Call Number:

04

Repository:

Sellersville Museum

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1930-1950

Creator:

Flory, Clyde R., 1892-1963

Abstract:

Dr. Clyde R. Flory (1892-1963) was a physician based in Sellersville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Navy as a navigator in World War I and as a captain and medical officer in World War II. During his wartime service he invented a special traction bar to cut the amount of equipment used to reduce fractures, and also discovered a new technique for the cure of syphilis. The Clyde R. Flory film reels and death certificates, circa 1930-1950, consist of nearly 200 death certificates from the USS Savannah and about one dozen film reels (16mm and 35mm).

"Dr. Clyde R. Flory was born in Martin's Creek, PA in 1892. He married Miriam Wagner Hummel, and they were the parents of two children: Dr. Clyde R. Flory, Jr. and Lucille (Flory) Diemer.

"Dr. Flory was a 1913 graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. During World War I he served in the U.S. Navy as a navigator on a submarine chaser and was also aboard the U. S. S. Powhatan. After the end of the war, he graduated from Lehigh University in 1920. He was an instructor in the biology department of Lehigh University and was later in charge of its bacteriology department from 1920-1921. He later became an assistant in the department of anatomy from 1923-1925. He received his degree in medicine from the University of Michigan in 1926.

"Dr. Flory began his practice in Sellersville in 1927. He was a physician for more than 35 years and was the former chief of surgery at Grand View Hospital. He also served on the surgical staffs at North Penn, Lansdale and Quakertown hospitals. He was president of the Bucks County Medical Society in 1938 and was a member of the Lehigh Valley Medical Society. He authored the book, History of the Bucks County Medical Society, and many articles for medical journals.

"During World War II, Dr. Flory was commissioned as a captain. In 1943 he was promoted to Commander in the U.S. Navy. He served with the Atlantic Fleet and during the African campaign...[and] he also completed a 25,000 mile cruise to search for enemy raiders. During his wartime service he invented a special traction bar to cut the amount of equipment used to reduce fractures. He also discovered a new technique for the cure of syphilis. He later became a captain in the Naval Reserve.

"[He was a] member of the American Legion, VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] and the Kiwanis Club, all of Sellersville. Dr. Flory resided with his family on Temple Avenue. He died in 1963, and Mrs. Flory died in 1980."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Sellersville Museum. Retired exhibit text, Dr. Clyde R. Flory poster board, stored with Grand View Hospital materials. Viewed April 21, 2014.

This collection consists of nearly 200 World War II death certificates from the USS Savannah and about one dozen film reels, 16mm and 35mm.

Dr. Clyde R. Flory served as Senior Medical Officer on the USS Savannah (CL-42), a light cruiser in service during World War II. The ship was hit by a German Fritz-X radio-controlled bomb while supporting Allied forces ashore during the invasion of Salerno, Italy, on September 11, 1943. This collection appears to include a copy of the death certificates for each of the men killed on the light cruiser, nearly 200. (These are not certified official originals.)

The collection also includes two copies of a 35mm film reel, with sound, of the USS Savannah in combat. There are also 16mm films of varied subjects, including: the 1938 Sellersville Centennial celebration, a grandfather clock (1950), SAR Valley Forge Stoudt Memorial, a street fair (color film), Sellersville Kiwanis club, a church service memorial, American Legion club, a post office dedication, and "Play Safe" (a professional film from Pathe studios).