Major General Paul H. Streit, the first military otolaryngologist

Military Medicine, Apr 2002 by Mair, Eric

In June 1945, COL Streit returned to Letterman; however, this stop was only temporary. Within a year, the Streits were off to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, at the request of commanding General John Mitchell Willis. COL Streit was called to "direct the activities of Brooke Army Medical Center." MG Willis wanted to groom COL Streit for the medical center command before his impending retirement. The Personnel Act of 1947, passed soon after Streit's arrival at Brooke Army Medical Center, allocated for an increase in the number of general officers allowed in each branch. For the Medical Corps, this meant an increase to 11 total general officers, with the potential for 5 or 6 major generals. In preparation for the Brook Army Medical Center command, COL Streit received his first star on April 29, 1948.

Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, the 18th commander of the Walter Reed Army General Hospital had fallen mortally ill. MG George C. Beach had been one of the most beloved commanders in the history of the installation. At the same time, MG Raymond Bliss, longtime friend of BG Streit from their service time in Manila, was named Surgeon General. The ground was set for BG Streit to receive another early promotion and his second medical center command in as many years. In January 1949, the Streits moved to Walter Reed, and once again became neighbors to MG and Mrs. Bliss. That year, Paul Streit received his promotion to major general and became the 19th commander at Walter Reed. He would retain this position until his retirement in 1953.

As the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) commander during the Korean War, MG Streit had the honor of bestowing several military citations and awards on injured soldiers convalescing at Walter Reed. The Korean War marked one of the most tragic episodes for the Streit family. On January 1, 1952, their son, John Paul, was taken prisoner by the North Koreans; nevertheless, 20 months later, he returned to the United States unharmed and lived out a successful life in the Washington, DC, area. Amid his family turmoil, MG Streit remained the committed soldier. During his command, residency and medical student training blossomed. The first class of a newly designed medical student clerkship program came to Walter Reed his first summer as commander. Notable civilian physicians, like Dr. Michael DeBakey, presented to classes at the Medical Basic Science Course. In October 1952, MG Streit was named the first president of the newly indoctrinated Society of Military Otolaryngologists. Meanwhile, several installation improvements were begun and completed during his command. MG Streit was most fond of the theater building, where he conducted his weekly staff meetings. Finally, after 36 years of active service, MG Streit retired at the age of 62 on March 31, 1953.

Upon retiring, Streit became the clinical consultant to the medical program of the United Mine Workers Retirement Fund. After serving in this position, he was made President of the Gorgas Memorial Institute, an institute named for the Army surgeon who worked with MAJ Walter Reed and later implemented mosquito control for yellow fever prevention in Panama. Upon stepping down from this position, Streit was awarded the Order of Vasco Nunes de Balboa, Panama's highest decoration. In 1970, he was awarded the Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.