Ed Krekorian Memorial Scholarship

Honoring the life and legacy of Colonel Ed Krekorian, M.D. A decorated veteran, pioneering surgeon, and devoted family man, Ed Krekorian’s life was marked by service, compassion, and enduring impact.

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A Life of Purpose. A Legacy of Service.

Ed Krekorian served his country across three wars, advanced the field of head and neck surgery, and left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. This endowed scholarship at the Medical College of Georgia honors his legacy by supporting medical students and veterans who embody his values: commitment, curiosity, and compassion.

A Life of Service, Courage, and Healing

From Bayonet to Scalpel

Early Life and Military Service

Born on July 17, 1925, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Armenian immigrants Leo and Rachel Krekorian, Ed's sense of duty was evident early on. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the South Pacific during World War II, including campaigns in the Northern Solomons and the Bismarck Archipelago. His experiences during these formative years instilled in him a profound commitment to service.

Transition to Medicine

After serving in World War II, Ed began his studies at Emory University. However, the outbreak of the Korean War called him back to active duty as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In April 1951, he led his platoon across the 38th Parallel to rescue sixteen severely wounded British soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, who were on the verge of being captured by Chinese forces. This harrowing experience underscored the critical need for skilled medical personnel and profoundly influenced his decision to pursue a career in medicine. Driven by a deep sense of purpose, he enrolled at the Medical College of Georgia and graduated with honors in 1957, specializing in otolaryngology.

Medical and Military Leadership

Ed’s medical career unfolded across the front lines and the world’s top military hospitals. He served as Chief of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was appointed to the National Academy of Sciences, and became internationally recognized for his expertise in head and neck trauma. During the Vietnam War, he commanded the 93rd Evacuation Hospital near Saigon, leading a 400-bed facility under intense and often dangerous conditions.

Academic Contributions and Legacy

Following his military retirement, Ed continued his commitment to service as a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. There, he trained the next generation of physicians with the same discipline and compassion that defined his own career. His legacy lives on through the many lives he impacted and the scholarship created in his name to support medical students and veterans.

A Life of Purpose. A Legacy of Service.

From Bayonet to Scalpel

Early Life and Military Service

Transition to Medicine

Medical and Military Leadership

Academic Contributions and Legacy

Books by Ed Krekorian

From Bayonet to Scalpel: A Marine’s Odyssey

Vietnam: A Surgeon's Odyssey

Operation Geriatric Geese

Operation Turtle Rock