Learning Center Our Enshrinees

Elwood Richard Quesada


  • Enlisted in the Air Service in 1924 as an air cadet.
  • Was a member of the five-man crew, including Major Carl Spaatz (enshrined 1967) and Captain Ira Eaker (enshrined 1970), which sought to research aircraft endurance. On New Year’s Day 1929, the crew lifted off from Van Nuys, California, and remained in the air for 150 hours.
  • Commanded the 12 th Fighter Command and was deputy commanding general of the Northwest African Coastal Air Force in the Mediterranean. Quesada immersed himself in new technologies such as radar and radio communications.
  • Spearheaded the use of Close-Air-Support in conjunction with ground forces. Testing his theories during his time commanding the 9th Tactical Air Command in Europe.
  • Acted as President Dwight D Eisenhower’s Aviation Advisor during the late 1950s. Soon after becoming the first acting administrator of the FAA.

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