As I was doing a search on the internet I came across a bio of a true American hero, General Maxwell W. Steel, Jr. Retired since 1975, he was served our country in some truly amazing ways, primarily as a brilliant doctor. As you read his story you will be impressed with someone who chose to use his career as a doctor to also serve his country via military service. This is how it all began.
General Steel had earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January of 1944. While earning his degree, 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 active 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.
After WWII he continued his medical career as a civilian in Philadelphia. In 1946 he was appointed chief hospital resident at Memorial Hospital. In October of 1947, after completing his post-graduate training in internal medicine, he then received a Regular commission in the Army. In July of 1948 he was assigned as a resident in internal medicine at Walter Reed. Before he completed that residency, he was transferred to the Air Force in July of 1949.
As you can see, this is an amazing man who is always ready to serve. After being transferred to the Air Force he would be assigned to Chanute Air Force Base in November of 1950. There at Chanute he would serve as Chief Medical Officer. Not long after that, from June 1951 to December 1953, he would serve as a consultant in internal medicine to the Far East Air Force's Surgeon. Afterwards, in 1954, he would be transferred to March Air Force Base in California where he would be Chief of Medical and Professional Services.
From August of 1955 to August 1969 he served as Chief of Medical Services and Director of Professional Services at Bolling Air Force Base and Malcolm and Commander of the Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center (as well as Surgeon of Headquarters Command). In 1970 he became Command Surgeon of Military Airlift Command. Finally, after achieving the distinguished honor of becoming Deputy Surgeon of the Air Force in 1972, he would retire from the military in September of 1975. While General Steel may not be as recognized a name as General George Washington, his contribution to the Service--and to our country--are great. Our country needs more dedicated and gifted soldiers and surgeons such as this man. - 16463
General Steel had earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January of 1944. While earning his degree, 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 active 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.
After WWII he continued his medical career as a civilian in Philadelphia. In 1946 he was appointed chief hospital resident at Memorial Hospital. In October of 1947, after completing his post-graduate training in internal medicine, he then received a Regular commission in the Army. In July of 1948 he was assigned as a resident in internal medicine at Walter Reed. Before he completed that residency, he was transferred to the Air Force in July of 1949.
As you can see, this is an amazing man who is always ready to serve. After being transferred to the Air Force he would be assigned to Chanute Air Force Base in November of 1950. There at Chanute he would serve as Chief Medical Officer. Not long after that, from June 1951 to December 1953, he would serve as a consultant in internal medicine to the Far East Air Force's Surgeon. Afterwards, in 1954, he would be transferred to March Air Force Base in California where he would be Chief of Medical and Professional Services.
From August of 1955 to August 1969 he served as Chief of Medical Services and Director of Professional Services at Bolling Air Force Base and Malcolm and Commander of the Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center (as well as Surgeon of Headquarters Command). In 1970 he became Command Surgeon of Military Airlift Command. Finally, after achieving the distinguished honor of becoming Deputy Surgeon of the Air Force in 1972, he would retire from the military in September of 1975. While General Steel may not be as recognized a name as General George Washington, his contribution to the Service--and to our country--are great. Our country needs more dedicated and gifted soldiers and surgeons such as this man. - 16463
About the Author:
Some people choose a career as a doctor. Some choose the military. General Steel chose both. This is his story.
