Stedman Shumway Hanks

Stedman Shumway Hanks (July 17, 1889 – May 23, 1979) was one of the early aviators in the United States. After leaving active military service, he became a prolific writer and a prominent airport engineer who advocated airport construction across the United States.

Biography

Hanks was born in

After graduation, he returned to work in the office of the State Department, where he worked for William Phillips, with whom he had served with in London. At the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Army Air Service.^[2]

In the late 1920s, concerned with the United States' inattention to building international airports, he toured Europe's airports and published his findings in 1929.^[3][4] In 1936, Hanks patented a flight strip, a new concept in auxiliary airfields, and helped gain government appropriation for their construction throughout the country.^[1] Through his publications and consulting work, Hanks became a prominent airport consultant during the industry's early days.^[5]

Personal life

Hanks married Margery Hancock (1894-1982) on February 11, 1919

In 1890, Hank's father had brought Russian Wolf-Hounds to the United States. His seven were the first to come directly to the United States from Russia, originating from the kennels of Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich. After his father's death, Hanks remained active in Borzoi fanciers' activities and continued to fund maintenance of the kennel.^[1][7]

Hanks died at his home in

• Commissioned First Lieutenant, Aviation Section, Signal Officer Reserve Corps, 1917
• Commanding Officer,
  18th Aero Squadron
  , 1918
• Relieved from active duty, 1920; continued to serve in the reserves
• Recalled to active duty, 1940
• Liaison Officer, Office of Assistant Secretary of War, 1940
• Staff Officer, HQ Ferrying Command, 1941-1943
• Various staff duties, HQ United States Army Air Forces, 1943-1945
• Retired, August 1949

References