Dr. Bartis M. Kent, retired USAF flight surgeon
Son Mike Kent pins medal on his father's lapelMuskogee -
The V.A. Medical Center honored former U.S. Air Force Captain Bartis M. Kent Thursday afternoon.
Dr. Kent was presented with a an Air Medal for his service during the Korean War, in the Chapel at the Jack C. Montgomery V.A. Medical Center in Muskogee Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
Kent served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon with the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Fifth Air Force during the Korean War.
"Captain Kent displayed extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 28 May 1952 and 26 July 1952," his citation stated.
Although his duties as Flight Surgeon did not require that he participate in combat operations, Capt. Kent voluntarily flew as a crew member in an All Weather Jet Fighter in order that he might gain first-hand knowledge of the psychological aspects of combat flying as the air crew member.
His recommendation states that he underwent a short course of instruction that qualified him to fly the airborne radar with which the All Weather Interceptor was equipped.
It is believed that this was the first case in history at that time in which a flight surgeon performed combat duty in a jet fighter.
Dr. Kent served as flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1953.
He has been volunteering at the V.A. Medical Center every Friday since January.
Dr. Kent was an internist in Muskogee from 1958 to 1998.
He is 87 years old.
The Korean War lasted from June 1950 to July 1953.
