Joel T Boone
In St Clair, Pennsylvania, Joel was born on the 2nd of August, 1889, and he attended a private preparatory school before going to Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. He graduated in June of 1913 with a Medical Degree and went on to graduate school at the US Navy Medical School in Washington DC, shortly after receiving a commission in the US Navy as a Lieutenant junior grade. Once he graduated, Joel was transferred from the Navy Reserve to active duty and served with the Marine Corps Expeditionary Force during the Haiti Campaign. Once the US entered into World War 1, Joel received orders to be transferred to the USS Wyoming and he served as a surgeon with the Marine Corps' Sixth Regiment in France. It was his actions here that earned him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry, and intrepidity while serving with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in actual conflict with the enemy. With absolute disregard for personal safety, ever conscious and mindful of the suffering fallen, Surg. Boone, leaving the shelter of a ravine, went forward onto the open field where there was no protection and despite the extreme enemy fire of all calibers, through a heavy mist of gas, applied dressings and first aid to wounded marines. This occurred southeast of Vierzy, near the cemetery, and on the road south from that town. When the dressings and supplies had been exhausted, he went through a heavy barrage of large-caliber shells, both high explosive and gas, to replenish these supplies, returning quickly with a sidecar load, and administered them in saving the lives of the wounded. A second trip, under the same conditions and for the same purpose, was made by Surg. Boone later that day.
Several days before these actions, Joel had continued treatment of Marines during heavy shelling and this had earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. Two months later, Joel was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and he went on to serve as the director of the Bureau of Naval Affairs at the American Red Cross headquarters before reporting to the USS Mayflower as the medical officer to President Harding. He took detailed notes on the failing health of the President and the First Lady's kidney disease, and was with the President right up to his final moments on the 2nd of August, 1923. Joel continued in his capacity but now to President Coolidge and went on to also serve Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt.
Joel was promoted to Commodore in April of 1945 and became the Fleet Medical Officer to Commander of the Third Fleet and was assigned to providing care and evacuation of the Japanese prisoners of war from the Omori camp in Tokyo. When three boarding parties left on the 31st of August, 1945, Joel was in the first Higgins boat and was the first American ashore with an eagerness to help the starved and suffering in any way. He was also the only unarmed American during this mission and he was met with extreme excitement and gratitude. Days later, Joel stood behind General MacArthur during Japan's surrender on board the USS Missouri.
After World War 2, Joel became the Eleventh Naval District's medical officer and went on to be the executive secretary on the Secretary of Defense's Committee on Medical and Hospital Services of the Armed Forces. When the Korean War began, Joel was the Inspector General of the Medical Department and went to Korea, making it the third major war to have served in. He was instrumental in the development of helicopter pads aboard hospital ships and was the first to conduct a medical and safety survey of US coal mines. Due to a physical disability, he retired shortly after being promoted to Vice Admiral in December of 1950 after 36 years of service and being the most highly decorated medical officer in Naval history and only one of two to receive the Medal of Honor. In addition to his Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross, Joel had also received five Silver Stars, a Bronze Star with Valor, and two Purple Hearts. Even after all that he had accomplished during his service, he still went on to serve as the medical director for the Department for Veteran Affairs until 1955.
Joel Theodore Boone, lived out his retirement in Washington DC with his wife Helen until his death on the 2nd of April, 1974, at the age of 84. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with his wife: Section 11, Grave 137-2.
