Grover Loening

	GROVER LOENING U.S. Aviation Pioneer Engineer - Inventor
	Born Bremen, Germany, September 12, 1888. Received the first aeronautical degree awarded in U.S., Columbia University 1910. Assistant to Orville Wright and plant manager of Wright's Dayton Factory in 1913. Formed his own company in 1917 to build navy ship launched airplanes. Built the first amphibian with practical retractable undercarriage widely used by military and private owners. A respected aviation consultant serving industry and government through the 1950s. Author of numerous books and papers on aviation matters. Recipient of the Collier Trophy in 1921 for his "Flying Yacht", the Presidential Medal of Merit in 1946.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1965