Cleveland Clinic Doctor One of Oldest Officers to Serve in Forces

Avon Lake’s office has among its staff a doctor with a rather unique distinction. Philip Caravella, a longtime family physician currently practicing at the Avon Lake Family Health Center, could possibly be the oldest person to enlist in the United States Armed Forces at 64. He retired in November 2010 at the age of 66.

Caravella recently returned from serving stateside whereas a Lt. Colonel he was practicing as a medical officer at Ft. Hood in Texas. It was his second lifetime stint serving: he initially served during the Vietnam War from 1971-73. This time, his tour lasted from 2008-10.

The son of an immigrant, Caravella said he always wanted to serve the country that he felt provided his family with a wealth of opportunity.

“My father came from Sicily, he was a barber,” he said. “He had four kids. Two became doctors, one a registered nurse and one an opthamalogy technician.

“Where else can you come from nothing and start from scratch and be successful? I felt I owed the country as payback.”

Caravella wasn’t drafted to serve during the Vietnam War: he volunteered.

“I served as a captain, first to Ft. Sam and then I was sent to Ft. Lee in Virginia,” he said.

Caravella did not serve overseas during the Vietnam War which led to his decision to rejoin the army 35 years later.

“I never felt like a real soldier because I didn’t serve overseas,” he said.

After his initial service, he maintained a solo practice in Westlake and a group practice in North Carolina. He was one of the first family physicians hired by the Cleveland Clinic for family medicine.

By late 2000s, Caravella was considering joining the military again and at age 64, he rejoined.

“I joined as a civilian and became a commissioned officer,” he said.

Serving as a military doctor

For two years, until he was essentially forced into retirement in November 2010, Caravella treated soldiers and their families.

He said he felt he could be serve his country by treating military personnel.

“I was the only primary care physician at Thomas Moore Clinic at Ft. Hood in uniform,” Caravella, the father of three grown children, said. “It’s the largest American outpatient facility in the world.”

As a doctor, Caravella was able to skip basic training.

“It shows the shortage of medical military personnel,” he said.

He believes he is the oldest person to enter the service after being out for 40 years. Generally, for active duty, Reserves and Army National Guard, the maximum enlistment age is 42.

In 2010, his age forced him back into retirement before he could have a chance to serve overseas. He has no regrets about serving stateside.

“I was giving back to the soldiers I was taking care of,” he said. “They appreciated  seeing a doctor in uniform; that meant something to them. They felt good about seeing a fellow soldier.”

Click here to see a video of Dr. Caravella on Facebook.