The war in Europe seemed far away and many Americans, if not most, hoped that we would not become involved in it. The depression was lifting, unemployment was diminishing, and, once again, America seemed to be on the move. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, “the day of infamy” described by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, shook us out of our complacency and self-insulation and isolation from the problems faced by our friends in Europe. Very soon the impact of entering the war was felt at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. The first major move was the organization and mobilization of the 2nd General Hospital, the Presbyterian Hospital Unit that had served with distinction in World War I. It was soon apparent that most of our medical staff would be leaving in a few months. This included not only junior staff but most of our key attending staff. Very soon the halls of the medical center were flooded with doctors in military uniform who were making plans to leave. Practices were turned over to associates or abandoned. Clinic assignments were canceled and leaves of absence for the “duration” were granted by the Medical Center and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In addition to those with the 2nd General Army Hospital, others left for duty with the Navy and unaffiliated units in the various branches of military service. We had a few artful and agile draft dodgers who sought every means of avoiding military service, but they were clearly a minority.

As the director of the personnel medical department, I was informed that I was on the Essential list of the medical center. A statement to this effect was sent to the Draft Board and higher authority and I was told I would never be drafted while I held this post:

THE PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK THE INSTITUTE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY THE SLOANE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN 22 WEST 168TH STREET NEW YORK, NY

MICHAEL J. LEPORE, M.D.

DIRECTOR, PERSONNEL MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

July 20, 1942

To Members of the Professional Staff certified as essential for the care of Patients in all of the hospitals at the Medical Center: