Took charge of the southern division of American Airways in 1930 and became vice president for operations of the entire airline in 1933.
Elected President and Chief Executive Officer of American Airlines in 1934. Under his leadership, American Airlines introduced the first aerial sleeper service and established transcontinental service along its southern route.
Introduced the Douglas DC-3 to commercial flying.
Joined the Army Air Forces as Chief of Staff of the newly established Air Transport Command and helped build it into a global air transportation system, ferrying most of the nation’s war-planes to overseas destinations and carrying vitally needed men and materiel to every theater of operation in 1942.
Served as Deputy Commander of the Air Transport Command where he traveled to the China-Burma-India Theater to help direct the Hump Operation that transported supplies over the Himalayas to the Chinese armed military.
Launched the first nonstop transcontinental flight service linking New York with Los Angeles after returning to American Airlines following World War II.
Elected American’s chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 1964, and by 1967 built its fleet to 200 jetliners.
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Enshrined: 1974
Birth: September 9, 1899
Death: April 4, 1990
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