ship USS Arizona and landed in her forward ammunition magazine. The ship exploded and sank with more than 1,000

men trapped inside. Next, torpedoes pierced the shell of the battleship USS Oklahoma. With 400 sailors aboard, the

Oklahoma lost her balance, rolled onto her side and slipped underwater. By the time the attack was over, every battle-ship in Pearl Harbor–USS Arizona, USS

Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS

Nevada–had sustained significant dam-age. (All but USS Arizona and USS Utah were eventually salvaged and repaired.)

In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Har-bor crippled or destroyed 18 American

ships and nearly 300 airplanes. Dry

docks and airfields were likewise de-stroyed. Most important, almost 2,500 men were killed and another 1,000 were

wounded. But the Japanese had failed to cripple the Pacific Fleet. By the 1940s, battleships were no longer the most important

naval vessel: Aircraft carriers were, and as it happened, all of the Pacific Fleet’s carriers were away from the base on

December 7. (Some had returned to the mainland and others were delivering planes to troops on Midway and Wake

Islands.) Moreover, the Pearl Harbor assault had left the base’s most vital onshore facilities–oil storage depots,

repair shops, shipyards and submarine

docks–intact. As a result, the U.S. Navy was able to rebound relatively quickly

from the attack. Pearl Harbor Awakens the "Sleeping Giant"

“Yesterday,” Presi-dent Roosevelt said on December 8,

“the United States of America was suddenly and delib-

erately attacked.” He went on to say, “No matter now

long it may take us to overcome this premeditated inva-

JOINT STAFF,

GEORGIA

DEPARTMENT

OF DEFENSE

November 30, 2012 Volume 3, Issue 14

A Newsletter Production of the J-9 Joint and Family Services Directorate

Special points of

interest:

THE APPROACH-ING STORM

PEARL HARBOR

MEMORIES

FOUNDING FA-

THERS SERIES

WINTER STORMS

DOD INNOVA-TIONS

Inside this issue:

THE APPROACH-ING STORM

1

PEARL HARBOR 2-4

MEMORIES 4

FOUNDING FA-

THERS: PAT-

RICK HENRY

4

DOD INNOVA-

TIONS

5-6

WINTER

STORMS

5

AGRESSION AND FEAR: THE ROAD TO WAR

By 1937 the U.S. and her allies were becoming increasingly disenfranchised with the Imperial Government of Japan. Japa-nese treatment of China was at an all time low. Lands from the Indian Sea to the coast of Alaska were feeling the fear and tension created by the aggression of Japan. Dec-ades of useless negotiations, petty conflicts and maritime losses in the region were taking their toll. The Japanese-Chinese war began in earnest in 1937 with the advent of the “Nanking Massacre.” The U.S. was experiencing an upsurge in patriotism with the upsurge in new economic growth. The expanding war in Europe, lead by Germany’s Nazi party, seemed reminis-cent of the previous World War to some. In 1940, the U.S. placed a trade embargo against Japan for its mis-treatment of the Chinese and its poor management of its holdings in the region. The time was ripe for global war. The following is an excerpt from the website: http://www.history.com/topics/pearl-harbor "A Date Which Will Live in In-famy"

The Japanese plan was simple: Destroy the Pacific Fleet. That way, the Ameri-cans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the

South Pacific. On December 7, after months of planning and practice, the Japanese launched their attack.

At about 8 a.m., Japanese planes filled the sky over Pearl Harbor. Bombs and bullets rained onto the vessels moored

below. At 8:10, a 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the deck of the battle-

sion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the

people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the utter-most, but will make very certain that

this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.” After the Pearl

Harbor attack, and for the first time

after years of discussion and debate, the American people were united in their determination to go to war. The

Japanese had wanted to goad the United States into an agreement to lift the economic sanctions against them;

instead, they had pushed their adver-sary into a global conflict that ulti-mately resulted in Japan’s first occupa-tion by a foreign power.

On December 8, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration of war. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and

Italy declared war against the United States. For the second time, Congress reciprocated. More than two years

after the start of the conflict, the

United States had entered World War II.

Page 2

By Hugh Lessig, hlessig@dailypress.com | 247-

7821

Part two of four.

Growing up in Allentown, Pa., Bill Muehleib

would visit his grandmother's house and listen

to Hawaiian music on the Victrola. A curious

kid by nature, he always wanted to visit the

islands.

He got his wish when he arrived in Hawaii in

November 1940 as a member of the Army

Air Corps. A little more than one year later,

he watched from Hickam Field as Japanese

aircraft unleashed a lethal fury of bombs and

torpedoes on Pearl Harbor.

As the attack escalated, Muehleib found him-

self away from the flight line and with a good

view of the action. Enemy aircraft flew over,

and he could see the bombs drop. He could

see the impact.

Strangely, Hawaii seemed like a far-off place all

over again.

"It was a rather disorganized experience," said

Muehleib, now 89 and living in Virginia Beach.

"You actually felt like you were watching

something that was happening somewhere

else."

"It just can't be true"

Betty Campen, a civilian government worker,

lived near Waikiki, some miles away from the

attack. Glued to the radio for news, she re-

corded events in her diary as they occurred.

“I hear a call for a number of doctors being

called to the Tripler General Hospital. It must

be there really was damage done. It just can't

be that this is all happening. It just can't be

true and yet, when you hear these things over

the radio and see the deserted streets, well, it

really begins to sink in. This call for the doc-

tors, really sounds bad.”

A young woman with a sense of adventure,

Campen had moved to Hawaii from Oregon.

She clearly thought women could hold their

own in the 1940s, an attitude destined to

become more fashionable as men moved to

the battlefield and women moved to the

workplace.

Now they change one of their former state-

ments that civilian employees of Pearl Harbor

are now permitted to report to Pearl Harbor

-- except women. Darn, why can't they let the

women (in) on a little excitement, instead of

making us just sit here and 'wonder' what it's

all about. I can't even take any exciting movie

shots. My chance to make myself famous and

here I try to write a story of the happenings of

'The Attack' when I know I can't write.

"Here's a dive bomber"

Bill Temple, stationed well inland at Wheeler

Field, probably wished the battle had been far-

ther away.

Japanese planes targeted Wheeler in a furious

bid to destroy sitting American aircraft before

they could take off. Tech Sgt. Temple, a member

of the Army Air Corps, had witnessed the first

rush of the attack and gone to fetch ammunition.

But had grabbed .45-caliber rounds. He needed

ordnance capable of bringing down aircraft.

As the attack intensified, he began a return trip

to the same hangar.

"I didn't want to run down the street again be-

cause I knew they were shooting past me," said

Temple, now 92 and a resident of Virginia Beach.

"I didn't get hit, but I didn't want to take that

chance again."

He decided to run behind a row of buildings

where workers had begun to dig foundations for

new structures. He figured to hide in the founda-

tions and gradually work his way to the hangar.

As he began his trek, he noticed two men com-

ing toward him.

"One had on a white jacket," Temple said. "The

next thing I know, here's a dive bomber. I saw

him release his bomb and you could tell right

when he released the bomb where it was going

to hit. And sure enough, it hit those two guys.

The next thing I know that white shirt was way

up in the air."

Dove into the water

Russell Argabrite was trapped below decks on

the battleship USS California. A spring-loaded

hatch blocked his way and above him came the

sound of men yelling "Abandon ship!" Years

later, he recalled the moment with a chuckle.

"Of course," he said, "there wasn't nowhere to

go."

Then someone opened the hatch. A moment

later, he dove over the side of the ship, still

wearing his shoes, and swam toward Ford Island

through a sea of black fuel oil.

"I think it took me a month to get it out of the

roots of my hair," he said. "It's really gooey and

it's really uncomfortable, and slick. You can't

stand up. You got over there, and it's on the

soles of your shoes and you can hardly stand

up."

Reaching the shore, he was directed to a mess

hall where the tables held wounded men. The

19-year-old Ohio farm boy got his first taste of

war.

"Some of them had been burned, and there was

just flesh hanging off them," he said. "You've

never seen nothing like that. I'd seen a guy cut

his thumb once, and that was the limit of what

I'd seen before that. You can imagine. I'm a

country boy here that maybe sees a guy get his

foot cut on a bottle or something."

One confirmed kill

On the USS Phelps, ship's cook Frank Chebetar

of Virginia Beach was at the controls of a four-

barreled anti-aircraft gun that he operated with

a foot pedal. As members of the gun crew fed

in rounds, Chebetar took aim at incoming Japa-

nese fighters and bombers as the ship got un-

der way. He saw the USS Utah, an old training

battleship. It had capsized.

"The men were crawling over the side like

ants," he said. "And they were still strafing

everybody, even the men in the water."

Fighting through his fear, Chebetar and his gun

crew kept pounding away at low-flying Japanese

planes. He shot down one plane, but he wasn't

celebrating.

"I was so scared that I even cried," he said.

"That's how bad it was."

Radio and typewriter

If Pearl Harbor happened today, civilians would

turn to their smart phones and dash off their

thoughts. As the attack intensified, Betty

Campen was doing a fairly good imitation with

a clunky typewriter. Listening to a short-wave

radio, she was tweeting without being able to

hit send:

No more lulls, here's some more. Flash! Keep

all fire engines going. Another flash: 3 enemy

planes and 4 Jap transports sighted off Barber

Point. The enemy is coming in toward the Point

-- 90 miles off coast . . . I'm rather confused

with these Japs hitting all these different places

but I'll try to make it more systematic.

Later, she paused to reflect.

Yes, I mustn't forget. We heard this morning

around 12 that Japan had declared war on us.

So I guess we're in it now. After they hit they

declare war, nice of them, and they haven't

even declared war on China yet. Oh well, they

have to treat U.S. with respect.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

From http://www.dailypress.com/news/military/pearl-harbor/dp-nws-pearl-harbor-day2-story,0,2764406.story

Pearl Harbor Part 2: The height of the attack 70 Years From Infamy: Hampton Roads remembers

“Yesterday, December 7,

1941—a date which will live

in infamy—the United States

of America was suddenly and

deliberately attacked by

naval and air forces of the

Empire of Japan… No matter

how long it may take us to

overcome this premeditated

invasion, the American

people will through their

righteous might win through

to absolute victory… With

confidence in our armed

forces-with the unbounded

determination of our people-

we will gain the inevitable

triumph-so help us God. I,

therefore, ask that the

Congress declare that since

the dastardly and unprovoked

attack by Japan on Sunday,

December seventh, a state of

war has existed between the

United States and the

Japanese Empire.”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt on

Dec. 8, 1941, asking

Congress to declare war on

Japan

"A military man can scarcely

pride himself on having

'smitten a sleeping enemy'; it

is more a matter of shame,

simply, for the one smitten. I

would rather you made your

appraisal after seeing what

the enemy does, since it is

certain that, angered and

outraged, he will soon launch

a determined counterattack."

- The Reluctant Admiral by

Hiroyuki Agawa (from a reply

by Admiral Yamamoto to

Ogata Taketora on January 9,

1941)

Page 3

By CW2 Jennifer Long CO, A Co, 4/1, GSDF

I can remember a coffee mug

my grandparents had that

read, “Let me tell you about

my grandchildren.” To switch

it around just a bit, let me tell

you about my grandmother:

Granny celebrated her 85th

birthday on Veterans Day. In

these 85 years she has seen

and done so many things that

most of us only read about.

She can recall Orson Wells’

famous “War of the Worlds”

broadcast, and the people

panicking in the streets out-

side her home in 1938. She

remembers Pearl Harbor, and

wedding her handsome Sol-

dier secretly 67 years ago so

she would be allowed to

complete her senior year of

high school. She remembers

V-mail and USO dances dur-

ing WWII. She remembers

the births of her two chil-

dren, three grandchildren,

and six great-grandsons. She

is still funny, witty, and has a

capacity to love like no other.

Granny struggles to remem-

ber some ordinary things.

Some days she cannot quite

remember which end of a

fork to use. She will ask you

the same question or tell the

same story over and over, or

will search for the right

words. Putting on a jacket

always requires help. She can

only get in a car on the pas-

senger side because she can-

not change the process in her

mind to do it the other direc-

tion. She no longer walks and

requires assistance for almost

every activity of daily life.

November is Alzheimer’s

Awareness Month. There are

5.4 million Americans living

with Alzheimer’s disease.

This means 1 out of 8 older

Americans has it. Alzheimer's

disease is the sixth-leading

cause of death in the United

States and the only cause of

death among the top 10 in

the United States that cannot

be prevented, cured or even

slowed. It was first described

in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alz-

heimer as a “peculiar disease”

in which the patient became

progressively more confused,

suspicious, and had difficulty

with everyday motor skills.

Since then many famous peo-

ple have been diagnosed with

the disease including former

President Ronald Reagan,

boxer Sugar Ray Robinson,

actress Rita Hayworth, singer

Glen Campbell, and civil

rights icon Rosa Parks.

There are a number of treat-

able conditions that mimic

dementia or the beginning

stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

These include side effects

from some medications, de-

pression, vitamin B-12 defi-

ciency, thyroid disease, meta-

bolic and organ system disor-

ders, and alcohol abuse.

While there is not yet a cure,

there are things you can do

to improve your overall

health and reduce your risk

of Alzheimer’s disease, as

well as diabetes, heart dis-

ease, and stroke. Don’t smoke. If you

are already a smoker,

stop now.

Avoid a high-fat diet

and limit your salt

intake. Include more

foods in your diet such

as fish and fresh fruits

and vegetables.

Engage in activities that

challenge your mind,

such as crossword

puzzles and strategy

games

Exercise regularly

My mother has been the

primary caregiver for my

grandparents since last year

when they were no longer

able to live alone. It has

been an emotional roller

coaster for her. There are

tips that are suggestions and

resources for those caring

for loved ones with the dis-

ease. Try not to take the

behaviors personally.

Remain patient and

calm.

Don’t argue.

Know that pain and

illness, such as urinary

tract infections, can

make things worse.

Don’t be afraid to get

help.

Read more: http://

www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-

dementia-stages-

behaviors.asp#ixzz2Ck3blbgA

Saving the car

Carl Ferreira, now living in Poquoson, was 11 years old that morning, and his father worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. He lived about 16 miles from

Pearl Harbor on Wilhelmina Rise, basically on the side of a mountain. He had a panoramic view.

That morning, he and his family listened intently to the radio as the first reports of the attack came in. His uncle, a bachelor, had been living with the family in a basement apartment and working at Pearl Harbor as a

civilian blacksmith. His uncle worked through the night on Dec. 6 and

planned to leave work the morning of the 7th. Once

the attack broke out, his family didn't see him until 10 a.m. He pulled into the driveway with his brand new

car, a maroon Oldsmobile convertible with one of those spiffy Hydra-Matic transmissions, a true auto-matic. He parked the car, got out, and said he needed

to hitch a ride back to Pearl. So ... why did he come home?

"I don't want some Jap blowing up my new car!" The family didn't see him for the next few days.

Taking a tumble

Back at Wheeler Field, Tech Sgt. Bill Temple had run a gauntlet of enemy fire to reach a hangar, hoping to retrieve right-size ammunition. He found none, but he

did come across an American pilot trying to get his P-

40 into the air. Temple and another man loaded the plane as the pilot -- still dressed in a tuxedo from a

late night party on Saturday -- ran and changed into his flight suit.

Being the crew chief, Temple stood on the wing as the pilot settled in. He hooked up his oxygen supply, his

safety belt, and performed other checks. About that time, a line of Japanese fighters made another run at the field. The pilot didn't wait for Temple to finish.

"He just reached out and pushed the throttle forward, and here we go down the runway," Temple said. "I'm hanging on the wing. I'm thinking, 'If I drop off now, that

tail's gonna cut me in two." Once the plane gained enough speed for the tail to rise out of the way, he was able to drop down.

That pilot made it into the air and shot down three Japanese fighters in succession, Temple said. Later, Tem-

ple and other men would cobble together 13 P-40 fight-ers from spare parts scattered over the airfield. Thinking back, he can't believe he made it through the day.

And he saw more than he needed to see.

"A guy trying to run from one place to another, they just shot him, cut him right in two. His legs kept -- and then they fell over. Some of the things, I just don't like to tell other people."

Tomorrow: As day turns into night, fear and paranoia rule the island.

About these stories Over the next four days, the Daily Press reflects on the

70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor through

the eyes of seven people who witnessed it from various perspectives. Here, in alphabetical order, is the cast:

Russell Argabrite: The career Navy man died in

1990 and lived much of his later life in Norfolk. His Pearl Harbor memories aboard the USS California were documented in the North Texas State Univer-

sity Oral History Project, excerpts of which were provided to the Daily Press by his daughter, Martha Cassidy, also of Norfolk.

Betty Campen: A wife and mother of two, Betty Campen died in 2007 in Chesapeake. She left behind a diary that was shared with the Daily Press by her

daughter, Cindy Campen Graham of Smithfield. Frank Chebetar: The Virginia Beach resident served

on the USS Phelps. He heads the Tidewater chapter

of the Pearl Harbor Survivors' Association.

Frederick Crow: The son of a Navy chief, he wit-nessed the attack as a boy and now lives in Wil-liamsburg.

Carl Ferreira: A resident of Poquoson, Ferreira was 11 years old on the morning of the attack. His per-

spective comes from living "up on the heights," what his family called Wilhelmina Rise. William Muehleib: A private in the Army Air Corps,

Muehleib was stationed at Hickam Field and assigned to the 6th Pursuit Squadron in the 18th Pursuit Group, and is the president of the Pearl Harbor

Survivors Association. He lives in Virginia Beach. Bill Temple: The Virginia Beach resident, now 92,

was a flight chief in Army Air Corps, stationed at

Wheeler Field, a member of the 19th Pursuit Squad-ron in the same 18th Pursuit Group as Muehleib.

academe. He would not apply himself to studies either. At age 21 his father set him up in a business that he

bankrupted shortly thereafter. Finally the general public disgust in Hanover and pressure from his young family (he had married at the age of eighteen) caused

him to study for six weeks and take the bar exam, which he passed, and begin work as a lawyer. In 1764 he moved to Louisa county, Virginia, where, as

a lawyer, he argued in defense of broad voting rights (suffrage) before the House of Burgesses. The follow-

ing year he was elected to the House and soon be-came its leading radical member. It was that year that

he proposed the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions. Few members of the Burgesses, as aristocratic a group of legislators as existed in the colonies, would argue

openly for defiance of Gr. Britain. Henry argued with remarkable eloquence and fervor in favor of the five acts, which by most accounts amounted to a treason

against the mother country. In 1774 he represented Virginia in the First Continental Congress where he continued in the role of firebrand. At the outbreak of

the revolution, he returned to his native state and lead militia in defense of Virginia's gunpowder store, when the royal Governor spirited it aboard a British ship.

Henry forced the Governor Lord Dunmore to pay for the powder at fair price. In 1776, Henry was elected Governor of Virginia. He was re-elected for three terms and then succeeded by

Thomas Jefferson. He was again elected to the office in

1784. Patrick Henry was a strong critic of the consti-

"Radical," is a title that few men can wear with ease.

The name Patrick Henry, during the revolution and for some time after, was

synonymous with that word in the minds of colonists and Empire alike. Henry's reputation as a passionate

and fiery orator exceeded even that of Samuel Adams. His Stamp Act Resolutions were, arguably, the first shot fired in the Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry's personality was a curious antidote to

the stern honor of Washington, the refined logic of Jefferson, and the well-tempered industry of Franklin. Young Henry was an idler and by many accounts a

derelict; though everyone knew he was bright, he simply would not lift a finger except to his own pleas-

ure. By the age of 10, his family knew that he would

not be a farmer, and tried instead to train him toward

tution proposed in 1787. He was in favor of the strongest possible government for the individual

states, and a weak federal government. He was also very critical of the fact that the convention was conducted in secret.

President Washington appointed him Secretary of State in 1795, but Henry declined the office. In 1799, President Adams appointed him envoy to France,

but failing health required him to decline this office too. He died on June 6, 1799 at age of 63.

Article provided by:

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/henry.htm

Page 4 Volume 3, Issue 14

Born: May 29, 1736, Hanover County Died: June 6, 1799, Red Hill Patrick Henry Na-tional Memorial Children: Elizabeth Henry, Nathaniel Henry, Anne Henry, Patrick Henry Jr., More Spouse: Dorothea Dan-dridge (m. 1777–1799), Sarah Shelton (m. 1754–1775) Siblings: Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell, William Henry Parents: John Henry, Sarah Winston Syme

"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the

vigilant, the active, the brave." - Speech to the

Virginia Convention at St. John's Church,

Richmond, Virginia, March 23, 1775

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided,

and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of

judging of the future but by the past." -Speech to

the Virginia Convention at St. John's

Church, Richmond, Virginia, March 25,

1775

PEARL HARBOR: Continued from Page 2

Message 1

From: FEMA (Federal Emergency

Management Agency)

<fema@service.govdelivery.com>

Date: 11/29/2012

Subject: FEMA (Federal Emergency

Management Agency) FEMA on Face-

book Update

Subscribe to FEMA on Facebook for

FEMA (Federal Emergency Manage-

ment Agency). This information has

recently been updated, and is now

available. http://www.facebook.com/

FEMA/posts/377706965646959

11/28/2012 12:32 PM EST

Timeline Photos

Are You Prepared for Winter Weather?

• Each year, dozens of Americans die due to

exposure to cold. Add to that number, vehicle

accidents and fatalities, fires due to dangerous

use of heaters and other winter weather fatali-

ties and you have a significant threat.

• Threats, such as hypothermia and frostbite,

can lead to loss of fingers and toes or cause

permanent kidney, pancreas and liver injury and

even death. You must prepare properly to

avoid these extreme dangers. You also need

to know what to do if you see symptoms of

these threats.

• A major winter storm can last for several

days and be accompanied by high winds,

freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and cold

temperatures.

• People can become trapped at home or in a car, without utilities or other assistance.

• Attempting to walk for help in a winter

storm can be a deadly decision.

• The aftermath of a winter storm can have

an impact on a community or region for days,

weeks or even months.

• Extremely cold temperatures, heavy snow

and coastal flooding can cause hazardous

conditions and hidden problems.

For more information, please refer to the

NWS Publication: Winter Storms...The De-

ceptive Killers at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

om/winter/resources/

Winter_Storms2008.pdf

dren. The case marked the first time the medical center has treated an adult with extracorporeal membrane

oxygenation, or ECMO, a heart-lung bypass system that circulates blood through an external artificial lung

and sends it back into the patient's bloodstream. "This is a true success story," said Air Force Lt.

Col. (Dr.) Jeremy Cannon, the hospital's trauma chief and a key player in the case. "I firmly believe this patient would not be here if it wasn't for ECMO and a

tremendous team effort." Cannon first heard of the case a few months ago, while he was in the midst of a surgery. He had asked to be paged whenever patients in the hospital devel-oped severe lung injury so he could assess them for

ECMO treatment. The patient -- referred to as "Jane" in this article to protect her privacy -- woke up several days earlier

with itchy, irritated eyes, but she and her doctor

chalked it up to an infection or a virus. It wasn't until her symptoms spread and worsened that she decided

an emergency room visit was in order. A few hours later, Jane was diagnosed with severe

toxic epidermal necrolysis, or TENS, an autoimmune reaction to medication. She was flown by helicopter from her south Texas hometown to the U.S. Army

Institute of Surgical Research's Burn Center, the De-fense Department's only burn center, which is located

in the medical center here. The TENS progressed quickly, and by the time she

reached the hospital, Jane's skin was sloughing off, her lungs were filling with fluid and tissue, and her vital organs were failing. She was admitted to the Burn Center on Sept. 15 and initially was stabilized. How-

ever, when her condition worsened, Cannon was

alerted.

Military Docs Use Cutting-edge Device to

Save Patient

11/29/2012 12:57 PM CST By Elaine Sanchez

Brooke Army Medical Center

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUS-TON, Texas, Nov. 29, 2012 - Doctors from San

Antonio Military Medical Center here saved a young mother's life last month using cutting-edge technol-ogy historically reserved for infants and young chil-

Cannon and his ECMO team members had one thought after assessing Jane: "She's going to die if

we don't use ECMO." Cannon and a select team of specialists had been training for this moment for more than a year, thanks to a Defense Department grant that pro-

vided ECMO supplies, training funds and equipment

to explore the use of ECMO on adults. ECMO is commonly used in neonatal intensive care units around the world on newborns with lung

issues such as meconium aspiration, a medical con-dition that occurs when infants ingest their first stool before or during delivery. However, adult applications are much less common, mainly due to a

lack of recent patient data. Cannon, however, had been observing ECMO suc-cesses since his residency and strongly believed in its outcomes for adults, particularly for patients on

the brink of death. He had transferred to SAMMC from the Air Force's Wilford Hall Medical Center, which had the military's only infant and child ECMO

center, so he had ongoing exposure to the technol-ogy. Along with its experts, the neonatal ECMO

center transferred to SAMMC last year. Cannon said he brought his strong convictions

about the lifesaving potential of the technology to his leadership and requested for Jane to be SAMMC's first adult ECMO patient. "I've been

involved in ECMO cases for 15 years," he said. "I saw the benefit and felt confident we had the team

structure and protocols in place."

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6...

Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 14

Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jeremy Cannon, right, and Dr.

Jeremy Pamplin place a patient on extracorporeal

membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, in September 2012

at San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas.

ECMO is a heart-lung bypass system that circulates

blood through an external artificial lung and sends it

back into the patient's bloodstream. Photo courtesy of

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-

resolution image available.

NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU Family Programs (NGB-FP) Mission: To establish and facilitate

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ceived here." Jane's lungs and skin are still healing, but Cannon said he has high hopes for

his patient, as well as for other SAMMC patients who can be helped through

ECMO. Cannon also said he hopes to see an

increased use of adult ECMO in the war zone, where it's already proved lifesav-ing for several troops. In 2010, an

ECMO-trained team picked up a soldier in Kandahar, Afghanistan, who had been shot in the chest. His right lung had to be removed, a procedure that typically

carries a 100 percent mortality rate. However, the lung team placed him on ECMO and he quickly recovered in a

hospital in Germany. Cannon recalled meeting this patient a few weeks after he arrived at SAMMC. "He's married now and enjoy-

ing life," he said. Since then, there have been five ECMO transports from the

battlefield to Germany, he added. Cannon said his long-term vision is

to see ECMO patients transported directly from the battlefield to a state-side location, such as the medical cen-

ter here, for their recovery. "We've proven we can very safely take care of even most critically ill

Continued from page 5... The same day she checked in, Jane was put on ECMO, and stayed on it for 23

days. It was touch-and-go at first, Can-

non noted. "It was agonizing for 22 of

those 23 days," he recalled. Finally, on Day 21, Jane's lungs started to clear, and two days later,

staff transitioned her from ECMO to a standard ventilator. "Within a day and a half, she went from profoundly ill to

greatly improved," Cannon said, noting

the team effort of experts across the

hospital. "It was exhilarating to see her get better, thanks to a concerted effort,"

he added. Maria Serio-Melvin, ISR nurse re-search consultant, also credited the procedure's success to an "intense,

collaborative, cooperative effort" be-

tween the ISR and ECMO teams. A few weeks later, Jane is now an outpatient, staying with her mother in

town until she gains enough strength to return home. "It's been tough, but I'm not going to give up," Jane said in a

recent interview at the hospital. "I can't say enough about the care I've re-

patients, and I'm very optimistic we'll be able to offer these services to

wounded warriors throughout their

continuum of care," he said. Based on recent successes around the nation, Cannon said, he expects

to see a resurgence in ECMO re-search around the world, which will help to build confidence in the tech-

nology for adults. A trial with strict research protocols based in France is now under way and promises to answer some of the unknowns that

remain about the use of ECMO in

adults, he noted. Whatever the future holds, Can-non said, he'll never forget the lifesav-

ing impact of ECMO for Jane. "All of this came together beautifully, and it worked," he said. "She's alive because

of an amazing team effort." The day she improved, he added, "was the pinnacle day in my medical career."

Serving the Georgia DoD, The U.S. Military, and our Veterans, One Family at a Time.

We are on the web:

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mitted to providing the best care, in a timely manner, and followed-thru to a

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