Eoff, Robert Grimshaw
Title
Eoff, Robert Grimshaw
Last Name
Eoff
First and Middle Name
Robert Grimshaw
Biographical Text
After serving with the ambulance corps, Eoff joined Escardrille N. 157 on July 14, 1917. After learning to fly from August 2, 1917 to January 20, 1917, Eoff was sent to the front to join his French squadron in front line combat. After 2 months of service with the French, Eoff was transferred to the newly arrived American 95th Aero Squadron. He went on to train new American pilots and fly combat missions till the armistice.
Hometown
Christiansburg, Virginia
County and/or State
Montgomery County, Virginia
Birth Date
January 1, 1896
Birthplace
Christiansburg, VA
Death Date
January 20, 1986
Cause of Death
Pneumonia
Place of Death
Laguna Beach, California
Parents
John R. Eoff,
Siblings
John R, Houston K, Anne H, Harriet W, and William T
Spouse(s)
Dorrace Thon Eoff
VPI Graduating Class
VPI Class of 1918
Graduated
No
Service Branch
American Ambulance Corps, French Air Service, United States Army Air Service
Unit
Escardrille N. 157, 95th Aero Squadron
Rank
Corporal (France) Second Lieutenant (USA)
Military Events
Noted in The Virginia Tech as being a member of the French Flying Corps as of 31 January 1918.
Decorations or Citations
Croix De Guerre
Battles or Engagements
Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne, as well as 2 months of combat missions with the French
Other Events
Was one of the last 3 survivors from the Lafayette flying corps
Postwar Life
After leaving the service, Grimshaw worked for RCA for 31 years before he moved to Hawaii and opened his TV repair shop. He eventually returned to California and opened a second store.
Occupation
TV repairman
1927 "Virginia Polytehnic Institute in the World War" booklet
Yes
Contributing Researchers
Connor Skelly
Bibliography
"The Lafayette Flying Corps in Two Volumes"
"Robert Grimshaw Eoff Was in Lafayette Escadrille : World War I Flier, 93, Dies in Laguna"
"Robert Grimshaw Eoff Was in Lafayette Escadrille : World War I Flier, 93, Dies in Laguna"
Files
Collection
Citation
“Eoff, Robert Grimshaw,” VPI in World War I, accessed April 19, 2024, https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/items/show/407.
Comments (if you have information about a veteran or would like to talk about a veteran, also email the project director Daniel Newcomb at danieln1@vt.edu with your information or question)
Joseph F Reich
French records credit him with one aerial victory with Escadrille N157; he left the 95th late Oct 1918 to fly night sorties with the 185th Aero Squadron.
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