Page 21 - Delaware Medical Journal - November/December 2018
P. 21
month orientation. The next assignment was to Fort Reilly, KS, for the rest of my two-year obligation. This was the home of the Big Red One, the First infantry Division. I was a Major and head had a great hospital CO. The hospital was 250 beds, but wasn’t full. It was during Vietnam, but that was winding down at this time. We lived off post, as only those needed for emergencies — surgeons, etc. — lived on post. It was a good transition between academic medicine and the real world. Since I was the Chief Radiologist, I was invited to some military parties, where I met the Commanding General of the Fort and others. Fun.
internship, I was being processed for induction when, through a unique series of events, a slot became available in the Delaware
the 819th Station Hospital in Connecticut, where I remained
for most of my internship and residency. Membership in other units followed. Annual training took me from Fort Drum to
West Point. Adventures along the way included two attempts to reach President Richard Nixon, who was complaining of chest pain and dyspnea at Camp David. The helicopter malfunctioned the Vice President’s yacht as a target. That really wasn’t wise. while being part of the helicopter escort for an important general.
I completed my six years of service in New Castle. Along the way, I met many really great people and shared some medically
Tony Lombardi
William L. Medford
First introduction to the military was ROTC at Leigh University and was deferred from military service to attend medical school. Subsequently, was again deferred by entry into the Berry Program for an Otolaryngology residency. Served two years in my specialty at Fort Knox, KY. Discharged in 1975. Overall, this was a great experience for me.
Bill Medford
Leslie I. Rapkin
Completed medical school in 1969, and during my
internship the next year received a Berry Plan deferment, but
was commissioned into the Army. The internship was followed
by a one-year OB-GYN fellowship, followed by an OB-
assignment was the Darnall Army Hospital, Fort Hood, TX, 1974- 1976. From May 1975 to December 1975, I was at Fort Indiantown Gap, near Harrisburg, PA. I was part of a medical team at a Army Field Hospital at the camp during my last several months there before returning to Fort Hood. I was sent on temporary
duty to Fort Lawton, OK for a few weeks to replace the OB-GYN Chairman at the hospital when he was sent on disaster relief
for a Guatemalan earthquake. My mobilization units were the First Cavalry Division and the Second Armored Division. I was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal. Was honorably discharged in June 1976. The experience at the refugee camp was extremely valuable. I was dealing with a wide range of tropical diseases, working through interpreters. I feel strongly that some public service, either military or community, should be required of all citizens.
Les Rapkin
Joseph A. Kuhn
Garth Koniver
Joseph A. Kuhn
After a student deferment for college and medical school
and with the Berry Plan ending with the medical school class of uninterrupted post-graduate training in Internal Medicine and Nephrology was necessary. The military draft was scheduled to Wilmington Medical Center, I decided to enlist in the Delaware National Guard and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant
in the 116th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) on August 11,
Basic Course, Fort Sam Houston, TX in March 1974, with a promotion to Captain in January 1975. I transferred to the 115th CSH, DCARNG from 1976-1978, while attending Georgetown University for a Nephrology fellowship. Then, it was back to
the 116th CSH in 1978, after starting practice in Delaware with Nephrology Associates, and I was promoted to Major. Provided medical services for Guard Annual Training at sites including Fort Drum, NY; Fort Indian Town Gap, PA; and Fort Bragg, NC. I separated August 13, 1979, and was honorably discharged June 5, 1986 from the USAR Medical Corps.
Joe Kuhn
Anthony C. Lombardi
On graduation from medical school in 1971, and before
Del Med J | November/December 2018 | Vol. 90 | No. 8
289
