Honoring Service: Veteran James A. Tobey, WWII
Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
Dr. James A. Tobey was born on July 15, 1894, in Quincy, Massachusetts. Later on in his life, he married Lena May King on September 8, 1918, in Manhattan, New York. They had four children during their marriage. He died on November 23, 1980, in Rye, New York, at the age of 86. In Rye, his family lived at 840 Forest Ave. James served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he later earned his doctorate and he received a master’s degree in hygiene from American University in Washington DC. Dr. Tobey also received a law degree from Washington Law School at Southeastern University.
Date of Birth: January 15, 1894
Died on: November 1, 1980
Street Address: 840 Forest Avenue
Service Number: unknown
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
During World War II, he was assigned to the army’s public safety division at several bases in the South during the War, and also served in North Africa, Italy, London, and Germany.
After the war, Dr. Tobey worked as a food and nutrition commentator for a local radio station. However, he returned to active duty in 1952 serving at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Tobey, when not in the service, lived all over, but he always returned home to Rye at one point or another. In Rye, he served as the president of the Rye Boy Scout Corporation and was the first president of the Rye High School Dad’s Club. He was also a member of the American Yacht Club. In his free time, Dr. Tobey wrote many books and articles on public health. He even wrote a history of Milton Point for the Milton Point Association. More on Tobey.
