“…maybe, I can write a medical article on the life of the great Dr. Clinton Battle who delivered my sisters [Lillian and Linda Matthews] and never received the credit that he deserved in life for his medical feat.” Leslie Ray Matthews. (February 27, 2012.)
Dr. Matthews, noted physician and surgeon, renowned for his worldwide research and writings on the importance of Vitamin D, was also unrelenting in highlighting the achievements of ‘unsung’ African Americans. Especially those who hailed from our alma mater, Gentry High School, in Indianola.
In April 2012, Dr. Matthews contacted me regarding two collaborative projects. They involved assisting him in procuring the support of several Tuskegee Airmen for Vitamin D testing at Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta) and in writing a story on Dr. Clinton Charles Battle for publication in the Journal of the National Medical Association (JNMA).
Because of my friendship with the Tuskegee Airmen, after working out the logistics, etc., we were ready. A few months later, in August 2012, several were honored at Grady and participated in the Vitamin D testing. One of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Hillard W. Pouncy, Jr., celebrated his 103rd birthday in February (2025).
As for the medical journal, the pursuit to “unearth” data for its compilation was both arduous and gratifying. Perusing the content, I gained valuable insight into Dr. Battle’s multi-faceted life as a husband, father, intellectual, civil rights trailblazer, and medical pioneer. I submitted my research materials (w/bibliography) to Dr. Matthews.
In February 2017, Dr. Matthews’ quest to showcase Dr. Battle finally came to fruition. We were elated!!! He shared the response denoting ‘our’ article was accepted and approved for publishing. An electronic version, “Medical Miracle in Indianola, Mississippi: The Untold Story of Dr. Clinton Battle and the Indianola Conjoined/Matthews Siamese Twins,” appeared in the Global Journal of Medical and Clinical Case Reports. And, cited the names of the nine contributors: Dr. L. Ray Matthews, Omar Danner, Zellie Orr, Jonathan Nguyen, et al.
You will be missed!!! Have a peaceful rest. You earned it!!!
