BIO: Burt Jacob ASPER, M.D., Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/ _______________________________________________ Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.; Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 108-109 _______________________________________________ BURT JACOB ASPER, M. D. Burt Jacob Asper, son of John C. and Sarah Elizabeth Asper, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., August 17, 1888. He received his early education in the Public Schools of Chambersburg, graduating from the High School in the Class of 1905. In 1907 he entered the School of Medicine of the University of Maryland, graduating with first honor and as Gold Medal Man in the class of 1911. He served on the Resident Staff at Bay View Hospital, Baltimore, Md., Sheppard-Pratt Hospital, Towsend, Md., and Springfield Hospital, Sykesville, Md. For several years he was a full time instructor at his Alma Mater. He specialized in Neuro-Psychiatric Disease. While he never practiced medicine in Franklin County he retained Chambersburg as his home, entering the United States Navy from here. When it seemed certain that the United States would enter the World War, he joined the Medical Corps of the United States Navy and was ordered to active duty, League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa. While there took the examination for commission in the Regular Medical Corps of the Navy, and was appointed Lieutenant, J. G., May, 1917. He was assigned to the U. S. Cyclops, and was part of the transport of the original Pershing expedition to France early in 1917. He took part in the exercises in Paris on July 4, 1917. The Cyclops was sent as relief ship during the Halifax disaster. January 1, 1918, the vessel sailed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On the return trip she reported leaving Barbadoes, March 4, 1918. The ship with all on board disappeared; nothing has ever been found that would give a clue to the fate of the vessel or any member of the crew. The American Legion Post, of Chambersburg, is named in his honor. Dr. Asper was married, November, 1917, to Lee Christie, of Baltimore, Md. There were no children.