Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Monday, September 15, 2014

Remembering a Veteran: Col. Robert Tyndall of Indiana and the Rainbow Divsion

Contributed by MG Thomas Jones, U.S. Army, Ret.


Robert H. Tyndall (1877–1947) was commander of the 1st Indiana Field Artillery in 1917 when it was called to active duty, re-designated the 150th Field Artillery Regiment, and assigned to the 42nd Rainbow Division. Colonel Tyndall had seen his first military service in the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico. In France his unit fought in all the actions of the Rainbow Division, including the Vosges, Baccarat, Luneville, Dombasle, Champagne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne. Colonel Tyndall received the Distinguished Service Medal for "his high technical attainments, his untiring energy and devotion to duty." Afterward he was the first national treasurer of the American Legion.

He returned to civilian life but remained active with the National Guard. In 1941, after returning to active duty, Tyndall mobilized troops of the 38th Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He retired from military service in 1941 as a Major General shortly afterward, and was later elected mayor of Indianapolis in 1942. Sadly, he died in office in 1947.

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