Page 84 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

MYRON ASHLEY PICKENS, M.D
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT, NAVY
Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., I graduated from Tulane University in June 1950 (B.S. in pre-Med). I enlisted in the United States Navy in Jacksonville, FL on 12/29/1950 where I had 16 weeks of basic training and 16 weeks training in hospital Corps. I was then sent to duty at you as an HUSNH Corpus Christi, Texas on an
Orthopedic Ward for 6 months, followed by 4 months at O.CS. Newport, R.I., graduating as Ensign, US Navy line officer. I was then sent to the United States Naval Hospital Ship Repose AH-16 sailing for Inchon Korea.
While abroad, I served for two years as Assistant Second Division Officer, 1st Lt. (Deck) Officer, Officers’ Mess Caterer, ship’s Legal Officer (after 11-week training in UCMJ), and Watch Officer both Quarter Deck and Bridge. During this time, I was promoted to LTJG and awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 Engagement Stars, the United Nations Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon returning to the US and the decommissioning of the Repose, I was ordered to the USS Sabine, A.O.-25, a Fleet oiler out of Newport R.I, as one of its decommissioning Officers after the end of the Korean War. It was at this time I reverted to “Ensign Probationary” and started my Medical Training at University of Miami Medical School, receiving my M.D. degree.
Upon graduation, I reverted to LTJG, Medical Corps, USN and completed my Medical internship at the US Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, VA. I then received orders to the Medical Battalion of the Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as its S-3 or Training Officer and Legal Officer and promoted to LT, MC, USN. Soon I was sent to the “Role of the Medical Officer in Mass Casualties” course at Fort Sam Houston, TX. (Army). After returning to the Marines I received orders to the LST 1173 for amphibious landing training with 500 Marines on Vieques land near Puerto Rico. We were diverted enroute and found ourselves off the mouth of Havana harbor and told to break out the morphine and pick up live ammo—we were the first ashore in the “Cuban Missile Crisis”! These orders were cancelled, and we returned to Camp Lejeune. I served the rest of my time at the Navy Recruiting Station in Dallas, TX. I was honorably discharged in 1964.
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