The Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame began in 1990. It preceded the opening of the Iowa Aviation Museum, home of the Hall of Fame.
Nominations to the Hall of Fame are accepted until February 1st of each year. A selection committee, appointed by the Museum's Board of Directors, evaluates the nominations on a point system. A permanent tribute for each Hall of Fame inductee is featured at the Museum. The Museum is the only place in Iowa which focuses on the state's aviation heritage.
If you have a nomination for the Hall of Fame, please download the application and send it to the Iowa Aviation Museum.
2023
James R. Zangger
Jim began flying lessons at age 10 and had accumulated 64 hours by his 16th birthday. On that day (July 18, 1965), he soloed a 1946 BC12-D Taylorcraft, a 1959 Cessna 150, a 1956 Piper Tri-Pacer, and flew his solo cross- flight.Later that week, Jim flew to the county seat and traded in his school permit for his driver’s license.....Read More
2022
Nicholas A. Turner
Growing up in Elliott, he worked in the family business, Turner Copter Services Inc., which was started by his father. After training, he reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, the “Ugly Angels,” the same squadron his father was assigned to in 1965.........Read More
Connie Rex Younger
Connie joined the United States Navy as a Naval Musician. Following four years of service, Connie earned a degree in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville and became a high school music director.........Read More
2021
John F. Langer
At Denison High School, he studied as an aviation mechanic apprentice. Serving in the United States Air Force Langer served as flight instructor for the SAC Aero Club of Offutt AFB, Nebraska.........Read More
T. Lowell Weir
Thomas Lowell Weir was born in Bedford on July 31, 1938 and grew up on the family farm. At age 15, Lowell took his first flying lesson on Christmas Day........Read More
2020
Burns Maxwell Byram II
Born June 1, 1924, at the family farm south of Chariton. He participated in 30 missions over France and Germany during WWII........Read More
Philip Larry Turner
Born in 1938 at Red Oak, Iowa, and the Vietnam War he was shot down 8 times and awarded 29 Air Medals and a Purple Heart........Read More
2019
Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen
Born June 29, 1934 in Greenville Iowa, Dethlefsen was raised in Royal Iowa and graduated from Royal High School in 1951 at the age of 16, with honors........Read More
2017
James McClain
Born in Des Moines on March 10, 1923 and attended high school at Waterloo followed by Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls........Read More
Stephen G. Bales
Best known as the Guidance Officer in NASA’s Mission Control that saved the first landing on the moon. His interest in space sparked by watching the Wonderful World of Disney’s program on the future of space travel.........Read More
Ronald Eugene Narmi
Ronald Eugene Narmi was born in Council Bluffs on June 27, 1933. Growing up he loved to build model airplanes........Read More
2016
Dr. Jerome C. Hunsaker
Hunsaker began construction of a wind tunnel that enabled experiments with airplane stability. He was awarded MIT’s first doctorate in aeronautical engineering in 1916........Read More
Colonel Charles C. Bock
Col. Bock, Jr. graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1949. He had a long career as a bomber pilot, fighter pilot, test pilot, and a military astronaut designee........Read More
2015
2014
Marie Mountain Clark
Reared on a farm in West Des Moines, Iowa, she and her younger sister were assigned to turn on the aircraft marker lights on the Des Moines Radio Range tower.......Read More
Carroll T. Tomkins
Carroll T. Tomkins was born in Stockport, Iowa in 1923. Carroll T. “TOMMY” Tomkins career would take him from the aerial battlefields of World War II to the operations of a successful southwest Iowa flight service........Read More
Iowa's Doolittle Raiders
The Iowa Aviation Museum is proud to announce the 2014 inductees to the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame: Iowa's 3 members of the famed Doolittle's Raiders; Cpt. Charles Greening, Sgt. Bill Dieter and Cpl. Leland Faktor. Reacting to the damage done by the Japanese' sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. An ambitious plan was put into motion; led by Col. Jimmy, on April 18, 1942 sixteen B-25 "Mitchell" bombers flew off the aircraft carrier .......Read More
2013
2012
Irwin & Irene Lindner
Irwin (Irv) Lindner was born in Keokuk, Iowa in 1916. He became interested in flying early in his childhood; although, his early attempts at flying were disastrous, jumping from haystacks .......Read More
Fred M. Wallace
Fred M. Wallace was born Jul 4th, 1900 in Davenport, Iowa. In 1919, he and brother Frank formed the Wallace Brothers Aero Company and established Wallace Field, the first airport in Bettendorf. ........Read More
Milford L. Juhl
Milford L. Juhl was born in Guthrie County. At the age of 12, he was sent to live with an uncle when his mother died. He graduated from high school in Nevada, Iowa. .......Read More
Olin “Olie” Pash
Born in Missouri, Olin “Olie” Pash came to Iowa as a young child and was educated in Harlan, Iowa. After serving in the Navy, he returned to Harlan and became a farm implement dealer. .......Read More
2011
2010
George E. “Bud” Day
George Everette Day was born in Sioux City, Iowa on February 24, 1925. In 1942, he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Marines. ........Read More
Dr. Peggy A. Whitson
Born on Febrwuary 9, 1960, Peggy Whitson grew up on the family farm near Beaconsfield, Iowa and in 1996 becoming Iowa’s first female astronaut. ........Read More
Clyde M. Cable
Clyde Cable was born May 14, 1928 in Waterloo, Iowa. Shortly after his birth, he became the youngest person ever to fly in an airplane.......Read More
Glen T. Niederhauser
Born in Marshalltown in 1910, he earned his pilot’s license in 1929. He was a barnstormer and flew the first air mail route between Marshalltown and Des Moines. .......Read More
2009
2008
Delbert H. Clayton
Delbert Clayton was born in Fontanelle, Iowa. As a high school student, he was obsessed with flying. ...Read More
Colonel Jack E. Conger
Jack E. Conger was born April 6, 1921 near Orient, Iowa. After high school, he attended the South Dakota School of Mines ........Read More
Kimberly D. Olson
Born on October 24, 1957, in Waukegan, Illinois, Kimberly Olson spent most of her youth in New Hampton, Iowa........Read More
William J. Fox
Born in Marshalltown in 1910, he earned his pilot’s license in 1929. He was a barnstormer and flew the first air mail route between Marshalltown and Des Moines. .......Read More
2007
2006
Frank C. Wallace
Born in 1889 in Davenport, aviation inspiration came early to Frank Wallace when he watched Eugene Ely make his first flights in 1910. ...Read More
Wilmer (Bill) Reedholm
Born in Lanyon, Iowa in 1912, Wilmer (Bill) Reedholm grew up in nearby Boxholm. When he was nine, a barnstormer landing near Lanyon gave him his first flight, thus beginning a lifelong passion for aviation. .....Read More
The Iowa Tuskegee Airmen
In 1941, thanks to a lawsuit filed by Yancy Williams, African-Americans were finally allowed to serve their country as members of the United States Army Air Corps. Nearly 1000 trained to be pilots at a segregated training facility in Tuskegee, Alabama........Read More
2005
2004
H. Jerry Dwyer
Born October 11, 1930, Jerry Dwyer developed his love for flying at an early age. At the airport near his home, he mowed runways and scrubbed the hangar to pay for flying lessons. ...Read More
Ellen Church Marshall
Born on September 22, 1904 on a farm near Cresco, Iowa and on May 15th, 1930, Ellen Church became the world’s first stewardess........Read More
Joseph P. Gomer
Joseph P. Gomer was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa on June 20, 1920. Even as a boy, he dreamed of flying airplanes.........Read More
2003
2002
Louis Schalk
In 1948, he graduated from West Point Military Academy and entered the United States Air Force. He received pilot training and graduated as a flight instructor. .......Read More
Robert Parmele
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 he was called to duty as a member of the U.S. Air Corps. He became a lead crew navigator in a B-17 and later, a B-29. ........Read More
Wilbur and Orville Wright
The flyer had been airborne for twelve seconds. Twelve seconds that changed the world! The impossible suddenly became possible! Man could fly! ........Read More
Carl Bates
Carl Sterling Bates was born in Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1884. At age fourteen, he built and flew the first gilder to be flown in Iowa. This was accomplished by having the glider towed by a horse........Read More
Glenn L. Martin
Glenn Luther Martin, born in Macksburg, Iowa in 1886, was one of the pioneer airmen of the country. An early interest in kites and gliders was enhanced by the achievements of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk........Read More
2001
2000
Ralph Weberg
Weberg raised stock cattle on his farm south of Denison. He would ship his livestock to Chicago markets via train. The next day he would fly to the city to be on hand for the sale of his cattle. .......Read More
R. Walter Cunningham
Walter Cunningham was Iowa’s first astronaut. While working as a scientist for the RAND Corporation, he was selected by NASA as one of the third group of astronauts........Read More
Russell and Dolly Zangger
Russell and Dolly Zangger have owned, financed and operated Zangger Airfield on the family farm in Larchwood, Iowa since 1949. The airport boasts four runways, 24-hour service and the first airpark in Iowa featuring five homes with direct private hangar access to the four runways.........Read More
Hartley A. “Hap” Westbrook
While attending what is now known as the University of Northern Iowa, he took initial flight training from John and Bite Livingston. He completed his training after joining the United States Air Force in 1942........Read More
1999
1998
Charles Gatschet
In 1928, Charles moved to Des Moines, Iowa and became the Des Moines Register and Tribune’s first pilot-photographer-reporter.......Read More
Clifton P. Oleson
During World War I, Oleson volunteered for the U.S. Army Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. Clifton became the youngest aviator in the Army. He began training cadets who were all older than he. ........Read More
Harold B. Miller
Harold moved to California while he was still a teenager. He studied diligently for the exam to get into the U.S. Naval Academy.........Read More
Avery “Jack” Ladd
Born in Brooklyn, Iowa, Avery flew for Midwest Aviation Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska. He qualified for federal aircraft and engine license and also transport license in 1930. .......Read More
Elvin F. Knotts
He was employed by North American Aviation (which would become Rockwell International) participating in projects including the Apollo lunar landing program........Read More
Robert W. Williams
Robert W. Williams was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on September 21, 1922. His father became a pilot and encouraged his sons to learn. They became three of the total 102 black pilots in the United States at that time. ....Read More
1997
1996
Charles W. Fink
In 1943, he joined the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program and became the youngest B-24 bomber pilot in the European Theater during World War II.....Read More
Donald A. Luscombe
He moved to Kansas City as head of a new firm, Luscombe Airplane Development Corporation in 1933, to build the Phantom, the first all-metal light plane.....Read More
Herbert R. Elliott
Herbert Elliott became interested in flying, and with the money he saved playing bass fiddle at night, purchased a Curtiss, Jr. .....Read More
William Norman Reed
Bill joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG). “The Flying Tigers” as they came to be known had been created to help defend China against the relentless Japanese bombers. .....Read More
Carl G. Zeliadt
Following his college graduation from Iowa State College in 1940, he took his engineering degree and began working for the famed airplane company.......Read More
Grant H. Woldum
Grant Woldum, born in Waukon, Iowa, was a tireless advocate for the Civil Pilots Training Program. He spent much of his time and energy lobbying.....Read More
Howard V. Gregory
Through his ability as an entrepreneur and aviator, the Des Moines Flying Service, now in its 59th year, has been a leader as a distributorship for Piper Aircraft, a corporate sales center for Piper and during World War II was operated as a key Civilian Pilot Training Program. ....Read More
1995
1994
John Livingston
He was a self-taught pilot who began flying in 1919. Several years later he began air racing and for a half dozen subsequent years entered national races compiling a record of 80 wins, 42 second place finishes and 15 third places. .....Read More
Ralph E. Piper
His command of flying began in Iowa, grew during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater and matured in corporate aviation for the Monsanto Chemical Company. .....Read More
Robert Freyermuth
He bluffed his way onto the airfield and through a twist of fate was asked to take the place of a parachutist who had been in an auto accident. Outfitted with a large, ill-fitting harness and with absolutely no experience, Bob jumped with 25 others from two Ford Tri-Motors. It went down in the history books as the first mass parachute jump in the world. .....Read More
Eugene Burton Ely
Eugene Ely’s daring bravery and love of flying lead him to pioneer the world of flight from a ship. Born in Williamsburg, Iowa in 1886.......Read More
JC Pemberton
JC has over 30 patents attributed to him. One of the most significant ones was the Scanivalve which is a wind tunnel pressure instrument that revolutionized wind tunnel experiments. ....Read More
Luther H. Smith
At the age of 21 he was the first African-American from Iowa accepted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant for training at Tuskegee, Alabama. ....Read More
Robert L. Taylor
Since he established the Antique Airplane Association in 1953 he has provided a place and a purpose to fly, to preserve, to share and to promote the early flying machines. .....Read More
1993
1992
Clarence Duncan Chamberlin
In June, 1927, 14 days after Lindbergh successfully flew the Atlantic, Clarence became the first pilot in history to fly a passenger across the Atlantic Ocean. .....Read More
Clayton Folkerts
Experimenting with designs and materials found on the family farm, Clayton constructed five home-built aircraft from 1916 to 1926. He distinguished himself in the airplane design field with the successful production of the Monocoupe. .....Read More
Louis “Andy” Anderson
As a young man he built two biplanes and learned the art of piloting an aircraft. He was one of the earliest crop sprayers, introducing the technique along the Missouri River.....Read More
Nellie Vos Ruby
She was the first Iowa woman to receive an A & P mechanics license and is still the only woman in the state to hold an Inspection Authorization rating. .....Read More
Lt. General Charles A. Horner
His military career has included flying 111 combat missions over North Vietnam. He has held a number of command positions and in May, 1987, was promoted to lieutenant general. .......Read More
Neta Snook Southern
She secured a job as a flying instructor and commercial flyer on an air field owned by Iowa native Bert Kinner. On January 3, 1921 Neta began giving Amelia Earhart flying instruction. ....Read More
Lt. Col. Sidney “Sid” Cleveland
Born in Goldfield, Iowa in 1902, Sidney saw his first airplane when he was nine years old and was learning to fly before he graduated from high school. His life’s work centered around aviation. ....Read More
1991
1990
Aden “Bite” Livingston
Bite founded and managed the first airport at Cedar Falls. In 1929, he began managing Chapman Field east of Waterloo where he and his brother John introduced hundreds to flying. .....Read More
Arthur J. Hartman
Art was born July 14, 1888 in Burlington, Iowa. At the age of 15 he ran away from home to be a balloonist and parachute jumper.....Read More
Don Ultang
In 1946, Don combined his talents of flying and photography which brought him national recognition as a photojournalist and skilled pilot.....Read More
Ila Fox Loetscher
On September 1, 1929, Ila became the first native Iowa woman to receive her pilot’s license. Ila was also the first Iowa woman pilot to join the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of female pilots. .....Read More
Ann Holtgren Pellegreno
Ann has been an Iowa resident since 1969 and currently resides on a farm near Story City. She was the first woman to serve as a Commissioner .......Read More
John and Yvonne Schildberg
John's fascination with vintage aircraft and Yvonne's generosity resulted in the presentation of ten antique aircraft to the Greenfield community ....Read More
John Wesley Cable
He constructed the first airport in Waterloo in 1927 and later became the first manager of the Waterloo Municipal Airport....Read More
William “Billy” C. Robinson, Sr.
He carried the first air mail from Des Moines to Chicago on October 17, 1914. This flight also established a long distance flying record....Read More
Wyman Fiske Marshall
He was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Unit Citation and Campaign Awards.....Read More
