Evening star., 1924-10-23
DIR. WILMER WINS
LEGION OF HONOR
Notable Service in War and
Peace Is Recognized
by France.

Dl. William Holland Wilmer of
2101 r street northwest, famous eye
specialist was decorated with the
cross of a commander of the Legion
of Honor of France last night for
high service to science and special
, service to France in the World War.
1t is the second highest honor within
the gift of the French Republic.
The ceremony INCIDENT to the formal
presentation Of the decoration to DIR.
Wilmer took place in the French
embassy. in the presence of Il small
but internationally prominent group
of persons. Many of those present
represented the medical profession, in
whose service DR. Wilmer has estab-
llshed such "A reputation. that it was
formally recognized by France.
Conferred by Jusserand.
NJ. Jusserand. Ambassador from
France, placed the ribbon and cross
of the order around DIR. Winners
neck. after reading the citation upon
which il was awarded. NJ. Jusserand
delivered a short address in which
he paid the highest tribute to the
work the famous surgeon has done.
both in war and in peace, DIR. Wilmer
replying with a few words in ac-
ceptance.
Previous to the ceremonies the
Ambassador and Nine. Jusserand en-
tertained rr. and Mrs. Wilmer at
dinner at the embassy. The dinner
was strictly a family affair at which
were present besides the Ambassa-
doris family and DR.. and Mrs. Will
mer only William Holland Wilmer,
jr.; Mr.. and Mrs. r. II. Wilmer and
Gen. Dumont, military attache at the
embassy.
There were about 100 guests pres
ent at the decoration ceremonies, in
cluding only few persons especially
| invited by the embassy. men of high
standing in the medical science and
a number of close. personal friends
of DR.. and Mrs Wilmer. The affair
was entirely informal and was car
| ried out with the utmost simplicity.
Wilmer Now General.
DR.. Wilmer Is now a brigadier gen
! eral in the Medical Officers Reserve
! Corps AS surgeon in charge of the
medical research laboratories Of the
air service, American expeditionary
! force, he rendered invaluable scien-
! ttfic service to the allied air services
in France, personally serving in his
official capacity in that country.
For his achievements in France
| and his solution of serious medical
problems affecting the allied airmen.
DIR. Wilmer was early recognized by
| this Government and was among the
| first to receive the DISTINGUISHED
service medal. His selection to
wear the cross of the Legion of Honor
| is further recognition for the same
| work.
| DIR. Wilmer has just returned from
Europe, where he went for the Will
liam Holland Wilmer Foundation to
make survey Of ophthalmological
| clinics with a view TO determining
whether any of the methods used
| abr DAD would be available for en-
bodiment in great institute of oph-
thalmology which, 1t is expected, is
soon to be established in this country
| DR. Wilmer achieved such heights
| in his profession that he was per-
suaded by group of prominent men
and women to make his knowledge
| available for future generations
| through the medium of thoroughly
| equipped eye research laboratory and
| school of ophthalmology. OF 4 retir-
ing nature, DR.. Wilmer at first refused
such high honor. but eventually
| agreed to lend the movement his sup
port
School to BE Founded.
AS result, the William Holland
Wilmer Foundation was Incorporated
| in the District of Columbia two years
ago, and 1T is confidently believed that
the movement will see the beginning,
before the end of this year. of what
| is to be the worlds greatest school
devoted solely to eye research work
and ophthalmology.
Just where the school will be es-
tablished has not been decided. Three
| cities are being most seriously con-
| sidered, it is said-Washington, Bal
| timore, seat of the famous Johns Hop
kins University and Hospital, and
| Philadelphia, also a center of medical
! research. The presence of such a fa-
| nous institution as Hopkins in Bal
timore is said to be inclining the de
| cision toward that city. An eye hos.
pital would be erected in connection
with the school.