On Nov. 5, the San Diego Air & Space Museum is honoring national and international air & space legends at its 48th Hall of Fame Induction Celebration. Each honoree was selected for their historic contributions to aviation, space or aerospace innovation.
The Class of 2011 includes: Jerry Coleman, World War II and Korean Marine aviator and baseball legend; Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Qualcomm founder; Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 astronaut; James Raisbeck, aerospace engineering entrepreneur; Dick Rutan, combat pilot and aviation record setter; Bill Gibbs, aviation living legend; TOPGUN (the squadron), Captains Dan Pederson, first TOPGUN Commanding Officer, and Rick Ludwig, former Operations Officer and Commanding Officer representing; Naval Aviation, on its 100th anniversary, invited guest Chief of Naval Operations and Commander Naval Air Forces; and Tom Poberezny, Experimental Aircraft Association and airshow pilot.
“We’re especially pleased to honor the Class of 2011 because these pioneers have not only pushed back the frontiers of air and space exploration, they’ve also become strong positive role models for today’s youth,” said Jim Kidrick, San Diego Air & Space Museum President and CEO. “Aviation and space exploration, as embodied by the people we honor in our Hall of Fame, is a metaphor for the American pioneering spirit. It’s a critical part of our legacy as a world innovation and technology leader. We must inspire today’s kids to tackle the tough science, technology, engineering and math challenges, which lie ahead.”
The San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame is composed of hundreds of air and space pilots, engineers, inventors and innovators, along with adventurers, scientists and industry leaders. NASA Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts, and Russian cosmonauts are honored in the Hall of Fame, plus famous flying pioneers such as the Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Chuck Yeager. Notable inductees include Jack Northrop, William Boeing, Reuben H. Fleet, Glenn Curtiss, Walter Zable Sr., Fran Bera, Wally Schirra, Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, T. Claude Ryan, Jimmy Doolittle Jr., Frederick Rohr, and Waldo Waterman.
Proceeds from the evening benefit the Museum’s education programs. The celebration will be held in the Pavilion of Flight in the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
For more information: 619-234-8291 or SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
