Aviation Museums

[FB71]

Since several of us seem to have an affinity for objects capable of flight, and my recent trip to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Pat in Dayton OH, AND today being the Air Force's Birthday, at the prompting of another fine gentleman named Jim, I'd like to begin a thread for aviation museum pictures.
I don't have many from the AF museum, but I'll happily share. Also, I live about 70 miles from the Air & Space Udvar-Hazy annex in Chantilly/Dulles, so I'll make sure to take plenty of pics next time I get down there.
Also, I'm partial to the Martin craft because they were local to me, and have a personal connection. My great aunt worked at the Middle River MD plant in the 40s, my childhood house was in the flight path of Martin State Airport/Warfield ANG base (about 5 miles out), I served with the 135th TAG at Warfield (Air Trans, 605X5/2T2X5, Aerial Port), and my house was originally owned by a Martin engineer. Built in '59, I'm the second owner.

 

[Jim]

John Levitow... now there's a name I haven't heard in a while.
John earned the Medal of Honor while flying on a C-47 Spooky in Vietnam. In his honor, the top graduates of Boot Camp were awarded the John L Levitow award. It was indeed an honor for selfless duty to ones crewmates.

The man literally hugged a flare to save his crew... despite having over 40 wounds from an 82mm shell exploding in the Spooky... a airplane that had over 3,500 holes in it when it finally landed. Not many like him...

Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Levitow (then A1C), U.S. Air Force, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while assigned as a loadmaster aboard an AC-47 aircraft flying a night mission in support of Long Binh Army post. Sgt. Levitow's aircraft was struck by a hostile mortar round. The resulting explosion ripped a hole 2 feet in diameter through the wing and fragments made over 3,500 holes in the fuselage. All occupants of the cargo compartment were wounded and helplessly slammed against the floor and fuselage. The explosion tore an activated flare from the grasp of a crewmember who had been launching flares to provide illumination for Army ground troops engaged in combat. Sgt. Levitow, though stunned by the concussion of the blast and suffering from over 40 fragment wounds in the back and legs, staggered to his feet and turned to assist the man nearest to him who had been knocked down and was bleeding heavily. As he was moving his wounded comrade forward and away from the opened cargo compartment door, he saw the smoking flare ahead of him in the aisle. Realizing the danger involved and completely disregarding his own wounds, Sgt. Levitow started toward the burning flare. The aircraft was partially out of control and the flare was rolling wildly from side to side. Sgt. Levitow struggled forward despite the loss of blood from his many wounds and the partial loss of feeling in his right leg. Unable to grasp the rolling flare with his hands, he threw himself bodily upon the burning flare. Hugging the deadly device to his body, he dragged himself back to the rear of the aircraft and hurled the flare through the open cargo door. At that instant the flare separated and ignited in the air, but clear of the aircraft. Sgt. Levitow, by his selfless and heroic actions, saved the aircraft and its entire crew from certain death and destruction. Sgt. Levitow's gallantry, his profound concern for his fellowmen, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country."

 

[OHRider]

Been there many times, need to go back.
Retired AF 33 years active duty and reserve

 

[gggGary]

Wright-Patterson's on my bucket list. Mebby combined with a CVMC rally?