Alexander Thomson “Tom” Burr was born on November 1, 1893, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Burr attended The Choate School, excelling as a star pitcher, before moving to Williams College. He turned professional before playing any collegiate games, joining the 1914 New York Yankees baseball team as a pitcher. After his brief professional career, Burr returned to Williams College or possibly entered business.

He volunteered for World War I before graduating, self-funding his trip to France to serve as an ambulance driver before joining the aviation corps. He served in the 31st Aero Squadron, US Air Service as a Lieutenant during World War I. Burr died in an airplane accident on October 12, 1918, in Cazaux, France. After colliding with a fellow pilot, Burr's plane crashed into a lake in flames; his body was recovered after 12 days. He was buried in American Expeditionary Forces Cemetery No. 29, later deconsecrated, and his remains were repatriated to Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information:en.wikipedia.org