He was born in Far Rockaway, Long Island, Elliot was the son of wealthy businessman John Elliot and Gertrude (Cheever) Cowdin. After graduating from Harvard College in 1907, Cowdin went to France in 1914 to join the American Ambulance Service. He transferred to French aviation service (later the Lafayette Escadrille) He flew in the battles of Champagne and Verdun receiving the Croix de Guerre with Palm. France awarded him the Medaille Medal, the first American to receive it. He return to America to raise money for war bonds and served as a Major in the U.S. Air Service. He never married and died of pneumonia at age 47. - Robert L. Harrison, Lafayette Escadrille, Oyster Bay Historic Society.
He was born in Far Rockaway, Long Island, Elliot was the son of wealthy businessman John Elliot and Gertrude (Cheever) Cowdin. After graduating from Harvard College in 1907, Cowdin went to France in 1914 to join the American Ambulance Service. He transferred to French aviation service (later the Lafayette Escadrille) He flew in the battles of Champagne and Verdun receiving the Croix de Guerre with Palm. France awarded him the Medaille Medal, the first American to receive it. He return to America to raise money for war bonds and served as a Major in the U.S. Air Service. He never married and died of pneumonia at age 47. - Robert L. Harrison, Lafayette Escadrille, Oyster Bay Historic Society.
Gravesite Details
"Stone found amoungst Cheever family plots"
