ASSOCIATION NOTES

ARMY

GENERAL OFFICERS

The War Department on May 28 an­nounced the nominations of Brigadier Gen­eral Larry B. McAfee and Brigadier GeneralAddison D. Davis, both formerly assistants tothe Surgeon General to the temporary gradeof brigadier general. General McAfee who isin command of the Bruns General Hospital atSanta Fe, N.M. completed his detail as assistanton March I, 1945 and General Davis, com­mandant at Carlisle Barracks completed histour on December 19, 1944. Both are con­tinuing in their present assignments.

PHYSICAL FITNESS CONFERENCE

Major General George F. Lull, USA,Deputy Surgeon General, attended the recentmeeting in Chicago of the Joint Committeeon Physical Fitness as a member of the Execu­tive Committee. The meeting was devoted toa conference on standards of physical fitness.

The Joint Committee, which represents theAmerican Medical Association and the Na­tional Committee on Physical Fitness of theFederal Security Agency, was formed as a re­sult of the "appalling need" for increasedphysical fitness of civilians which was revealedby Selective Service rejections and health sta­tistics. Colonel Leonard G. Rowntree, MC,Chief of the Medical Department of SelectiveService, is Chairman of 'the Committee. Themovement is enlisting the support of schoolsand colleges, industry, medical and nationalorganizations.

BRITISH GRATEFUL FOR "DEVOTED CARE"

Surgeon General Norman T. Kirk has re­ceived a copy of a formal letter of apprcciationwritten by Lieutenant General G. N. Mac­Ready of the British Joint Staff Mission, onthe liberation of British prisoners of war in thePhilippines. General Sir Ronald S. Adam,Adjutant General to the Forces is quoted inthe letter as stating that all British prisonersliberated from Cabanatuan and Bilibid "speak

68

in glowing terms of the devoted care givento them by American troops after their release,as well as of the excellent administrative andmedical arrangements made in the S.W.P.A.and U.S.A. for their homecoming." The letterconveys "the deep appreciation and warmthanks" of the British Army Council to allconcerned.

DECORATION FOR GENERAL GROW

In a colorful ceremony held on April 24,the French Government conferred decorationsupon the commanding general, General CarlSpatz and a score of high-ranking officers ofthe United States Strategic Air Forces inEurope. Among those thus honored was Briga­dier General Malcolm C. Grow, Director ofthe Medical Services, who was given theLegion of Honor, Order of Chevalier. All ofthe decorations were conferred "for excep­tional services ren dered in the course of the'campaign for the liberation of France."

COLONEL ABELL IN WASHINGTON

Colonel Irvin Abell, Army Medical Re­serve, of Louisville was in Washington onMay 2-4 to attend a conference of consultantsat the headquarters of the Veterans Adminis­tration. He was also a caller upon the officeof the Surgeon General of the Army.

COLONEL SALISBURY RETURNS FROM

EUROPEAN TRIP

Colonel Lucius A. Salisbury, MedicalCorps, on duty in the office of the InspectorGeneral of the Army, returned on May ISfrom a tour of inspection in Europe, whichtook him to France, Italy, Germany andEngland.

ADDRESS BY GENERAL RANKIN

Brigadier General Fred W. Rankin, Medi­cal Corps, Chief Consultant in Surgery to theSurgeon General delivered the principleaddress to the class recently graduated from

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Association Notes 69

the Army Medical School in Washington.The subject of his address was "Elements ofProgress in Military Surgery."

COLONEL DEBAKEY RETURNS FROM EUROPE

Lieutenant Colonel Michael E. DeBakey,Medical Corps, Chief of the General SurgeryBranch, Surgical Consultants Division, Officeof the Surgeon General, returned in Aprilfrom an extended overseas tour of inspectionand observation, which took him to Italy,France, Germany and England.

HOSPITAL BROADCASTS

The first of a series of programs broadcastfro~ Army and Navy hospitals with servicepatients taking the major parts was inaugu­rated on May 2 at Walter Reed GeneralHospital in Washington.

The program, broadcast over the Blue Net­work was conducted by Clifton Fadiman of"Information Please." The patients' talent wassupplemented by a number by Bob Hope fromHollywood and by Miss Ann Sheridan inperson.

Major Generals Norman T. Kirk, GeorgeF. Lull and Shelley U. Marietta with theirwives were. in the audience.

HOSPITAL PERSONNEL CHANGES

Colonel Harry A. Bishop, Medical Corps,who recently returned from duty in theEuropean Theatre of Operations has beenassigned to the post of commanding officer ofthe Welch Convalescent Hospital at DaytonaBeach, Florida. Colonel Phillip L. Cook,Medical Corps, formerly commanding officerof that hospital has been transferred to dutyat the Thomas M. England General Hospitalat Atlantic City, New Jersey.

WEST POINT GRADUATES

The roster of the graduating class of 1945,UnIted States Military Academy carries thenames of a number of sons of officers of theMedical Corps of the Army. The list, probablyincomplete, follows:

John O. Truby, son of General and Mrs.Albert E. Truby.

Frederick C. Blesse, son of General andMrs. Frederick A. Blesse.

Charles ]. Avery, son of Colonel and Mrs.Sam D. Avery.

Fred W. Rankin, son of General and Mrs.Fred W. Rankin.

Strathmore K. McMurdo, son of Coloneland Mrs. Hew B. McMurdo.

] ohn W. Sherwood, son of Colonel andMrs. John W. Sherwood.

Waldo L. Carbonell, son of Colonel andMrs. Arturo Carbonell.

Charles L. Gandy, son of Colonel and Mrs.Charles L. Gandy.

MEDICO-MILITARY ART

At the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Wash­ington there was opened on May 13 anexhibition of medical paintings prepared in allthe theatres of the war. This collection wasprepared under the direction of the AbbottLaboratories of North Chicago, Illinois andwas presented to the medical service of theArmy.

The formal presentation was made by S.DeWitt Clough, president of the Abbott com­pany to Major General Norman T. Kirk, theSurgeon General of the Army at a luncheon atthe Carlton Hotel preceding the opening atthe gallery. Following the opening a receptionwas tendered by the Abbott officials at theCarlton, with Mr. and Mrs. Clough andAssistant Secretary of War McCloy and Mrs.McCloy heading the receiving line.

The collection was kept on exhibition at theCorcoran gallery until June 3 when it began anationwide tour. Upon its return a place forits permanent display will be found.

ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY APPOINTMENTS

The Army Medical Library has appointedMr. Wyllis Eaton Wright of New York Cityas The Librarian (a newly created Civil Serv­ice position), and Miss M. Ruth MacDonaldof Detroit, Michigan, as Chief of the CatalogDivision and Head Cataloger, according tothe Office of The Surgeon General.

Mr. Wright has been associated with theNew York Public Library since 1927, for the

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70 The Military Surgeon-July, 1945

past nine years as Chief Cataloger. For threeyears he was librarian at the American Acad­emy in Rome. He was also Assistant in theLibrary of Williams College from which hewas graduated in Arts and took his master'sdegree in 1926. He is the author of a numberof works connected with cataloging and thehistory of cataloging; has been President ofthe New York Library Club; and has servedon many committees of the American LibraryAssociation, including the Committee on Aidto Libraries in War Areas, of which he is nowchairman.

Miss MacDonald, who is one of the out­standing cataloging administrators in thecountry, was Head Cataloger at the DetroitPublic Library. She was graduated in Artsand Library Science from the University ofWashington in her native state of Washington.She then held the successive positions of Assist­ant Librarian and Cataloger at Reed College,Assistant Cataloger at Columbia University,"and Cataloger at the Public Library at Seattle,Washington. She was associated with the U ni­versity of Idaho Library for four years, andwas Cataloging Librarian at the University ofWashington.

CAMP BARKELEY CLOSED

The Army Service Forces Training Centerat Camp Barkeley, Texas, was closed on AprilI. Brigadier General Roy C. Heflebower, whohas been in command since its activation as aMedical Replacement Training Center onNovember I, 194 I has been transferred to thecommand of the Army General Hospital atCamp Butner, North Carolina.

During the camp's existence as a trainingcenter 130,000 enlisted men of the MedicalDepartment took part in its courses. Herewere trained chauffeurs, cooks and bakers,sanitary technicians and clerks. In additionmore than half of the officers of the MedicalAdministrative Corps had their training here.The continuation of the training of this officerpersonnel will take place at Carlisle Barracks.

Certain medical activities of Camp Barkeleyhave been transferred to Camp Crowder,Missouri, where they are being carried on

under the direction of Colonel Frank S.Matlack, Medical Corps, former executiveofficer of Camp Barkeley.

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANTS

CONFERENCE

Service Command Consultants in Neuro­psychiatry met in conference at the Office ofThe Surgeon General (April 1'0 and 2 I) todiscuss the latest information, plans and policiesrelating to their particular fields of activity.Major General Norman T. Kirk, The Sur­geon General, delivered the opening addressand Colonel William C. Menninger, MC,Chief Consultant in Neuropsychiatry to TheSurgeon General, presided.

General subjects on the program includedinduction centers, hospitalization problems, re­conditioning, clinical psychology, psychiatricsocial workers and assistants, men tal hygieneconsultation services, neurology, disciplinarybarracks and rehabilitation centers, school ofmilitary neuropsychiatry, preventive psy-chiatry, personnel, nomenclature, redeploy­ment, history and public relations. The statusof each general topic was briefly summarizedand this was followed by group discussion andrecommendations on specific phases.

In addition to the officers of the Neuro­psychiatry Consultants Division and Advisorsfrom the Office of The Surgeon General, thefollowing attended:

Consultants in Neuropsychiatry from theService Commands, including: Lt. Col.Wilfred Bloomberg, First Service Command;Lt. Col. Douglas A. Thorn, Second ServiceCommand; Lt. Col. Henry W. Brosin, ThirdService Command; Lt. Col. Paul Schroeder,Fourth Service Command; Lt. Col. WilliamH. Dunn, Fifth Service Command; Col.William J. Bleckwenn, Sixth Service Com­mand; Lt. Col. Clarke H. Barnacle, SeventhService Command; Col. Franklin G. 'Ebaugh,Eighth Service Command; and Lt. Col.Lauren H. Smith, Ninth Service Command.

Civilian Consultants to The Surgeon Gen­eral, including Dr. Alan Gregg, Dr. EdwardA. Strecker, Dr. Arthur Ruggles and Dr.Frederick W. Parsons, Consultants in Psy-

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Association Notes 71

chiatry, and Dr.' Edwin G. Zabriskie, Con­sultan t in Neurology.

MONTHLY MEDICAL MEETING

The April meeting of Medical Departmentofficers of Washington and vicinity, held at theArmy Medical Center on May 17 was pre­sided over by Major General Norman T.Kirk, the Surgeon General. The programpresented was as follows:a. Opening Remarks: by Major General

David N. W. Grant, the Air Surgeon.b. Experimental Evaluation of Aircrew Se­

lection Procedures: by Col. John C.Flanagan.

c. Paper: An epidemic caused by sulpha resist­ant group A, 17, hemolytic streptococcus,by Major A. C. Van Ravenswaay.

d. Human factors and Aircraft Design: byLt. Col. A.P. Gagge.

GRADUATION OF CHIEF NURSES

Fully qualified to assume the duties of a"Chief Nurse," 25 members of the ArmyNurse Corps graduate~ on May 26 from theArmy Air Forces School of Aviation Medi­cine, Randolph Field, Texas.

Following an address by the Commandant,Brig. Gen. Eugen G. Reinartz, diplomas werepresented by Colonel Merrill J. Reeh, MC,Director of Hospitalization. Major Clark O.Hitt, Chaplain delivered the invocation andbenediction.

. Graduates included Captain Priscilla C. Hilland Lts. Stephanie E. Baroka, Adela E. Besse,Helen M. Bowen, Betty S. Boyd, Nancy A.Burns, Ruth M. Catherwood, Margaret M.Donnelly, Helyn Fetch, Frances L. Foote,Almera L. Graham, Dorothy Huss, Velma M.Kotus, Stephanie T. Ostrowska, Helen D.Parrish, Mary E. Pitts, Evelyn Savage, LauraSecord, Kathrun .A. Smith, Mildred R.Storatz, Katye E. Swope, Louise B. Taylor,Margareth K. Thomas, Marvin H. Whitakerand Mabel L. White.

FLIGHT NURSES

Ten new Army "Flight Nurses" graduatedfrom the Army Air Forces School of Aviation

Medicine Randolph Field on May 26 aftersimple ceremonies held in the office of theCommandant, Brig. Gen. Eugen G. Reinartz,USA.

F~ight Nurses receiving diplomas wereLieutenants, Betty J. Beyer, Florence E.Borcherding, Mary Ferenchik.. Beulah M.Ferris, Patricia M. Fitzpatrick, Helen O.Knowles, Sophia Ann Malinski, Margery F.Orton, Joane B. Shaw, and Mabel K. Stinnett.

Carefully selected from AAF stations withincontinental United States, the nurses come tothe School of Aviation Medicine for an in­tensive' nine weeks' training course.

Upon the successful completion of thecourse, the graduates are given the right towear the silver wings of the Air Corps "FlightNurse."

COLONEL KENDRICK RECEIVED LEGION

OF MERIT

The War Department announced on May22 the ward of the Legion of Merit to Lieut.Colonel Douglas B. Kendrick, Jr., MedicalCorps, with a citation reading as follows:

While serving as Chief of the Division ofSurgical Physiology, Army. Medical School,Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.,from March I, 1941, to November I, 1942,he distinguished himself by performing theduties of that office in an exceptionally meri­torious manner by developing the program ofthe Army for obtaining adequate supplies ofliquid and dried plasma, by developing thepackage for dried plasma, by developing themethod for obtaining and processing liquidplasma, and by establishing plasma centersfor the Zone of the Interior, which has re­flected great credit upon him and upon themilitary service.

POSTHUMOUS AWARD TO MAJOR TREMAINE

The War Department announced on April19, the posthumous award of the Bronze StarMedal to Major Jay E. Tremaine, MedicalCorps with the following citation:

For: Service from March 2 to September7, 1944· While at Lasang, Davao, PhilippineIslands, he patiently and untiringly served

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72 The Military Surgeon-July, 1945

American prisoners of war who were con­stantly in need of medical assistance. Onboard a prison ship, the men were crowded,starved and overheated, but his cheerful atti­tude and optimism encouraged them and in­spired them with the will to survive. When theship was torpedoed he lost his life. Hiscourageous services in the face of almost ·un­bearable conditions were an invaluable contri­bution to the welfare of his comrades. (Killedin action when the ship was sunk September7, 1944, off the Philippine Islands.)

SILVER STAR FOR CAPTAIN KINOSHITA

The headquarters of the 7th Armored Di­vision has published the award of the SilverStar Medal to Captain Robert S. Kinoshita,Medical Corps, with a citation reading asfollows:

CAPTAIN ROBERT S. KINOSHITA,Medical Corps, while serving with the Armyof the United States, distinguished himself bygallantry in action in connection with militaryoperations against the enemy on 16 August,1944, in the area of Leves, France. As ourtroops fought their way into Leves, fierceGerman opposition caused heavy casualties.Learning of the plight of the wounded, Cap­tain Kinoshita moved through fire-sweptstreets to their aid. With only a slim wall forprotection, he collected, treated and swiftlyevacuated the casualties. Even when the battlereached its peak, Captain Kinoshita continuedon his perilous mission of mercy. Woundedhimself, he braved hostile fire and burningbuildings that lined his path to reach the ~en

who needed him. His epic courage, whichsaved many of our wounded from sufferingand death, is in keeping with the highest tra­ditions of the Armed Forces.

LEGION OF MERIT TO COLONEL STEGER

The War Department announced on May22 the award of the Legion of Merit toColonel Byron L. Steger, Medical Corps, witha citation as follows:

He served as Director of Medical Trainingat the Army Service Forces Unit Training

Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, from No­vember, 1942, to October, 1943. At the timeof his assignment the training center was inprocess of being organized. There was noprecedent for a unit training center embracingall types of medical units. He organized hisstaff, established the operating procedure anddirected and supervised the activation, supplyand training of 1 1 different types of medicalunits ranging from specialized detachments togeneral hospitals. During this period of 1 1

months he demonstrated exceptional executiveand administrative ability and superior leader­ship in training medical units with personneltotaling 1,000 officers and 13,000 enlistedmen.

LEGION OF MERIT TO COLONEL LYONS

On May 22 the War Department an­nounced the award of the Legion of Merit toLieut. Colonel Robert E. Lyons, MedicalCorps, with the following citation:

For: Services as Chief of the Medical Rec­ord Division, Eighth Air Force, from July,1942, to December, 1943. He devised meth­ods of compiling wound and injury data fromsick and wounded reports and field medicalrecords which resulted in a complete medicalrecord of Eighth Air Force combat wounds.The major portions of the body receivingwounds were indicated by percentages, repre­senting a total of all wounds. This importantrecord revealed that a large proportion ofserious and fatal battle wounds among aircrews was caused by relatively low velocitymissiles incurred in an area of the body thatcould be protected by armor. Based on thisstudy, individual armor equipment for the pro­tection of air crew members was developedand standardized throughout the Eighth AirForce. By constant review of medical records,he continually developed new methods of pre­senting and interpreting statistical data. Hechartered the geographical incidence andsources of injuries and diseases which resultedin an immediate intensification of the venerealdisease program in all areas. He utilized thematerial in the revised Care of Flyer Report toprepare charts and data which contributed

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Association Notes 73

greatly to the reduction of frostbite and anoxia,thereby increasing the training level of combatcrews before their shipment to the theater. Hefurther conducted exhaustive research in thedevelopment of accurate attrition tables forair crews of heavy bombardment units, by re­viewing the combat history of hundreds ofcrew members in each crew position througouttheir entire combat careers. After an enormousamount of work and research he completedthe report which served as a temporary basis forcomputing replacement requirements andproved invaluable to the Army Air ForcesMateriel and Services Commands. By his un­tiring efforts, competent grasp of the situationand high devotion to duty, he contributedmaterial to the outstanding success of theaerial offensive against the enemy.

COLONEL SAMS AWARDED TYPHUS

COMMISSION MEDAL

Colonel Crawford F. Sams, GSC, Chief ofthe Planning Branch, Supply Division, G-4,has been awarded the United States ofAmerica Typhus Commission Medal. His ci­tation declares that Colonel Sams "rendereddistinguished service from January to August,1943, in connection. with the work of theUnited States of America Typhus Commission.As Chief Surgeon at Headquarters of theUnited States Army Forces in the MiddleEast, he aided the Commission personally andadministratively in establishing its first FieldHeadquarters at Cairo, Egypt. He assisted inthe organization of the Commission's earlystudies of typhus control in Egypt and putat the disposal of the Commission, essentialfacilities for all of its investigations. Duringthe critical period of the initial activities of the

Commission in his theater of operations over­seas, Colonel Sams contributed sound adviceand guidance based on his expert knowledgeof the problems to be solved. His assistancewas a direct aid to the advancement of typhuscontrol."

LEGION OF MERIT TO COLONEL RHOADS ..

The War Department announced on May6, the award of the Legion of Merit to ColonelCornelius Packard Rhoads, Medical Corps,with a citation that reads:

While serving as Chief, Medical Division,Chemical Warfare Service, from June, 1943,to April, 1945, he established the Toxicologi­cal Research Laboratory at Edgewood Arse­nal, Maryland, and the Medical ResearchLaboratory at Dugway Proving Ground,Tooele, Utah. He developed new methods ofdiagnosis and treatment for the relief of in­juries due to toxic chemicals, and perfected acompound to counteract the effects of blistergas. At Bushnell, Florida, and San JoseIsland, Canal Zone, he established medicaltesting stations. He also developed equipmentfor detecting the presence of war gases in air,food and water. He instigated new techniquesfor measuring quantities of chemical warfareagents under variable field conditions. Hisingenuity broadened the scope of the MedicalDivision's study of insect and rodent controland contributed to the reduction of disease inoverseas areas occupied by Allied troops. Thisactivity helped to develop a new and extremelyeffective rodenticide. By his initiative anddistinguished scientific abilities he gave direc­tion and inspiration to the whole program ofmedical and toxicological research for theChemical Warfare Service.

NAVY

ASSISTANT TO SURGEON GENERAL

Captain A. A. Marsteller, Medical Corps,has been assigned to the Bureau of Medicineand Surgery as a special assistant to the Sur­geon GeneraL His duties will pertain to thefield of neuropsychiatry.

MEDICAL HISTORY

Captain Forrest M. Harrison, MedicalCorps, has reported to the Bureau of Medicineand Surgery in Washington to be associatedwith Captain Louis H. Roddis, Medical Corpsin the preparation of the naval medical history

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74 The Military Surgeon-July, 1945

of the current war. He will write the sectionon neuropsychiatry.

Captain Harrison has for the two previousyears been the head of the neuropsychiatricservice of the Naval Hospital at the center inBethesda. Before that he was in the Bureau ofMedicine and Surgery where .he organized theNeuropsychiatric Section, now a part of theProfessional Service Division.

GIFT OF MOBILE DENTAL UNIT

Upon a recent visit made by Rear AdmiralA. G. Lyle upon the New York State DentalSociety, he was presented with a fund of ap­proximately $4,000 to be used for the purchaseof equipment to outfit one of the new mobiledental units. The fund was turned overthrough Admiral McIntire to the Secretary ofthe Navy who made due acknowledgment ofthe generous gift.

CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL HYGIENE

Lieut. Commander John W. Ferree, Medi­cal Corps, head of the Venereal Disease Sec­tion of the Preventive Medicine Division ofthe Bureau of Medicine and Surgery repre­sented the Bureau at a conference whichopened on May 14 at El Paso, Texas, of theUnited States-Mexico Border Public HealthConference. Also attending the conferencewere representatives of the Army, the U. S.Public Health Service, the Pan AmericanSanitary Bureau and the Ministry of Healthof Mexico.

HOSPITAL SHIP HAVEN

The second of the new type Navy hospitalships was placed in commission with colorfulexercises in Brooklyn on May 5. CaptainHarold V. McKittrick, of the New YorkNavy Yard formerly delivered the S. S. Havento its commander Captain Theodore T. Pat­terson. Other speakers at the ceremony wereRear Admiral Edward U. Reed, district medi­cal officer, Third Naval District and CaptainRobert P. Parsons, senior medical officer ofthe new ship.

The commissioning of the Haven was madea feature of the Columbia Broadcasting Com-

pany's program '~We the People" on theevening of ·May 6, during which CaptainPatterson and Captain Parsons were inter­viewed concerning the functions of the newship.

PALM BEACH BILTMORE FOR CONVALESCENTS

The Secretary of the Navy has approvedconversion of the Biltmore Hotel at PalmBeach into a Navy convalescent hospital. Thisfamed resort hotel, used only recently as atraining school for Coast Guard SPARS willhave a capacity of 1,400 beds when conversionhas been completed.

The conversion for convalescent use is ex­pected to require only a minimum of alterationssince the changes made when it was convertedto training school use fit almost perfectly Intothe hospital plan.

This new hospital project, approved 23February by the Federal Board on Hospitali­zation, has been termed ideal for convalescentsand will include full use of the renowned Sunand Surf Club.

PURPLE HEART AWARDS

Because of the fact that an undue intervalof the time has elapsed between the presenta­tion of the Purple Heart award and the inci­dent for which it is awarded, the Secretaryof the Navy has authorized fleet commandersto delegate to commanding officers of suchhospital ships, advance base or other hospitalswithin their command the authority to awardthe Purple Heart as they deem necessary forthe purpose.

Authority to award the Purple Heart is alsodelegated to commanding officers of all hospi­tals within the continental limits of the UnitedStates or otherwise not under command offorces afloat.

AWARD TO CAPTAIN BRADLEY

The Navy Department on May I I an­nounced the award of the Legion of Merit toCaptain Bruce E. Bradley, Medical Corps.The citation states the award is made "formeritorious conduct as senior medical officerof an advanced naval base from November

18, 1943 to October 9, 1944·"

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Association Notes 75

MEDAL TO COMMANDER O'CONNELL

The Navy and Marine Corps'Medal wasrecently awarded to Lieut. CommanderClinton P. O'Connell, Medical Corps, for"heroism displayed in attending the woundedand evacuating casualties while under enemyfire during amphibious operations in the South-west Pacific Area from April, 1944 to July,1944. A member of the surgical unit of theSeventh Amphibious Force, accompanyingassult waves, Lieutenant Commander O'Con­nell, by his courage and skill in providingmedical care, helped save many lives and aidedin making possible the transportation ofcasualties over greater distances than everattempted previously."

LEGION OF MERIT TO COMMODORE HARGRAVE

On May I I at the Navy Department inWashington Assistant Secretary of the NavyH. Struve Hensel presented the medal of theLegion of Merit to Commodore William W.Hargrave, Medical Corps, who is now servingin the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Theaccompanying citation reads as follows:

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct inthe performance of outstanding services to theGove~nment of the United States as MedicalOfficer in Command of the United StatesNaval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, T.H., fromAugust 17, 1943, to July 3, 1944, and asMedical Officer in Command of the UnitedStates Naval Hospital, Aiea, T.H., from July4, 1944, to February 9, 1945. A counsellorand director of rare understanding and broadvision, Commodore (then Captain) Hargraveexercised unfailing tact and wisdom in theadministration of both hospitals and, applyinghis special knowledge with skill and judgment,created and maintained exceptionally highstandards of professional service to the patientsunder his command. By his close personalsupervision, his sympathetic concern andgenuine interest in the individual welfare andmorale of personnel, Commodore Hargraveinspired and encouraged the rapid rehabili­tation of patients essential to the successfulprosecution of the war against J apan."

BRONZE STAR FOR CAPTAIN GASSER

The Navy Department announced on May1 3 the award of the Bronze Star Medal toCaptain Rolland Raymond Gasser, MedicalCorps. The accompanying citation reads:

"For meritorious service to the Governmentof the United States as Medical Officer inCommand of a fleet hospital in the SouthPacific area from March 31, 1944 to April7, 1945. During this period, Captain Gasserdisplayed exceptional ability in handling themany detailed medical problems which aroseand worked tirelessly to establish and maintainexcellent operating conditions throughout hiscommand. By his initiative and thoroughknowledge of medical administration, heeffected an efficient hospital service for thesick and wounded in the South Pacific andevacuees from adjacent areas. His leadershipand professional skill were in keeping with thehighest traditions of the United States NavalService."

AWARD TO COMMANDER BLACK

The Navy Department has announced theaward of the Bronze Star Medal to Com­mander Arthur Proctor Black, Medical CorpsU.S.N.R. with the following citation ;

"For heroic service as Senior MedicalOfficer in charge of a Field Hospital in North­eastern China. Attached to the U. S. NavalGroup, China, from August 15, 1943, toDecember 6, 1944, Commander Black wasassigned the duty of organizing and establish­ing a Field Hospital in a forward area in thespring of 1944. Although handicapped by poortransportation facilities and the necessity ofhaving most of the hospital equipment and fix­tures made locally, he achieved exceptionalsuccess in carrying out this difficult project,effectively treating many Americans, some ofthem escaped from enemy concentr-ationcamps, and saving the lives of many woundedChinese. His exceptional ingenuity, leadershipand professional skill under difficult and, attimes, adverse conditions were in keeping withthe highest traditions of the United StatesNaval Service."

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76 The Military Surg-eon-July, 1945

POSTHUMOUS AWARD TO LIEUTENANT

CATE

The Navy Department on May 2, an­nounced the posthumous award of the BronzeStar Medal to Lieutenant James S. Cate,Dental Corps, U.S.N.R. for service set forthin the following citation:"

"For heroic service while attached to the23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, duringaction against enemy Japanese forces on Saipanand Tinian Islands, Marianas Group, fromJune 15 to July 23, 1944. Voluntarily ac-

companying the regimental medical section inextremely hazardous operations, LieutenantCate repeatedly went to the aid of thewounded despite the peril of intense enemyartillery and mortar fire. With calm courage,he skillfully treated and evacuated the strickenmen, continuing his heroic efforts until he him­self was mortally wounded. Lieutenant Cate'svaliant conduct and cool disregard for his ownpersonal safety were in keeping with the high­est traditions of the United States Naval Serv­ice. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

u. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

BRONZE STAR TO DR. GORDON

Surgeon William Hyatt Gordon has beenawarded the Bronze Star Medal by thePresident of the United States in recognitionof his services aboard the U .S.S. Callowayduring operations against Kwajalein, MarshallIslands, and against Saipan, Marianas Islands.Doctor Gordon, now stationed at the MarineHospital in San Francisco, also received a cita­tion from the Secretary of the Navy and aletter of commendation from the Acting Com­mandant of the Coast Guard.

WAR AREAS SURVEY

The Surveys and Information Section of theSanitary Engineering Division has completedan evaluation of 460 war and war-industrialareas throughout the States and Territoriesaccording to the urgency of public healthproblems and war-created impact.

The study has classified the areas on thebasis of their individual deficiency scores asfollows:

53 areas-most urgent18o areas-urgent227 areas-less urgent

Requests for 300 medical, 775 engineeringand sanitary, 1,700 nursing, and 425 miscel­laneous personnel have been indicated in the460 areas.

The study considered nine items of pub­lic health importance including populationgrowth, adequacy of public health budget, and

the sanitary status of water, sewerage, food,milk, and garbage facilities.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE LABORATORIES

Completion of Army and Navy testinglaboratories, many of which have researchfacilities, has made it possible to return 80%of the facilities of the Industrial HygieneLaboratory to its pioneering work in develop­men tal research.

After Pearl Harbor facilities of the Indus­trial Hygiene Laboratory were used to aug­ment those of the Army and Navy in orderto meet the sudden demands of a global con­flict. Already incorporated in the physicalequipment of the Laboratory were refrigeratedlow pressure chambers, cold rooms, and a psy­chometric room. These rooms permitted thereproduction of both the pressure and tempera­ture changes which occur in actual parachutedescents from 35,000 feet; the maintenance ofconstant temperatures ranging down to as lowas 57 0 F; and the simulation of the tempera­ture and humidity of a tropical climate.

Among experiments performed at the re­quest of the Army and Navy was the testingof the resistance to low pressure of glassampoules and sealed bottles of reagents de­signed to be transported by air. The NavalResearch Laboratory at Anacostia used thecold rooms to test the functioning of torpedomechanisms at low temperatures. The coldrooms were used by the Army to test inflatedrafts. A study was made of neon lights to

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A ssociation Notes 77

determine whether gas discharge tubes suppliedto the Navy could be used for outdoor illumi­nation of landing fields under arctic conditions.

On one occasion, the Army requested thesolution to a problem in ~hemical warfare in3 weeks. Fourteen privates were sent to Wash­ington from Edgewood Arsenal to serve assubjects in testing chemically treated protectiveclothing to be worn under tropical conditions.Each man wore, alternately, the chemicallytreated and the control uniforms under con­ditions of rest and exercise in the laboratoryhot room. It was found that no harmful physi­calor psychological effects could be expectedby the average soldier. The Army was ablethen to proceed with a tropical field test inwhich several thousand men wore the chemi­cally treated uniforms.

PERSONNEL CHANGE

On April I, 1945, Dr. Willard H. Wright,Chief of the Zoology Laboratory of the Na­tional Institute of Health, was commissionedSanitarian Director (R) of the PublicHealth Service. On April 7, he was appointedto a special commission to serve under theArmy Epidemiological Board for the investi­gation of schistosomiasis in the Pacific theatre.

FOREIGN QUARANTINE

By agreement with the Public Health Serv­ice, the Army will use certain facilities at theSan Francisco Quarantine Station for the in­spection and disinfestation of Japanese prisonersof war. Special disinfestation units for sterili­zation of clothing and equipment will be con­structed and certain alterations of buildingsand roads made. At the termination of Armyoccupancy, these buildings will be restored totheir original condition.

VENEREAL DISEASE INCIDENCE

Provisional figures for the fiscal year 1945,based on the first six months of the year,indicate decreases of about 23 per cent in thenumber of cases of syphilis reported to Statehealth departments and admitted to clinics.

The figures for gonorrhea indicate a de-

crease of about 7 per cent in cases reported toState health departments, but an increase ofabout 19 per cent in the number of cases ad­mitted to clinics.

Based on the first 6 months of the fiscalyear, a total of 366,690i. cases of syphilis isestimated for 1945, fewer than any numberreported by State health department since

1937·

EXAMINATION OF NURSE CANDIDATES

Written examinations for nurse candidatesfor commissions were held in approximately50 localities April 23, 24, and 25. TheExamining Board, composed of Dr. WilliamOssenfort, Miss Jessie MacFarlane, and MissPearl McIver, previously conducted oral ex­aminations in 2 I cities. A merit role of eligiblecandidates will be set up by July I, 1945.

Appointments from this merit role 'will bebased upon authorization by Congress made inJanuary, 1945 for 150 new commissions fornurses in the Regular Corps of the U. S.Public Health Service. This authorization pro­vides that 50 of this group may be commis­sioned in grades above that of Senior Assistant,with the remainder at or below that grade.

NOTES OF HOSPITAL FACILITIES SECTION

This section has been co-operating with theGeorgia State Health Department in the de­velopment of a new program of public health,including medical, dental, and hospital services.Dr. V. M. Hoge has just returned fromGeorgia, where he discussed public health plansprepared- by the Health Panel of the StateAgriculture and Industrial Board.

Dr. J. R. McGibony has recently joined thestaff of the Hospital Facilities Section as As­sistant Chief. He was previously MedicalDirector of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, De­partment of the Interior.

The Architectural Unit, working in co­operation with the Tuberculosis Control Di­vision of the Public Health Service and theNational Tuberculosis Association, has justcompleted plans for a model tuberculosis hospi­tal of 100 beds.

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78 The Military Surgeon-July, 1945

PROTECTION FROM RADIUM

The production of radium painted instru­ment dials is being curtailed drastically withlarge quantities already on hand for disposal.One plant alone has 10,000 radium painteddials on hand, with about 100 mg. of radiumon them. If these dials fall into the hands ofmetal junk dealers unaware of the dangers ofradium exposure, they may attempt to salvagethe metal in the dials, thereby exposing theworkers to serious hazards.

The Army Occupational Health Divisionhas found two solutions for the safe disposalof these dials. All" of the unused dials couldbe turned over to a competent laboratory todissolve the radium paint under well controlledconditions. The safest procedure, however,would be for the Government to buy up allthe stocks on hand and dispose of them bydumping them into the sea. If these twomethods are found impracticable the IndustrialHygiene Division plans to alert all of the Stateand local units to the potential dangers in­volved. These units will then lay plans for aco-operative control program with those firmswho attempt to reclaim such stocks.

STRAY RADIATION SURVEY

The first two-million volt X-ray to be usedby industry and the third one ever made inthis country was checked for stray radiationby the Engineering·Unit. This apparatus wasinstalled at the Louisiana Ordnance Plant fordetecting defects in shells and bombs. A hori­zon tal, rotating wheel with sections for carry­ing 132 shells revolves around the X-ray tubeonce each nine minutes, exposing each shellfo~ 40 minutes for half of one revolution.Bombs or large shells, which are X-rayed inthe basement through a floor aperture, areexposed for approximately 25 minutes.

An exposure room with 24-inch thick con­crete walls and slidi~.lg access door, X-rayshielding, and an I 10-inch lead shelter pro­vided directly under the tube itself, were con­sidered adequate to protect employees fromstray X-rays. Measurements taken with aVictoreen r-meter at positions interceptingrays to which workers might be exposed werefound below the maximum allowable concen­tration of o. I roentgen per day. Representa­tives of the General Electric Company, who in­stalled the equipment, co-operated in the survey.

MISCELLANEOUSGENERAL MOHR PROMOTED

Announcement has. been made of the ap­proval by the Maryland legislative assemblyof the promotion of Brigadier GeneralDwight H. Mohr to the grade of major gen­eral. General Mohr is commanding officer ofthe State Guard of Maryland.

RED CROSS ACTIVITIES

It has been announced that the AmericanRed Cross has closed nineteen of its blooddonor centers on May 19. While no list ofthe centers closed is available it is to be as­sumed that they are in the Eastern sectionof the country and that this activity on theWest Coast will be stepped up. The stationin Washington is being continued. It is statedby the national chairman of the Red Cross,Mr. Basil O'Connor, that the organization

will double its facilities in the Pacific areawithin the year. Mr. 'O'Connor made a tripto the Philippines to consult with GeneralMacArthur and paid a visit to the headquartersof Admiral Nimitz.

AWARD OF TYPHUS MEDAL

On May 2 the War Department announcedthe award of the United States of AmericaTyphus Commission Medal to LieutenantColonel H. D. Chalke, Assistant' Director ofHygiene, Royal Army Medical Corps(British) with the following citation:

In connection with the work of the UnitedStates of America Typhus Commission, dur­ing the epidemic of typhus fever in Naples andSouthern Italy in the winter 'of 1943-44,Colonel Chalke had heavy responsibilities forthe extension and application of typhus con-

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Obituaries 79

trol measures pertaining to British troops andinvolving civilians in areas under British con­trol. A particularly important part of theseactivities, carried out by him with notablesuccess under the most difficult conditions, was

the disinfestation of refugees entering Italyfrom across the Adriatic. 'The " servicesrendered by Colonel Chalke were an essenti-alelement in preventing spread of typhus inSouthern Italy.

OBITUARIES

LIEUT. COLONEL MILTON W. HALL, U. S. ARMY, RET.Milton Weston Hall, Lieutenant Colonel,

U. S. Army retired, of Palma Sola, Florida,died on March 26, 1945.

Colonel Hall was born in Montclair, NewJersey, on January 18, 1878, the son ofErnest R. and Jennie H. (Weston) Hall.After graduation from the Massachusetts Insti­tute of Technology with the degree of B.S. in19°° he entered the medical school of theUniversity of Illinois in Chicago where heobtained his degree in medicine in 1903.After an interneship in the Cook CountyHospital he practiced first in Chicago andlater in Montana. In 1917 he was in practiceat Mondovi, Wisconsin, when we entered thefirst World War. He was commissioned acaptain in the medical reserve on September 20and went on active duty on November 17.His first duty was in the Department Labora­tory, Southern Department at Fort SamHouston. Later he served at the Army Medi­cal School in Washington. He was appointeda major in the Medical Corps on July I, 1920,after which time he served almost continu­ously on details involving laboratory work.He served for considerable periods at WilliamBeaumont General Hospital and at Fort Ben-

ning. He served for three years on the ArmyBoard for the Investigation of Tropical Dis­eases at Manila and during a similar term inthe Panama Canal Zone he devoted his timeto study of tropical diseases. His last tour ofduty was at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He reachedthe grade of lieutenant colonel in 1937 andwas retired on January 31, 1942. He wasimmediately returned to active duty as as­sistant professor of military science at theUniversity of Iowa at Iowa City. In April1944 it was necessary to again put him onthe inactive list.

Colonel Hall completed the advance courseat the Army Medical School in 192 I. He wasa member of the Medical Association of theIsthmial Canal Zone, of the American Societyof Tropical Medicine and of the Associationof Military Surgeons. He was the author ofnumerous journal articles in bacteriology,tropical medicine and public health. He wonthe Wellcome Award of the Association in1926 with an essay on "The RespiratoryGroup of Diseases as They Affect Soldiers andSailors."

He was married on July 7,. 19 I 6 to Flor­ence J. Paterson who survives him.

COLONEL CHARLES G. SINCLAIR, M.C., U. S. ARMY

Charles George Sinclair, Colonel, MedicalCorps, U. S. Army, died on May 3, after alingering illness at the Percy Jones GeneralHospital at Battle Creek, Michigan.

Colonel Sinclair was born on November 12,1889 at Toronto, Ontario, the son of Georgeand Margaret J. (Brown ) Sinclair. He waseducated at the University of Michigan wherehe obtained the degree of B.S. in 1912 and

that of M.D. in 1914. Following interne­ships in Providence Hospital in Washingtonand the Willard Parker Hospital in NewYork, he was appointed to the Medical Re­serve Corps of the Army on August 27, 191 5and ordered to the Army Medical School.Upon completion of this course he was ap­pointed to the Medical Corps on May II,

1916. Then followed duty along the Mexican

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