Crawford F. Sams Oral History

Interviewee

Crawford F. Sams

Interviewer

Darryl Podoll

Files

Summary

Crawford F. Sams was interviewed by Darryl Podoll on May 3, 1979 for approximately 112 minutes.

Scope and Content

Sams discusses his decision to pursue a medical degree at the Washington University School of Medicine, his interest in neurosurgery, and the influence of faculty member Ernest Sachs. He describes his research on heat syndrome while assigned to the Panama Canal Department and talks extensively about his work during World War II in the Middle East, Europe, and the Far East in preparing medical services for casualties. At the end of World War II, Sams was made Chief of the Public Health and Welfare Section of the General Headquarters, Supreme Command Allied Powers and was responsible for the establishment of all activities pertaining to the health and welfare of the Japanese. Sams relates his contributions in the rebuilding Japan, including studying the effects of radiation after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, establishing mass immunization programs, improving medical care and education, and nutrition initiatives during this period. He also describes similar work he performed in Korea before, during, and after the Korean War. Sams then discusses his research on low-level radiation at the Operations Research Center at the University of California-Berkeley, as well as the early efforts in the application of computer systems to biological research.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Crawford F. Sams (1902-1994) was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on April 1, 1902. He received a BS degree with a major in psychology at the University of California, a MS degree in neuroanatomy at Washington University in St. Louis and received an MD degree at Washington University School of Medicine 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 MD 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 attained the rank of Brigadier General in 1948. After retiring from the military in 1955, Sams became a research physician with the Operations Research Center at the University of California-Berkeley, and research physician with the Department of Neurology, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Darryl Podoll was an archivist at Washington University School of Medicine Library in the 1970s. He moved to North Dakota where he served as the library director of the Allen Memorial Library at the Valley City State University from 1985-2004.

Interview Date

1979-05-03

Collection Identifier

OH037

Length

Approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Crawford F. Sams Oral History, OH037, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Notes

The audio quality of the interview is inconsistent and at times very poor. There are several instances of unintelligible words or sentences.

Disclaimer

The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.