Most years, we are lucky to have a photographer go around and capture some of the moments that make this event so special!
To view an album in its entirety, click the blue facebook icon at the top-right of each preview.
2024
This year’s honorees include Army and Naval Aviators from World War II, Vietnam and the Gulf War on Terror. As always, we will also recognize civilian accomplishments in commercial and general aviation, as well as continue to honor those who served with the RI Air National Guard, and aviation elements of the RI Army National Guard.
2022
After 2 years of social distancing, it was great to return to an in person event! On Saturday, Nov 19, 2022, a sold-out crowd gathered to honor a group which included a living World War II bomber pilot, a Marine helicopter pilot from Barrington killed in action in Grenada, and four heroes from Vietnam: three living Army helicopter pilots who flew hundreds of hours of combat, plus a deceased pilot from the Navy’s only assault helicopter squadron. We honored the manager of the first scheduled commercial airline service to Hiilsgrove/TF Green Airport, as well as the avid private pilot who founded the Gregg’s Restaurant chain. Thank you to all of our attendees, honorees, donors, sponsors and special guests!
2018
Pictures from the 16th Annual Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. During these centennial years of the US involvement in World War I, we continue to honor those who made significant contributions to aviation during that conflict.
Honorees included: RADM Richard E. Byrd, Jr. USN (1888-1957), aviator and polar explorer; Commander, RI Naval Militia, 1916-1917; Thomas J. H. Peirce; Raymond Noble Estey; John J. Kapstein; CW5 Joseph S. Ludovici, U.S. Army (Retired); Theodore Phinney Grosvenor; Henry D’Amico; Harry A. Smith; and Douglas Powell Hunter.
2016
As the selection subcommittee reviewed our ever-increasing inventory of candidates, it became apparent that a large number of them were individuals who served with aviation units of the RI Army National Guard (starting with the 152nd Observation Squadron in the late 1930s), or, after 1948, with the RI Air National Guard.
As a result, we decided that acknowledging the contributions of this group would be a multi-year process. Working with the Guard, we have developed a short list of 26 potential Guard honorees (either full induction or special recognition) and that list continues to grow as word of our plan circulates.
BG Christopher Callahan, RI Adjutant General, was Guest of Honor.
2015
2015 awardees have North Kingstown, Portsmouth, Coventry, Warwick, East Greenwich, and Woonsocket connections, and include attendees at Westerly and Woonsocket High Schools, St. Mary’s Academy-Bay View, Providence College and Brown University.
Our Guest of Honor this year was Arizona Congresswoman and retired Air Force Colonel Martha McSally, a Warwick native and Bay View graduate.
2014
The Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame inducted three new members (one of whom is deceased), presented a seldom-given President’s Award and recognized the service of three others (also deceased) at a ceremony and dinner held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Cranston on Saturday evening, November 22nd, 2014.
Vice Admiral and career Naval Aviator Walter ‘Ted’ Carter of Pascoag, now Superintendent of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, was guest of honor at the ceremony.
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2013
Honorees for 2013 included a World War II fighter ace who flew with Chennault in China, a Naval Aviator who rose to leadership positions in three airlines, and a well-known philanthropist who was one of the first female flight instructors in the state.
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2012
100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation: Awardees have connections to Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Wakefield, Newport, Warwick, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Harrisville and Providence, and include graduates of Pawtucket and Samuel Gorton High Schools, LaSalle Academy and Providence College.
The guest of honor was Newport-born Marine Corps Major William D. Chesarek, the first American to receive Great Britain’s Distinguished Flying Cross since World War II. His exploits involved the daring rescue of a wounded British soldier in Iraq. Queen Elizabeth II presented his award at Buckingham Palace.
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2011
From turn-of-the-century pioneers to fighter pilots, RIAHOF honors master aviators from throughout the 20th century.
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2010
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