Theodore C. Lyster

Brigadier General Theodore C. Lyster, M.D. (10 July 1875 – 5 August 1933) was a United States Army physician and aviation medicine pioneer.

In 1918, Lyster established an army laboratory that put aviation medicine on a sound scientific basis in the United States and he insisted on making military aviation physicians organic members of the flying squadrons, thus creating the position and role of "flight surgeon". These efforts, along with his 1917 creation of the post of chief surgeon, Aviation Section, Signal Corps and his planning and directing of the United States Army Air Medical Service, earned him the title of "Father of Aviation Medicine" or " Father of Army Aviation Medicine".

Early life and education Theodore Charles Lyster was born at Fort Larned, Kansas, the son of U.S. Army Captain William J. and Martha Doughty Lyster. His childhood was spent in various posts around the country. At the age of seven, Lyster contracted yellow fever while living in Fort Brown, Texas. He was treated by William Gorgas, and Gorgas was credited with his recovery. Later, Gorgas married Lyster's aunt, making Lyster Gorgas's nephew by marriage. Having recovered from yellow fever, Lyster had a lifelong immunity to it.

He received his Ph.B. in 1897 and his in M.D. in 1899, both from the University of Michigan. In June 1898, Lyster entered the army as a private and hospital steward. Lyster subsequently served as the Chief of the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at Ancon (Canal Zone) Hospital, Panama and Chief of the Eye Service in the University of Philippines, Manila. In 1914, during the American occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, Lyster served there as Chief Health Officer.

After the death of Dr Gorgas, Lyster carried on his work with the Rockefeller Foundation (1920–24) of eliminating yellow fever from Mexico and Central America. He served as medical examiner of the U.S. Department of Commerce, organizing the first issuing of licenses to commercial aviators. He also served as president of the Southern California Medical Association.

By an Act of Congress in June, 1930, Lyster was promoted (restored) to "Brigadier General, Retired".

Legacy The Theodore C. Lyster Award is given annually by the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) for outstanding achievement in the general field of aerospace medicine. Lyster Army Health Clinic, U.S. Army Aeromedical Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama, established in 1967, was named in honor of Lyster.