1918 Military Portrait of a Courageous Young Officer

This photograph features Thomas Hitchcock, Jr., captured in a three-quarter length portrait on April 6, 1918. Clad in a military uniform, Hitchcock stands directly facing the viewer, embodying the spirit and disciplined appearance of servicemen during World War I. Born in 1900, Hitchcock’s life and military service would become integral to the narrative of American aviation and the military during and after the war.

During World War I, Hitchcock served as a pilot and played a crucial role in shaping early military aviation. After the war, he became known for his contributions to aviation and served in various capacities that influenced the development of air power in the United States. The photograph offers a glimpse into the attire and demeanor of military personnel at the time, reflecting the seriousness of the era as the nation mobilized for the Great War.

Taken by Bain News Service, this portrait is not just a representation of an individual but also a historical document that situates Hitchcock within a pivotal moment in American history. His service, coupled with the photograph’s date, marks an important era of transformation in military strategy and technology that would go on to influence conflicts in the decades that followed.