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.
His military career begins in 1944. General Steel joined the Medical Officer Training Corps. while working on his MD. When he finished his medical degree, he then received a Reserve Commission as First Lieutenant. The full-time, active military service that I spoke of began in November of that year. He was assigned to an Orthopedic Doctor at the Oliver General Hospital, located in Augusta, GA. Three months later, as the military often does, General Steel was re-assigned to Neurosurgical Service in Walla-Walla, Washington (at McCaw General).
After World War II, General Steel briefly left the military and continued his medical career as a civilian. Returning to civilian life brought him to Memorial Hospital where he was appointed chief hospital resident. However, that hiatus would only be temporary. He completed his training in internal medicine at Walter Reed and received a regular commission in the Army. However, this residency would end in 1949 when he would be transferred to the Air Force.
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. - 16492
His military career begins in 1944. General Steel joined the Medical Officer Training Corps. while working on his MD. When he finished his medical degree, he then received a Reserve Commission as First Lieutenant. The full-time, active military service that I spoke of began in November of that year. He was assigned to an Orthopedic Doctor at the Oliver General Hospital, located in Augusta, GA. Three months later, as the military often does, General Steel was re-assigned to Neurosurgical Service in Walla-Walla, Washington (at McCaw General).
After World War II, General Steel briefly left the military and continued his medical career as a civilian. Returning to civilian life brought him to Memorial Hospital where he was appointed chief hospital resident. However, that hiatus would only be temporary. He completed his training in internal medicine at Walter Reed and received a regular commission in the Army. However, this residency would end in 1949 when he would be transferred to the Air Force.
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. - 16492
About the Author:
There are those who serve their communities as a doctor. Others serve their country in the military. General Steel chose both. This is his story.
