IRAQ: Navy doctor goes to Iraq to continue work of his fallen son

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Soon, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bill Krissoff will deploy to Iraq to work as a doctor in a field hospital treating Marines and other military personnel. His wife, Christine, will be at home in northern San Diego County.

This wasn’t how they had planned their lives. But when their son Marine Lt. Nathan Krissoff was killed outside Fallouja in late 2006, their plans changed.

Krissoff closed up his medical practice and, at age 60, joined the Navy medical corps in hopes of deploying to Iraq. He’ll never stop mourning his son, but he wants to feel that he’s carrying on in his name.

‘I’m not looking for closure,’ said Krissoff, now 62. ‘I’m just looking to do my part.’

Christine Krissoff supported her husband’s decision from the beginning and is now prepared for the seven-month deployment.

‘Our friends think this should be a sad time for us,’ she said. ‘It’s really not. This is what we’re up to. I celebrate it.’

The Krissoff’s younger son, Marine Lt. Austin Krissoff, is also deploying soon for his second tour in Iraq, to a base not far from where his father will be assigned.

For the full story, including the role of President Bush, click here.

— Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Lt. Cmdr. Bill Krissoff during a July training deployment to Morocco. Credit: Krissoff family