Dayton, Ohio -The National Aviation Hall of Fame, NAHF will
soon add more illustrious names to its roster of 215 air and space pioneers
previously so honored by the Congressionally chartered organization. Among the
four individuals to be inducted on
October 4, 2013, is the first Army Aviator to be enshrined into the Hall,
retired Major General Patrick H. Brady.
Considered by many to be the top helicopter pilot of the Viet Nam War, Brady is legendary among Army aviation and aerial medevac communities. His 34-year Army career includes flying over 2,500 combat missions as a Dust Off helicopter pilot, saving over 5,000 wounded, and earning the Medal of Honor among his other awards for valor. He also developed foul weather and tactical techniques for air ambulance rescue, none of which had ever been executed in combat before. Serving to present Brady his enshrinement at the ceremony will be his daughter, former Army Captain Meghan Brady Smith.
In addition to Brady, the NAHF Class of 2013 is:
- The
late C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson - Widely recognized as "the father of
African-American aviation," Anderson helped develop a civilian-pilot
training program for blacks in 1940. 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. Accepting will be Anderson's
grand-daughter, Christina Anderson. Presenting will be retired Air
Force Colonel and astronaut, Guion S. "Guy" Bluford, Jr.
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- 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. Accepting will be Capt.
Gibson. Presenting will be retired USMC Major General and astronaut,
Charles F. Bolden, NASA Administrator.
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- The
late Dwane L. Wallace, After 41 years with the Cessna Aircraft
Company, 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 to meet demand for WWII military aircraft,
Wallace directed Cessna's development of extensive corporate and general
aviation product lines. He was a founder and first chairman of the General
Aviation Manufacturers Association. Accepting will be Wallace's
daughter, Sarah Bracco. Presenting will be former Cessna CEO, Jack
J. Pelton, EAA Chairman of the Board.
The enshrinement dinner and ceremony will take place on
Friday, October 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 dinner and ceremony is open to the public and reservations are
available by advance purchase from the NAHF. Patron seats are $150 each
and Premium seats are $300 each. Sponsored tables are also available.
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 or to make reservations visit www.nationalaviation.org or call 937-256-0944 ext.10.