Bush salutes doctor who joined the Navy to honor son killed in Iraq

The Los Angeles Times ^ | January 16, 2009 | Tony Perry

[skippermd]

In his farewell address, the president cites Bill Krissoff as among 'the best of our country -- resilient and hopeful, caring and strong.' He is set to go to Iraq with a Marine unit.

By Tony Perry 4:34 PM PST, January 16, 2009

Reporting from San Diego -- When his son, Marine Lt. Nathan Krissoff, was killed two years ago in Iraq, Dr. Bill Krissoff found a unique way to honor his memory.

He closed up his lucrative orthopedic practice in Truckee, Calif., and, at age 60, joined the Navy medical corps in hopes of being assigned to Iraq to treat Marines and other military personnel.

It took presidential intervention to get Krissoff a waiver from the military's age limits on enlistees.

Now, Lt. Cmdr. Krissoff, 62, is on the verge of deploying to Iraq with a Marine unit. And on Thursday night, President Bush -- in his farewell address -- included Krissoff among Americans who display "the best of our country -- resilient and hopeful, caring and strong."

Krissoff's younger son, Austin, is also a Marine officer, now based at Camp Pendleton. He soon will return to Iraq for a second deployment.

"The way I see it, Austin and I are carrying on with Nathan's unfinished business in Iraq," Krissoff said Friday in a telephone call from Camp Lejeune, N.C. "We've picked up the fallen standard."

[the invisib1e hand]

I thought there were age limits to military service?

[RichInOC]

Doc Krissoff is a stud. That is all.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks for his service to Dr. Krissoff and Semper Fi! There is no age limit on valor!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Domandred]

Answer is not far into the article:

“It took presidential intervention to get Krissoff a waiver from the military’s age limits on enlistees.”

[cpdiii]

Our nation is blessed to have such men as this, much less a whole family of them!

[QBFimi]

Basta! Let’stalk about Ramos and Compean.

[the invisib1e hand]

“It took presidential intervention to get Krissoff a waiver from the military’s age limits on enlistees.”

Thanks. Guess I shouldn't plan on getting one of those.