Jonathan Letterman

Jonathan Letterman

Jonathan Letterman (December 11, 1824 – March 15, 1872) was an American Civil War surgeon and is considered to be the father of modern military medicine. His system for medical evacuation and logistical support of armies in the field has had a lasting impact on military medical procedures and has saved countless lives.

Early Life and Education

Jonathan Letterman was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He pursued his education at Jefferson College, now known as Washington & Jefferson College, and later received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1849. After completing his education, Letterman joined the United States Army as an assistant surgeon.

Military Career

Letterman served in various posts in the western United States before the outbreak of the American Civil War. With the onset of the Civil War, he was appointed as the Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac in June 1862. It was in this role that Letterman made significant contributions to military medicine.

Letterman Plan

Recognizing the inadequacies of the existing medical care system for soldiers, Letterman developed a comprehensive plan to overhaul the army's medical services. This plan, known as the "Letterman Plan," introduced a structured medical evacuation system, which included the use of ambulances and trained personnel to treat and transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield to field hospitals. He also established mobile field hospitals that could move with the army, ensuring that medical care was always close at hand. Letterman's system organized medical care into three levels: field care, division hospitals, and general hospitals, which facilitated more efficient treatment and recovery of the wounded. His innovations greatly increased the survival rate of wounded soldiers and were later adopted by other armies around the world.

Legacy

Jonathan Letterman's contributions to military medicine have had a profound and lasting impact. His system of organized and efficient medical care saved countless lives during the Civil War and laid the foundation for modern military medical practices. The Letterman Plan is still considered a seminal work in the field of military medicine. After the war, Letterman resigned from the army and moved to San Francisco, where he continued to work in the medical field until his death in 1872. In recognition of his contributions, the Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco was named in his honor, as well as several other institutions and awards within the medical community.

Death and Legacy

Jonathan Letterman died on March 15, 1872, in San Francisco, California. His legacy lives on through the continued use of his medical evacuation and treatment systems in militaries around the world. Letterman is remembered as a pioneer in military medicine, whose innovations have saved countless lives and improved the care of soldiers on and off the battlefield.