Cross & Crescent

I imagine almost every Lambda Chi knows the story of Gen. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle (California Berkeley 1918) aviation pioneer and famous hero of World War II. His exploits in organizing and executing the daring Tokyo Raid in 1942 were immortalized in the book and movie Thirty Seconds over Tokyo. Doolittle’s personal bravery and leadership skill were recognized with the Medal of Honor.

I bet to a lesser extent that many Lambda Chis also know the story of Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington (Washington 1948). This legendary aviator was the commander and top ace of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Black Sheep Squadron of World War II fame. His bravery as a pilot and courage as a Japanese prisoner of war was also acknowledged with a Medal of Honor.

But, what about Dinsmore Ely?

Ely’s Story

I doubt if many Lambda Chis know the story of this popular hero of World War I. It is a story worth telling. His story reminds us of the many stories that could be told of the courage, love of country, and honor of untold millions of men and women who served, and continue to serve, in our U.S. Armed Forces.

Hopefully, recounting his unique story will encourage us to remember that our freedom has a price that is often paid for by personal sacrifice, injury, and even death.

Reuben C. Youngquist (Washington State 1928), writing in a 1929 issue of the Purple, Green, and Gold Magazine, identified Dinsmore Ely (Massachusetts Inst of Tech 1914) as the most outstanding Lambda Chi to serve in World War I.

As an undergraduate, Ely served his chapter as High Gamma and High Alpha. Scheduled to graduate in 1918, he was among the first men to answer the call to arms as America slowly prepared to enter the European conflict. He entered the French Air Corps in 1917. He was killed in action on April 21, 1918. At the time of his death, he was a second lieutenant. During his time in France, he wrote many letters to his parents and friends. One of these letters would capture the imagination of the American public.
A Creed of an American Soldier

The night before he died, Ely ended his last letter to his parents with this message that soon became famous throughout the world:

And I want to say in closing that if anything should happen to me, let’s have no mourning in spirit or in dress. Like a Liberty Bond, it is an investment, not a loss when a man dies for his country. It is an honor to a family, and is that a time for weeping? I would rather leave my family, rich in pleasant memories of my life than numbed in sorrow at my death.

Youngquist reported that 35 million copies of the letter were printed and Ely’s message was used to promote the sale of Liberty Bonds for the remainder of the war. His words were the subject of numerous editorials, news articles, and magazine stories across the country.

Dinsmore Ely, One Who Served

In 1919, A.C. McClurg published a collection of Ely’s letters in a book entitled, Dinsmore Ely, One Who Served.* The book has a personal, even intimate, prelude written by Ely’s father, Dr. James O. Ely.

This prelude sheds some additional light on the military service of Ely. His father wrote that Dinsmore arrived in France on July 4, 1917. Two days later he volunteered and immediately entered service with the LaFayette Flying Corps. During his training he quickly gained a reputation as a fine flier and gunner.

He fought with a French escadrille (squadron) from January to April 1918 in the Toul Sector near Verdun. On returning to Paris, he was ordered to report to the headquarters of the American Army to receive his commission as an officer.

His father reported that his son requested to be attached as an American volunteer to his old French escadrille. According to Dr. Ely, his son wrote his last letter the next day shortly before he took to the air in his Spad fighter plane. Dinsmore Ely was shot down near Villacoublay.

Dinsmore Ely was buried with impressive ceremonies in the Des Gouard’s Cemetery in Versailles, France. His funeral ceremony involved French Artillery troops, French Foreign Legion soldiers, American Marines, and many other French, American, and Allied civil and military representatives.
Lambda Zeta Petitions the Grand High Zeta

The Grand High Gamma records contain a unique petition from Lambda Zeta at Massachusetts Institute of Technology that reads as follows:

The Grand High Zeta be informed that it is our opinion that the life and death of Dinsmore Ely have brought so much luster and honor on this Zeta and the entire body of Lambda Chi Alpha that we petition that precedent be waived, and that, as a perpetual memorial to our brother, this Zeta shall hereafter, in addition to its Greek letter designation, be forever known as the Dinsmore Ely Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha.

This petition is clear evidence that his Lambda Chi brothers at MIT held his record of devotion to country, honor, and self-sacrifice close to their hearts.

The Grand High Zeta authorized the use of “Dinsmore Ely Zeta” for Lambda Zeta in 1919.

*This book can be downloaded at Google Book Search.