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headlines when he flew under all four bridges of the East River, and on another flight Thaw and MacGordon followed the ocean liner Imperator from dock out to sea, circled the liner in farewell, then returned. On October 13th they flew at Oakwood Heights, Staten Island, New York during the Round-Manhattan Race event. In November Thaw shipped his boat to Palm Beach, Florida, where he planned to carry resort passengers. Again MacGordon went with him and it appears he bought a flying boat at that time. 

In early January, 1914 they were operating two boats at Palm Beach. Of the entire group of flying boat pilots of 1913 Thaw and MacGordon did more open ocean flying with their craft than any of the others. 

During this period Thaw's brother had invented and developed an automatic stabilizer unit for planes, and in February, 1914 Thaw sailed for Europe with his flying boat to enter and demonstrate this invention in the coming Securitie en Aeroplane Competition in France. During these demonstrations he obtained Aero Club of France F.A.I. Hydro License No. 2. That season he also did some flying at several places on the Mediterranean Sea. 

In Europe he found the war clouds of World War I developing rapidly and had the urge to enter the fray. As a result he enlisted in the French Foreign legion in late August, 1914 and trained at Rouen and Toulouse. After further assignments he reached the front in late December where he was soon transferred to French Aviation, first as an observer, then as active pilot, with Militaire License No. 714. 

By May, 1916 Thaw was commissioned First Lieutenant and on that day was injured when he was shot in the arm during combat. Following convalescence he resumed active duty in July. On October 17, 1917 Thaw was given command of the famed Lafayette Escadrille, and November 7th was transferred to the American Air Service and commissioned Major. 

On January 10th, 1918 Thaw was given command of the American Lafayette Escadrille, 103d Pursuit Squadron, then August 1st was given command of the 3d Pursuit Group, consisting of five Squadrons, and on October 15th was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. The war over, Taw returned to the United State on December 

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