on September 5, 1918. Armstrong was detached from the Yankton on September 11,
- A letter came to Armstrong at 805 West State Street, Alliance, Ohio from the
Treasury Department, Bureau of the Public Health Service dated September 17,1918
ordering that upon completion of leave of absence granted, he was to proceed to
Washington, D.C. and report to the Bureau (14). The letter contained transportation
requests and authorization for expenses for carrying out the instructions.
On September 28,1918 Surgeon General Rupert Blue (14) sent the following official
order, “ Sir, Having reported at the Bureau in Washington, D.C. after detachment from
the revenue cutter Seneca you are hereby directed to proceed to Boston, Massachusetts
and report to Surgeon L. L. Lumsden at the State House for duty in connection with the
control of the epidemic of influenza now prevailing at Fore River Shipyard,
Massachusetts.
“ Your status while on this duty will be that of special temporary duty, and, in
proceeding to points near Fore River, you will be allowed your transportation expenses in
connection with the discharge of your duty, and an allowance of $4 (EAB – Four!) per
diem in lieu of subsistence. Respectfully.”
Thus began Armstrong’s career – chasing outbreaks of the 1918-1919 influenza
pandemic in the United States and the assisting of state health authorities with local
outbreaks of illness.
Notes – Initial Assignments
- Williams, R.C., Chapter 9: Those who carry on, pp. 490-552.
- Ibid. Pp. 490-491.