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consisting of five squadrons; and, on October 15th was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. The war over, Thaw returned to the United States on December 21, 1918, on the liner Martha Washington which docked at Norfolk, Virginia.

From January to July, 1919, Colonel Thaw was Commanding Officer at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California, then on July 17th, he was honorably discharged from military service.

During his military aviation service Thaw received many honors and decorations. He was the first American to fly over German lines (this was prior to America's entry into the war), was the first United States aviator in uniform in France in World War I, and when he was given command of the Lafayette Escadrille, he was the only American to ever have held such a position in the French service.

After his discharge Thaw engaged in prospecting in lower California until 1921 when he became involved in lighter-than-air promotion until 1923. Following this he returned to Pittsburgh where he entered the insurance and brokerage business and also served in local civic affairs.

After an illness of only one week, Thaw died of pneumonia at his home on April 22, 1934, at age 41. He was survived by his wife, a brother and a sister. Burial was in the family plot in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh.

Flying Pioneer William Thaw was known as The Dean of United States aviators in World War I. An early sportsman pilot who went on to fame and glory during the war, Officer of the Legion of Honor with eight German victories to his credit, leader and organizer, he was indeed an unusual airman of his era, who contributed much to the early history of American aviation.

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