Theodore C . Lyster Brigadier General Theodore C . Lyster , M . D . ( 10 July 1875 , Kansas — 5 August 1933 , California ) 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 become organic parts 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 ” . Biography . Early years . Theodore Charles Lyster was 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 7 , Lyster contracted yellow fever while living in Fort Brown , Texas . The boy was treated by William Gorgas , a young post surgeon . Gorgas was credited with the young boy ' s recovery . Later , Gorgas was to marry Lyster ' s aunt making Lyster his nephew by marriage . Having survived the yellow fever infection , young Lyster had a lifelong immunity to the disease . In June 1898 Lyster entered the Army as a private and hospital steward . He had already received his Ph . B . ( 1897 ) and was soon granted his M . D . ( 1899 ) , both from the University of Michigan . In October 1900 he was commissioned a Surgeon and served in the Spanish - American War the same year . 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 . World War I . A month after the United States entered World War I , Lyster was promoted to lieutenant colonel . It was by War Department Special Order 207 ( September 6 , 1917 ) that Lyster became the first Chief Surgeon , Aviation Section , Signal Corps , United States Army — a position he had recommended as essential to fully realize the capability of Army aviation and provide adequate medical support to it . He was also Chief of Aviation and Professional Services in The Surgeon General ' s Office in 1917 and 1918 , for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award . With the expansion of the Army and his new duties as Chief Surgeon , he rose to brigadier general in March 1918 . Following a visit to Europe in 1918 , Lyster conducted numerous research studies on the " Care of the Flyer " which led to substantial improvements in treatment and recovery . Learning from the British experience during the first years of World War I , Lyster made two important contributions to the efficiency and safety of flying . First , he emphasized physical standards for pilots . The British had cut flying fatalities from 60 % to 20 % by screening pilots for medical defects . This emphasis led Lyster to champion an extensive research program . This program was under the control of a board “ with discretionary powers to investigate all conditions affecting the physical efficiency of pilots , to carry out experiments and tests at different flying schools , to provide suitable apparatus for the supply of oxygen . . . [ and ] to act as a standing organization for instruction in the physiological requirements of aviators . ” This board established the first laboratory of its kind and put aviation medicine on a sound scientific basis in the United States . Lyster ' s second major contribution was to insist on making aviation surgeons be organic parts of the squadrons . This arrangement meant that surgeons familiar with aviation would deploy with the flying units , rather than being part of a larger medical organization that would be slower to respond . This organization , as well as the emphasis Lyster put on selection and training of aviation surgeons , produced the concept of the flight surgeon . Although Lyster ' s most significant contribution was pioneering aviation medicine , he was instrumental in many other areas . He was primarily responsible for standardizing and expediting physical examinations ( 1917 ) and in organizing the Medical Research Board ( 1918 ) . He was a member of several civilian medical organizations and made many valuable contributions to medical literature . His studies of yellow fever and his work in otorhinolaryngology are of lasting relevance . In retirement . Lyster retired from active duty on 28 February 1919 , reverting to his permanent rank of colonel . 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 " . He died in 1933 , aged 58 , of " coronary sclerosis and " angina pectoris " .