Theodore E. Boyd World War I Collection

The Theodore E. Boyd World War I collection consists of material documenting Theodore E. Boyd's World War I career. The bulk of the collection covers the World War I era, 1917 to 1919, but materials before and after those dates are also present. Materials include: correspondence, written both during the war to family and friends; photographs; military orders, mostly in English, a few in French; flight logs; identity card; Honorable Discharge and Distinguished Service Cross certificates; memoirs of his war experiences, both written for publication and to his family; and post war veterans rosters.

During World War I, Theodore E. Boyd served with the 88th Aero Squadron (Attached), 7th Field Artillery, Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.). Second Lieutenant Boyd was an observer and served in France until he was injured on September 14, 1918, when during a flight near Conflans, France, he was wounded in both legs, his left foot, and right elbow by explosive bullets. For his bravery during this flight, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Due to his injures, his service ended and he was honorably discharged. After the war, Boyd went to medical school and taught physiology for 24 years at Loyola University in Chicago. In 1947, Boyd joined the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis where for twenty years he served as Assistant Director, and then Director, of the Research Department. Timeline Theodore E. Boyd Timeline 1893 December 14 -- Theodore Elliott Boyd born in Ashland City, Tennessee. 1910 -- Boyd forced to give up a West Point appointment because of varicose veins and a bad scar. 1917 May -- Reported to Reserve Officers' Training Camp, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. 1917 August 15 -- Honorably discharged from Ft. Oglehthorpe to accept commission as Second Lieutenant Field Artillery Section Officers Reserve Corps. 1917 August 22 -- Ordered to report to General Superintendent, Army Transport Services, New York City, for assignment to first available transportation to France. Left Tennessee August 23. 1917 September 9 -- Left New York. Landed at Liverpool on September 23, Le Havre on September 25. 1917 October 1 -- Entered Artillery School at Saumur 1918 January 14 -- Report to Aviation School, Tours 1918 February 19 -- Transferred to First Corps School, Gondrecourt, for advanced instruction. 1918 April 6 -- Dispatched for duty with French 40th Observation Squadron in Champagne. 1918 May 20 -- Ordered from Chalons-sur-Marne to the AEF 88th Squadron in Amanty (Meuse). 1918 June 6 -- Ordered to Cazeux for course in machine gun instruction. 1918 July 1 -- Returned to the 88th Squadron at Ourches (Meuse). 1918 August 9 -- Protected a photographic miessio nbetween the Vesle and Aisne. Cited for gallantry in action and entitled to wear a silver star on the Victory medal. 1918 September 9-12 -- On leave in Paris. 1918 September 14 -- "[Lt. Theodore Boyd was charged with the] protection of an aerial photo mission over the city of Conflans, in which six machines were schedule to fly in combat formation. This officer, three of the escorting plans having failed to join the formation, proceeded on his mission notwithstanding. At a point, roughly 3 km NW fo Conflans, he engaged in combat with five enemy pursuit machines of the Pfalz type. He was wounded in both legs, the left foot, and right elbow by explosive bullets. In spite of his wounds, he succeeded, by a remarkable display of courage and tenacity, in keeping up the fire of his guns until the attacking planes were put to flight. During the return to the Allied lines, Lieut. Boyd, although faint with pain and loss of blood, assisted his pilot, whose machine was disabled and coming down under control, in choosing the shortest route to safety."-Captain Kenneth P. Littauer, recommendation for Distinguished Service Cross 1918 November 11 -- Ordered to proceed from Savenay to the port of Brest for transport to the United States (left Brest November 18). 1918 November 29 -- Landed at Newport News, Virginia. 1918 December 6 -- Arrived at Fort McPherson, Georgia, for convalescense. 1919 May 6 -- Lieutenant Theodore E. Boyd honorably discharged from the United States Army.