Raynal C. Bolling

In this year when the American army, setting foot for the first time in history on the soil of Europe, turned the fortunes of the war at its most critical moment, the Century will remember first those of its membership who gave their lives in the great sacrifice. Of the 112 Centurions represented in the stars of the Club’s service flag during 1918, death has claimed only three. Two of them fell in action at the front in France. Colonel Raynal C. Bolling had achieved early and high distinction in the law; but at the outbreak of the European war he relinquished his duties as head of the United States Steel Corporation’s legal department to organize the first military flying unit of the National Guard. Having served with Pershing on the Mexican frontier in 1916, he turned to work in the Aircraft Production Board when our war with Germany became inevitable, and, on the declaration of war, was ordered at once to Europe to prepare for the work of that arm of our active service. It was while he was inspecting the lines last March that this brilliant civil and military career was ended.

Alexander Dana Noyes
1919 Century Association Yearbook