Navigator on the 'Necessary Evil', the nickname of the B-29 Superfortress that accompanied the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Born: 03/23/1923
(Born 1921) Flew over 34 combat missions in B-17s and B-24s during WW2 earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross and 6 Air Medals. Became an aviation racer for P-38s and P-51s
(Born 1942) US Air Force Vietnam War Veteran. POW from 1967 to 1973. Recipient of a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a Legion of Merit
An American military officer who helped develop strategic bombing theory and practice. Giles was named commanding general of the Army Air Forces in the Pacific Ocean Area in April 1945 and was in charge of planning the final B-29 Superfortress air attacks
Member Early Birds of Aviation/devoted to history of early pilots. Started 1928 & membership totaled 598/Membership limited to the pilots of glider, gas balloon, or airplane, pre-12/17/1916. Time of Wright Bro's 1st flight-1916 when many trained 4 WW1
One of 1st inductees to Black Aviation Hall of Fame/Became a part-time stunt flyer with the legendary airshow impresario Bill Sweet/Member of the Kansas Senate
Tuskegee Airmen, Involved in the Freeman Field mutiny where a racist commander not allowing blacks & whites to talk to each other, & not allowing the black officer into the officer club. Also led to 162 black officers walked into the club and arrested
USAF & NASA pilot - director for Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards. For USAF - tested A-10, F-15, F-16
WWII pilot, born 1920. First mission was as a dive bomber at the Battle of Midway, Battle of Guadacanal and Battle of Tokyo. Flew SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber
Member Early Birds of Aviation/devoted to history of early pilots. Started 1928 & membership totaled 598/Membership limited to the pilots of glider, gas balloon, or airplane, pre-12/17/1916. Time of Wright Bro's 1st flight-1916 when many trained 4 WW1
One of the last living crewmembers (1917-2002) of the Hindenburg that survived the 1937 crash. Served as a ship cook, he jumped to safety through an opening in the ship and ran to safety as the ship fell behind him
US Army WWII vet, born 1921. Served in the Signal Intelligence Service, through Africa and Italy. Later a career with Pan-Am Airlines, and close friends with the Monaco royal family. Married in Italy with actor Rex Harrison as a witness