In September 1942, Pharmacist's Mate Wheeler Lipes performed an emergency
appendectomy
An appendectomy, also termed appendicectomy, is a Surgery, surgical operation in which the vermiform appendix (a portion of the intestine) is removed. Appendectomy is normally performed as an urgent or emergency procedure to treat complicated acu ...
aboard a
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
. Although he did not have proper medical equipment or formal surgical training, the operation was a success. After the war, Petty Officer Lipes remained in the Navy and later received a Medical Service Corps commission in 1951. He retired as a lieutenant commander.
Fame
In September 1942, aboard USS ''
Seadragon,'' Wheeler B. Lipes performed the first major surgery aboard a
submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
when a shipmate showing symptoms of
acute appendicitis
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Symptoms commonly include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms. Severe complications of a rup ...
required an emergency operation to survive. Positioned in enemy waters and lacking standard medical equipment, Lipes performed a successful
appendectomy
An appendectomy, also termed appendicectomy, is a Surgery, surgical operation in which the vermiform appendix (a portion of the intestine) is removed. Appendectomy is normally performed as an urgent or emergency procedure to treat complicated acu ...
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. The Navy medical establishment was angered by the occurrence, and there was talk of a court martial.
Popular media
On December 14, 1942, the ''
Chicago Daily News
The ''Chicago Daily News'' was an afternoon daily newspaper in the midwestern United States, published between 1875 and 1978 in Chicago, Illinois.
History
The ''Daily News'' was founded by Melville E. Stone, Percy Meggy, and William Dougherty ...
'' published an article by
George Weller
George Anthony Weller (July 13, 1907 – December 19, 2002) was an American novelist, playwright, and journalist for ''The New York Times'' and ''Chicago Daily News''. He won a 1943 Pulitzer Prize as a ''Daily News'' war correspondent.
Weller' ...
about the surgery. It won the
1943 Pulitzer Prize The following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1943.
Journalism awards
*Public Service: The ''Omaha World-Herald'', "for its initiative and originality in planning a statewide campaign for the collection of scrap metal for the war effort. The Nebrask ...
for Reporting.
The events documented in the piece were incorporated into the film ''
Destination Tokyo
''Destination Tokyo'' is a 1943 black and white American submarine war film. The film was directed by Delmer Daves in his directorial debut,McGee, Scott"Articles: 'Destination Tokyo' (1944)."'' TCM.com'', 2019. Retrieved: August 15, 2019. and t ...
'' (1943) starring
Cary Grant
Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one o ...
.
Lipes's heroic surgery was the basis of an episode on ''
The Cavalcade of America
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
,'' a long-running radio series featuring historical dramas. The episode, titled “Pharmacist’s Mate, First Class,” aired on NBC's main
Red Network
Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondary ...
on May 24, 1943. Michael O'Shea starred as the sailor based on Mr. Lipes in a program written by Stuart Hawkins. Mr. Lipes (pron. LYPS) makes an appearance at the end of the show.
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
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth ...
at a ceremony at
Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune () is a United States military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Its of beaches make the base a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports ( Wilmingt ...
, N.C.
[Adam Bernstein]
"Wheeler Lipes Dies; Did Emergency Surgery While on Sub"
The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...
. April 19, 2005. Page B06. Retrieved on 2008-11-26.
References
Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
United States Navy officers
People from Craig County, Virginia
1920 births
2005 deaths
People from New Bern, North Carolina
Military personnel from Virginia
Military personnel from North Carolina
United States Navy personnel of World War II
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