Charles C. Pixley
Encyclopedia
Charles Calvin Pixley was the 34th Surgeon General of the United States Army, serving in that capacity from October 1, 1977 to September 20, 1981.
. He earned his M.D. degree from the University of Oregon
and completed an M.S. degree in surgery at Baylor University
. He received a commission as a First Lieutenant
in the United States Army Reserve
on 20 January 1947 and was integrated into the Regular Army in that grade on September 4, 1948.
, from November 1948 to September 1949 after which he completed a special course in orthopedic surgery at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons until November 1949 when he was promoted to Captain. He was then assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center
for a one-year residency in general surgery as off 1 January 1950. In March 1950, he was ordered to the Ryukyus Command in Okinawa on a special 90-day temporary duty assignment to help relieve the shortage of medical officers in the Far East Command
. In May the TDY was extended to 150 days. He returned to Brooke AMC in November 1950 and resumed his residency in surgery on 1 January 1951. He remained at Brooke for the next 3 years, first as senior resident in general surgery until 31 December 1952 and then as chief resident in general surgery until 31 December 1953.
, Georgia, and assigned to the U.S. Army Hospital. While at Fort Benning, he was promoted to Major in April 1954. He was then assigned to the Office of The Surgeon General from November 1954 until July 1958 when he moved to Fort Sam Houston
, Texas, to attend the Officers' Advanced Course at the Medical Field Service School. Then he completed the U.S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine and the Army Aviation Medical Orientation Course at the U.S. Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker
, Alabama, before serving at year in Korea. He then attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from July 1960 to July 1961. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel in May 1961. In July 1961, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Lee
, Virginia, and remained there until July 1963 when he moved to the Office of The Surgeon General to become the chief of the Medical Corps Branch, Directorate of Personnel and Training.
, Maxwell Air Force Base
, Alabama, before going to Vietnam in July 1966 to command the 68th Medical Group for a year. He was promoted to Colonel in September 1966. He returned from Asia in June 1967 to become for three years the commanding officer of the Army Medical Training Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He left there in April 1970 for assignment to Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland where he served as First Army Surgeon. While there, he was promoted to brigadier general on 1 November 1972. He moved back to The Surgeon General's Office in February 1973 where he spent a month in its Supply and Operations Branch before becoming Director of Health Care Operations until August 1975. He next served as commanding general of William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas where he was promoted to major general on 1 September 1976. General Pixley left El Paso in December for Ft. Sam Houston, Texas where he became the superintendent of the Army Academy of Health Sciences, serving there for a year prior to his appointment as the Surgeon General.
s and three Army Commendation Medals. He also earned the Parachutist and Senior Flight Surgeon Badges.
Early life
He was born in Grants Pass, OregonGrants Pass, Oregon
-Rogue River:The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile . By 2008,...
. He earned his M.D. degree from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
and completed an M.S. degree in surgery at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. He received a commission as a First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
on 20 January 1947 and was integrated into the Regular Army in that grade on September 4, 1948.
Residency
He completed his residency in surgery at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PennsylvaniaSayre, Pennsylvania
Sayre is the largest borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, northwest of Scranton. In the past, various iron products were made there. In 1900, 5,243 people lived there; in 1910, 6,426 people lived there, and in 1940, 7,569 persons made their homes in Sayre. The population was 5,813 at the 2000...
, from November 1948 to September 1949 after which he completed a special course in orthopedic surgery at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons until November 1949 when he was promoted to Captain. He was then assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center
Brooke Army Medical Center
Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio is part of the United States Army Medical Command. It is a University of Texas Health Science Center and USUHS teaching hospital and contains the Army Burn Center....
for a one-year residency in general surgery as off 1 January 1950. In March 1950, he was ordered to the Ryukyus Command in Okinawa on a special 90-day temporary duty assignment to help relieve the shortage of medical officers in the Far East Command
Far East Command
The Far East Command was a military regional division of the British military, United States military and Soviet Armed Forces* British Far East Command* United States Far East Command...
. In May the TDY was extended to 150 days. He returned to Brooke AMC in November 1950 and resumed his residency in surgery on 1 January 1951. He remained at Brooke for the next 3 years, first as senior resident in general surgery until 31 December 1952 and then as chief resident in general surgery until 31 December 1953.
Further training
In February 1954, Pixley was transferred to Fort BenningFort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, Georgia, and assigned to the U.S. Army Hospital. While at Fort Benning, he was promoted to Major in April 1954. He was then assigned to the Office of The Surgeon General from November 1954 until July 1958 when he moved to Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, Texas, to attend the Officers' Advanced Course at the Medical Field Service School. Then he completed the U.S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine and the Army Aviation Medical Orientation Course at the U.S. Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker is a U.S. Army post located mostly in Dale County, Alabama, United States. It was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker. The post is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and...
, Alabama, before serving at year in Korea. He then attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from July 1960 to July 1961. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel in May 1961. In July 1961, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Lee
Fort Lee
Fort Lee may refer to:* Fort Lee, New Jersey* Battle of Fort Lee was fought on November 19, 1776 between American and British forces.* Fort Lee , a United States Army post...
, Virginia, and remained there until July 1963 when he moved to the Office of The Surgeon General to become the chief of the Medical Corps Branch, Directorate of Personnel and Training.
Promotions
From August 1965 to July 1966, he studied at the Air War CollegeAir War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
, Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Alabama, before going to Vietnam in July 1966 to command the 68th Medical Group for a year. He was promoted to Colonel in September 1966. He returned from Asia in June 1967 to become for three years the commanding officer of the Army Medical Training Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He left there in April 1970 for assignment to Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland where he served as First Army Surgeon. While there, he was promoted to brigadier general on 1 November 1972. He moved back to The Surgeon General's Office in February 1973 where he spent a month in its Supply and Operations Branch before becoming Director of Health Care Operations until August 1975. He next served as commanding general of William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas where he was promoted to major general on 1 September 1976. General Pixley left El Paso in December for Ft. Sam Houston, Texas where he became the superintendent of the Army Academy of Health Sciences, serving there for a year prior to his appointment as the Surgeon General.
Awards
Pixley’s military awards include three Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
s and three Army Commendation Medals. He also earned the Parachutist and Senior Flight Surgeon Badges.