The Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame family is saddened to hear of the passing of long-time supporter and friend, Brian Murphy. We first met the three Murphy brothers (Brian, Bob and Dick) in 2011 when we inducted their father, Robert T. Murphy, who was instrumental in the drafting of many federal statutes relating to […]
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one of our most dedicated and talented aviation volunteers, Charlie Pitts, who passed away on Jan. 17, 2021 at the age of 57. His love of planes was infinite, and he brought a smile, enthusiasm and expertise to all of the projects he […]
In lieu of an in-person ceremony for 2020, we will honor a slate of honorees virtually through a video. We will also produce a limited number of copies of our sought-after program book, an online auction and raffle.
By the end of 2019 we had made significant progress with the state concerning long-term access to several acres of land at the northeast corner of the main north-south runway at the former naval air station. We had hoped by this time to have been well into the initial development of our new facility, but […]
At this year’s dinner, a Special Award will be awarded to Thomas Prinster (1945-2018) and Lyle Hogg, who saved 11 lives on February 21, 1982 by successfully crash landing their burning commuter plane on the frozen Scituate Reservoir. Click here to buy tickets. In addition to Thomas Prinster and Lye Hogg, we will recognize the […]
After a narrowly losing a tight US Senate race in Arizona to Kyrsten Sinema (D), Rhode Island native Martha McSally has been appointed by AZ Governor Doug Ducey to fill the seat vacated by Sen. John McCain’s death in a surprising twist. Retired Air Force Colonel Martha McSally hails from Warwick, and a Distinguished Graduate […]
This year’s group includes 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. The Hall of Fame will also honor 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.
From 3 March 2011 to 24 December 2011, F Company, 1st Battalion,126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance), a newly formed unit which deployed only 12 months after its conversion from a legacy UH-1 medical evacuation detachment, provided extremely effective and continuous MEDEVAC coverage in the complex and harsh terrain of western Afghanistan. On 3 March 2011, […]
We were recently informed by his family that 2006 Inductee Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Zinno, USAF (Ret), passed away on June 17, 2019, at the age of 95. On an April morning in 1976 at Quonset Point, RI, the Olympian, a beautiful bird with 78 foot Mylar wings rose from the ground and flew eighty […]
Group includes one of America’s most famous explorers; a pioneer aviation photographer and pilot; Rhode Island’s first Naval Aviator; three World War I fliers; a World War II bomber pilot who is buried in Moscow; and two World War II pilots who flew in China.
It is with sadness that we report that Lieutenant Colonel Warren H. Smith, Jr., USAF (Ret), who was inducted into the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017, passed away at his life-long home in Lincoln, RI on September 9, 2018, at the age of 98. Smith led quite a career, retiring as a […]
We are pleased to report that RI Aviation Hall of Fame has received a $15,000 grant in support of the preservation of its historic aircraft, the construction of aviation displays, and the continuation of its research about the state’s rich aviation history.
We are pleased to report that RI Aviation Hall of Fame has received a $15,000 grant in support of the preservation of its historic aircraft, the construction of aviation displays, and the continuation of its research about the state’s rich aviation history.
We are pleased to report that RI Aviation Hall of Fame has received a $15,000 grant in support of the preservation of its historic aircraft, the construction of aviation displays, and the continuation of its research about the state’s rich aviation history.