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Great Moments in Aviation History - 1982 by William J. Reynolds

Signatures on the left

Signatures on the right

Hand signed and numbered by William J. Reynolds

Published for the Class of 1982 - Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB

Fifteen incredible signatures including Neil Armstrong - the first man to set foot upon the Moon

Overall size: 25 3/4" x 24 1/2"

# 275/1100

It's all about the signatures!

This incredibly scarce 1982 Great Moments In Aviation History lithograph is signed by 15 aviation pioneers and is the only edition in the entire GMIAH series signed by Neil Armstrong!

In 1982 a small faculty and student group at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB was chartered to develop an aviation heritage program which encouraged the study of aviation history and the contributions of aviation pioneers. Distinguished aviators were invited to share their unique personal experiences through a series of teaching interviews and social events with members of the class.

Initially called the "Great Moments in Aviation History" and later termed the "Gathering of Eagles", the gathering recognized aviation pioneers and greats for their accomplishments. Each year the graduating class chose the "Eagles" to be featured, and each year an original painting with the depiction of aircraft that they were famous for flying was commissioned. Prints were published and hand signed by the "Eagles" in pencil.

Signatures:

Neil ARMSTRONG - (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who, as the commander of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, became the first person to walk on the Moon. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot and university professor.

George A. VAUGHN Jr. - (May 20, 1897 – July 31, 1989) was an American fighter ace in World War I and Distinguished Service Cross, Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star recipient. Vaughn was America's second-ranking Air Service ace to survive the war.

Leigh WADE - (1897 - 1991) was part of the attempt in 1924 to circumnavigate the globe with a team of four Douglas World Cruiser aircraft. Wade was the pilot of aircraft #3 named Boston which was forced down onto the sea between Orkney and Iceland on August 3, 1924.

James H. "Jimmy" DOOLITTLE - (December 14, 1896 – September 27, 1993) was an American military general and aviation pioneer who received the Medal of Honor for his raid on Japan during World War II, known as the Doolittle Raid in his honor. He made early coast-to-coast flights and record-breaking speed flights, won many flying races, and helped develop and flight-test instrument flying. According to the US FAA, he was the first pilot ever to perform a successful instrument flight.

Curtis E. LeMAY - (November 15, 1906 – October 1, 1990) was a US Air Force general who was a key American military commander during the Cold War. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, from 1961 to 1965.

George GAY - (March 8, 1917 – October 21, 1994) was a Douglas TBD Devastator pilot in United States Navy Torpedo Squadron 8 operating from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. Of the 30 VT-8 aircrew from Hornet that participated in the pivotal Battle of Midway, Ensign Gay was the sole survivor.

Joe FOSS - (April 17, 1915 – January 1, 2003) was a United States Marine Corps Major and a leading Marine fighter ace in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his role in air combat during the Guadalcanal Campaign. In postwar years, he was an Air National Guard Brigadier General, served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959), president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the first commissioner of the American Football League. He also was a television broadcaster.

John W. MITCHELL - (June 14, 1914 – November 15, 1995) was an officer of the United States Air Force, a flying ace and the leader of Operation Vengeance, the mission to shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. He served in World War II and the Korean War.

Charles E. "Chuck" YEAGER - (February 13, 1923 – December 7, 2020) was a United States Air Force officer, flying ace, and record-setting test pilot who in October 1947 became the first pilot in history confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight.

Gail S. HALVERSON - (October 10, 1920 – February 16, 2022) was a senior officer and command pilot in the United States Air Force. He rose to fame for dropping candy to German children during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949, for which he was nicknamed "Berlin Candy Bomber" or "Uncle Wiggly Wings".

Paul W. TIBBETS - (23 February 1915 – 1 November 2007) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force. He is best known as the aircraft captain who flew the B-29 Superfortress known as the Enola Gay (named after his mother) when it dropped a Little Boy, the first of two atomic bombs used in warfare, on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Frances S. "Gabby" GABRESKI - (January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was a Polish-American career pilot in the United States Air Force who retired as a colonel after 26 years of military service. He was the top American and United States Army Air Forces fighter ace over Europe during World War II and a jet fighter ace with the Air Force in the Korean War.

Pete KNIGHT - (November 18, 1929 – May 7, 2004) (Col, USAF) was an American aeronautical engineer, politician, Vietnam War combat pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. He was one of twelve pilots who flew the North American X-15, an experimental spaceplane jointly operated by the U.S. Air Force and NASA. He was also selected for participation in the X-20 Dyna-Soar program.

Michael J. NOVOSEL - (September 3, 1922 – April 2, 2006) of Enterprise, Alabama, served in the United States military during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He flew the B-29 Superfortress bomber in World War II. To serve in the Vietnam War, he gave up the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve and became a chief warrant officer in the Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration, for his bravery in conducting a medical evacuation under fire in the Vietnam War.

Robin OLDS - (July 14, 1922 – June 14, 2007) was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the United States Air Force (USAF). He was a "triple ace", with a combined total of 17 victories in World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1973 as a brigadier general, after 30 years of service.

[Mini bios credit to Wikipedia]