WHEREAS, When World War I began, Dr. Boston enlisted and was
immediately given the rank of first lieutenant in the Army
Medical Reserve Corps; and
WHEREAS, African-American recruits, including Dr. Boston,
were sent for medical training at the Medical Officers Training
Camp, Fort Des Moines, Iowa; and
WHEREAS, After completing his training, Dr. Boston was
assigned as a medical officer with the 317th Engineers Regiment
of the 92nd Division of the American Expeditionary Forces; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Boston's division fought bravely across France
and in the bloody Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest operation
of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I; and
WHEREAS, The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the deadliest
campaign in American history, resulting in more than 26,000
soldiers killed in action and more than 120,000 total
casualties; and
WHEREAS, During his tour of duty, Dr. Boston treated soldiers
while under aerial and gas attack; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Boston served in France with the rank of captain
and ended his military service as a major; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Dr. Boston returned to work in
Philadelphia and later settled in Lansdale where he opened the
Elm Terrace Hospital, which was later renamed North Penn
Hospital and subsequently became part of the Abington Jefferson
Health Systems; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Boston also formed a First Aid Emergency Squad
in Lansdale, eventually known as the Volunteer Medical Service
Corps of Lansdale; and
WHEREAS, As a Boy Scout official, Dr. Boston served as
chairman of Health and Safety for the General Nash District,
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