As a medical officer during World War II, Lt. Col. Arthur Ludwick, MD, became part of history. His exceptional front-line service in North Africa and Italy led to two unusual honors for an unarmed medical officer: He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart.
Ludwick’s literary talents were also beyond the norm: While serving overseas, the young doctor sent 265 love letters home to his wartime bride. A Doctor’s War: Letters and Reflections from the Frontlines of World War II pulls from those letters to share Ludwick’s experiences and observations. The book, recently published by McFarland & Company, also features narrative compiled by his daughter, Peggy Ludwick.
The simple fact that Ludwick’s amazing stories live on, long after the doctor’s death, speaks to the power and possibility of archiving materials. Ludwick remained a prolific letter writer throughout his life, and many of his documents are now housed at the AAFP Foundation’s Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM).
“Dr. Ludwick had quite the military history, along with an impressive journey as a doctor after the war,” says Crystal Bauer, MLS, CHFM manager. “We have a large collection of his archives, and they provide a great look at a doctor’s life.”
Bauer says Ludwick’s collection, like all the vast CHFM resources, is easily accessible and available at no charge. Best of all, the CHFM materials can help doctors, researchers, students, and others navigate through their lives.
“We’re doing more than preserving stories. We want the stories to be used,” Bauer says. “The knowledge we have on hand can help guide today’s family physicians in their careers; it can help them deal with the challenges they face. I encourage everyone to use it!”
Skim through the CHFM’s fully searchable online catalog, and you’ll discover a wealth of knowledge – everything from archived publications to medical artifacts, from photographs to oral histories. And, yes, a few love letters! If what you want isn’t digitized and online yet, simply let Bauer know and the CHFM will provide the information to you promptly.