Dental Corps Medals of Honor
We all know of the valor displayed under fire my many members of the Medical Corps such as Desmond Doss or Edward Byers. This week though, I'd like to highlight the valor of the least admired in the medical profession; dentists. One does not usually think of dentists as being at the forefront of military combat, but this week I'll highlight three that were and showed what a dentist can be made of. Three dentists have received Medals of Honor for valor on the battlefield. When these men ask if you've been flossing, you'd better have been flossing. Alexander Gordon Lyle Our first dental corps Medal of Honor recipient survived his encounter with the enemy. Alexander Gordon Lyle was awarded his Medal for service during World War I, but continued to serve through the Second World War, retiring as a vice admiral after 33 years of service. A native of Gloucester, MA, Lyle attended Baltimore College, graduating in 1912 with a degree in dentistry. He joined...