Walter Herschel Beech

	WALTER HERSCHEL BEECH Aviation Pioneer - Aero Industrialist
	Born Pulaski, Tenn. 30 January 1891. Built a glider of his own design at age 14. Rated a U.S. Army Aviator in 1917, and barnstormed in the post-war years. In 1924 formed Travel Air Manufacturing Company which became the world's largest producer of private and commercial aircraft in the late 1920's. Co-founded in 1932 with his wife Olive Ann, the Beech Aircraft Company which today remains one of the premier aerospace companies. During World War II Beech turned the entire production of his company to defense, producing more than 7400 aircraft. The famed Twin Beech Trainers produced over 90 percent of the U.S. Army navigators and 50 percent of the multi-engine pilots. Walter Beech died 29 November 1950.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1982