The Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame has announced th
e new class of enshrinees who will be honored at a ceremony at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, MI, on May 19.
Included in the new class are:
Maj. Gen. William A. Henderson – Flew 125 combat missions over South Vietnam, Laos, and North Vietnam. He later went on to be a corporate pilot and director of flight operations for General Motors Corp.
Col. Cass S. Hough (1904-1990) – During WWII, he flew regular missions escorting bombers over Europe and was assigned by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle to head a unit to solve operational problems. Later, he went on to serve as a member, acting director, and chariman of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission.
Maurice R. Hovious – Served in the US Air Force for 4 years as a crew chief of Boeing B-47 Bombers. Later, he went on to form several aviation companies in Michigan including Hov-Aire, Inc. that specializes in major repairs and restorations of Ford Tri-Motors and Piper Malibu/Mirage aircraft.
Dr. Richard Upjohn Light (1920-1994) – In 1934, he flew around the world in a Bellanca Skyrocket. Later, he served as the first chairman of the Kalamazoo’s Airport Advisory Commission.
Preston S. Parish - Awarded the Bronze Star for “heroic and meritorious achievement against enemy forces in Peleliu Island” during the South Pacific Campaigns. In 1977, he co-founded the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, now known as the Air Zoo and he currently serves as chairman on its Board of Directors.
1st Lt. Karl W. Richter (1942-1967) – Youngest US pilot and third F-105 pilot to shoot down a MiG in air-to-air combat. At the time of his death, while in combat, he had flown more missions in North Vietnam than any other airman.
Lt. Col. Washington D. Ross – A member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He flew P-47s and P-51s in 63 long-range bomber escort missions and later became a B-25 instructor.
Lt. Gen. Donavon F. Smith (1922-1974) – Flew 123 missions in P-47s and was a fighter ace with eight victories, as well as being part of the first US overseas deployment of the F-80 Shooting Star.
We join the Hall of Fame in honoring these outstanding men who are wonderful examples of those with a passion for aviation!
