Elmer Anderson Dean was born in Centerville, Tennessee August 18, 1871. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a medical degree in 1898. He died December 21, 1965 and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery Section 3, Site 4352 LH. The 1880 census shows that Elmer was living in Centerville, Tennessee with his parents E.A. Dean and Sue Dean, and 2 siblings. The 1920 census shows Elmer and his wife, Eunice, and 2 small children living in Manhatten. In 1930, they were living in San Antonio, Texas. He probably had retired from the Army by then.
Col. Dean's Army and medical career began upon his graduation. He was stationed at a number of stateside and overseas medical facilities rising to the rank of full Colonel on May 15, 1917. He went to France (presumably in 1917) to assist in the fight there. This group has been passed on to another collector.
Colonel Dean was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal #1767 by G.O. No. 89, W.D. , September 19, 1919. His citation reads as follows: "He came to France with a base hospital unit, which he established. Later, he organized and commanded the first large hospital center at Bazoilles. The success of this center in caring for a large number of sick and wounded was due in large measure to his high professional attainments, zeal and extraordinary executive ability."
Col. Dean's group includes his WW1 Distinguished Service Medal, edge numbered 1767, with it's original DSM presntation box, and a mini Distinguished Service medal, plus internet research and copies of official records regarding the DSM. Those records show that Col. Dean was awarded DSM No. 1767. The copy of the DSM index below is from "Army DSM Issues 1919-1925" by Albert Gleim and John Lelle. The following is a link to a Dept of the Army website that describes the Bazoilles hospital center, and shows Col. Dean as a commanding officer:
http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwi/adminamerexp/chapter23.html
