Cutting edge :a history of Fort Detrick, Maryland, 1943-1993 /compiled and written by Norman M. Covert ; [prepared by Public Affairs Office, Headquarters U.S. Army Garrison].

140 Pages·1993·8 MB·English

by  Fort Detrick, Md. :The Headquarters

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A
history of
Fort Detrick, Maryland
1943-1993
Compiled and written by
Norman
M. Covert
Headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison
Fort Detrick, Maryland
DEDICATION
This volume is dedicated to the men and women
ofFort Detrick whose sense ofpatriotism, personal
skills and professional attitude made this history;
and to the people ofFrederick, MD, whose support
has beenimportanttothe successes achievedinthis
part ofthe city.
Preparedby
PublicAffairsOffice(HSHD-PA)
HeadquartersU.S.ArmyGarrison,FortDetrick,Maryland21702-5000.
[phone],DSN343-2018
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica, 1993
2345
1
ll
FOREWORD
AsFortDetrickcelebratesits50thAnniversaryinservice
to this Nation, it is appropriate to chronicle the 50 years of
excellence which have characterized this United States
Army
installation.
This occasion coincides with a time oftransition in the
United States Army and the Department ofDefense. This
installationhasbeenearmarkedtoberetainedintheArmy
MedicalDepartmentfortheimmediatefuture. SinceJuly1,
1973, Fort Detrick has been part ofthe U.S. Army Health
Services Command family. The past 20 years have been
goodforFortDetrickandtheArmy. Thatisincludedinthis
volume. Theendmarksthebeginningofournewroleinthe
Army Medical Department as we change for the future.
A sense ofawe and respect is a natural response to any
reviewofFortDetrick's accomplishmentsthepast50years.
It is a privilege to be the 30th commander ofFort Detrick,
working to carry on this tradition of excellence that has
markedmypredecessorsfromthefirstcommander, Lt. Col.
William S. Bacon. Please join me as we salute those who
came before, and those who will follow.
I commend this volume to your reading and
understanding. Itisastoryofmedicalpioneers,whoseskills
on the cutting edge gave this Nation great advances in the
causeofscienceandmedicine. ThislegacyofFortDetrickis
somethinginwhichwetakegreatpride.Youarepartofthat
legacy as you help lead us into the year 2,000 and beyond.
LAKRY JOHNSON
G.
MS
Colonel,
Commanding
YeaiycRfExe^lenee
1943^^1993
Cutting Edge
A
history of
Fort Detrick, Maryland
1943-1993
PublishedMay 1993
Special Distribution
NormanM. Covert
Chief, PublicAffairs
(InstallationHistorian)
Headquarters, U.S. ArmyGarrison
FortDetrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702-5000
[phone], DSN 343-2018
Preface
Fort Detrick marks its 50th anniversary as a U.S. Army
installation in Frederick, MD, in 1993. It is part ofthe U.S.
Army Health Services Command, headquartered at Fort
SamHouston, TX. FortDetrickhas clearlyproveditsvalue
to the Nation’s defense. In 1992 and 1993 it supported
deployedmedicalunitsofalltheArmedServicesintheHorn
of Africa, Eastern Europe, and Northern Iraq, strategic
communicationssystemsworldwide,andbiomedicalresearch
and development. Its work was unparalleled.
FortDetrick'shistoryspanssome 62years sincethefirst
military units landed their fragile bi-planes on the grass
runway ofthe first Frederick City airport.
The scientificandtechnical achievementsbeganin 1943
in the pastoral setting of Frederick County. Fort Detrick
scientists gave a legacy to modern medical science that
knowledgeableobserverssayenabledthemedicaltechnology
explosion ofthe past decade.
America has endured four major wars in the post’s
history; Fort Detrick has served under 11 U.S. Presidents;
and changed its face to meet the future. Technological
excellence is still the by-product ofFort Detrick’s military
mission.
Thisvolumeisintendedtorecountinhistoricalperspective
the achievements ofCamp and Fort Detrick. It is no simple
oreasystorytotellandneitherwillthisvolumecompletethe
historicalrecountingofourmanyachievements.Wecontinue
tolooktothefutureandwelcometheassessmentofourwork
by future historians.
V
Acknowledgment
We are indebted to many persons for their advice,
assistance, and willingness to clarify information. These
include: Kenneth Bartgis, Herbert Bloom, Alex Bryant,
Harold Chichester, Anna Hahn, Dr. Riley D. Housewright,
HubertJ. Kaempf, Dr. HaroldE.Neufeld, WilliamPatrick,
Robert Peel, Katherine Staley, Col. Joseph Pastore and
Lawrence L. Ware. We also thank a host of other former
scientists and employees, who shared their experiences.
Sincere appreciation to: John W. Bennett, Laverne Bosley,
Orley Bourland, Richard C. Carter, Gloria Crowl, Chuck
Dasey, Joseph Dattoli, Raymond DeLorme, Arthur J. (Jim)
Dukes, Lewis F. Fagan III, Lorraine Farinick, Carol Freed,
Virginia Garrott, Edgar W. (Bud) Larson, Cheryl Parrott,
Larry Pavek, Kenneth Rice, George Sheetenhelm, Edna
Smith, Nevin Staub, Hanford Thomas, Dave Weedon, Dr.
Anna Johnson-Winegar, and many others, who made
contributions orkindlyreadportions ofthe manuscriptasit
evolved.
The following persons have died since they shared their
recollections with us: Mr. Everett Hanel; former Assistant
Director ofScience Dr. Harold Glassman; and Mrs. Louise
Trout. Thegreatestcomplimentpaidwasthatafterreading
the draft manuscript, many often began recalling past
experiencesandcreditedthisworktostimulatingthosefond
memories.
The Public Affairs Office staffers helped protect the
information overtheyearsandputitinsomeorder. Thanks
to Eileen Mitchell, Margaret A. Sherald, and Carolyn Ann
Duble, plus Intern Gerella Hennessey, Spc. Nadine Green
and Karren Robbins. Janet Michael, who retired in March
1993, helped the author get started on this history in 1977.
Her editing and insight were invaluable.
Also thanks to the Fort Detrick Commanders, who
supported this historical recovery program: Col. Robert M.
Shaw Jr., Col. G.E. Chapin Jr., Col. Mark L. Hoke, Col.
Richard W. Hauer, Jr., Col. Charles W. Churchill and Col.
Larry G. Johnson.
VI