Honors Lone Star Aviators Of Note
The Texas Aviation Hall
of Fame told ANN Monday it has named the inductees of the Class of
2006. These aviation legends will be honored at the 8th Annual
Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Gala on Saturday, November 11
at 6:00PM. The Hall honors Texans and Texas corporations that have
made outstanding contributions to the development, growth, or
preservation of aviation.
Without further adieu, the inductees of the Class of 2006
are:
John F. Bookout
John Bookout entered the civilian pilot training program and
earned his private pilot certificate at age 19. He reported for
Army Air Corps training in 1943 and was eventually assigned to B-17
transition school. Upon completion, Bookout joined the 96th Bomb
Group, 413th Bomb Squadron at Snetterton Heath Airfield, UK. From
January through April 1945, he flew 19 combat missions over Germany
and was the lead crew on three occasions. During his military
career, Bookout flew over 1,300 hours in the B-17, B-25, C-47,
C-45, P-47 and numerous other training command aircraft. He
received the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters along with many
other awards and citations before he was discharged as a Captain in
1946. Bookout’s professional career at Shell Oil Company
spanned nearly four decades where he served as President and CEO in
Houston from 1976-1988. Known as a leader in deep water
exploration, he has received numerous awards and honors for his
contributions to the petroleum industry. He continues to
serve on the board of directors of many Houston area community,
education and philanthropic organizations. He is a member of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall of Fame and continues to assist in
the preservation of aviation history as a director of the Texas
Aviation Hall of Fame.
George A. Davis
Lt. Col. George A. Davis flew 266 combat missions during WWII in
the P-47 Thunderbolt. He scored seven aerial victories against
Japanese aircraft in the Philippines. He flew another 60 combat
missions during the Korean conflict in the F-86 Sabre claiming 14
aerial victories. Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor
and superb courage on his last mission. While leading a flight of
four F-86 Sabres on a combat aerial patrol mission near the
Manchurian border, he sighted a formation of approximately 12 enemy
MIG-15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly
fighter-bombers were conducting low level operations against
Communist lines of communications. With selfless disregard for the
numerical superiority of the enemy, Lt Col Davis dove at the MIG
formation. He quickly destroyed two enemy jets, and although under
continuous fire from the enemy fighters to his rear, he sustained
his attack. During the attack his aircraft sustained a direct hit,
went out of control, then crashed into a mountain 30 miles south of
the Yalu River. Davis' bold attack completely disrupted the enemy
formation, permitting the friendly fighter-bombers to successfully
complete their interdiction mission. Davis, by his indomitable
fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in
engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified valor at its
highest. Lt Col Davis was awarded the Silver Star with two Oak Leaf
Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf
clusters plus numerous other medals and citations.
Edward J. Swearingen
Ed Swearingen began his
aviation career at the age of 16 as a civil service employee
overhauling military airplanes and piston engines. Retuning to San
Antonio in 1959, he formed Swearingen Aircraft and controlled the
design of 18 new products ranging from small twin engine piston
airplanes to large four engine jets. He produced the Merlin II, III
and IV (right) as well as the Metro aircraft. Nearly 1,100 Metros
were built for the airline industry. For a significant period of
time, more than one-half of the 19 passenger commercial airplanes
were Metros. In the late 1980s, Swearingen recognized the need for
a small, economic corporate jet with full capabilities in terms of
speed and range. His wing design for the SJ30 enabled the aircraft
to deliver speed and efficiency making it the world's best value
for the fastest and longest range light jet. He is also recognized
as being the first to develop exhaust gas temperature as a means of
controlling fuel air ratio on small piston powered private
airplanes. Swearingen has received numerous awards throughout his
distinguished aviation career. A true aviation visionary,
Swearingen’s career has spanned the field of aviation to
include small general aviation airplanes, commercial airliners,
corporate jets and military aircraft.
Robert L. Waltrip
Robert L. Waltrip developed an interest in flying as a young boy
during World War II with dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. He
began his aviation career in 1950s when he received his private
pilot license. Early in his aviation life, Waltrip enjoyed flying
vintage WWII trainers such as the Stearman and AT-6 Texan. He later
combined his passions for both aviation and history in 1984 when he
purchased his first warbird, a B-25 Mitchell. He found many of
these rare aircraft were deteriorating and passing into the hands
of the scrapper. He continued to acquire historic aircraft and
quickly amassed a sizeable collection. Waltrip realized the growing
public interest in his stable of warbirds and formed the Lone Star
Flight Museum in 1985. Through his leadership and dedication,
the Lone Star Flight Museum quickly became one of the premiere
flying museums in the world. A few examples of the many
restorations he sponsored include the B-17 Flying Fortress, F4U
Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat and a Hawker Hurricane. He
served the museum as its Chairman and was a driving force behind
the creation of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. Thanks to
Waltrip’s vision, leadership and dedicated financial support,
many historic aircraft and artifacts are preserved in a world class
museum for future generations to enjoy.
The Texas Aviation Hall
of Fame is known as one of the country’s leading museums of
its type. More than a picture and a biography, the exhibits in the
Hall of Fame utilize personal artifacts, books, models, awards and
other memorabilia to accurately portray each inductee’s
experiences, contributions and passion for aviation.
Additionally, the Class of 2006 will be recognized on Sunday,
November 12 at the Lone Star Flight Museum’s end-of-season
Fly Day. This informal flying event will feature historic aircraft
from the Lone Star Flight Museum’s collection and other
aircraft from the local area. Gates open at 9:00AM with flying
scheduled from noon to 3:00 PM. Throughout the day, visitors will
be able to tour the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and view exhibits
honoring the new inductees.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is located on Galveston's west
end, at the Galveston International Airport.