Learning Center Our Enshrinees

Leigh Wade

• Assigned as a test pilot to McCook Field at Dayton, Ohio following World War I.  While there, he took part in the 1920 Pulitzer Trophy Race and piloted the Martin bomber to a record 27,000 foot altitude.
• Participated in the Air Service’s Round-the-World flight in 1923 where he flew in the “Boston” with Henry Ogden. Wade and Ogden completed 19,000 miles of the intended flight before having to make an emergency ocean landing. The pair were rescued, but the plane capsized into the ocean while being towed.
• Rejoined the flight around the world in a spare” World Cruiser” named “Boston II.” The flight ended triumphantly at Seattle, after a 26,000 mile flight around the world in 175 days.
• Joined Consolidated Aircraft as an overseas sales executive.
• Returned to active duty in 1940 and served in various staff, command, and attaché positions.