Theodore Kingsley Bushnell was born on March 25, 1886 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado. He was the son of George A. and Emma K. Bushnell. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Second Lieutenant in Company B, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He died from his wounds received in battle on October 9, 1918 at Hospital No. 114 in France (at the age of 32) and is now buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and it cites as follows:
Bushnell, Theodore K. Second Lieutenant, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Division
Near Fleville, France, Oct. 5, 1918
He showed exceptional bravery by remaining with his platoon after being wounded. He refused evacuation until he received a second wound, the nature of which demanded his immediate return to the rear.Posthumously awarded. Medal Presented to his father, George A. Bushnell G.O. No. 44, W.D., 1919 American Decorations P. 195