Dr. Frederick “Skip” Burkle, a retired Navy Captain, has had a remarkable career in military and public health. In 1968, he served at Delta Med Hospital during the Vietnam War, treating wounded Marines, civilians, and enemy combatants. Burkle also provided medical care to a nearby village and learned basic Vietnamese in the process. This experience solidified his passion for medicine.
In 1975, Burkle was involved in “Operation Babylift” during the collapse of the South Vietnamese government. He flew into Saigon, surrounded by the North Vietnamese Army, to rescue more than 300 orphaned infants. This daring mission showcased his commitment to humanitarian medicine and saving lives in the most challenging circumstances.
During the Persian Gulf War in 1990, Burkle was recalled to active duty and served as the Senior Medical Officer of the Marine Corps’ largest field hospital since World War II. He treated hundreds of wounded troops and Iraqi prisoners, earning accolades for his expertise and leadership. Burkle’s experience in combat medicine proved invaluable in this high-intensity conflict.
Throughout his career, Burkle has been involved in various humanitarian emergencies worldwide. He played a key role in establishing the “Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance” in Hawaii, enhancing the capacity of militaries to respond effectively to disasters. His contributions to humanitarian assistance medicine were recognized with the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine naming an award in his honor.
In Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002, Burkle was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Global Health at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Despite facing resistance from Defense Department officials, he worked to organize post-conflict humanitarian assistance efforts in Iraq. Burkle’s dedication to improving healthcare systems in war-torn regions has been unwavering throughout his career.
Despite facing personal challenges such as a learning disability and stuttering, Burkle has achieved remarkable success as a quadruple board-certified specialist, military health standout, humanitarian, and scholar. His story of overcoming obstacles and serving others selflessly is an inspiration to many. While largely unknown to the public, Burkle is revered by military medical officers for his courage and commitment to saving lives in the most challenging environments.
