Harold Dunbar Corbusier papers, 1883-1979 (scattered dates) (majority within 1900-1902)

Summary

Creator:

Corbusier, Harold Dunbar, 1873-1950.

Abstract:

An orthopedic surgeon in the United States Army, author, inventor, and University of Michigan alumnus (B.S. and M.D. 1899). Corbusier served in the China Relief Expedition, the Philippines Campaign, the Mexican Border War, and World War I. The collection contains biographical information, correspondence, writings by Corbusier, collected articles and clippings, photographs and glass plate lantern slides, loose scrapbook materials, and a photo album. Materials document Corbusier's experiences during the China Relief Expedition, the Mexican Border War, the Philippines Campaign, and World War I. The collection also contains a small amount of materials focusing on his time as a student at the University of Michigan, as well as to his medical and military careers.

Extent:

2. 4 linear feet (in 3 boxes)
1 oversize folder

Language:

English
French
Spanish

Call Number:

2019013 Aa 2 UAl

Authors:

Finding aid created by Nichole Manlove, July 2019.

Background

Scope and Content:

The papers of Harold Dunbar Corbusier include a range of materials focusing on his medical and military career with the United States Army Medical Corps and the Medical Department of the U.S. Army Reserves between 1900 and ca. 1945.

The Biographical series included his biography, a diary reflecting on his childhood experiences at Fort Mackinac in Michigan, a typed manuscript highlighting his experiences during the Boxer Rebellion in China. Also included here are his professional publications and collected articles, event programs and invitations.

The Correspondence series primarily includes letters to his then fiancé Louise Shepard, as well as letters from military and governmental departments, hospitals, and other military and medical associations. images The Visual Materials series includes glass plate slides and a photo album with images of Chinese landmarks and troops from the eight nations fighting against the Boxers. Also included are photographs mostly focusing on the China and Philippines campaigns, and loose scrapbook materials (mostly clippings) focusing on China and Asia in general.

Biographical / Historical:

Early Life and Education

Harold Dunbar Corbusier (1873-1950) was born at a U.S. Army's Camp Date Creek in Yavapai County, Arizona Territory to Colonel William H. and Fanny Dunbar Corbusier. As a military family, the Corbusiers travelled between U.S. Army bases in Arizona, Charleston, S.C., Tennessee, Kansas, and the Midwest, including Fort Mackinac and Fort Wayne in Michigan (1882-1892). In 1893, Harold Corbusier entered the University of Michigan where he joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He received both his Bachelor of Science and Medical degrees in 1899.

Military Career

After completing his education at the University of Michigan, Corbusier joined the Medical Department of the United States Army Reserve where he served in numerous military campaigns from 1900 to the end of World War I. From 1900 to 1905, Corbusier served as Acting Assistant Surgeon and in this capacity participated in the China Relief Expedition from 1900 to 1901 and in the Philippine Campaign from 1901 to 1902. Corbusier left active service in 1905, settling in Plainfield, NJ to raise a family with his wife Louise Shepard Corbusier (1875-1964), a native of Battle Creek, Michigan. The couple was married in 1903 and had three children, Frances (O'Brien) Corbusier, Barbara (Stevenson and later Pflueger) Corbusier, and Nancy (Knox) Corbusier who was born in 1913.

In 1909, Corbusier joined the National Guard of New Jersey. In 1911, he joined the Organized Reserves (Army). In 1916, Corbusier began his service with the New Jersey National Guard. He organized and commanded the Guard's first medical units, also known as the "Sanitary Train," on the New Mexico border. From 1917 to 1919, Corbusier served as a major in the United States Army Medical Reserve Corps.

Corbusier was placed in a number of leadership positions during and immediately after World War I, specifically between 1916 and 1919. He organized the Orthopedic Surgery Section of the U.S. Army's Surgeon General's Office (S.G.O.) subsequently serving as the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery. He also organized the first Reconstruction Company in the U.S. for soldiers with physical challenges. This system was later adopted by the War Department for Development Battalions. Corbusier served as Chief of the Orthopedic Service and instructor at the Medical Officers' Training Camp in Fort Oglethorpe, GA and as Chief of the Orthopedic Section and training officer at Camp Meade, MD. Corbusier also served as the First Assistant to the Chief of the Orthopedic Service, and as Chief of the Reconstruction Section of General Hospital #3 in Colonia, NJ.

In 1920, Corbusier was promoted to Colonel in the U.S. Army Medical (Reserve) Corps. During this period, Corbusier was also appointed as U.S. Delegate to the International Congress of Arthritis. In 1922, he was appointed Chief Surgeon for the 12th Army Corps Reserve and circa 1931, he was promoted to Colonel in the Medical Corps (U.S. Army). Between 1933 and 1948, Corbusier was also appointed as a U.S. Delegate to several International Congresses and travelled to Madrid, Brussels, Bucharest, Lima, and Havana.

Medical Career

After leaving active military service in 1905 and moving to Plainfield, NJ, Corbusier opened a private orthopedic clinic in 1908. In 1911, he joined the hospital staff at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield where he organized the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Physical Therapy. In 1913, he was appointed Junior Attending Surgeon in the Department of Surgery. That same year he was also appointed Clinical Assistant in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital. In 1916, Corbusier was appointed instructor in the Orthopedic Surgery Department. In 1923, Corbusier was named Muhlenberg Hospital's Senior Attending Surgeon in Orthopedics. In 1936, he was appointed as Muhlenberg's Resident Consulting Surgeon. In 1945, he served as a consultant to the hospital's Physiotherapy Department.

Inventions

Corbusier used his talents and knowledge of orthopedic medicine to pioneer the U.S. Army's system of reconstruction and devised a system of "Recruit Rehabilitation and Training in Development Battalions." The latter being a manpower salvage method adopted by the U.S. Army for all large military camps. After conducting extensive research in the field, Dr. Corbusier designed the "Doughboy" shoe, produced by the Field Service Shoe Inc. and worn by many soldiers during WWI. He also designed the guidon, the first distinguishing flag used by the U.S. Army's Medical Department, and a new canteen.

Civilian Life and Activities

Corbusier's civilian life was heavily intermingled with his military life. He served as an orthopedic and physio-therapeutic consultant to the Bureau of Public Health Service and as a consultant in Orthopedic Surgery and Physiotherapy to the Rehabilitation Commission of the American Legion in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. He also lent his consultation services to the U.S. Senate Committee for the investigation of the Veteran's Bureau.

Corbusier served as the President of the Association of Military Surgeons, President of the Academy of Physical Medicine of the United States, Vice-Chair of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Rehabilitation Committee, Vice President of the American College of Physiotherapy, and Board member of the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults. He lent his services to the American Red Cross, the Association of the Medical Reserve Corps, the College of International Surgeons, numerous Military Orders, and the University of Michigan Alumni Club. Corbusier also served as an honorary member of the Mexican Association of Military Surgeons and the Russian Veterans' Association.

Harold Dunbar Corbusier passed away on August 31, 1950, leaving behind a long career as a retired Colonel, military surgeon, and civic leader. Louise S. Corbusier died on September 3, 1964.

Acquisition Information:

Donated by Thomas S. Knox (donor no. 11890 ) in June 2018.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into 3 series: 1. Biographical, 1883-1950. 2. Correspondence, 1900-1979. 3. Visual Materials, 1898-1948.

Accruals:

No further additions to the records are expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

China Relief Expedition -- (1900-1901)
Military life.
Military officers.
World War I, 1914-1918.
Physicians.

Formats:

Diaries.
Lantern slides.
Negatives.
Photo albums.
Photographs.
Scrapbooks.

Names:

United States. Army. Medical Reserve Corps.
United States. War Department.
University of Michigan -- Students.
Corbusier, Harold Dunbar, 1873-1950.

Places:

China -- History -- Boxer Rebellion, 1899-1901.
China -- Description and travel.
Mexico -- History -- Revolution, 1910-1920.
Philippines -- History -- Philippine American War, 1899-1902.