MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The new U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command consolidated aid station was officially dedicated to HM2 Charles "Luke" Milam March 12, at the MARSOC headquarters building.
Milam, a special amphibious reconnaissance corpsman, was killed in action in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2007, during a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion.
Milam completed a total of four combat tours during his career, three times to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device twice. He was also named MARSOC "Operator of the Year" in 2006, and was posthumously named MARSOC Medic of the Year in 2007.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, the commander of MARSOC, gave a speech honoring the highly decorated sailor.
"Today we are here to honor the sacrifice of one of our fallen warriors, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Charles Luke Milam, by dedicating the MARSOC consolidated aid station in his memory," Lefebvre said. "This clinic will stand as a memorial of his selfless service, dedication to duty and ultimate sacrifice."
The Charles Luke Milam Clinic, a state-of-the-art facility that is the only one of its kind to be operated organically by Marine Corps, will be staffed and equipped to deliver primary medical and dental care to the MARSOC active duty population. The facility, which is scheduled to open this summer, will have capabilities such as sterilization services, digital radiology, an audiogram booth, and limited laboratory and pharmacy services.
Milam's father, Michael Milam, also gave a speech talking about the pride his son took in passing on knowledge to Marines and sailors, and working as a SARC.
"With the many accolades that have come on in these last couple years, we mostly say Luke would hate this," the proud father said commenting on Milam's humbleness.
However, he said the new clinic is something "he would be thrilled to have his name on because of all the toys inside."
The ceremony came to an end after Lefebvre, and Milam's parents Rita and Michael Milam unveiled a plaque baring Milam's likeness and story.
Following the ceremony, the Milams toured the new facility, and saw the display where the plaque will be hung in the front of the clinic.