Major General Paul H. Streit, the first military otolaryngologist

Military Medicine, Apr 2002 by Mair, Eric

During his 10-month stint in New York City, Streit met the woman he would marry. Metta Miller Megeath was a spirited, gregarious woman who fortunately was extremely adaptable. She was 12 years Streit's junior and, worse yet, a Presbyterian. Nevertheless, she was the "one," and the two were married on September 15, 1926, in Metta's hometown of New York City. Streit was 36 years old and his new bride was 23. She became the perfect Army wife: gracious hostess, respectful counterpart, valued advisor, and, most importantly, eternal companion. After the wedding, the newlyweds moved to Washington, DC, where CPT Streit was assigned as the chief of the EENT Service for the General Dispensary. While in this role, CPT Streit was able to further his otolaryngological training by attending a bronchoscopy course conducted by Dr. Chevalier Jackson at Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1927, just before leaving this duty station, CPT Streit successfully passed the examination for the American Board of Otolaryngology, thus becoming the first Army medical officer to be board certified in a medical specialty. In those early days, otolaryngology board certification was open to all American physicians who met the following criteria: (1) successful internship in either medicine or surgery; (2) service as an intern in otolaryngology for 18 months, including a 6-month study curriculum; (3) passing a written examination covering anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, and pathology; (4) passing an oral examination including clinical methods of diagnosis, recognition of microscopic slides from pathologic specimens, and therapeutics; and (5) presenting at least 25 case reports.

The pre-World War II Regular Army was a small and congenial group. There were a very limited number of overseas billets, and the number of Medical Corps officers Army-wide numbered only in the hundreds. MAJ Streit, with his new promotion, took his wife to their new assignment in Manila on June 19, 1929. He was to be the chief of the EENT Service at Sternberg General Hospital. In those times, housing was scarce in Manila, and newcomers often had to stay as house guests. The Streits were hosted by MAJ and Mrs. Raymond W. Bliss, chief of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Service at Sternberg. It was in these close quarters that Paul Streit and Raymond Bliss developed a friendship that would persist throughout both men's long and successful military careers. After leaving Manila, the two men would not have the opportunity to be stationed together until Streit and Bliss would meet up again as two of the most prestigious officers in the Army Medical Corps, Bliss as the Surgeon General and Streit as the commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Another of MAJ Streit's contemporaries in Manila was MAJ Norman T. Kirk, an outstanding orthopedic surgeon and another future Surgeon General.

While in Manila, the Streits' first child was born, John Paul Streit. Life in Manila was not glamorous or exciting. Bridge, formal dinners, and golf helped cut the monotony. Raising John Paul was certainly their greatest joy.