A Tribute to Arizonan Military Aviation Contributions
The Walk of Honor is a tribute to those Arizonans who have contributed to military aviation achievements in protecting and maintaining our freedom. Each award
honoree will be honored at the Commemorative Air Force Museum of the Arizona Wing with a special bronze plaque for their outstanding achievement.
General Seth McKee (USAF, ret.)
Former commander of the 370th Fighter Group in Europe during World War II, General McKee went on to command positions in the U.S. Air Force, culminating in his assignment as Commander in Chief of the North American Air Defense Command and Continental Air Defense Command in 1969, at which time he received his fourth star. In 1973, he was assigned additional duty as Commander, U.S. Aerospace Defense Command. He retired on September 30, 1973. As of this writing, he is the highest ranking surviving officer of all U.S. military services which also makes him the highest ranking living veteran of all U.S. armed forces.
Major General Barry Goldwater (USAFR)
With America's entry into World War II, Major General Goldwater became a flight instructor pilot and was later assigned to the Ferry Command that flew aircraft and supplies to war zones worldwide. In 1945, with the rank of Colonel, he founded the Arizona Air National Guard, which he would desegregate two years before the rest of the US military. Remaining in the Air Force Reserve after the war, he eventually retired as a command pilot with the rank of Major General. Goldwater was a leading proponent of creating the United States Air Force Academy. As the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona, he remained an energetic proponent of military aviation.
Colonel Bruce Crandall (USA, ret.)
Colonel Crandall was a key proponent and architect of the airmobile concept he so effectively helped implement in Vietnam. Crandall served two tours in Vietnam, with 750 combat operations in Southeast Asia included the famed Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, during which he evacuated more than 70 wounded soldiers and provided supplies and ammunition critical to the survival of U.S. ground units. For his gallantry, he received the Medal of Honor. In 2001, Crandall was an aviation consultant on a movie about the Ia Drang Valley battle. The movie, based on the book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young" was released in 2002.
Captain Ted Lines (USAAF)
Captain Lines trained as an Army Air Corps pilot, flying P-40, P-47 and P-51 fighters, arriving at Debden, England in April, 1944 as a part of the 335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group in which he served over a period of eight months, escorting Eighth Air Force heavy bombers to and from assigned targets in Germany and Eastern Europe. He was a double ace, credited with ten enemy aircraft destroyed, tying for third place in aerial victories among 335th Squadron pilots. The livery of Lines' P-51s was pure Arizona: each was painted with the Thunder Bird, representing his Arizona heritage; and each enemy aircraft he destroyed was painted as an arrowhead dangling from an arrow along his Mustang's fuselage.
Lt. Frank Luke "Arizona Balloon Buster"
5/19/1897-9/29/1918 (KIA) Born in Phoenix, AZ; Nominated by Don Luke. 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group; WWI ace Recipient of the Medal of Honor, In seventeen days in September, 1918, in just nine days of combat flying, ten missions, and only thirty hours of flight time, he shot down fourteen enemy balloons and four aircraft making him America's second ranking ace in World War One. Lt. Luke was the first airman and first Arizonan to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Luke AFB is named after Frank Luke.
Mr. Sikorsky has has distinguished himself through his efforts directed toward the advancement or improvement of the helicopter industry. He flew some of the earliest helicopter search and rescue missions while serving with the US Coast Guard helicopter development squadron, and participated in the testing and demonstration of the earliest helicopter rescue hoists. He retired in 1992 as Vice President, Special Projects, Sikorsky Aircraft Company and remains active with the company as a consultant.
Maj. Fred E. Ferguson
Ferguson was cited for conspicuous gallantry for his actions on 31 January 1968 during the battle for Hue in saving the lives of five of his comrades at the risk of his own life. For actions above and beyond the call of duty, then CWO Ferguson was awarded the nation's highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.
Maj. Joe Foss
As a Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve received the Medal of Honor for outstanding heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of VMF-121, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, at Guadalcanal. Engaging in almost daily combat with the enemy from 9 October to 19 November 1942, Capt. Foss personally shot down 23 Japanese planes and damaged others so severely that their destruction was extremely probable.
Rear Admiral Lew Chatham
USN (Retired) received his commission as a Naval Officer in June, 1956. As an aviator, Chatham served in both attack and fighter squadrons. He has flown approximately 5,000 hours in over 30 different aircraft types and logged 1100 carrier arrested landings with 300 of those at night. Chatham commanded Attack Squadron 56, Carrier Air Wing Five, USS Hassaypana, USS Kitty Hawk, Carrier Air Group Six, and Task Force 70/77, Air Group Five. Chatham also served on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Aviation, Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander Seventh Fleet, Commander US Naval Forces Japan, and Commander Light Attack Wings Pacific. His awards include the Legion of Merit (6), the Distinguished Flying Cross (4), the Bronze star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air medal (10), the Navy Commendation Medal with 4 "V" clusters and the strike Flight Air Medal (35). Chatham retired in June 1987 after 31 years of service. He and his wife reside in Tucson, AZ.
Dr. S. Harry Robertson
Dr. Robertson has made unique contributions to Army aviation and aviation in general. These contributions can be summed up in three words - "They saved lives!" Thousands of Army pilots, crewmen and passengers who might otherwise have died in helicopter accidents are living tribute to Robertson, who pioneered crashworthy fuel systems.