Lawson General Hospital in Atlanta [where Phil was now hospitalized] was known across the United States for its care of soldiers with amputations, including fitting them with the newest prosthetic devices and rehabilitating them.[1]

More than 90 percent of soldiers like Phil were cared for at seven amputee centers.[2] They received wound care and revision surgery to close the residual limb, a series of temporary prostheses, and their initial rehabilitation.

These centers ensured that consistent, high-quality care was provided for patients with amputations.

Rather than having individual practitioners treating amputees in various ways, amputation care protocols were established based on the best available evidence to provide the best care possible.

The patients stayed at the centers until they were completely rehabilitated and in their permanent prostheses.

Phil was personally attended to by Lieutenant Colonel Edward C. Holscher, MD, who was in charge of the orthopedic and amputation service.

Unfortunately, even with all of his expertise, Dr. Holscher could not save Phil’s knee because of the severe damage to his leg.

Ten days after Phil’s arrival, on May 21, 1945, Dr. Holscher had to perform an above-knee amputation. Phil’s medical record read, “Leg amputated, second time.”

Dr. Holscher promised Phil that he would receive all necessary physical therapy and rehabilitation, and in the months following his horrific wound in Germany, that was true.

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[1] Larimore, At First Light, 275.

[2] Of the soldiers in the U.S. Army wounded in action during World War II, Phil was among the roughly 15,000 (or 2.5 percent) who required major amputations.

[3] Larimore, Ibid, 275-276.

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