Wheeler Bryson Lipes

Wheeler Bryson Lipes
Nickname	"Doc" Lipes, Wheeler "Johnny" Lipes
Born	July 12, 1920(1920-07-12) New Castle, Virginia
Died	April 17, 2005(2005-04-17) (aged 84) New Bern, North Carolina
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	Navy
Rank	Lieutenant Commander
Awards	Navy Commendation Medal Purple Heart

In September 1942, Wheeler Lipes performed an emergency appendectomy aboard a United States Navy submarine. Although he did not have proper medical equipment or formal surgical training, the operation was a success.

Notoriety

In September 1942, Pharmacist's Mate Wheeler B. Lipes performed the first major surgery aboard a submarine when a shipmate showing symptoms of acute appendicitis required an emergency operation to survive. Positioned in enemy waters and lacking standard medical equipment, Lipes performed a successful appendectomy using kitchen instruments such as spoons and tea strainers. "Doc" Lipes, as he was called, had no formal surgical training and just three years of medical experience as a hospital lab technician at the time of the surgery.^[1]

Popular Media

On December 14, 1942, the Chicago Daily News published an article by George Weller which told Wheeler B. Lipes' story. It won the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for Reporting. The events documented in the piece were incorporated into the film "Destination Tokyo" (1943) starring Cary Grant.^[2]

Recognition

Wheeler B. Lipes eventually received official recognition for his feat over 60 years after the submarine surgery. He was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal at a ceremony at Camp Lejune, NC.^[3]

References

1. ^ Jennifer Ludden. "Navy Hero to Earn Medal for 1942 Surgery at Sea". NPR.org. February 19, 2005. Retrieved on 2008-11-26.
2. ^ "Oral History - Appendectomy Performed on Fourth War Patrol of USS Seadragon, 1942". Naval Historical Center. October 19, 1999. Retrieved on 2008-11-26.
3. ^ Adam Bernstein. "Wheeler Lipes Dies; Did Emergency Surgery While on Sub". The Washington Post. April 19, 2005. Page B06. Retrieved on 2008-11-26.

Persondata
Name	Lipes, Wheeler Bryson
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	July 12, 1920
Place of birth	New Castle, Virginia
Date of death	April 17, 2005
Place of death	New Bern, North Carolina