Edward L. Feightner
| Edward L. Feightner | |
|---|---|
RADM "Whitey" Feightner in 1970
|
|
| Birth name | Edward Lewis Feightner |
| Nickname(s) | Whitey |
| Born |
October 14, 1919 Lima, Ohio |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1941–1974 (33 years) |
| Rank |
 Rear admiral
|
| Commands held |
USS Okinawa (LPH-3) USS Chikaskia (AO-54) Air Group 10 VF-11 |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Cold War |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (12) Navy Commendation Medal Congressional Gold Medal |
| Other work | Aerospace Industry |
Rear Admiral Edward Lewis "Whitey" Feightner (born October 14, 1919) is a retired United States Navy officer who fought in a number of significant battles in the World War II Pacific Theater of Operations. During two combat tours, he shot down nine enemy aircraft to become a flying ace.
He was an early member of the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron and flew the lead "solo" position. His work as a test pilot included aircraft, electronic systems, and operational tactics such as developing techniques for delivering nuclear weapons from small fighter aircraft. He commanded increasingly larger air units including VF-11 and Carrier Air Group Ten as well as training organizations that helped the Navy transition from propeller to jet aircraft. He commanded two Navy ships, served as the head of Navy Fighter Design, and was a key contributor to fighter studies that resulted in the development of jet aircraft that as of 2015[update] are still in active service.
Feightner was the only pilot to land the dash-1 variant of the Vought F7U Cutlass aboard a carrier. He led VF-11 to become the first Atlantic fleet unit in which every pilot received the coveted "E" award in a single exercise. Since retiring from the Navy, Feightner has continued to promote aviation and share his experiences with others.
Feightner was born on October 14, 1919 in Lima, Ohio, a small town in the northwest part of the state, to Amos and Mary Feightner. He attended Findlay College in Findlay, Ohio and learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP). The CPTP was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government to increase the number of civilian pilots and thereby create a pool of trained aviators from which the military could draw. By 1940, Feightner received his private pilot license. He graduated from Findlay College in 1941.
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Wikipedia