Post-war advancement until the Korean War By 1943, more than 3,500 dentists were serving on active duty. In June 1944, the first female dentist in the armed forces, LT Sara Krout, DC, USNR, reported to Great Lakes, IL. She stayed in the Navy Reserves after the war and retired as a Commander on 1 December 1961. In February 1945, the first self-contained mobile dental treatment unit began operation. Mobile units were developed to provide dental treatment to small groups of naval personnel in isolated areas or pier side, a practice common today at many fleet support areas. The concept of taking dental capabilities to the fleet became so popular that in August 1945, plans were authorized to build four dental clinic ships, but these plans were cancelled when the war ended. When the Japanese surrendered aboard the USS Missouri, there were 1,545 dental clinics in operation, with 459 dental officers alone at the Navy's largest clinic at the Great Lakes. During the post-war period, the Dental Corps shrank to only 913 dental officers on active duty in 1949, but not for long. During this period the Naval Dental College was commanded by Captain George Wm. "Bill" Ferguson, DDS, USN (dec.) who played a significant role in the desegregation of the military and in the creation of the State of Israel. Korean War On 27 June 1950, President Harry S. Truman ordered the U.S. Armed Forces into action in Korea. As the 1st Marine Division deployed, dental officers and technicians marched shoulder to shoulder with Marines onto the battlefield, providing dental and medical support forward. Korea marked the first time in history that enlisted men of the Navy wore dental rating badges into combat. One such man was DN Thomas A. Christianson, awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his gallant efforts while serving with the 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion. At the peak of the Korean War, 1,900 dental officers and 4,700 dental technicians were on active duty. As in World War I and World War II, dental personnel served heroically. Fifteen dental officers earned personal commendations, including the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Ribbon with Combat V. Dental advancements Revolutionizing the field of dentistry worldwide, researchers led by Dr. Ferguson at the Naval Dental School developed pioneer models of the dental air turbine, hand piece and ultrasonic vibrating instruments, and sit-down lounge-type dental chair