A Salute to the A/TA Industry Partners - Airlift/Tanker Association

Sgt John L. Levitow (1945-2000)He received the Medal of Honor for his selflessheroism on the night of 24 February 1969while serving as loadmaster on an AC-47gunship over Long Binh, South Vietnam. Anenemy 82-mm mortar shell landed on top ofthe gunship’s right wing. Exploding inside thewing frame, the blast raked the fuselage withshrapnel severely wounding him and threeother crew members in the rear of the aircraft.Weak from loss of blood and with only partialuse of his legs, he pulled an unconsciouscrew member away from the open cargo doorand then grabbed a loose, burning flare andthrew it overboard seconds before it exploded.Inducted 1998.Col Gail S. Halvorsen (1920)During the Berlin Airlift, also called OperationVittles, he instituted Operation Little Vittles bydropping small parachutes laden with candyfrom his C-54 aircraft to the children of Berlin.While motivating Berliners to never give uphope, his self-initiated act of kindness - whichearned him the nickname “Candy Bomber”-- also became a symbol of U.S. resolve duringthe Cold War. Receiving in 1949 the prestigiousCheney Award for his actions during theBerlin Airlift, he has continued to serve as anational ambassador of goodwill. For airliftershe epitomizes their humanitarian spirit andcontinues to inspire us all to serve others.Inducted 1999.MajGen Winston P. “Wimpy” Wilson (1911-1996)He rose from an aircraft mechanic in theArkansas National Guard in 1929 to lead theAir National Guard (ANG) from 1953 to 1963and the National Guard Bureau from 1963to 1971. By insisting on realistic training forthe ANG, according to active duty Air Forcestandards, and equipping it with moderndaytransports, tankers, and fighters, hetransformed the Air Guard from a flying clubinto a prized, combat-ready component ofthe Air Force. His initiatives led directly tothe Defense Department’s Total Force policy.Inducted 2000.MSgt Roy W. Hooe (1892-1973)An aviation pioneer of huge historical stature,he served as aircraft mechanic for BillyMitchell during aerial gunnery and bombingtests in 1921; Charles Lindbergh for the “Spiritof Saint Louis” goodwill mission to MexicoCity in 1927; and Carl Spaatz and Ira Eaker onthe “Question Mark” record-setting enduranceflight in 1929, for which he was awarded theDistinguished Service Cross. During his 3-yearaviation career, he also served as crew chieffor other aviation heroes, including LesterMaitland, Albert Hagenberger, and AmeliaEarhart. Inducted 2001.Gen Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz (1891-1974)World War I fighter pilot, World War IICommander of Air Forces in Europe andthe Pacific, first Chief of Staff of the U.S. AirForce in 1947, and air refueling pioneer, hecommanded the “Question Mark” - a U.S.Army C-2A Fokker transport aircraft - in itsrecord-setting endurance flight of 150 hours,40 minutes in January 1929. This missionproved that aerial refueling was safe andpractical and earned him the DistinguishedFlying Cross. The flight also helped provethat airpower was no longer a barnstormingsideshow but a serious component of nationaldefense. Inducted 2002.John F. Shea (1919-1996)Serving as Assistant Deputy Chief of Stafffor Plans, Headquarters Military AirliftCommand (1960-1983), he helped conceive,develop, and bring to fruition numerous airliftenhancement and modernization programsincluding the C-5 wing modification, theC-141 stretch, and the addition of emergencycargo conversion features to wide-bodiedcommercial passenger aircraft in the CivilReserve Air Fleet, additionally, his visionand expertise in air mobility helped shapethe National Airlift Expansion Act, whichprovided the legislative foundations forjoint - military and commercial - aircraftdevelopment. Inducted 2003.“The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well,and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame. If it comes atall it will come because it is deserved, not because it is sought after.”–Henry Wasdworth Longfellow26A/TQ • Airlift/Tanker Quarterly • Fall 2011