Notable Aviators
Lieutenant Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, USN, seated in the cockpit of his Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter, circa spring 1942. The plane is marked with five Japanese flags, representing the five enemy bombers he was credited with shooting down as they attempted to attack Lexington (CV-2) northeast of the Solomon Islands on 20 February 1942. The censor has blanked out the Fighting Squadron Three "Felix the Cat" insignia below the windshield. (Photograph from the Office of War Information collection in the US National Archives, 208-PU-14842)
This list includes pioneers, record setters, a President of the United States and Medal of Honor recipients. This page is not all inclusive. Information will be added as it becomes available.
Lt. j.g. Thomas J. Hudner, USN, receives congratulations from President Harry S. Truman, after he was presented with the Medal of Honor in ceremonies at the White House, Washington, D.C. Photograph is dated 13 April 1951. (Official US Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 97093)
Lt. Cmdr. Albert C. Read, USN, commander of the seaplane NC-4, with Mrs. Read at Hoboken, New Jersey, on 28 June 1919, just after he had stepped ashore from Zeppelin, which had brought the crews of the NC flying boats home from Europe to receive a royal welcome in New York City. (Naval History and Heritage Command photograph NH 47278)
Two of the returned prisoners of war step from the second U.S. Air Force C-141 to leave Hanoi, at Clark Air Force Base, Philippine Islands, in February 1973. They are: Col. Robinson Risner, USAF (waving), and Capt. James Stockdale, USN. Their escorts are Maj. Leroy W. Thornal, USAF, and Lt. Cmdr. Elman J. Parrie, USN. (USN 1155662)