Few airports have the privilege to honor a local Medal of Honor recipient and their ties to aviation—currently only Chicago for Eddie ‘Butch’ O’Hare and Phoenix for Frank Luke have done so. Wichita has the chance to do likewise. Wichita’s honoring our Medal of Honor recipient with a memorial in the Passenger Terminal of Eisenhower Airport fits perfectly with our city’s aviation focus.
The world’s only original airworthy DH-4 World War I aircraft now resides in Wichita after a hard landing by its previous owner. It is being repaired and restored to flying status. It is identical in make, model, version, and markings to the aircraft in which Bleckley flew during his last flight. It will be the centerpiece of the planned memorial to Bleckley at Wichita’s Eisenhower Airport!
NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP TO FINISH THE RESTORATION AND TO FUND THE MEMORIAL!
Ceiling Display Concept
Floor Memorial Concept
Chicago’s “Butch” O’Hare Memorial at O’Hare International Airport is located in Terminal 2. It features a restored WWII F4F-3 Wildcat fighter in the markings of the aircraft he flew during his Medal of Honor mission. The aircraft is visible from the ticketing area, but the memorial can be visited by passengers once they are in the secure area.
Phoenix’s Frank Luke Memorial at Sky Harbor Airport is located in Terminal 3. It features a restored WWI Spad XIII fighter in the markings of the 27th Squadron of the First Pursuit Group. Frank Luke, known as the Arizona Balloon Buster, was a member of the 27th Squadron. This photograph is courtesy of AFIA (Airport Friends In Arizona).
