[2019] Frank Ledford, MD, Retired US Army, Vietnam (98-19) 7 JUN 18

[sgtmack]

US ARMY (RETIRED) VETERAN

The family of Mr. Frank F. Ledford, a US Army Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders at the graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one.

WEATHER: Hi 94 / Lo 74, 9% Chance of Rain, 65% Humidity

REQUESTOR: Marian Fisher, Ft. Sam CAO Officer/Family SPOX

STAGING: 1030 Hours, Friday, June 7, 2019
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1470 Austin Hwy
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/ERgNaKivkcN2

BREIFING: 1045 Hours

KSU: 1100 Hours (Semper Gumby)

INTERMENT: 1130 Hours – Shelter #3
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9DUsYSBUS92

Lieutenant General (ret) Frank F. Ledford Jr, M.D. died on 15 May 2019 after a brief illness, attended by his loving wife Marilyn and daughter Dr. Cheryl Ledford.
He was born in Jacksonville, Florida on 22 April 1934, the only son of Hazel Barrette and Frank F. Ledford Sr. During World War II the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Frank spent his youth. He graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955, then entered the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He graduated with an M.D. degree in 1959.
While a medical student, he married the beautiful and talented Marilyn Kain, a University of Cincinnati graduate in 1957, beginning a lifelong loving marriage.
In 1958, Frank was commissioned a 2LT in the Army Senior Medical Student Program, a scholarship he was later able to recommend to other young officers when he was chief of Army graduate medical education. This scholarship was the start of a 34-year exciting and productive military career.
Frank interned at Brooke Army Medical Center, followed by surgical and orthopedic surgery residencies at Womack Army Hospital and Letterman Army Medical Center, ending with a year at the Phoenix Crippled Children’s Hospital.
General Ledford’s military education included various Army Medical Department schools, the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
He had a number of clinical positions as orthopedic surgeon at Fort Bragg, Fort Leavenworth, Brooke Army Medical Center, Landstuhl and Heidelberg, Germany, and Vietnam (where he was chief of surgery of a 400-bed evacuation hospital).
General Ledford’s key command and staff positions included: Chief of Army Graduate Medical Education; Chief of Medical Corps Affairs; Commander of Irwin Army Hospital, Fort Leavenworth, KS; Commander of Martin Army Hospital, Fort Benning, GA; Commanding General, Letterman Army Medical Center; Commanding General 7th Medical Command and Command Surgeon, U. S. Army, Europe.
He was selected to be the 37th Surgeon General, United States Army in 1988. The Surgeon General is a member of the Army General Staff, who directs what was, and is, the world’s largest and most sophisticated military medical organization. General Ledford’s many challenges in that position included oversight of the Army’s medical support of the First Gulf War of 1990-1991, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. A war won decisively by our forces.
General Ledford’s awards and decorations include two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations. He was one of the few American officers to receive the Cross of Honor in Gold by the Federal Republic of Germany.
After nearly 34 years of military service, General Ledford retired in 1992. He and Marilyn moved to San Antonio where he assumed the position of President, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR), an internationally acclaimed medical laboratory complex now known as the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The move was enhanced by daughter Cheryl’s acceptance to medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Dr. Ledford’s 13 years at SFBR was replete with challenges and many successes. He was especially proud of campus and laboratory renovation and construction during his presidency. An outstanding addition was the Level IV biocontainment lab, the first privately owned such lab in the United States. The lab permitted research into dangerous diseases of great importance, such as Ebola.
Frank and Marilyn were active citizens of the San Antonio community, and strong supporters of the symphony and may charitable organizations, to include The Argyle Club, which serves as support for the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. He was Trustee of the San Antonio Medical Foundation, Trustee of the Southwest Research Institute, a Director of the National Institute for Genome Research in Santa Fe, among others. He was an active member of the Wednesday Lunch Club, and formerly the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
General Ledford earned many honors: first Distinguished Graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Distinguished Graduate of the University of Dayton; President of the American College of Physician Executives; Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Adjunct Clinical Professor of Orthopedics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Frank was an accomplished classical pianist, with a Steinway he loved, and also a violinist of modest talent. Most of his more recent friends probably didn’t know that he held both commercial and instrument pilot ratings.
Frank attributed his successes to the support of his life partner, Marilyn. She was the pillar of the many (26) moves they made together in their nearly 62 years together. The joy of both their lives is daughter Cheryl. She followed her father into orthopedic surgery, initially as an Army surgeon and later a civilian orthopedist. She shared her recent knowledge and experiences often with Frank. Her love and that of Marilyn fulfilled his life.
General Ledford is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughter Cheryl L. Ledford, M.D., her husband Michael J. Sebesta, M.D., and their children, Noah and Marlo.

RC: Jim “Red” Hefner
aaahefner@aol.com

FC: Danette “Dani” O’Hara
danetteohara@yahoo.com

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.

2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.

3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!

4. Cemeteries are hallowed ground. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Show our respect to ALL who are in attendance.

5. If riding/driving a motorcycle on Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, which is located within a Military Installation, you will need to wear closed toe shoes, long sleeve shirt, gloves, DOT approved helmet, eye protection, long pants, and boots/shoes that cover the ankle.

***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.

At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.

If you choose to fly a flag on your bike you are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring it is secured and not a danger to any other rider or traffic.


Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Honor, Dignity, Respect
Cell: (562) 413-2223
bobtxpgr@gmail.com