Aero-News has learned that Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle has
signed legislation naming the state aviation facilities at
Madison's Dane County Regional Airport "The Fritz E. Wolf Aviation
Center".
The legislation naming the facility was jointly introduced by
Senator Mark Miller and Representative Gary Hebl on behalf of the
Wolf family to honor the Wisconsin aviation pioneer. The bill
signing took place at the State Capitol last week, and was attended
by members of the Wolf family.
"Fritz Wolf is regarded as one of the Wisconsinites who played a
prominent role in the development of Wisconsin aviation," said
Miller. "He is often referred to as an equal of Steve Wittman,
Donald "Deke" Slayton, Paul Poberezny, Richard Bong and General
Billy Mitchell."
Wolf became a naval aviator in 1939, and went on active duty as
an Ensign in 1940. Seeking a little more excitement and action, he
then resigned his commission in July 1941, and joined the American
Volunteer Group (AVG) -- the famous "Flying Tigers" -- and saw
combat against the Japanese over China during the earliest days of
WWII.
After the Flying Tigers were disbanded in 1942, Wolf re-enlisted
in the Navy -- this time, as a fighter pilot instructor. After
training his own team, Wolf's regiment shipped out aboard the USS
Hornet to Guam on January 8, 1945. He later commanded VBF-3 aboard
the carrier Yorktown, and he shot down his five Japanese plane --
making him an ace -- during the first carrier-based attack on
mainland Japan.
For his service in the war, Wolf was awarded two Distinguished
Flying Crosses.
After his service in the Navy, Wolf became the first employee of
the Wisconsin Aeronautics Commission in 1946. He served the
commission until 1967, when he was appointed as the first Director
of the Division and Bureau of Aeronautics by the first Secretary of
Transportation, Guss Bakke.
As the State Director of
Aeronautics, Wolf was instrumental in organizing the first
agricultural air tours in the nation -- pioneering strobe lighting
for tall towers, and establishing the first minimum airport
operation standards in the nation. During his tenure Wolf also
implemented the first aviation weather report in the country --
later be referred to as the "Weather Roundup" over the state radio
network.
After serving the state for 35 years in the Aeronautics
Division, Fritz Wolf retired in 1981. He worked under five
Secretaries of Transportation and ten Governors during his service
to the state, and in 1989 Fritz Wolf was inducted into the
Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (right).
Mr. Wolf died in 1997 at the age of 81.
"We owe a lot to Fritz Wolf’s vision and contributions to
aeronautics," said Miller."Many of the aeronautics programs he
established during his tenure with the bureau became models for
other states in establishing their own aeronautical programs."
"I am pleased that we were able to officially recognize the many
contributions Fritz Wolf made to both Wisconsin and the field of
aeronautics," added Hebl.
(ANN thanks Dave Weiman for the photo of the bill signing
ceremony)