Joseph Duckworth
Joseph B. Duckworth | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Joe" |
| Born | September 8, 1902 Savannah, Georgia,U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 1964(aged 61) Battle Creek, Michigan,U.S. |
| Place of burial | Riverside Cemetery,Albion, Michigan,U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1927–1955 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Joseph B. Duckworth(September 8, 1902 – July 26, 1964) was acolonelin theUnited States Air Force,and was regarded as the "father" of moderninstrument flight.He is also noted in record books as being the first person to fly through the eye of ahurricane.
Early life[edit]
Duckworth was born inSavannah, Georgia,in 1902.
Aviation career[edit]
Duckworth enlisted in theUnited States Army Air Corpsas a Flying Cadet in 1927 and received his wings and reserve commission atKelly Field,Texas,the following year. After graduation, he flew forFord Motor Co.,Curtiss-WrightFlying Service, andEastern Air Lines.It was during this time that he developed his knowledge of instrument flight (obtaining a law degree from theUniversity of Miamiin the meantime).
In late 1940, Duckworth was called to active duty in the rank of a major and promoted tolieutenant colonelsoon after the US joinedWorld War II.He was shocked at the profound ignorance of instrument flying throughout the Air Corps, and appalled that the losses sustained from that type of ignorance were greater than losses due to actual combat. During the rest of the war, he introduced his knowledge of instrument flying at various flying schools, first atColumbus Army Flying SchoolinColumbus, Mississippi,then atBryan Air Base,and helped to standardize instrument flight instruction within the Air Corps.
Duckworth’s most notable single achievement occurred on July 27, 1943, when he flew anAT-6single engine trainer into a small but stronghurricanein theGulf of MexiconearGalveston, Texas,becoming the first person to safely fly through a hurricane.
After the war, he served as the head of the safety bureau of theCivil Aeronautics Board,retiring from the Air Force in 1955 after serving as base commander ofHickam AFB,Hawaii.
Later life[edit]
He died on July 26, 1964, inBattle Creek, Michigan,and was buried at Riverside Cemetery inAlbion, Michigan.The Air Force presents the Col. Joseph B. Duckworth Instrument Award annually to the individual or unit making the greatest contribution to aerospace instrument flight.
References[edit]
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