'Happy I could do my part'

Bill Krissoff lost his oldest son during a deployment to Iraq with an elite Marine Corps reconnaissance team. Nate, a 25-year-old first lieutenant, was killed when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb near Fallujah on Dec. 9, 2006.

Determined to honor his son, Krissoff vowed to leave his orthopedic surgery practice and join the military. “Minor knee problems didn’t seem that significant in the greater context of things anymore,” he says.

An active biker, hiker and kayaker, Krissoff, 60, was in great physical shape to serve. But his age was an obstacle. After unsuccessful meetings with Navy and Air Force recruiters, Krissoff returned to mending knees and shoulders. In mid-August 2007, a phone call changed everything. The White House invited Krissoff, his wife Christine and their son, Marine 2nd Lt. Austin Krissoff, to join President George W. Bush and other Gold Star families at The American Legion’s national convention in Reno, Nev. There, Bush met privately with each family and asked if there was anything he could do for them.

“I said, ‘Well, sir, there is,’” Krissoff recalls. “‘I wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps, but they told me I am too old. No disrespect, sir, but I am younger than you are.’ He didn’t flinch. He just looked at my wife and asked her what she thought.”

Christine and Austin told Bush they approved of Krissoff’s wish. Two days later, he had a waiver and met with a recruiter. A month later, he learned he’d be commissioned as a lieutenant commander in the Navy Medical Corps, where he eventually would be assigned to the Marines’ 4th Medical Battalion. 

In February 2009, Krissoff began a seven-month tour treating orthopedic injuries at Al-Taqaddum Air Base near Fallujah, not even 10 miles from where Nate was killed. The following year, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province – “the most rewarding time of my entire orthopedic career.”

Krissoff continues to help military members. He plans to accompany organizer Hank Detering during his second annual Grand Canyon river rafting trip for wounded Marines in August, after having to bow out last year due to shoulder surgery. The American Legion Magazine talked with Krissoff about his service and the upcoming trip.

If it weren’t for the Legion’s convention and President Bush’s appearance, would you have had the opportunity to serve? 
I don’t think so, because the Navy – subsequent to my going in – now has a little disclaimer on its website of the Navy Medical Corps, (saying) that exceptions will be made on an individual basis. Normally they would stop at 42. They were very happy to plug me in as soon as I was satisfied that I knew what I was doing and knew the military way. Not that orthopedics was any different, but there is a lot of military to learn.

What did you learn about yourself through this deployment?
It was a nourishing experience, a chance to put the uniform on; as I have said before, in most families the dad inspires sons. In our family, sons inspire dad. It’s a chance to give back and to be a part of something greater than yourself. I don’t think there is any more rewarding experience than caring for Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who put their lives and limbs on the line on a daily basis. I have a much greater admiration and appreciation for what our young men and women do.

What has been your interest in getting involved with the river rafting project?
I heard from Hank Detering out of the blue when he asked if I would join him for the first Marine wounded warriors trip. I immediately said I would love to and asked if he knew that I was a river runner and kayaker. He said he had no idea, but he just thought since I was an orthopedist and worked with Marines in the reserves and on active duty that this was something I might want to share with him. I thought it was the perfect fit and plan to go in August. I was very disappointed that I couldn’t go in 2015.

Have you gone down the Grand Canyon before?
Yes, many times. The last time with my son Austin, kayaking, after he left the Marines. That was on his wish list. It’s always a memorable trip.

Why is it important for you to participate?
This is another chance to give back and another chance to be on the water, to be with Marines and support them in any way I can as far as any medical care that they might need. I love the river, so I think it’s kind of twofold.

Anything else you would like to mention?
I was lucky to be able to serve, and I considered it truly an honor and privilege to serve and take care of Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was something that was totally unexpected and just a very meaningful experience. I was happy that I could do my part. I don’t see as a doctor that this was unusual, but I guess people see it as unusual. There were a number of older physicians I worked with on different deployments, but predominantly they were either career Navy officers who retired and came back to serve on active duty or they were still in. There are some folks who have done eight or nine deployments to all kinds of tough spots. I think my story is not that special.  

Henry Howard is deputy director of media and communications for The American Legion.