A Colorado Medical Pioneer

by Jack Saroni

Edwin Howerton Roberts

March 7, 1890- July 24, 1971

Brigadier General Roberts pictured in 1950. [1] — Brigadier General Roberts pictured in 1950. [1 ]

A man who committed his life to helping others, Edwin Howerton Roberts was born March 7, 1890, in Long Lane, Missouri to Dr. McCord and Martha “Mattie” Roberts.[2] Tragically, five years before Edwin was born, Dr. Roberts and Mattie had a daughter that survived only a few days before passing away, known to history simply as “Baby Girl Roberts.”[3] Growing up in a rural Missouri community, Edwin and his siblings Prewitt, Roxana, and Braxton likely had relative degrees of freedom while both their parents worked in the health care sector. It is also possible that McCord may have been one of the only doctors in the region, while Mattie presumably worked as a nurse at the same hospital.[4] According to family legend, McCord was responsible for the delivery of an infant Harry Truman while he was a medical student in Lamar, Missouri. Though never given official credit because of his student status at the time, McCord reportedly “never cared.”[5]

Following in the footsteps of his father, Edwin graduated from the University of Missouri in 1912 with a Bachelor of Arts, before continuing to obtain a Doctor of Medicine from Washington University in St. Louis in 1915. While attaining his M.D., Edwin was known as “Sturdy Roberts.” Edwin then joined the US Army, where he graduated from Army Medical School in 1917 and later became a part of the Officers Reserve Corps. Edwin served most of his military service in the Medical Corps and become an instrumental figure in later wars. While he was in med school, Edwin met and married Evelyn Hildebrand on October 17, 1916 in Marissa, Illinois.[6] Like her husband, Evelyn also worked to better the lives of others, graduating from nursing school around the same time they got married.[7] The couple had two children: Robert in 1917 and Virginia three years later in 1920. With Edwin handling the many demands of an Army physician, Evelyn transitioned from nurse to stay-at-home mother, watching the children and running the household.

USS Rochambeau, the ship Edwin took home from Le Havre, France to New York in July 1919[8]

After being accepted for active duty shortly after graduation from Medical School, Edwin shipped off to France in late 1917, right as his son Robert was born. Although Edwin was not present for the birth of his son, the captain returned home in time to witness the birth of his daughter Virginia. While deployed overseas, Edwin was attached to a machine gun battalion as a combat-surgeon.[9] Having served in France, Edwin returned to his family by the summer of 1919. After having spent nearly a year and half as a surgeon operating on wounded infantrymen, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.[10] Edwin remained in the Army throughout the entire interwar period and steadily climbed through the ranks of the Medical Corp, gaining a promotion to major in 1929, followed by Lieutenant Colonel in 1937.[11]

Like most military families, the Roberts moved frequently throughout Edwin’s career. This included moving to Denver directly after the war, before moving again to the suburbs of Atlanta, and again to San Antonio by 1935. The family eventually settled down in Denver when Edwin began working at the Fitzsimons General Hospital in Aurora.[12] His first stint at Fitzsimons lasted from 1919-26, where he worked in the tuberculosis ward and interacted heavily with fellow World War One veterans.[13] Considered an expert and leading authority on tuberculosis, Edwin Roberts dedicated his entire Army career towards treating and helping US soldiers. When Edwin was first assigned to the hospital, it was one of the largest military medical facilities in country, famous for its treatment of WW1 veterans and tuberculosis patients.[14] The hospital underwent several major expansions and renovations throughout the interwar period, some of which Edwin wasn’t present for while he was stationed elsewhere in the country.

Dr. Roberts would return to Fitzsimons in 1936 to oversee the tuberculosis ward and act as assistant chief to all medical services. These responsibilities prepared Edwin for the challenges he would face overseas during the Second World War. In the years preceding the outbreak of the Second World War, the Medical Corps made significant efforts in upgrading its treatment and care facilities at home and abroad. Given his extensive medical knowledge, Edwin acted as commander of several field hospitals throughout Europe over the course of World War Two. While his exact actions are unknown, it is safe to assume that Edwin’s leadership role in the Medical Corps benefited hundreds, if not thousands of Allied soldiers who were treated in hospitals overseen by the Colonel. The Army operated various types of hospitals during the war, including field, general, station, emergency and convalescent, each serving a different purpose to the war effort.[15] Due to his background in combat surgery from the First World War, it is likely that Edwin oversaw either a field or general hospital, where his years of experience directly helped Allied servicemen.

What Fitzsimons General looked like in Edwin’s time.[16]

Aside from Edwin’s distinguished service throughout the 20th century, the rest of the Roberts family also proved their commitment to their country. His brother, Col. Braxton Leslie Roberts served in the army during both world wars and was a Lt. Col. in the Second World War. After the war, Braxton worked as a teacher and principal throughout Colorado. His son, Grosvenor “Grove,” took after his father and uncle and also joined the Army. However, unlike Edwin and Braxton, Grove saw some of the horrific combat in the war, as he was the only solider in his platoon that survived the landing at Omaha Beach. After sustaining injuries in the war, Grove spent 18 months in an Army hospital where the government was unable to identify him because he had lost his dog tags in combat. As fate would have it, Grove was treated at the Fitzsimons Army Hospital, the very same place where his uncle Edwin was stationed as commander. Due to this miraculous coincidence, Colonel Roberts was able to identify his nephew, and Grove returned to his family who had received no information about him for over a year and half. While this story is miraculous and uplifting, it is also important to keep in mind the thousands of servicemen who weren’t fortunate enough to have the hospital commander as an uncle.

Photo of Robert from the 1936 Phi Gamma Delta Pledge Class. [18]

Edwin’s service in World War Two cannot be discussed without also paying tribute to his son Robert Roberts, who tragically passed away in the final months of the conflict. Growing up in the interwar years, it was Robert’s goal to follow his father and grandfather into the medical profession, which is exactly what he was on track to accomplish before the war broke out. Graduating from the University of Missouri in 1939, as his father before him, Robert enlisted in the army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and quickly rose to the rank of Captain within the 45th Infantry Regiment.[17]

Robert was stationed in the Philippines during the Japanese invasion in early 1942, where his unit of Philippine Scouts resisted for months until he was taken prisoner by the Imperial Army in April of 1942.[19] The Philippine Scouts were an elite regiment composed of both Filipino and American officers, notable for their distinct service during the fall of the Philippines.[20] Forced to walk the infamous Bataan Death March, Captain Roberts spent nearly three years as a Prisoner of War (POW). For most of his time as a POW, Robert was held at the Cabanatuan Prison Camp, the main camp for Allied officers and notable for the Raid at Cabanatuan.[21] Unfortunately for the Roberts family, the daring raid occurred just weeks after Robert was transferred from the camp.

Robert’s luck soured even further in December of 1944, when the Japanese military began transporting all POWs in the Philippines on what were known as “slave ships.” This was part of a greater action by the Imperial army to shift American prisoners away from the rapidly advancing Allies and set up new POW camps in mainland Japan. Given the moniker by survivors for the inhumane conditions and overcrowding, these transport ships were absent of any distinguishing marking, and therefore subject to Allied bombing raids same as any other Japanese ship. On December 13th, Captain Roberts, along with almost 1,600 other POWs, embarked upon the Oryoku Maru headed towards mainland Japan.[22] The very next day, the Oryoku Maru was attacked by Allied planes, killing many prisoners and leaving the rest to escape from the wreckage, only to be shot at and recaptured by Japanese soldiers. After surviving all of that, Robert then was forced upon the fellow Enoura Maru, where the young Captain would ultimately meet his demise.

In a truly cruel twist of fate, while at Takao harbor in what is now present-day Taiwan the transport was again bombed by American planes. Edwin’s son would not survive the second attack-- Captain Robert Kinsbury Roberts died for his country on January 9, 1945, at the age of 27. Robert was buried as sea by his fellow POWs, with the Roberts family never able to give him a proper burial. A memorial for Robert and other American soldiers lost in Pacific stands in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. We are lucky enough to know the details of Robert’s time as a POW thanks to Barbara Kay Roberts, his only daughter who learned the story of her dad from a man seated next to him when the transport ship was struck by American bombs.

Despite suffering the tragic loss of his son, Edwin Roberts would not be deterred from fulfilling his duties of doctor and hospital commander. During the time his son was imprisoned in the Philippines, Colonel Roberts served as commanding officer of several combat hospitals in Britain and France. Though it is impossible to determine exactly, it is likely that facilities overseen by Edwin were responsible for saving the lives of hundreds if not thousands of Allied GIs. The Second World War was a pivotal time for the Army Medical Corps, as the scale of the conflict forced the service to adapt in order to treat and care for the thousands of wounded throughout the conflict. Given his seniority at the US entered the war, then Colonel Roberts oversaw the operations of Army field hospitals throughout the European theater. These hospitals served as the saving grace for Allied servicemen to receive treatment for wounds sustained in combat.[24]

The war ended just half a year after Colonel Roberts lost his son, yet the Doctor remained steadfast in his commitment to helping others, remaining in the army for several years after the fighting. In 1948, Edwin accepted the huge responsibility of overseeing Fitzsimons General, a post that he would dutifully preform until his retirement two years later. He took the top spot at the hospital after beloved and widely respected General Omar Quade retired.[25] A year after his appointment Edwin would receive the final promotion of his storied military career, that of Brigadier General. As commander of Fitzsimons, Edwin was tasked with overseeing the both the military and medical aspects of the hospital. This once even included presiding over a trial regarding a solider who helped a “psychopathic patient escape from the hospital guardhouse.”[26] At the beginning of his tenure of commander, Edwin cemented his reputation as a strong leader by recognizing the service of hundreds of Red Cross volunteer nurses at Fitzsimons. Reported on in local newspapers, this simple act demonstrated Edwin’s gratitude and leadership style to all those under his command.[27]

After spending 32 years in the Medical Corp, Brigadier General Edwin Roberts retired from the United States Army on March 31, 1950. Given his position and legacy, Edwin’s retirement ceremony reflected the doctor’s outstanding service to the United States. With over 3,000 troops present, the General formally retired during in a ceremony conducted on the grounds of Fitzsimons Hospital.[28] In attendance was the Governor of Colorado William Knous, along with several of Edwin’s fellow generals. As recognition for his service at Fitzsimons General Hospital from all those who served under him, General Roberts received a leather-bound scrapbook and several other gifts from military and medical personnel. Over the course of his career, Edwin received the Bronze Star for courage, and oversaw operations of one of the largest army hospitals in the US. Esteemed among the Colorado medical community, the general was involved with several prestigious medical associations and held an honorary position at the University of Colorado Medical School as an assistant clinical professor of medicine.

Edwin spent the last twenty years of his life with his wife Evelyn living in Denver, enjoying a retirement well-earned after decades of medical achievements. While in Denver, the retired General likely remained involved in an advisory capacity with Fitzsimons Hospital, sharing his vast medical knowledge. While this is highly speculative, the institutional knowledge and legacy of Edwin in all likelihood benefited the future wounded soldiers of Korea and Vietnam who received treatment at the hospital. Despite the tragic loss of her brother who was only two years older than her, Edwin’s daughter Virginia Roberts lived a fulfilling and successful life. Like the many others in her family before her, Virginia attended the University of Missouri, then went on to raise a family and work as a tax-preparer for H and R Block.[29] By the time Edwin reached the last stages of his life, Virginia was happily raising her family while the Roberts family continued to honor the legacy of the war-hero Robert. Brigadier General Edwin Howerton Roberts passed away peacefully on July 24, 1971, having lived a life solely dedicated towards helping others.

Footnotes ↓

[1] “General Roberts Get Top Farewell Salute," Denver Post, April 1, 1950, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-165A404032E4F24A%402433373-16599809604FCA92%402-16599809604FCA92%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[2] “1900 United States Federal Census, entry for Edwin Howerton Roberts,” ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/29879211:7602?tid=&pid=&queryId=eff76cf884b275caa1cbc2e4ab3210d9&_phsrc=xRr105&_phstart=successSource.

[3] “Find a Grave, Dr. McCord Ganes Roberts,1861-1930," Findagrave.com, accessed May 1, 2021, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85774375/mccord-ganes-roberts.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] “US Newspapers.co, Marriage Index 1800s-1999, entry for Miss Evelyn Hilderbrand,” ancestry.com, accessed April 29, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/89142571:62116.

[7] “Evelyn H. Roberts Obituary,” Denver Post, May 30, 1985, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-169F3EF759529B0C%402446216-169EDBE5AB38A643%4060-169EDBE5AB38A643%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[8] “Photo of USS Rochambeau,” ancestry.com, accessed May 2, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/61464/images/rochambeau_2?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=17cf1969fe6ca29755ffc01c562caa3c&usePUB=true&_phsrc=xRr115&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=386.

[9] “Fitzsimons Army Head to Retire,” Denver Post, March 12, 1950, 16, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-1659DC9643D9AFEF%402433353-1659944195AE514D%4015-1659944195AE514D%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[10] “U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939," ancestry.com, accessed April 28, 2021, ttps://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=61174&h=6632562&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=7884.

[11] “US Army Select Registrar, 1945, entry for Edwin H. Roberts,” ancestry.com, accessed April 28, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/2345/images/40014_1821100517_0652-00799?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=f62ed3a69515353abe3a8af08fbca479&usePUB=true&_phsrc=xRr103&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=2177201.

[12] “1940 United States Federal Census, entry for Edwin Howerton Roberts,” ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/41800457:2442.

[13] “Fitzsimons Army Head to Retire,” Denver Post. March 12, 1950, 16, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-1659DC9643D9AFEF%402433353-1659944195AE514D%4015-1659944195AE514D%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[14] “Fitzsimons General Hospital,” Colorado Encyclopedia, February 8, 2020, accessed May 1, 2021, https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/fitzsimons-general-hospital.

[15] “WW2 Military Hospitals,” WW2 US Medical Research Centre, accessed May 6, 2021, https://www.med-dept.com/articles/ww2-military-hospitals-european-theater-of-operations/.

[16] Those familiar with Denver may recognize the hospital in modern days driving alongside 225 en route to Denver International Airport. “Background on Fitzsimons Army Hospital,” auroa.gov, accessed May 4, 2021, https://www.auroragov.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1881137/File/Things%20to%20Do/Aurora%20History%20Museum/Fitzsimons_4.7.17.pdf.

[17] “Robert Kinsbury Roberts,” findagrave.com, accessed April 29, 2021, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56777385/robert-kinsbury-roberts.

[18] "Our War Story Continued.” The Phi Gamma Delta Magazine, December 1945, accessed April 29, 2021, https://www.phigam.org/document.doc?id=5086.

[19] “Personal Profile Capt. Robert K Roberts,” Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, accessed April 30, 2021, https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000cdGCEAY.

[20] “The Bataan Death March,” History.com, November 9, 2009, accessed April 30, 2021, https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march.

[21] “The Great Raid at Cabanatuan” warfarehistorynetwork.com, June 16, 2020, accessed April 30, 2021, https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2020/02/04/great-raid-on-cabanatuan/.

[22] “Personal Profile Capt. Robert K Roberts” Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, accessed April 30, 2021, https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000cdGCEAY.

[23] “Robert Kinsbury Roberts,” findagrave.com, accessed April 29, 2021, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56777385/robert-kinsbury-roberts.

[24] “WW2 Military Hospitals,” WW2 Medical Research Centre, accessed May 3, 2021, https://www.med-dept.com/articles/ww2-military-hospitals-european-theater-of-operations/.

[25] “New Faces in the Denver Post Gallery of Fame,” Denver Post, September 4, 1948, 18, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-165B710993DF60B7%402432799-165A076EE2090BDF%4017-165A076EE2090BDF%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[26] “GIs Get Hearing,” Denver Post, November 15, 1949, 12https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-165923AD135F0C4C%402433236-1657BD1392B7C4D5%4011-1657BD1392B7C4D5%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[27] “Fitzsimons Colonel Lauds Volunteer Service Groups,” Denver Post, September 26, 1948, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-165BE5A86341C705%402432821-165A09B61681E078%4013-165A09B61681E078%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[28] “General Roberts Get Top Farewell Salute,” Denver Post, April 1, 1950, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-165A404032E4F24A%402433373-16599809604FCA92%402-16599809604FCA92%40&hlterms=&f=basic.

[29] “Find a Grave, Virginia W. Roberts Mathews,” findagrave.com, accessed May 3, 2021, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55662539/virginia-w.-mathews.