About an hour ago I had a pleasant long conversation with

my former long time patient of some forty years, Harry Stewart, 95 years of age,

World War II hero who just published the book, Soaring To Glory, this year.

I received a copy signed by him today, and when I called him, he thanked me

for helping him to live this long so that he could write his story of World War II

which is the very definition of true hero and true courage in every sense of the word.

Let me remind you he is a black man who overcame the worst racism first in his own way

as a very young man. He volunteered to go to Army at age 17 and waited one year

before they took him.

As his physician and cardiologist of 40 some years, I had all the chances to know him

and observe him. His wife died of cancer under my care so that I could watch how

dedicated husband he was and what he is made of.

I have never met a man humbler than this man.

Once my nurse showed a newspaper showing a picture of him receiving a medal from

President Clinton, but he never said a word of any brag to me during those 40 years

I was his treating physician. I performed coronary angiography on him and elected to treat him

medically for somewhat diffuse 3 vessel disease. That was in late 1970's.

He required a permanent pacemaker later on. Although he is 95, he travels extensively 

for his book signing tour. He was at Nixon Library, San Clemente, CA, last week.

As I once said on this page, I have learned a lot from my many patients like this one

during the 43 years of medical practice.

To me every one of my patients who fought their unfortunate illnesses or sicknesses courageously 

is my hero and my heroine and battle frontier friend, and I have said so to every one of them

over the years.

Harry was one of my best patients, and wrote in the book,

"To Dr. Hahn Lee

with utmost appreciation and gratitude.

From your obedient patient!

Harry Stewart, 8/26/2019"

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His cardiologist had been his hero as well to me.
Thanks for sharing this story with us.  KJ

You made me feel embarrassed by saying that, Dr. Hwang, my friend.

Without a doubt it is such a special privilege for the physician to be

entrusted by his patient. 

The author or writer of the story of Col. Stewart is also quite an interesting

Jewish fellow, a sort of pioneer in aviation as described in the below.

He grew up in Bloomfield Village, which is my old neighborhood in Detroit suburb.

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I finished reading the book yesterday and gave Col. Stewart a call,

as I promised him. He wants to visit with me when he has a chance to come to ca.

Reading the book was an eye-opening experience for me

from an entirely different perspective, i.e. from that of a black man through

1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's, which was a good learning experience even

at my age, 79.

The book is excellently written, much of which was detailed historical background 

surrounding political, socioeconomic events over many decades that were affecting

the ambitious young black man's life in a compelling, scintillating, breathless manner.

In addition, there was so much detailed information regarding all the military aircrafts,

including Mustang, which we saw a lot during Korean War. The writer is said to be

an expert in military airplanes.

As for Col. Stewart, all I can say is that he is a true hero with a combination of a rare courage,

intelligence, will power and wisdom, perhaps one a million.

After reading the book, I realized it was a special privilege for me to have been his personal physician 

for a significant part of his life. I told him so for the first time yesterday.

I couldn't drop the book until the end.

I highly recommend this book to any minority member of American society 

including Koreans.

Upon my second thought all Americans including Donald Trump and white supremacists

should read the book too.