Donald L. Custis
Donald L. Custis | |
---|---|
Birth name | Donald Lauren Custis |
Born | Goshen, Indiana, U.S. | July 23, 1917
Died | March 18, 2021 Savannah, Georgia, U.S. | (aged 103)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1943–1976 |
Rank | Vice admiral |
Commands held | Surgeon General of the United States Navy |
Donald Lauren Custis (July 23, 1917 – March 18, 2021) was an American vice admiral in the United States Navy who served as Surgeon General of the United States Navy from 1973 to 1977.
Biography
Custis was born in Goshen, Indiana, on July 23, 1917, the son of Lauren A. and Margaret (Shannon) Custis. He attended Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1939. He was commissioned ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve on December 10, 1939, and while on inactive duty completed his medical training at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1942. A commissioned lieutenant (junior grade) in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Naval Reserve on May 20, 1943, he advanced to lieutenant, to date from August 1, 1946, and on April 27, 1951, resigned his commission. On October 8, 1956, he accepted an appointment as commander in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Navy and was promoted to captain, to date from February 1, 1961. His selection for the rank of rear admiral was approved by the president on May 10, 1972.
After receiving his commission in 1943, in an inactive capacity, he served his internship at the Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Ordered into active naval service, he was assigned to the Naval Hospital, San Leandro, California, during October 1944, and the next month reported for instruction at the
Following his release from active duty, he served a residency in surgery at the Mason Clinic
In May 1969, he reported as senior medical officer at
In January 1973, Custis was appointed by the president to serve a four-year term as the 26th Surgeon General of the Navy and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. He assumed the duties of that office on 1 February 1973, by and with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, and was promoted to the rank of vice admiral. In addition to the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, Custis has the Combat Action Ribbon, the China Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia Clasp), the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star and the Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star. He was awarded the Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class by the Republic of Vietnam and also has the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a diplomate of the American Board of General Surgery and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the American College of surgeons. During 1955 and 1956, he was a member of the American Medical Association's Council on Medical Education.
Custis died in Savannah, Georgia, in March 2021 at the age of 103.[1]
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy