A Surgeon Remembers

About the Book

All the Marine companies were now under heavy Chinese attacks; the sound of bugles and grenades rang out in the dark and cold. The ability of the Marines to pull back, consolidate, and not “bug out” was most remarkable. No finer example of Marine discipline can be found. They followed their training and responded to leadership. My Marine officer friends often referred proudly to the quality of leadership with the Marines. The massiveness of the Chinese attacks was not immediately apparent.  Soon, however, it was obvious to all that we were “cut off,” surrounded.

About the Author

Robert C. Shoemaker was born in New Jersey and subsequently moved to Worcester, MA. He attended Worcester Academy and was accepted in the U.S. Navy V-12 program in 1943. He was assigned to Williams College, Williamstown, MA and received a BA Degree in 1946. Additional schooling involved Boston University School of Medicine with an MD Degree in 1949. Internship followed at Saint Lukes Hospital, Cleveland, OH. While in Naval Service he spent a year in Korea and a year at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. A three year residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania was completed in 1955. Practice at the Hitchcock Clinic, Hanover, NH was followed by practice in Rochester, NY, and Claremont, NH. Offices were held with the Board of Councillors and Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.