Willard Palmer Arentzen (1921- ), after joining the Navy, interned at Naval Hospital Chelsea. He then served at sea before being assigned to several naval hospitals. In 1968 he became commanding officer of the medical treatment facility aboard USS Sanctuary operating off Vietnam. Following Vietnam duty, Dr. Arentzen became CO of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, and then Naval Hospital, Portsmouth. Following duty as CO of Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego, Dr. Arentzen became Surgeon General. During his term he oversaw studies on the hospital ship construction project, established BUMED's Contingency Planning Division, made major improvements in the Medical Department's training and assignment policies, and organized and supported the Navy's alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
VADM Willard P. Arentzen, Surgeon General (1976-1980)
Willard Palmer Arentzen (1921- ), after joining the Navy, interned at Naval Hospital Chelsea. He then served at sea before being assigned to several naval hospitals. In 1968 he became commanding officer of the medical treatment facility aboard USS Sanctuary operating off Vietnam. Following Vietnam duty, Dr. Arentzen became CO of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, and then Naval Hospital, Portsmouth. Following duty as CO of Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego, Dr. Arentzen became Surgeon General. During his term he oversaw studies on the hospital ship construction project, established BUMED's Contingency Planning Division, made major improvements in the Medical Department's training and assignment policies, and organized and supported the Navy's alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs.
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Arentzen was the Surgeon General of the Navy in 1978 when he authorized the military people that had participated in or attended President Kennedy's 11-22-63 Bethesda Hospital military autopsy to now freely speak to the investigators of the House Select Committee on Assassinations. (all autopsy attendees had been previously ordered, in writing, in 1963 to never disclose any details about JFK's autopsy)
ReplyDeleteI remember VADM Arentzen. I found him a most humble man. He met with me on my duty station at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air to Ground Combat Training Center Military Ward. At the time I was an Hn USN AD. The vist was not expected. I intoduced the VADM to each of my Marines. Each conversed for a while and he chated with me. On my part I was prety nervous. Anyhow, he at last came to one marine off in a corner of our open ward. VADM Arentzen placed his hand on the Marine, and asked "Does your corpsman treat you well?" The marine replied, " Sir, yes he does" He patted my paitent again, and smiled. We contined around the ward and to my other patients down the the ward hallway. When he left I felt I had met a great man. G Hunt Civilan USN Vetern Field Medic 36 years.
ReplyDeleteHospital Corpsman HN USN / HM3 USN
DeleteAs his grandson, I can tell you that you have described him wonderfully. Reading your note helps bring him back to me.
DeleteAs his grandson, I can tell you that you have described him wonderfully. Reading your note helps bring him back to me.
DeleteI served with Captain Arentzen at the Naval Hospital Annapolis from 1967 to 1968 when he then became the CO of the hospital side of the USS Sanctuary Hospital Ship in Viet Nam. My wife was a Navy Nurse working there on a surgical ward in the ship. I saw the Captain again while serving as a Medevac corpsman with the First Marine Air Wing in 1969. On one of my trips to the ship to see some old friends from Annapolis, I met him on the ship.
ReplyDeleteHe was a great physician and it was my pleasure to have served with him.