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Ohio Quarter Remembers Flight ContributorsThe Ohio Quarter design theme is Birthplace of Aviation, focusing on the Wright Brothers (Orville was born in Ohio) and Astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, also Ohioans.We all know about the Wrights and their famous Flyer… John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth… and Neil Armstrong, first human to land on the Moon (and the first person to say, “The Eagle has landed.”) Other Ohioans renowned in the annals of flight as contemplated in the Ohio Quarter design include: Captain Eddie RickenbackerEdward Rickenbacker, a native of Columbus, was the most famous American Ace of Aces in World War I. Beginning his service as an aviation mechanic, and without the college background and connections of those typically selected for pilot training, Rickenbacker trained on his own time, and sufficiently impressed his superiors to become a pilot.He further impressed them, and the rest of the world, by shooting down 26 enemy aircraft. Rickenbacker continued as a prominent booster of aviation between the wars. In his writing and speaking he predicted, sometimes over the strong opposition of “experts”, aviation concepts and technical developments that eventually came to pass. He is also remembered as a pioneer in the air transportation industry, and as president of Eastern Airlines for many years. Major Don GentileMajor Dominic Salvatore "Don" Gentile served with distinction for three different air forces during World War II. Initially, as an American volunteer, he signed on with the Canadian Air Force in 1941, prior to America’s joining the fight. His first two kills were at the controls of a British Supermarine Spitfire as a member of the famed Eagle Squadron.Later, after the US entered the war, his unit was absorbed into the US Army Air Force, where he increased his victories to 22. After the war Gentile became a test pilot with the newly formed United States Air Force. General Curtis LeMayCurtis LeMay, more than any other individual, was responsible for the shape of the modern US Air Force.An advocate of a strong strategic bomber force, LeMay’s WWII record included extensive command experience with the 8th Air Force in the European Theater, direction of the 20th Bomber Command in China, and overall command of the American bombing campaign against the home islands of Japan. Post war, he directed the operation of the Berlin Airlift and the creation of the Strategic Air Command. In 1961 LeMay was made Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. NASA Astronaut Dr. Judith ResnickA NASA Astronaut and Mission Specialist, Dr. Judith Resnick flew on the maiden voyage of the orbiter Discovery. Resnick was part of the ill fated Challenger fight that exploded shortly after launch in 1986. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.Quarter-dollar coin image from the United States Mint. Go to Top of Ohio Quarter page… Learn about the other 49 US State Quarters… Go to Home page…
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