blood banks and the effectiveness of penicillin were all the results of war.

In his Foreword to the book, the former Surgeon General of the Navy, Vice Admiral Harold M. Koenig, writes, “Future generations can take heart in knowing that there will always be battlefield angels alongside their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, spouses, and sweethearts in uniform. They can take comfort in the courage, compassion, and skill of our nation’s exemplary military medical corps.”

SCOTT MCGAUGH is a veteran journalist and the author of Midway Magic (CDS/Perseus) and Midway Memories, an historic photo essay for visitors to the USS Midway Museum, which became the basis of a History Channel program, “Hero Ship: The USS Midway,” featuring the author. McGaugh is the marketing director of the USS Midway Museum (www.midway.org), which in two years became the most-visited floating ship museum in the world. Television appearances have included the History Channel, Travel Network, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, FOX Network, and Australia’s Today Show. McGaugh makes four to eight public speeches monthly and travels regularly on behalf of the museum. He also is a seasoned marketing communications professional with twenty-four years of experience with particular emphasis in public relations and promotions. He has held increasingly responsible positions with three of San Diego’s leading marketing communications firms and also co-owned one of San Diego’s foremost public relations agencies. For more information visit www.scottmcgaugh.com.

Osprey Publishing is the world’s largest publisher of illustrated military history reference. Based in Oxford, England, and New York, it has over 1,100 titles in print in 15 series, including “Aces of the Aircraft,” “Warrior,” “Campaign,” and its flagship uniformology series, “Men-at-Arms,” which this year will publish its 465th volume. www.ospreypublishing.com.

[SOURCE: Osprey Publishing]