Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame to induct new members

Seven men will be inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame Saturday night at the organization’s annual Honors Banquet, its biggest fundraiser of the year. The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall, with cocktails beginning at 5.

This year’s inductees are:

• Gordon R. Farquhar, a highly decorated Vietnam War helicopter pilot and one of the original full-time flight instructors for the Delaware Army National Guard’s aviation program. He is a Bronze Star recipient with more than 1,100 combat hours and 16,000 total hours. He’s also a retired corporate pilot qualified in 19 different aircraft.

• Robert L. Farris Jr., a Vietnam War helicopter pilot and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient. He was a fixed wing National Guard fighter pilot who flew five aircraft types during a 35-year US Airways career.

• Harry Griffith, owner and operator of Horizon Helicopters. With nearly 25,000 accident-free flight hours, he has instructed a wide range of students including area State Police helicopter pilots. He taught the first deaf person in the U.S. to receive a private helicopter certificate.

• Daniel T. Kirk, who is known as the “Balloon Guy.” A retired Army lieutenant colonel, he spent more than 30 years competing, mentoring and training the young and old in balloon airmanship. He was Delaware’s Hot Air Balloon Champion five years in a row and is an active member of several aviation groups and a mentor to many.

• James A. LeNoir, a B-24 Liberator gunner during World War II, who earned six Air Medals in 35 combat missions. He saved the life of a fellow crew member during a combat mission over Europe. After the war, he developed munitions for Hercules and continues to serve with veterans organizations.

• William F. Nutter, a World War II aircraft electrical specialist. He won the Bronze Star for correcting a B-17 malfunction that could have cost many lives. After the war, he earned a civilian commercial pilot certificate and was a Civil Air Patrol pilot and operations officer.

• Herman R. Richardson, a decorated Army helicopter pilot with 31 years of service and two tours of duty in Vietnam, flying 375 combat hours. He was the brigade maintenance officer responsible for more than 160 aircraft and their delivery overseas during Desert Storm. He also was a Boeing acceptance test pilot in the CH-47 Chinook.

For more information, go to www.dahf.org.

- Source:  http://www.delawareonline.com