A Wonder of the World
These walls were once the center of an ancient civilization. The Octagon Earthworks, like a modern cathedral or county fairgrounds, were a focal point for the social and religious activities of the Hopewell people about . . . — — Map (db m17487) HM
The form of this mound is unique among all the known Hopewellian mounds. Some 19th century archaeologists thought that the builders had planned to extend a set of parallel walls from the circle, bu thene changed their minds and blocked off the stubs . . . — — Map (db m18101) HM
(plaque #1)
In recognition of
Lawrence E. Rausenberger
pioneer designer and builder
of aircraft engines
first flight off this
field Aug. 1, 1912
(plaque #2)
Pylon dedicated by
Bellefontaine Air Squadron
No. 2 August 1, 1948
on . . . — — Map (db m76555) HM
Bellefontaine, Ohio was home of
the 664th Aircraft Control and
Warning Squadron of
the United States Air Force.
Young men from all over America
served here as part of
our nation’s Air Defense Forces.
To honor those who served here . . . — — Map (db m159953) HM WM
108 S. Main was rebuilt in 1856 after a devastating fire destroyed over two acres of downtown Bellefontaine. For a half century until 1941, this building housed Wissler’s Dry Goods. Over a year’s time, Clarence Wissler built an airplane in the . . . — — Map (db m207677) HM
Dedicated to the Aviators of Bravo Troop, 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of the Global War on Terrorism 2001-2011
CW3 Mitchell Carver •
CW2 Kyle Jackson •
CW3 Philip Windorski •
CW2 . . . — — Map (db m217832) WM
The U.S. Air Force became a
separate military service on
September 18, 1947 with the
implementation of the National
Security Act of 1947 Prior to that
Act, the responsibility for
military aviation was divided
between the Army for . . . — — Map (db m172778) HM WM
The Marion Steam Shovel Company built the primary tools for America's civil engineering for more than 100 years. Founded in 1884 by Henry M. Barnhart, George W. King, and Edward Huber, the company's patent steam shovels helped revolutionize railway . . . — — Map (db m27021) HM
This display is a single Crawler Tread shoe that was
used on the enormous NASA Crawler-Transporters.
These transporters were used to move the Apollo
spacecraft, Skylab space station, and other space
shuttles to the launch site . . . — — Map (db m166057) HM
Daniel E. Weltzien, pilot and hometown son, dreamed of a
flying community, one where every family would have a plane
in their garage for work or play. In June 1965, the
Williams Farm on Acme Hill became a runway with taxiways
to every home. . . . — — Map (db m132160) HM
June 1965. Daniel Weltzien, the founder, developer, purchased the property known as “William’s Black Angus Farm.” Using all his entrepreneurial skills, he bartered his dream of a family airport. The main building of this airport was . . . — — Map (db m132415) HM
In February 1819, seven individuals met in Isaac Barnes’ home to form
a Congregational Church and entered into covenant. Reverend
William Hanford of the Connecticut Missionary Society provided
guidance and charged the new congregation to . . . — — Map (db m151352) HM
General James V. Hartinger, 1925-2000, was born in Middleport, Ohio, and graduated from Middleport High School in 1943. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1949 and was a career-long fighter pilot with the United . . . — — Map (db m28498) HM
On August 1, 1907, the Air Force of the U. S. Signal Corps, a branch of the Army, consisted of three men.
The division's initial aircraft consisted of kite balloons, before acquiring its first official airplane from the Wright Brothers.
. . . — — Map (db m191020) WM
On this 30th day of May 1968
This flag pole is reverently dedicated to the cherished memory of
Airman First Class
William H. Pitsenbarger
Fallen hero of the Vietnam War, he was killed in action April 11,1966 while engaged in . . . — — Map (db m206151) HM WM
On February 15, 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated Ohio State Route 48 as USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. The Parkway honors the memory of all Pararescuemen who perished in the performance of their duties. It is also a tribute to the Air Rescue . . . — — Map (db m221584) HM
Metal marker also has pictures of three aircraft, the Spitfire, the P-47 Thunderbolt, and the P-51 Mustang
Stone Inscription:
Domenic Salvatore Gentile
Son of Paquale and Josephine Gentile
R.A.F. 8/41
U.S.A.F. 9/42 . . . — — Map (db m17160) HM
Side A:Piqua's Vietnam Home Front Local views on the Vietnam War mirrored national attitudes of pride and confusion. Piqua citizens participated in the “Letters for Life” campaign in 1970 for prisoners of war. Piqua Daily Call assistant news . . . — — Map (db m17319) HM
Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger Rescue and Survival Specialist
Born: July 8, 1944, Piqua, Ohio
Son of W. F. and Irene Pitsenbarger
Graduated Piqua High School Class of 1962
Died: April 11, 1966, near Cam My, Vietnam
Airman . . . — — Map (db m166809) HM WM
Clayton Brunkner was one of the founders of the WACo
Aircraft Company which relocated to Troy from Medina,
Ohio in 1923. WACO quickly became the largest commercial
builder of aircraft in the world. The original plant was on
Union St, near the . . . — — Map (db m136226) HM
The “Dilts Warehouse”, the first manufacturing location used by the Advance Aircraft Company of Troy, a company later to become the WACO Aircraft Company. It produced airplanes in Troy from 1923-1928. The location was also a former . . . — — Map (db m19751) HM
This location, 209 East Water Street, was at one time one of the manufacturing locations for The Hayner Distillery Company of Troy, Ohio, noted for shipping their mail order alcohol products to their customers nation wide and for the development of . . . — — Map (db m19754) HM
Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg, a Troy native, was a member of
NASA’s Astronaut Corps from 1990- 2005. She accrued 1000
hours in space as a mission specialist on four space shuttle
missions- STS-57; STS-70; STS-88, the first international
space station . . . — — Map (db m136227) HM
Troy resident, Robert N. Hartzell, ws the founder of
Hartzell Propeller Company. When he was still a student
at the University of Cincinnati. Robert visited with his
Oakwood, Ohio neighbor, Orville Wright at his Hawthorn
Hill residence. Since . . . — — Map (db m136228) HM
Historic WACO Field was acquired in February of 1997 by the WACO
Historical Society Inc. with the goal of creating a vintage flying field in
the Troy community where WACO airplanes were manufactured from
1923- 1946. Local and regional businesses . . . — — Map (db m136318) HM
Founded in 1921 as the Weaver Aircraft Company and located in Lorain, Ohio, the Waco Aircraft Company relocated to Troy in March 1923. It was the first aircraft company to use assembly line production and shock strut landing gear. Leading all . . . — — Map (db m40631) HM
The Morris House / Lollis Hotel was built in 1852 by a group of businessmen headed by Troy
merchant, Preserved Smith. The incomplete hotel was sold to Charles Morris in 1854. He
completed the structure and operated it as the Morris House Hotel. . . . — — Map (db m136317) HM
The Morris Hotel/Lollis House was built in 1852 by a group of businessmen headed by Troy merchant Preserved Smith. The incomplete hotel was sold to Charles Morris in 1584. He completed the structure and operated as the Morris House Hotel. . . . — — Map (db m199310) HM
Side A
In 1908, West Milton native Charles Furnas
worked as a machinist in Dayton doing
odd jobs for the Wright Brothers, the
inventors of the first practical airplane.
At that time the U.S. Army had agreed
to purchase an aircraft . . . — — Map (db m90599) HM
C.F. Kettering and E. A. Deeds formed Dayton-Wright Airplane Company in 1917 to build airplanes for World War I. The plane was called the DH-4 and was the only American—built aircraft to see action overseas during World War I.
These . . . — — Map (db m172445) HM
This sculpture represents the third Flyer that the Wright Brothers constructed to continue their flying experiments at Huffman Prairie, east of Dayton, within the boundaries of what is now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Flyer is piloted by . . . — — Map (db m20780) HM
In 1899, Wilbur and Orville Wright of Dayton built a kite to test a revolutionary flight control system, and in 1900, built their first airplane (glider). With promising results, the Wrights built man-carrying gliders and airplanes to refine their . . . — — Map (db m17510) HM
Six days a week from 1917 to 1948 Orville Wright chose to come to work here in what he called the Wright Aeronautical Laboratory. Images taken by National Cash Register Company photographers soon after his death give a glimpse of the spare, orderly, . . . — — Map (db m67598) HM
The first airplane. The first airport. The first permanent flying school. The Wright brothers created them all - here in Dayton.
After their first short flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903, Wilbur and Orville returned home to their . . . — — Map (db m61858) HM
Pioneer aviator and visionary. Director of training for the "Tuskegee Airmen." President of Central State University and vice president of Sinclair Community College. — — Map (db m240154) HM
One of the first five "Tuskegee Airmen." Pioneered the role of black aviators in World War II. Died in an accident while training over Italy on July 10, 1944. — — Map (db m240135) HM
World War II flying ace with one of the most successful records in aerial warfare. Dubbed "Captain Courageous" by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Maj. Gentile received two USAF Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of . . . — — Map (db m240118) HM
Founder of the Physiological Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Pioneered work in high altitude and supersonic flight helping to make humankind's quest for space flight possible. — — Map (db m240097) HM
"...the invention [of the airplane] came from such an unexpected quarter. The Wrights had no special training in science or engineering. While both were well educated, neither had completed the formal coursework required for his high school . . . — — Map (db m61866) HM
The Wright brothers were in their twenties when they became interested in aeronautical science. Five adults lived here in the years that Wilbur and Orville debated their ideas about how to develop a flying machine around the dining room table. . . . — — Map (db m61865) HM
By 1900 Dayton’s West Side was a thriving neighborhood of working-class homes and small businesses. Some residents commuted to downtown Dayton by streetcar. Others, like Wilbur and Orville Wright, lived and worked in this community.
The . . . — — Map (db m67584) HM
In the spring of 1895, Wilbur and Orville Wright moved their printing and bicycle shops under one roof in The Wright Cycle Company building you see in front of you. Here the brothers concentrated on designing and building their own custom make of . . . — — Map (db m61856) HM
Raise your sail one foot and get ten feet of wind. -Chinese Proverb
The world's first aircraft were the kites of China. The Chinese military first fashioned bird-shaped, wooden kites that were flown behind enemy lines to drop . . . — — Map (db m29141) HM
After their first successful flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, the Wright brothers could no longer afford extended stays so far from home. They needed an isolated field close by. Huffman Prairie was a hundred-acre pasture seven miles east of Dayton - . . . — — Map (db m29516) HM
Oh that I had Wings. -Thomas Moore.
Mankind began dreaming of flight long ago in ancient Greece. Greek mythology reveals this dream in the tale of young Icarus. King Minos imprisoned Icarus and his father, Daedalus, on the isle of . . . — — Map (db m29140) HM
On this site, from July 3 through July 20, 2003, the world focused its attention on Dayton as the Birthplace of Aviation for the one hundredth anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight and as a Signature Event of the Ohio Bicentennial . . . — — Map (db m29097) HM
This plaque is to honor Brad Tillson on behalf of the Greater Dayton community for his leadership in planning, organizing, and implementing the Centennial Celebration of Flight. This ambitious effort, which honored Orville and Wilbur Wright on . . . — — Map (db m200580) HM
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” -William Shakespeare
In the midst of the Cold War, the United States was losing face to the Soviet Union's superior space program. The . . . — — Map (db m29560) HM
"The kite and other birds, which beat their wings little, go seeking the course of the wind, and when the wind prevails...they will be seen at a great height." -Leonardo da Vinci
Four hundred years before the Wright Brothers, Leonardo . . . — — Map (db m29507) HM
This field is small. Use it all. -sign at McCook Field
Entering World War I, the United States urgently needed to advance this new field of aeronautics. Thanks to the area's industrial strength, the military chose Dayton as the sight . . . — — Map (db m29554) HM
McCook Field was established as a research and development facility of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Aviation section. 18 October 1917, this Dayton site favorably located within the U.S. industrial complet became the aviation engineering and . . . — — Map (db m75373) HM
Side A:
McCook Field
Cradle of Aviation Innovation
Interest in the new field of aeronautics grew dramatically when the United States entered the World War I in 1917. The army chose Dayton as the site for a research-and-development . . . — — Map (db m116551) HM
The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Joseph and Etíenne de Montgolfier, brothers living . . . — — Map (db m29512) HM
It suddently struck me that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth...I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. -Neil Armstrong
Another Ohio aviator took the final step in the nation's goal to reach the moon. Neil . . . — — Map (db m29562) HM
I feel perfectly confident that we shall be able to transport ourselves and families, and their goods and chattels, more securely by air than by water...." -Sir George Cayley
After the Montgolfier brothers, mankind was ready to move . . . — — Map (db m29514) HM
Where today you see ball fields and green space,
there was once a 254-acre military-industrial complex
dedicated to advancing aviation. Some four dozen
laboratories, hangars, shops, and offices were hurriedly
built here in fall of 1917, the . . . — — Map (db m116695) HM WM
By the late 1800s, a handful of experimenters around the world were closing in on the riddle of powered flight. They could fly a plane into the air, but they still couldn't control it - keep it from pitching forward, turning side to side, or . . . — — Map (db m29136) HM
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings... -John Gillespie Magee
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has led the nation throughout the evolution of U.S. military air superiority. When the . . . — — Map (db m29557) WM
Wilbur and Orville Wright built a giant bicycle-built-for-two,
using the four-foot tall front wheels from two
high-wheel bicycles.
The Wright Cycle Company building is a replica of the shop in which Wilbur
and Orville Wright designed and . . . — — Map (db m173739) HM
Carillon Park founder, Col. Deeds, approached his friend, Orville
Wright, about displaying a replica of the 1903 Flyer. Orville had a
better idea. He suggested restoring their third airplane instead.
This building houses the original 1905 . . . — — Map (db m173741) HM
“For 30 years Orville Wright’s place of business was the plain brick building (here) on North Broadway. Visiting reporters found it quite ordinary. There was a reception area for Miss Beck (his secretary); an inner office with Orville’s desk, files, . . . — — Map (db m173687) HM
The Wright brothers were the first experimenters to understand that a propeller for a flying machine had to work differently from a ship’s screws. The first Wright Flyer used 8-foot-long wooden propellers that the brothers hand-carved from spruce. . . . — — Map (db m67602) HM
Side A
The facilities once here propelled the United States through the Nuclear and Space Ages
and were named for the nearby pre-historic Miamisburg Mound. The Manhattan engineer District of the War Department began construction of Mound . . . — — Map (db m105819) HM
As part of the newly formed Moraine Development Company owned by Adam Schantz,
Colonel Edward Deeds and Charles Kettering, the Dayton-Wright Airplane Factory was
completed in 1917. Much experimental work in the history of flight was performed . . . — — Map (db m110237) HM
Established in 1926, was Dayton’s first Municipal Airport located 100 yards northeast of this marker. Trained by the Wright Brothers, Bernard Whelan joined Howard Rinehart as test pilots at the Dayton Wright Airplane Company. In 1923 they formed the . . . — — Map (db m110238) HM
In honor of the
enlisted men and officers
who completed reproduction and
photogrammetry training at Lowry Field
and Peterson Field in Colorado.
Proudly served in the China-Burma-India
Theatre with the 9th Photo Recon Squadron,
10th . . . — — Map (db m82564) HM
Dedicated to the crew of the
"Manhattan Maiden" B-24 (44-42142)
Edward P. Zeidler · Pilot • Newton Dana · Co-Pilot
Robert P. Murphy · Navigator • Robert R. Wardian · Bombardier
Harry W. Martin · Engineer • Isaac B. Colo · Radio Operator . . . — — Map (db m184044) WM
VIII Bomber Command 19 January 1942
Eight Air Force 1 February 1942
Air Offensive Campaigns and Commanders
“Europe” - Maj. Gen. Ira C. Eaker
“Normandy” - Brig. Gen. Newton Longfellow
“Northern France” - Maj. Gen. Frederick L. . . . — — Map (db m27389) WM
"We flew on the last B-29
combat mission of WWII."
Elbert L. Moore, Aircraft Commander
Joe G. Prescott, Pilot
Wallace L. Page, Flight Engineer
J. Fred "Danny" Boone, Bombardier
Gordon H. Woodward, Navigator
Daniel R. Mickey, Radar . . . — — Map (db m92845) HM WM
Dedicated to
the memory of the
10th Air Depot Group
August 8, 1981
Activated January 5, 1942
Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio
Served European Theater
World War II — — Map (db m25932) WM
This plaque is a lasting memorial to those individuals from the 10th [F]ighter [S]quadron who paid the ultimate price in defense of the free world.
World War II Citations
Distinguished unit citations
ETO, 13-20 March 1945;
Germany, 25 . . . — — Map (db m94978) HM WM
In proud memory of
the members of the
11th Bombardment Group (H)
who served in the Pacific
from December 7, 1941 to
VJ Day
They Asked Little
and Gave Much
July 23, 1981 — — Map (db m25935) WM
Activated 13 January 1943 on Noumea, New Caledonia, the 13th Air Force constituted a major element of Command Air Solomons and took part in the Guadalcanal and New Guinea Campaigns, including action over New Georgia and Bougainville. Later, they . . . — — Map (db m82544) HM
In honor of a very special group of young men who served their country so faithfully while enduring incredible hardships and dangers in New Guinea, the Philippines and Okinawa. Some lived and some died - all of them gave their very best. Their many . . . — — Map (db m32976) HM
We dedicate this plaque and tree
to the honor and memory of those
gallant members of the
13th Bombardment Squadron
(Light-Night Intruder) of the
3rd Bombardment Group
who gave their lives in the
defense of freedom during the . . . — — Map (db m32928) HM
In honor of the men who served the
13th Troop Carrier Squadron
who flew with pride and served with honor in WWII
Four years in the
South and Southwest Pacific
Guadalcanal to the Philippines
A Job Needed to Be Done - We Did It . . . — — Map (db m26281) HM
In remembrance of the mechanics and support personnel of the 15th Air Base, 18th & 20th Service Squadrons, Howard Field, Panama and the 2118th Service Unit, Aviation, on the Galapagos Islands who kept the aircrews flying that guarded the Panama . . . — — Map (db m92795) WM
Presidential Unit Citations
Sicily July 11, 1943 – France June 6-7, 1944
Campaigns
Sicily
Italy
Naples – Foggia
Rome – Arno
Normandy
Northern France
Rhineland
Western Europe
Central Europe
Germany
Bases . . . — — Map (db m82543) HM WM
The 1708th Ferrying Wing was formed on 20 October 1955 under the command of Colonel Tarleton H. Walkins. The unit was established to consolidate responsibilities previously held by the 1708th Ferrying Group and numerous detachments scattered . . . — — Map (db m84951) HM WM
Dedicated to all units of the 18th Air Depot Group by members of the HQ. & HQ. Sq., this 11 day of October 1991
Activated 19 January 1942
Patterson Field, Ohio
Stationed at
Sidi Ahmed, North Africa • Foggia, Italy
Inactivated 17 . . . — — Map (db m51656) HM
In Honor Of
the crewmembers and passengers
who lost their lives in a
C-47 crash in the mountains
of Alaska on 5 February 1954
Capt Earl L Betscher
Lt Col Edward L Burge
Capt James M Hill
A/3c Edward J Knapp
A/2c Richard L . . . — — Map (db m93129) HM WM
Dedicated to the
men who served in the
19th Air Depot Group
1942 - 1945
Africa Italy France
Activated 19 January 1942
Patterson Field
Dedicated October 1990 — — Map (db m51819) WM
"In The Beginning"
1927-1932
The 19th Observation Group
Rockwell AAF, CA - March AAF, CA
1932 - 1953
14th, 28th, 30th, 93rd, 435th [Squadrons]
5th Air Force • 20th Air Force • FEAF
1953 - 2008
19th Bombardment Wing • 19th Air . . . — — Map (db m51655) HM
World War II - Pacific Theater:
Pearl Harbor Day 1941
until the war ended - 1945
Pearl Harbor, Saipan, Guam, Tinian,
Iwo Jima, I E Shima, Okinawa
The 19th flew and maintained
P40s, P47s, and P38s.
In aerial combat, the 19th never lost . . . — — Map (db m92992) HM WM
Air Depot Liberty Ships and Maintenance Unit Auxiliary Vessels supported air operations in the Western Pacific. Army, Navy and Merchant Marines combined to provide aircraft repair shops, specialty services, mobile maintenance, defensive gunnery, . . . — — Map (db m85743) HM WM
Provided mobile communications and air traffic control support to operations in Korea, the Pacific, South Pacific and Vietnam.
Decorations
Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia)
Three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards
with Combat "V" . . . — — Map (db m84955) HM WM
Dedicated to those who served saving the
lives of over 400 downed fliers and crews
1st ERS Mediterranean Theater
7th ERS China, Burma and India Theater
Dedicated 7 Sept 2007 — — Map (db m82753) HM WM
Dedicated to the memory
of
those who served and
those who gave their lives
defending
our precious gift of
freedom
Oldest fighter organization
in the
United States Air Force
1st Pursuit Group
May 1918
1st Fighter Group . . . — — Map (db m26300) WM
Dedicated to all of the
First Radio Squadron men
who served their country
with honor and distinction,
during World War II, in all
combat theaters of operation
installing, testing, maintaining
and operating very specialized . . . — — Map (db m183936) WM
