Doctor who joined the Navy after his son's death in Iraq returns from deployment

When his son was killed in Iraq, Dr. Bill Krissoff decided to honor him by enlisting in the Navy medical corps and seeking an assignment in a war zone. At age 60, he needed an age waiver.

With some push from the White House, the waiver was granted. Now at 63, Krissoff is back from a deployment to a military hospital in Anbar province, not far from where his son, Marine Lt. Nathan Krissoff, was killed in December 2006.

Bill Krissoff said the assignment, with a medical unit from Camp Pendleton, gave him with a sense of what Nathan had experienced in Iraq. He said he had no regrets about closing up a lucrative practice in Northern California to join up.

"If anything, I wish I had joined the Navy five years ago," he said last week at his new home in Rancho Santa Fe.

For the full story, look here.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Austin, Christine, Nathan and Bill Krissoff. Credit: Krissoff family

Comments

[JR]

Our country and our freedoms can only be safe and secure because of the citizen-soldiers who defend and serve her. Thank you Dr Krissoff, for your service and sacrafice. Someday, someone will write the history of this war, and you and your son should earn a place in that history. You and your son shall be remembered as long as there is a United States of America.

[gil joseph]

I share JR's sentiments. True American heroes!!

[Dr. aht]

As a physician, I am so proud of Dr. Krissof. You are model physician for all the young physicians to look up to. You gave up a very lucrative career and a comfortable life as an orthopedics physician to fight for our country's freedom. I salute you.

[fnchaffin]

Please accept my inclusion in that group of a few million Americans who deeply appreciate the brave doctors who volunteer to help and save our warriors ... and please add Doctor Cook of Rutland, Vermont who also went to Iraq and who continues to help old and young vets every day in his unique and very special practice.

[Julian B. Duron]

Thank you Dr Krissoff for your service. As a fellow veteran I take great pride in this citizen soldier as should all Americans. Veterans that volunteered know the cost of Freedom and as with Dr. Krissoff case, he paid even a higher personal cost willingly.
Hoorah!
From the Veterans of the South Gate American Legion Post #335

[John Alvarado Teacher San Diego/CA]

How do I say Thank you to someone who truly paid the price for freedom. As a teacher I try to direct my students with real life stories that will lead them to be good people, good citizens, good Americans! Thank you for this wonderful story, I will cherish it and tell it often. It’s not often that someone loses a son in battle and then finds the strength to walk in his booths, Dr Krissoff you may have loss your son on the battle field, But on your return you have brought him home, With Honors.
Thank you for your work as a Doctor, thank you for your work as solider but most of all thank you for being a Great Father.