about There Were No Flowers

Dr. William Meffert’s father, Dr. Clyde Meffert, served in Europe during World War II at an evacuation hospital at Omaha Beach and 28 years later his son, Dr. William Meffert, served at the 95^th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. The kind of injuries and medical capabilities were quite different between the two conflicts but the dedication of our doctors, nurses and medical personnel remained the same.

Dr. Meffert and I both arrived at the 95^th Evacuation Hospital in Da Nang, Vietnam in the fall of 1968.  He had excellent training at Yale University and I at the University of Missouri. Like thousands of soldiers families, our devoted wives and children were without us for the next year.

In Vietnam, Dr. Meffert’s surgical skills and knowledge saved many lives and gave comfort to our brave young soldiers. There were no training programs that adequately prepare physicians and nurses for the numbers and type of injuries that occurred.  His vivid description of the injuries and the care given illustrates the thoughts and skills of the author and the medical team. These patients were of similar age as many of our own brothers and sisters and many of the nurses were just out of school.  It was emotionally very difficult for many of the medical team to participate in the care of these young soldiers. Dr. Meffert’s calming presence helped in difficult times. All the medical personnel worked as part of the team.

In addition he made friends with the Vietnam doctors and was able to share his skills and knowledge with physicians and the staff at the provincial hospital. Even with minimal facilities, he performed sophisticated surgery including mitral valve heart surgery on carefully selected patients in the civilian population. These were performed at the evacuation hospital. His willingness to help the civilian population with the Vietnamese physicians reflects what medical care is all about.  Many of these friendships continue today. It is physicians like Dr. William Meffert whose medical knowledge, skills and caring qualities epitomizes the very best in the medical profession.

Thanks for the memories. 

Lenard L. Politte, M.D.
Clinical Professor of Medicine
University of Missouri
Columbia Missouri USA

Put a scalpel in the hand of a young American surgical resident and you have a surgeon- in- the – making. Send that same Resident to Viet Nam, at the height of the terrible war. Destined to perform surgery at times even in the admissions ward or where ever, tending to continuous waves of  anguish cries of wounded and dying, the Resident must now be the surgeon he had been destined to become, only years beyond.

Dr. Meffert, a distinguished cardio-vascular surgeon, has written a compelling account of his tending to the traumatic wounds to soldiers on all sides of conflict.

As readers, we stand beside him as he finds his way to deal with severe injuries. We come to realize the intensity of dedication of men and women who offer care in circumstances of great peril. We are inspired to grow with them into the heart of brave and kind service to others.

Still another story lies imbedded here, one not only of personal sources of determination and resiliency, but of an emotional journey. Father and Son travel to Normandy France where the elder of three surgeons had once tended wounded soldiers on Omaha Beach in WW2. Dr. Meffert’s life and legacy is told with grace and honesty.

Randall Weingarten, M.D.
Stanford University Health Center
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Doctor William Meffert  made many real life decisions during his time in Vietnam, which he shares with all of us. This book impacted me personally as a Vietnam Vet during 1968, serving in the 9th Infantry & 1st Logistical Command.

I say to William, as a “Comrade in Arms in Vietnam” — thanks for sharing your experiences and thank you for being there. I certainly recommend this book to Vets, and to all adults to learn what actually happens in wars and how physicians, who treat cataclysmic injuries of soldiers with minimal preoperative information, and must frequently make decisions critical to others.

Frank Rydzewski, semi ret. Professor in International Business Department, University of South Carolina,
Platoon Machine Gunner

”Medicine is a lens into both the most incredible and gruesome aspects of a human existence. This is particularly true in the specialty of trauma surgery. It takes courage, patience, and a great respect for fellow humanity to unpack experiences in the field, relive them, and share them with such clarity, vivid detail, and honesty. It is a privilege to be privy to the thoughts and stories of Dr. Bill Meffert, who rises to this duty and challenge with grit and integrity.”

— Arany Uthayakumar, Zuker School of Medicine, Hempstead, NY