O'Neil's Aviation Heritage
Note: Neil Armstrong, astronaut and space pioneer, recognized the tremendous contributions made by Larry E. O'Neil in influencing the creation of the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Armstrong inaugurated the honorary enshrinement of Larry E. O'Neil into the National Aviation Hall of Fame on June 20, 1992. View A Tribute to Larry O'Neil (31MB Windows Media File)
While it's true that a new concept usually lives in the mind of an individual, it's equally true that the imaginations of others must be kindled to fire it to its possibilities. Larry O'Neil was both a dreamer and a doer.
From the moment Larry O'Neil's imagination was fired by the concept of a national aviation hall of fame, he became one of its most enthusiastic and active advocates. Never once did he say no to its needs. The concept had two basic goals: honor those who made outstanding contributions to air and space and help bring continuing recognition to Dayton, Ohio as the birthplace of aviation. Larry found solid reasons to nurture and serve the concept well in its struggle for existence.
Larry fought almost single-handedly from 1958 to 1962 to turn the dream into a reality. As a member of the Aviation Committee of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Larry was able to convince enough others that the idea was right, both for the community and for the nation. Larry became one of the five original incorporators of the National Aviation Hall of Fame when it came into existence in 1962 as an Ohio nonprofit corporation.
Larry (pictured left) and coincorporator Gerry Weller are shown aboard the Wright B. Flyer. Larry became one of the first trustees and vice presidents of the Aviation Hall of Fame. With his special help, the first of its annual enshrinement ceremonies was held that same year.
Larry saw an even greater role for the National Aviation Hall of Fame than just a locally sponsored project. He was instrumental in helping lay the groundwork for Congress to establish it as a federally chartered, nonprofit, honoring institution in 1964. He became one of the charter incorporators, along with aviation greats such as Don Douglas, Igor Sikorsky, and a handful of equally foresighted others.
In the years that followed, Larry continued as a devoted member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, serving as a trustee for nearly 30 years. He also served as its president, as chairman of the board of trustees, and as chairman of the board of nominators. On June 20, 1992, he was named an honorary member in recognition of his years of untiring service.
Larry O'Neil's interest in aviation was reflected in his profession. Armed with an engineering degree from the University of Michigan, he worked on many aircraft-related projects for the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base before starting his own engineering design business. Using existing technology whenever possible, he brought down-to-earth practicality to his designs, which have had an unusually high degree of acceptance into production and have a history of extended utility.
The universal aircraft tow bar, which he designed for the U.S. Air Force, is still being procured and used worldwide 35 years after its conception. Recent efforts to design a newer, better tow bar were unsuccessful. Larry's idea was still found to be the best.
In addition to his aviation projects, Larry's designs include a deployable latrine system, for which he received the United States Government Value Engineering Award. Larry O'Neil's engineering savvy has greatly contributed to the aerospace community.