Posts
Not every hero flies through the air in a special suit. Some wear a uniform. As I was doing research the other day, I came across the story of just such a hero--one General Maxwell W. Steel, Jr. Retired since 1975, General Steel left behind a legacy, a lifetime of both civilian and military service. His story says it all.
General Steel had earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January of 1944. While learning to be a doctor, General Steel joined the Medical Officer Training Corps. Upon completion of his degree, he received his Reserve Commission as First Lieutenant. He then completed his internship at Germantown Hospital in September of 1944. Then, in November 1944, General Steel entered full-time military service and was assigned to the Orthopedic Service at the Oliver General Hospital, Augusta, Georgia. He was then re-assigned to the Neurosurgical Service at the McCaw General Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington only a few months later, in February of 1945.
His medical career did not end after the war. Rather, it continued in civilian life in Philadelphia. A year after World War II he was appointed chief hospital resident at Memorial Hospital. Then, in 1947, he received a regular commission in the Army (after first finishing his post-graduate training in internal medicine). He was assigned as a resident of internal medicine at Walter Reed in July of 1948. In July of 1949 he was transferred to serve in the Air Force, be fore he completed his residency at Walter Reed.
His career would just continue on in the Air Force from there. In late 1950 he was assigned to Chanute Air Force Base where he served as Chief Medical Officer. Shortly thereafter, from 1951 to 1953 he would serve as a consultant in internal medicine to the Far East Air Force's Surgeon. In 1954, he would be transferred to California where he served as Chief of medical services and professional services at March Air Force Base.
In August of 1958, after serving as chief of medical services, and director of professional services, USAF Hospital, Bolling Air Force Base, he was re-assigned to Malcolm Grow Hospital at Andrews. There he served until August 1969 at which point he was promoted as commander of the Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center and Surgeon of Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force. Then, in 1970, he became command surgeon, Military Airlift Command. And, in September of 1972 , General Steel became deputy surgeon general of the U.S. Air Force. He would soon retire in September of 1975. He is a remarkable man, a paragon soldier who chose to use his career as a physician to serve his country. While his name may never come up in any school grade history classes, his contribution to the Army and the Force will never be forgotten.
General Steel had earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January of 1944. While learning to be a doctor, General Steel joined the Medical Officer Training Corps. Upon completion of his degree, he received his Reserve Commission as First Lieutenant. He then completed his internship at Germantown Hospital in September of 1944. Then, in November 1944, General Steel entered full-time military service and was assigned to the Orthopedic Service at the Oliver General Hospital, Augusta, Georgia. He was then re-assigned to the Neurosurgical Service at the McCaw General Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington only a few months later, in February of 1945.
His medical career did not end after the war. Rather, it continued in civilian life in Philadelphia. A year after World War II he was appointed chief hospital resident at Memorial Hospital. Then, in 1947, he received a regular commission in the Army (after first finishing his post-graduate training in internal medicine). He was assigned as a resident of internal medicine at Walter Reed in July of 1948. In July of 1949 he was transferred to serve in the Air Force, be fore he completed his residency at Walter Reed.
His career would just continue on in the Air Force from there. In late 1950 he was assigned to Chanute Air Force Base where he served as Chief Medical Officer. Shortly thereafter, from 1951 to 1953 he would serve as a consultant in internal medicine to the Far East Air Force's Surgeon. In 1954, he would be transferred to California where he served as Chief of medical services and professional services at March Air Force Base.
In August of 1958, after serving as chief of medical services, and director of professional services, USAF Hospital, Bolling Air Force Base, he was re-assigned to Malcolm Grow Hospital at Andrews. There he served until August 1969 at which point he was promoted as commander of the Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center and Surgeon of Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force. Then, in 1970, he became command surgeon, Military Airlift Command. And, in September of 1972 , General Steel became deputy surgeon general of the U.S. Air Force. He would soon retire in September of 1975. He is a remarkable man, a paragon soldier who chose to use his career as a physician to serve his country. While his name may never come up in any school grade history classes, his contribution to the Army and the Force will never be forgotten.
About the Author:
Some people choose a career as a doctor. Some choose the military. General Steel chose both. This is his story.
No comments:
Post a Comment