Donald S. Lopez Sr.
Donald Sewell Lopez Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Don Lopez as a USAAF fighter pilot in China, World War II | |
| Born | July 15, 1923 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | March 3, 2008 (aged 84) Durham, North Carolina |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1964 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | 75th FS, 23rd Fighter Group 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Soldier's Medal Air Medal (3) |
| Relations | Donald S. Lopez Jr. (son) |
| Other work | Deputy Director of the National Air and Space Museum |
Donald Sewell Lopez Sr. (July 15, 1923 – March 3, 2008) was a United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force fighter and test pilot and until his death the deputy director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Early life
Lopez was born in
Military career
Lopez learned to fly in college, then volunteered for the Army Air Forces Aviation Cadet Program when the age limit was lowered to 18 in early 1942.
World War II
After earning his wings, he saw combat
Post war
Lopez returned to
Personal life
In 1948 he married Glindel Barron, sister of Florida State Senator
Later life
Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1964, he spent eight years as an engineer on the Apollo and Skylab programs with Bellcomm, Inc., a subsidiary of Bell Labs. In 1972, he joined the staff of the National Air and Space Museum. He was heavily involved in developing and running the National Air and Space Museum, during his later years.
His publications include two memoirs, Into the Teeth of the Tiger (Smithsonian, 1997,
Lopez died from a
Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include:
| ||
| ||
  |
|
 |
|
  |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
USAF Command Pilot
| ||
| Silver Star | ||
| Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Soldier's Medal | Air Medal with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters |
| American Campaign Medal | campaign star
|
World War II Victory Medal |
| National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |
Korean Service Medal | Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters |
United Nations Korea Medal
|
Republic of China War Memorial Medal | Republic of Korea War Service Medal |
See also
References
- ^ Lopez, Donald S. "A History: Lope's Hope & Lt. Donald S. Lopez". AirCorps Aviation. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "National Air and Space Museum's Deputy Director and Aviation Legend Donald Lopez Dies". National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. March 4, 2008. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
- ^ Bernstein, Adam (March 5, 2008). "Donald Lopez; Fighter Ace, Museum Official". Washington Post. p. B07. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
External links
- "National Air and Space Museum's Deputy Director and Aviation Legend Donald Lopez Dies". Press Release. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. March 4, 2008. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
