Major General Enrique Mendez, Jr. USA (R)

A Past President of the Walter Reed Society, Enrique (Hank) Méndez, Jr., passed away May
16, 2024; he was 92. A beloved and respected leader in military medicine for decades, he was a
gentle and kind soul. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico he graduated from Stritch School of Medi-
cine of Loyola University in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 28 years, retir-
ing in the permanent rank of Major General. He served as Deputy Surgeon General of the Army
and finally the Commanding General of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
After retiring from the Army, Dr. Méndez returned to his native Puerto Rico to become, first the
Dean, and subsequently, the Dean and President of the Ponce School of Medicine. He then served
as Medical Director of Damas Hospital in Ponce before becoming Secretary of Health of the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico. In December 1989, President George H.W. Bush nominated him to
be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. He served in this position until January 1993.

He later became a partner in the health care consulting firm Martin, Blanck and Associates.
Dr. Méndez was a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. His awards and decorations as well as honorary doctoral degrees are to numerous to detail here.

He is survived by his wife of many decades, Olga; a son, two daughters and their families, six
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. To say “Thank You for Your Service” does not seem adequate for all that he gave to us. He was a revered leader, mentor and friend. Sir, you will be missed.

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