1stLt Leroy M. Wolfe

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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Audray Hamilton Riley

First Lieutenant Leroy Marion Wolfe was born on a farm in Richmond Township, Huron County, Ohio, November 18, 1895 to Mr. and Mrs. William Wolfe. ( Hhis mother was Adelia Vogel.) He graduated from Attica High School in 1913, and taught in the district for two years. He Attended Ohio State University and joined the Army in 1917 and was appointed Lieutenant, Air Service in 1918. The government sent him to Yale where he graduated in 1925.

Lt. Wolfe was assigned to the Philippines where on Ooctober 28, 1932 he died as the result of an airplane crash during gunnery practice. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

He is best remembered as a pioneer in radio communications. The first known demonstration of telephone contact from ground to plane was made by Lt. Wolfe and a McCook Field attache located at a regular city telephone. The story of the demonstration made news throughout the country. He was also noted for work in developing radio beacons to keep a plane on its course by guiding it along a radio-wave path set up by ground broadcasting stations.

While stationed in Arizona, Lt. Wolfe made one of the first official parachute jumps using the Parker-type chute. Later in 1926 he won the national air races for large capacity airplanes (7000 bounds) and was awarded the John Wanamaker Liberty Bell Trophy.

He flew early DeHaviland and Curtiss planes, among others.