This week we visit Iowa! Even though it is landlocked, the Hawkeye State played a big role in naval aviation history. It was the home of Eugene Ely, an early naval aviation pioneer who was the first pilot to takeoff and land from the deck of a ship. Iowa was also the home of Naval Air Station Ottumwa, which graduated 4,626 Navy pilots during World War II. On the space side, seven astronauts come from Iowa including Dr. Laurel Clark, Loren Shriver, and Peggy Whitson.
To learn more, please visit these websites:
Astronaut Peggy Whitson
Dr. Laurel Clark
Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman
Dr. James Alfred Van Allen
Astronaut Loren Shriver
Eugene Ely
Naval Air Station Ottumwa
Antique Airplane Association
The Mitchell Institute is a supporting partner of America250
This episode was brought to you by:
Hosts
Heather PenneyDirector of Studies and Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Charles GalbreathDirector and Senior Resident Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence
Doug BirkeyExecutive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace StudiesCredits
Producer
Shane Thin
Executive Producer
Doug Birkey