Walter Drew McCaw

Walter Drew McCaw (February 10, 1863 – July 7, 1939) was a surgeon for the United States of America during the Spanish–American War, and became a brigadier general. He also became Chief Surgeon.

Walter Drew McCaw was born on February 10, 1863, in Richmond, Virginia, to James Brown McCaw and Delia Patterson McCaw. In 1882, McCaw received his M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia, he also went to study at Columbia until 1884, he would go on to receive his doctorate in science there in 1932.

In 1884, McCaw was commissioned as an assistant surgeon, then became a captain assistant surgeon in 1889 for the United States Military. In June 1898, McCaw became a Major in the Volunteer Service Brigade and a surgeon in the Spanish–American War, and served in the Campaign of Santiago De Cuba. On August 17, 1899, McCaw joined the 42d U.S. Volunteer Infantry and served as a major and surgeon. From 1900–1901 he was in the Philippines during the Insurrection, then from 1902–1903, McCaw was with the Army medical School in Washington teaching military hygiene and tropical medicine. On January 1, 1909, McCaw was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Then on May 9, 1913, he was promoted to colonel in the Medical Corps. In 1914, McCaw became Chief Surgeon in the Division of the Philippines and he was the commander of the division hospital in Manila in 1915. In 1916, McCaw went to San Antonio, Texas to become a surgeon of the Southern Department of San Antonio and was there on February 19, 1917, when General Funston died. From March to October 1918, McCaw served in the Chief Surgeon's Office (AEF) until he became Chief Surgeon. From 1919 to 1923, McCaw was commandant of the Army Medical Department Research and Graduate School, and he served in the Departments of the Missouri (River), the Platte (River), East Texas, and California. On March 5, 1919, McCaw was promoted to brigadier general and on February 10, 1927, he retired to Woodstock, New York.

McCaw had many decorations including:

• Distinguished Service Medal
• Silver Star
• Companion of the Bath (Great Britain)
• Commander of the Legion of Honor (France) April 10, 1919
• Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy)
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Associate Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia
• Honorary Member of the Royal Society of Medicine and the Sons of Cincinnati

McCaw was never married, and he died at the age of 76 on July 7, 1939 in Woodstock, New York.