Sams, Crawford F., Vertical File

Crawford F. Sams, was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on April 1, 1902. He received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in psychology at the University of California; a Master of Science degree in neuroanatomy at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and received his M.D. degree at Washington University, St. Louis, in 1929.

In January, 1922, he enlisted as a private in the 159th Infantry, California National Guard, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Infantry in 1923. He was transferred to the 143rd Field Artillery and subsequently promoted to the grade of captain in 1925. While on active duty, he graduated from the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill in 1925. He resigned in December, 1925 to study medicine at Washington University.

While a student at the medical school, he was re-commissioned as first lieutenant, Field Artillery Reserve. He was commissioned first lieutenant, Medical Corps, upon receiving his M.D. degree in 1929 and ordered to active duty at Letterman General Hospital, where he completed his internship in July 1930, after which he accepted a commission in the regular Army Medical Corps. Sams had a distinguished military career, serving in the United States, in Panama, in the Middle East, in Europe, and in the Far East during World War II.

Sams was the Chief of the Public Health and Welfare Section, General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in Japan after World War II and fulfilled a similar role in the military government of South Korea during the Korean War. He eventually attained the rank of Brigadier General.