Frank Purdy Lahm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 17, 1877 Mansfield, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 1963 (aged 85) Sandusky, Ohio, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | |
| Years of service | 1901–1941 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Air Corps Training Center |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | |
| Relations | Samuel Lahm (grandfather) |
Frank Purdy Lahm (November 17, 1877 – July 7, 1963) was an American aviation pioneer, the "nation's first military aviator",[1] and a general officer in the United States Army Air Corps and Army Air Forces.
Lahm developed an interest in flying from his father, a balloonist, and received among the first civil qualification certificates issued. He met the Wright Brothers in 1907 and used his interest in powered flight to become the Army's first certified pilot in 1909,[2] followed four years later by becoming its 14th rated Military Aviator.[3] In 1916 he became a career aviator, serving in the United States Army Air Service and its successors until his retirement in 1941 at the age of 64, rising to the rank of brigadier general.
Lahm reached mandatory retirement age on the eve of United States participation in World War II but contributed to the growth of the Air Force both during and following the war. Because of his leadership and administration during its construction, Lahm is also known as "the father of Randolph Field,"[4] and because of his lifelong devotion to aviation and aeronautical science, "the father of Air Force flight training".[5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
simpsonxivwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Hennessy 1958, p. 236, Appendix 14
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Hennapp10was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Tour of Historic Randolph" (PDF). Office of History and Research, HQ Air Education and Training Command. 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
huff320was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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