Franklin D'Olier

Franklin D'Olier (April 28, 1877 – December 10, 1953) was an American businessman who served as the first national commander of The American Legion from 1919 to 1920. He was also the grandfather of academic writer and poet F. D. Reeve, and the great-grandfather of actor Christopher Reeve.

Early life Franklin D'Olier was born April 28, 1877, in Burlington, New Jersey, the son of Annie Kay (née Woolman) and William D'Olier. He attended local school and prepared for Princeton University. He was graduated from Princeton in 1898, and immediately entered business with his father of William D'Olier & Company, commission merchants in cotton and cotton yarns, in Philadelphia. Upon his father's retirement from business, the firm name was changed to Franklin D'Olier & Company.

World War I D'Olier entered the military service of the United States in April, 1917, as a captain in the Quartermaster Corps. After a few weeks' service at the Philadelphia depot and several months at Boston, he was ordered to France in August, 1917. Owing to the great scarcity of tonnage at that time and the necessity for salvaging material on a large scale, D'Olier was assigned to the newly organized salvage service, and in January, 1918, took command of the first salvage depot that was operated by the American Army.

In 1944 in answer to a request by Secretary of War Stimson, D'Olier organized and directed the United States Strategic Bombing Survey. This group of observers and technicians worked in both the European and Pacific theaters of war gathering data on the effectiveness of air bombardment "upon the will and capacity of the enemy to resist." Among the recommendations made in the report of the mission were those asking for a separate Air Force and creation of a Department of Defense.

Distinguished Service MedalMedal for MeritWorld War I Victory Medalwith bronze campaign starCommander of the Legion of Honor(France)