The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has revealed the names of the four individuals who have been elected for enshrinement in 2013. The four, who will be joining the roster of 215 men and women air and space pioneers who have been inducted by the NAHF since its founding in 1962, are:
The late Charles Alfred Anderson: In 1940, Anderson, who is widely recognized as “the father of African-American aviation,” helped develop a civilian-pilot training program for blacks. His 1941 flight with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt aboard was the catalyst that led to the training of the first African American military pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen, for whom Anderson served as chief instructor.
Maj. Gen. Patrick H. Brady, USA (Ret): His highly decorated 34-year-plus Army career includes developing foul weather and tactical techniques for helicopter air ambulance rescue in combat. Brady flew over 2,500 missions during two Vietnam combat tours and rescued over 5,000 wounded. His numerous service awards include the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross.
Capt. Robert L. “Hoot” Gibson, USN (Ret): As a Navy fighter pilot, Gibson flew combat in Southeast Asia, graduated from “Top Gun,” and served as a flight test pilot before joining NASA’s astronaut corps in 1978. He flew five Shuttle missions (four as Commander) and participated on the Challenger accident investigation team. Also an aeronautical engineer, record-setting pilot and air racer, Capt. Gibson has logged over 14,000 hours in over 130 types of aircraft.
The late Dwane L. Wallace: After 41 years with the Cessna Aircraft Co., Wallace retired in 1975 as its Chairman and CEO. During the Depression, Wallace used money won by air racing to meet payroll. After the company served World War II military aircraft demand, Wallace directed Cessna’s development and growth of extensive corporate and general aviation product lines. He was a founder and first chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
The enshrinement dinner and ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at the National Aviation Hall of Fame Learning Center and the adjacent National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Often referred to as “America’s Oscar Night of Aviation,” the black-tie ceremony is open to the public and reservations are available by advance purchase from the NAHF.
The NAHF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in Dayton in 1962 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964. Its mission is to honor America’s outstanding air and space pioneers, which it does through a 17,000 square-foot public Learning Center featuring interactive exhibits, a youth education program, its annual enshrinement ceremony, other public outreach programs, and collaboration with like-minded organizations.
For more information: NationalAviation.org or 937-256-0944 ext.10.
