Foil: 5 Panel: 4 Column: 3 Line: 112

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shannon

Archie had his first aircraft ride in a Waco Float Plane at age 6. This was the start of a life-long avocation in aviation. He followed aviation through his high school years and took flying lessons at age 16 in 1938.

In 1942 he volunteered for service in the United States Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 866th Bombardier Training Squadron and volunteered for overseas service in 1943. He transferred to the 475 Fighter Group, 432 Fighter Squadron, 5th Air Force. He arrived at Ipswich, Australia in June 1943 and stayed with the Squadron throughout the Southwest Pacific Campaigns. He left the unit in September 1945 in Korea.

He returned to the United States and was discharged Thanksgiving Day 1945 and continued his interest in aviation as a Sergeant with the 126th Fighter Squadron of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

Archie joined the Civil Air Patrol as Air Search and Rescue of the Wisconsin Wing. He was awarded the National Distinguished Service Award by General Lucas Bowe.

He flew many political figures such as Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Governor Karl Rolvaag as part of the Humphrey presidential campaign. He also flew corporate aircraft for Honeywell, 3M and others while living in Minnesota.

Archie stopped flying at age 60 with single and multiengine instrument ratings, land and sea. Since no longer flying Archie continues his interest in aviation through reading about aircraft and the history of aviation worldwide. He also is a volunteer at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.