A surgeon and a soldier--an interview with Booker King, MD, FACS. Interview by George Dawson

Periodically, for the past two years, the editorial staff of the Journal of the National Association has attempted to-for history's sake--highlight physicians of color. In this vein, and in light of the current hostile activities in the Persian Gulf, we felt it important we our bring readers, in this issue, the background and views of an African-American physician/soldier who served in the Iraqi theater of operations during the initial combat. Notwithstanding the current political machinations regarding the legitimacy of the conflict, his story is both insightful and inspiring because, in the end, it is soldiers and their families who bear the psychological and physical burden of armed conflicts. Finally, because of the history of privation that persons of African ancestry have had to endure in these lands, we feel it important that we, in these times, tell our story, on our terms. And Dr. Booker's story is one we feel truly proud to present. This interview was conducted by George Dawson, MD. He serves as editor of the Art in Medicine, History and Health Tidbit sections of the Journal of the National Medical Association.