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 began his active military service in November of 1944. Having already earned his Medical Degree he was a member of the Medical Officer Training Corps. He received his Reserve commission as First Lieutenant in January of 1944. When he entered active military service, he was assigned to the Ortheopedic Service at the Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. A few months later, in February of 1945, we was then re-assigned to the Neurosurgical Service at the McCaw General Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington.
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.
General Steel would go on to serve at Bolling Green and Andrews. From 1955 to 1958 he would serve as Chief of Medical Services and Director of Professional Services at Bolling AFB and which point he would be transferred to be Commander of the Malcolm Grow United States Air Force Medical Center, as well as Surgeon of Headquarters Command. About a year later he became Command Surgeon, Military Airlift Command. Two short years later, in September of 1972, he became deputy surgeon general of the Air Force. However, in September of 1975 he would retire from all military service. While General Steel may not be a household name, the numerous lives that he served (and, quite literally, saved) are forever in his debt. - 15683
General Steel began his active military service in November of 1944. Having already earned his Medical Degree he was a member of the Medical Officer Training Corps. He received his Reserve commission as First Lieutenant in January of 1944. When he entered active military service, he was assigned to the Ortheopedic Service at the Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. A few months later, in February of 1945, we was then re-assigned to the Neurosurgical Service at the McCaw General Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington.
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.
General Steel would go on to serve at Bolling Green and Andrews. From 1955 to 1958 he would serve as Chief of Medical Services and Director of Professional Services at Bolling AFB and which point he would be transferred to be Commander of the Malcolm Grow United States Air Force Medical Center, as well as Surgeon of Headquarters Command. About a year later he became Command Surgeon, Military Airlift Command. Two short years later, in September of 1972, he became deputy surgeon general of the Air Force. However, in September of 1975 he would retire from all military service. While General Steel may not be a household name, the numerous lives that he served (and, quite literally, saved) are forever in his debt. - 15683
About the Author:
Some people choose a career as a doctor. Some choose the military. General Steel chose both. This is his story.
