Article:
COL John Palese, MD (Ret., ARNG), 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 7, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. John who came from a humble background, was born on January 3, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois. During World War II, he was drafted into the Army and upon recognizing his potential, was sent to medical school. After completing his studies, he was assigned to the Army Medical Corps in the Panama Canal Zone. During the Korean War, he became Battalion Surgeon for the 65th’s Medical Company evacuating the wounded from the Battalion Aid Station to the MASH unit. After the Chosin Reservoir battle, John was the last man to leave the beach – he would not leave while any of the wounded under his care remained on the beach. For this, John was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning from Korea in October 1951, he pursued a civilian medical career for 66 years and retired as a colonel from the Army National Guard. There is only one thing John loved more and did better than being a physician; John was a devoted father and grandpa. He raised 5 children as a single parent after the death of his wife Dolores in 1973. John had an amazing sense of humor, which never left him during his most trying times. He had the ability to connect with people, whatever their personalities or walks of life. Reported by his son John, Jr.